Other Car Rental Programs/Partners (ie. Alamo, Enterprise, Sixt) - Experience Renting Through Hotwire

I've noticed that a pre-paid rental at Calgary Airport through Hotwire is considerably cheaper than the "majors" -- even with various discounts and coupons. They give an "in airport" rental (they give you the name among five that are acceptable) upon payment. Has anyone had problems with this program when checking in?

I rarely use them as I enjoy my miles way too much. Nonetheless, as longas you arrive ontime and return ontime, hotwire can be a great value. If anything irregular occurs, you will be an unhappy camper. A quick search for hotwire should bring up plenty of stories of hotwire experiences.

I find Priceline rental policies are a bit more flexible in writing (such as if you arrive late due to flight delays) than Hotwire.

The saying goes to bid lower than the Hotwire price on Priceline to get the car in most cases.

Rasheed

That's a good idea generally, however I've found that priceline's fees are quite a bit higher than hotwire's. So check carefuly.

JP
I find Priceline rental policies are a bit more flexible in writing (such as if you arrive late due to flight delays) than Hotwire.

The saying goes to bid lower than the Hotwire price on Priceline to get the car in most cases.

Rasheed

Make sure you read all the FINE print when renting with Hotwire and Priceline. Make sure you bring the credit card with you that the reservation was booked with and that will be the renter of the vehicle. And if you plan to use a Debit card that you read all the rules that pertain to use of one of those. Pre-paid cards aren't allowed. Oh and I know this sounds silly but you wouldn't believe how often it comes up...Make sure your license is valid. You would not believe how many times we see someone arrive and their license has recently expired...then they can't have the car they pre-paid for. Or that it won't expire During your rental.

And one other note...and this goes with booking any rental...please watch your times when booking. Be careful with your AM's and PM's...they can make all the difference in the world to your rate.
Especially when placing a bid rate, make sure Hotwire/Priceline doesn't change the time on you also. They might accept your bid for one time perameter but it might not be the time you put in. Double check everything!
Rates are Time driven so be very careful.
Other than that...enjoy your special pricing!:D

I rarely use them as I enjoy my miles way too much. Nonetheless, as longas you arrive ontime and return ontime, hotwire can be a great value. If anything irregular occurs, you will be an unhappy camper. A quick search for hotwire should bring up plenty of stories of hotwire experiences.

True - I had Budget (on a Hotwire reservation where they thought there was no recourse) insist that a Kia Rio was a Class C car over Christmas. After a strongly written complaint where I challenged them to demonstrate any two car models that were smaller than the Kia Rio (which they obviously couldn't do) and a threat to dispute the charge, I eventually got a more than total refund.