ALOHA! Even tho our trip this time is to Big Island, we booked rental car 5 months ago and got a week for $347 jumping thru a couple of pickup and drop off hoops. Checked last week and rates were still north of $1k for the week. Checked this morning, 6 days before arrival and got a Costco rate of $336 pickup/drop off @ KOA. NO PRE-PAY either. Pays to not sweat and wait it out. Not a good forecast tho for LIH.
We have early July and car rates on Big Island are more than our air. How they go down a little before we go. I had called 5 other companies and no one has cars available. Just happy to one. Love Beat of Hawaii. I am not alone in this.
I tried Turo once in Pittsburgh. Remember these are private owners renting their cars. Read the fine print. I got sideswiped in a parking lot and didn’t take his insurance. I figured my own would cover it, but they don’t with Turo. I ended up having to give the guy $500 cash. Wouldn’t use again.
We can’t say. In the past, we’ve had a hard time finding Uber availability here on Kauai (but definitely not in Honolulu). Maybe others can give us a hand.
Hi BOH ! As usual awesome article- when I share article link through a web link it it says “25 tips ….2020” in link. May I suggest you look at it & change it to 2021 as you have recently updated. I have many friends heading to the island the next month or two and I forwarded the best articles out. Mahalo!!
Have the car companies been honoring reservations? I’m just wondering if people are showing up at the counter with reservations, only to be told that nothing is available. I booked our rental last year, and am hoping to show up and have the car be available, and at the price I reserved it for. So far, everything is still showing up in the reservation system, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Hi There,
Thanks for putting together this article. AutoSlash worked magic. I got better result then in 3 days of self search.
Hi Tanya.
Thanks for your comment, and letting us know that your car rental worked out.
Aloha.
We have been seeing a lot of “Rainbow” plates here in Southern California. I guess we know where they all went.
I just booked the rental car for September dates through “Auto Slash” as you recommended! I saved over $400! Thank you so much!
And it was easy!
Hi Timmie.
thanks. Glad to hear that worked for you.
Aloha.
ALOHA! Even tho our trip this time is to Big Island, we booked rental car 5 months ago and got a week for $347 jumping thru a couple of pickup and drop off hoops. Checked last week and rates were still north of $1k for the week. Checked this morning, 6 days before arrival and got a Costco rate of $336 pickup/drop off @ KOA. NO PRE-PAY either. Pays to not sweat and wait it out. Not a good forecast tho for LIH.
Hi Gary.
Yes, good suggestion. We have always checked car rentals right up until a day or two before, and it has saved thousands over the years.
Aloha.
10 days in LIH (end of July) is $2,000 right now!!!!
We have early July and car rates on Big Island are more than our air. How they go down a little before we go. I had called 5 other companies and no one has cars available. Just happy to one. Love Beat of Hawaii. I am not alone in this.
Hi Beverly.
Thank you! You just made our weekend!
Aloha.
Was consider an August trip, but with car prices this high, forget it.
See my comment above! Try Auto Slash!
I always always rent through Costco now. No gouging, guaranteed car.
Auto Slash beat Costco by more than $400!
read the Costco Vacation bundle disclaimer; a car may not be available
You can rent a car through Costco without the vacation bundle.
I tried Turo once in Pittsburgh. Remember these are private owners renting their cars. Read the fine print. I got sideswiped in a parking lot and didn’t take his insurance. I figured my own would cover it, but they don’t with Turo. I ended up having to give the guy $500 cash. Wouldn’t use again.
Are Uber and Lyft doing much business on Kauai? If so, are they available in most areas of the island?
Thanks
Hi Tom.
We can’t say. In the past, we’ve had a hard time finding Uber availability here on Kauai (but definitely not in Honolulu). Maybe others can give us a hand.
Aloha.
Hi BOH ! As usual awesome article- when I share article link through a web link it it says “25 tips ….2020” in link. May I suggest you look at it & change it to 2021 as you have recently updated. I have many friends heading to the island the next month or two and I forwarded the best articles out. Mahalo!!
Hi Nita.
Thanks so much for that and all your comments! Just fixed.
Aloha.
Have the car companies been honoring reservations? I’m just wondering if people are showing up at the counter with reservations, only to be told that nothing is available. I booked our rental last year, and am hoping to show up and have the car be available, and at the price I reserved it for. So far, everything is still showing up in the reservation system, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.