Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - Any success using express car rental services in conjunction with PL or HW ?

I've been a frequent user of PL for 4 years (and Hotwire for 2), but only using it for hotel stays ... typically 15 purchases per year.

My question concerns using PL or HW for car rentals: for such purchases, is it possible to utilize "express" services to actually pick up your rental car (these would be Avis Preferred Service, Hertz Gold service, National Emerald Aisle, etc that allow a frequent renter to minimize or eliminate standing in car rental lines) ?

Does anyone have any actual experience with:
1. Completing a successful PL or HW car rental bid
2. Then, providing the car rental company with your "express" number to be added to the reservation in advance (by phone or web)
3. Finally, successfully picking up the car with minimum wait time (just as if you had booked the rental directly without using PL or HW).

Note that I'm not interested in earning any points or miles for the rental ... I would be just looking for the express pickup service.

Thanks in advance. :)

Nope, I never have. I'd be interested to hear others' experiences as well.

Not exactly PL/HW but the other day I went strait to hertz gold counter to pick up my site59 car. They added HG number on the spot and saved me quite a bit of time. I have not tried to call ahead and add HG number to the reservation but I'll try next time.

Yes, I have gone straight to the express lines on priceline cars at Budget in SEA and MCO, and Avis at HPN. I've never had problems, and the transaction takes the same short amount of time in the short line as when I book conventionally. The CSR Budget in Seattle wasn't sure if it would work, but she tried, and it did, no problem.
I've never called in advance to add my #.

Not calling in advance, but walking upstairs to the Avis Preferred couner at DCA, handing them my card, and getting on my way.

I've had winning bids for Hertz, Avis, Alamo, National and Budget. I am enrolled in each of their "express" services.

I've called each company and there is NO way to add your number to the Hotwire or Priceline reservation PRIOR to arrival at the facility. At the facility, most times, I've had no problem using the "express" desk or office at most locations rather than standing in the normal line.

I've had winning bids for Hertz, Avis, Alamo, National and Budget. I am enrolled in each of their "express" services.

I've called each company and there is NO way to add your number to the Hotwire or Priceline reservation PRIOR to arrival at the facility. At the facility, most times, I've had no problem using the "express" desk or office at most locations rather than standing in the normal line.

Ditto. For some reason Hertz, Avis, etc. are unable or unwilling to provide Gold or Express service on priceline reservations.

Rather idiotic if you think about it as it would free up their employees to handle other tasks. :eek:

If you give them you FF #, are you able to get miles/points with these bookings? I have heard contradictory answers.

Does anyone have any actual experience with:
1. Completing a successful PL or HW car rental bid
2. Then, providing the car rental company with your "express" number to be added to the reservation in advance (by phone or web)
3. Finally, successfully picking up the car with minimum wait time (just as if you had booked the rental directly without using PL or HW).


No. It doesn't happen. Fuggedaboutit.

Not calling in advance, but walking upstairs to the Avis Preferred couner at DCA, handing them my card, and getting on my way.

I've had success with AVIS as well (at MKE if memory serves). Just showed them my preferred card and I was out the door w/ a new camry in just a few minutes.

- RightD

Just stumbled across this thread. In the past few months I've twice gotten Avis cars thru Priceline. The first time I showed up and went to the counter in the terminal she directed me to go straight to the Prefered counter. On the second PL rental I called to add my wizard# and was told it was already on the reservation. I am guessing perhaps my credit card information or perhaps my contact information automatically pulls up my wizard#, but curious if this has happened to anyone else?

With Hertz they've always added my number to the reservation automatically when I pick up the car as long as I use one of my credit cards associated with my #1 Club Gold profile, and more importantly, the rentals then count towards 5* and President's Circle status ;)

Update: The Hertz guy at LAX noticed, while processing a PL reservation, that I am a Hertz #1 Club Gold member. He asked why I waited in the line. "Because Gold service isn't available on PL rentals? My name never comes up on the display." "That's true, but you are permitted to use the #1 Gold counter where there is less of a line."