Cars at OGG
Dec 28, 2013, 2:41 pm
#91
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: TX
Programs: SPG Platinum, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List, HHonors Gold
Posts: 252
There is no reason to rent a luxury car in Hawai'i - it's just asking to waste money (gas is much more expensive) and if you get even slightly off the beaten path, a luxury car is not going to like the rougher roads, making a circle drive of Maui very difficult - not to mention the soft suspension will have everyone in the car hurling their breakfast if you drive to Hana.
You can upgrade to a convertible if you want something different, or a minivan/suv if you want something bigger (never leave any personal items of any kind visible in the car, especially true of a minivan/suv with lots of windows).
You can upgrade to a convertible if you want something different, or a minivan/suv if you want something bigger (never leave any personal items of any kind visible in the car, especially true of a minivan/suv with lots of windows).
Dec 29, 2013, 1:34 am
#93
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,217
This is normal...rental cars to Hawai'i need to be shipped in from the mainland by Matson, and this is an expensive and time consuming process - so fleet turnaround is not as fast as the mainland, hence higher mileage cars with more wear/tear.
Dec 30, 2013, 1:38 pm
#95
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
Last time I rented a convertible on Maui (several years ago) they had convertibles on the weekly specials page. Click "SPECIALS" on http://www.nationalcar.com
So one strategy could be to reserve a midsize and look for specials the week prior to arriving. I think I paid about the same for a convertible as for a midsize. I was very excited about it, but my wife wasn't that impressed. "You calling this a surprise?"
Dec 30, 2013, 2:58 pm
#96
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: TX
Programs: SPG Platinum, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List, HHonors Gold
Posts: 252
I did a few random searches and they do seem to charge more for convertibles, depending on what your base rate is.
Last time I rented a convertible on Maui (several years ago) they had convertibles on the weekly specials page. Click "SPECIALS" on http://www.nationalcar.com
So one strategy could be to reserve a midsize and look for specials the week prior to arriving. I think I paid about the same for a convertible as for a midsize. I was very excited about it, but my wife wasn't that impressed. "You calling this a surprise?"
Last time I rented a convertible on Maui (several years ago) they had convertibles on the weekly specials page. Click "SPECIALS" on http://www.nationalcar.com
So one strategy could be to reserve a midsize and look for specials the week prior to arriving. I think I paid about the same for a convertible as for a midsize. I was very excited about it, but my wife wasn't that impressed. "You calling this a surprise?"
Dec 30, 2013, 3:02 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: TX
Programs: SPG Platinum, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List, HHonors Gold
Posts: 252
Dec 30, 2013, 4:20 pm
#98
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
Personally, you'll want to spend more time out of your car anyway, so using the $500 towards activities would be what I'd do...but that's just me.
I'd also recommend as others have mentioned -- keep watching the specials, as they do occasionally pop up.
Dec 31, 2013, 6:07 am
#99
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: TX
Programs: SPG Platinum, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List, HHonors Gold
Posts: 252
Supply and demand...
Personally, you'll want to spend more time out of your car anyway, so using the $500 towards activities would be what I'd do...but that's just me.
I'd also recommend as others have mentioned -- keep watching the specials, as they do occasionally pop up.
Personally, you'll want to spend more time out of your car anyway, so using the $500 towards activities would be what I'd do...but that's just me.
I'd also recommend as others have mentioned -- keep watching the specials, as they do occasionally pop up.
Jan 2, 2014, 3:39 pm
#100
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,215
Booked 12/25-30. Very friendly/prompt service on arrival. EA/ES was full of lots of full size cars and an occasion convertible, no SUVs or Vans though when I got there as they had all be specifically reserved, I asked for one but they couldn't accommodate. There were some there when I dropped off I noticed.
I ended up taking a brand new Charger (7 miles on ODO from ES). It was nice as we need the room for the bags, but it is a huge boat of a car.
Very friendly and easy rental all in all.
I ended up taking a brand new Charger (7 miles on ODO from ES). It was nice as we need the room for the bags, but it is a huge boat of a car.
Very friendly and easy rental all in all.
Jan 27, 2014, 12:17 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: valencia ca
Programs: Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 244
I am trying to use my free day to do one way rental. I pick it up from the airport, and drop it off at the Grand Wailea location. However I get this drop fee for $65, normally I don't have to pay any drop fee when I use my free day. any idea?
Feb 11, 2014, 7:00 am
#103
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
YMMV. Generally the answer is no, you'll pick from the ER section of your reserved class, but some have reported success using EA/ES on third party booked reservations. In any case spend some time looking through the coupon thread, it should be possible to get near or below the third party price using publicly available coupons.
Apr 28, 2014, 12:33 pm
#105
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland/Palm Springs
Posts: 123
Picked up on Saturday 4/26
EA had the usual mix of Malibus, Altimas, plus a Nissan Frontier, and a Maxima (!).
I did a last minute special and picked up a Mustang convertible with 5k on it.
The odd part was the exit gate guy encouraged me to leave without any sort of rental agreement. I told him I thought I needed one and he said, "no, you are Emerald Aisle. You don't need a rental agreement." I said I would prefer to have one in case something happened (also to verify I'm the correct renter, pricing, etc.) and he quickly obliged.
EA had the usual mix of Malibus, Altimas, plus a Nissan Frontier, and a Maxima (!).
I did a last minute special and picked up a Mustang convertible with 5k on it.
The odd part was the exit gate guy encouraged me to leave without any sort of rental agreement. I told him I thought I needed one and he said, "no, you are Emerald Aisle. You don't need a rental agreement." I said I would prefer to have one in case something happened (also to verify I'm the correct renter, pricing, etc.) and he quickly obliged.
Last edited by ExManager; Apr 28, 2014 at 12:55 pm Reason: Added Exit Gate Info