Travel Websites?

[shoreman1782]

Does anyone have any strong feelings for or against particular travel websites? Or specifically for traveling domestically and/or renting a car?

I'm looking to book a flight to Boston and rent a car for about a week later this summer. I've been sampling rates on the travel websites (travelocity, expedia, priceline, hotwire, sidestep), and while the flight prices are pretty consistent (and cheap), the car rental rates vary widely--from about $175 for the week to over $300.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by shoreman1782

Does anyone have any strong feelings for or against particular travel websites? Or specifically for traveling domestically and/or renting a car?

I'm looking to book a flight to Boston and rent a car for about a week later this summer. I've been sampling rates on the travel websites (travelocity, expedia, priceline, hotwire, sidestep), and while the flight prices are pretty consistent (and cheap), the car rental rates vary widely--from about $175 for the week to over $300.

All depends what type of car you want to rent, no? I mean a Ford fusion is going to cost a lot less than, say a Jag XJ8.

Jon.

 

[shoreman1782]

Nobody's booked a trip online?

 

[globetrotter]

I do it all the time, but I cant say that I have a favorite - I would say that orbitz has been the best for me at getting good prices on unusual flights, but typically I check orbitz, travelocity and expedia before I book anything. I also often check the car companies directly. try rent a wreck, as well, for low prices.

the best way, I have found, to save money on rent a cars is to change where you pick up the car. check the train station, the airport, and then check if you go out to the suburbs, or someplace a little different, you may save money. this is the type of thing that you may have to call the rental companies.

 

[Kent Wang]

I've had good success with Kayak.com as it searches a bunch of other sites.

Rent A Wreck looks pretty cool. I might use them next month.

Any other sites for car rentals?

 

[whoopee]

Airlines always have packages available online, judging by the clutter in my inbox.

 

[vc2000]

I fly into Boston a lot for business.

Use Kayak for Boston and click on the show other airports selection. Sometimes flying into Providence can be cheaper. (Full disclosure my firm is an investor in Kayak so I might be a little biased)

Use Orbitz for car rental info. Take the best price and reduce it by about 25% and bid on a rental through Priceline. I have had good luck in Boston getting a rental car out of Boston Logan through priceline. Priceline lets you bid the car size and gives you unlimited miles. You can't get air miles for the car but I find that car rental companies you have the chase them down anyway - I'd rather have the better rate. I just had a full sized rental out of Boston over Memorial Weekend for $200 with taxes for a week. Taxes are very high out of the airport - I think taxes were $50-70 of the price. One tax is a flat $10 convention center tax. Amazing.

Anyway I hope this helps.

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by shoreman1782

Does anyone have any strong feelings for or against particular travel websites? Or specifically for traveling domestically and/or renting a car?

Generally, we find the best online ticket prices and car rental rates with either of these consolidators:

Air Gorilla
http://www.air-gorilla.com/Engine/

Yahoo Travel
http://travel.yahoo.com/

We use different sources for our hotel reservations.

_______________________________

 

[Kent Wang]

Vc2000, so you're with Sequoia? The young driver fee for under 25 most rental places charge is ridiculous, like $15-50 a day. I'm trying to wangle my out of it.

 

[AlanC]

In booking my ticket to India recently I found a lot more options going through Orbitz than Expedia.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

Vc2000, so you're with Sequoia?

... or General Catalyst Partners
... or Accel Partners