Hi All
I will be travelling to Big Island Hawaii in May and am looking to rent a car.
What car hire company should I use? Do you know of any promo codes that can be used during this time.
Is it better to get it at the airport or kona city?
The rental amount has to include insurance such as LDW / CDW as not all places quoted have included this as part of the rental amount.
What car is sufficient to use there as we are first time visitors? (2 people and 1 bag)
Thank you
I'm the OP for the above post.
Both atlaschoice.com and Rentalcars.com seem like what you after.both include insurance and are competive.
The smallest car is sufficient keeping in mind they have larger cars there.
Rentalscars as recommended by nostril is the stand out from forums and reviews.
I also found that by booking on the UK site (www.carhire3000.com), paying in pounds using Citibank Plus or 28 degrees, you can save even further. Good luck!
Actually thinking about applying for 28degrees to use while over there.
Is the savings on forex fees worth applying for it just for this trip only?
Spending wily prob be around 4k including hotel
I had a quick look at atlaschoice.com and for some reason they do not specify which rental company you are booking with. This is important as I read on other forums that Dollar doesn't have very good reviews and tend to be the cheapest. Did they confirm that once you made the booking? Is there any cancellation fee?
You are right to say it does include all the above insurances!
They do use doller.
Use the other website then even though iv used doller pretty much the same
And you had positive experience with them? What car did they give you?
@sagrules:
Booked economy car but was asked if I wanted an uograde(was hoping for that)didn't want to ask and look all keen coz I hate getting slugged. Got convertible mustang for about $10 extra a day.
Experience was ok though it was 5 yrs ago.
They tried to sell me insurance claiming I wasn't fully covered even though I was which I booked with webcarhire.com. They picked the wrong guy.
Not sure if that was doller or broker.
Now iv booked with another broker for that reason
You can also get the Citibank debit card which rivals the 28D, but has the advantage of not needing a credit check and 'marking ' your credit history.
I hired at Hilo a/port and agree a small car is sufficient. I emailed all the hire car companies at Hilo airport, the same comprehvive questions, quote, insurance, type of car, drop off etc, and went with the one I liked the best to deal with.
Good tip about debit card.
Can you also get cash out from merchants or banks without any forex and commission with the citibank card
It's called a Citibank Plus account if you want to check it out.
You will need a credit card to book a rental card, so anna10's advice has a little flaw in this case.
However you can apply for both the 28 deg and the Citibank Plus. One for credit purchases one for cash advances. CBP can make fee free withdrawals at and 7/11 store in the US. BTW as both have no annual fee you can keep them for any further trip you might make.
Alternatively you can use any credit card to book the rental car, but on returning the car tell them you want the charges to be made on your CBP card or pay cash. The credit card will not be charged and you will have no fees.
Both the CBP and the 28D have similar Forex rates and no fees. Which impacts any trip. eg some cards charge $5 per OS transaction so 3 credit card charges. Eg Meal, Show or Shop will add $15 plus other costs like less favourable exchnage rates.
Yep, sorry, I should have elaborated … 'normal' cc needed for bkgs on cars hotels etc, but when you are there you change the card to 28 or Citi which will actually be paying for the car / htl etc. When taking cash out on the Citibank, always press the credit button, as pressing anything else it may not be able to cope.
Thanks
Will look into it
Is this still the case when booking through a broker such as rentalcars.com? I paid for the entirety of my booking using a CBP card. Will they still require a genuine credit card at the desk?
Yes, cash out and no forex / comm fees. Also, can make international transfers (pay for hotels etc), with no fees. Useful for o/s purchases.
It's a good idea to get a card as you may go o/s again. Check their website and make yr own decision.
And, unlike 28D, it has no charge cash out.
When I went last year I booked the LDW / CDW in advance as well incl. int he rental fare. Didn't wan to be surprised by the prices when I arrive.
In total I spent around $900 for 12 days of rental cars ( about 4 days in 3 different islands )
Check this out:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/184842