679 thoughts on “Savings Guide: 2023 Hawaii Car Rentals”
Tammie
Aloha,
We always go to Maui in October and I have been checking car rental rates since we purchased our airfare in February. The rates are currently triple on Costco’s website what we are used to paying. Could you please advise why the rates are so high this year and could you please suggest any alternatives for car rentals? Mahalo in advance for your help!
Best thing with car rentals is to keep trying but get something now that you can cancel if necessary. Try our advertiser Discount Hawaii Car Rental, whom we learned about from visitors, or the other sources we listed in article.
I just got back and I was also surprised by the prices at Costco. I ended up using Expedia and was satisfied with their prices. I reserved the car about 2 weeks before my trip.
I’m glad we found this link. We are heading to Kauai in September and then to Oahu. We’ll need a car for both weeks. How soon should we begin looking to reserve the cars?
In general, we’ve noticed that car rentals in Maui have jumped $200 for the same week we’ve been vacationing in Maui. What’s going on? Last year in September, we rented for 9 days a car via DCR under $400. Now it’s $510!
Hi, We are trying to use car rental momma for Advantage car rental. When we follow the link, it says you can have an additional driver added for no charge at the counter but can’t figure out how to confirm that anywhere. Any ideas? Thanks! Chris
Suggest you might go through with reservation (assuming not prepaid). Then call Advantage after it is completed and ask if that is the case regarding additional driver.
I used Turo when I was in Oahu recently and rented from Shams and it was a great experience. The car was only $123 for 4 days and they picked us up and dropped us back off at the airport.
Two reasons to take a picture *in the car rental lot* with today’s paper:
1) Day of rental: to show that a scratch or dent was already there when you rented it.
2) Day of return: to show that a scratch or dent that they say you caused was not actually there when you returned it.
I don’t know about the newspaper, but ALWAYS take pictures before you leave the lot. ALWAYS. Even if the light is poor due to late night pick up – and, especially, if its raining. I asked a lot attendant to do a visual inspection and he added several scars that were NOT on the initial damages chart. Trust NO ONE.
1. if you need to process a claim with either your personal insur company or the credit card insurer, it will help them to fight the rental company in the event the renter tries to pull a fast one on extra costs – there are no ethics boundaries in the car rental business.
2. the digital pictures you take have the date of exposure in the metadata. The insurance company will want to see that data too.
3. AND, of course, take pictures of the vehicle BEFORE you return it. Preferably before it gets too dark of course. Flash pictures don’t work well. Get near some of those bright lot lights.
4. if there IS damage to the car (major or minor) contact the insurance co. BEFORE you return the car. It will make the processing of the damage claim easier for you and the rental company.
The key lessons: do your HOMEWORK; don’t take anything for granted; don’t trust the rental co.; and be careful when/where you park your car in Hawaii’s narrow parking slots. You might be a careful driver – but many other people are NOT.
I have used AutoSlash once so far and like it because they keep checking for lower rates after you have the reservation. They emailed an updated reservation when they found a lower rate. It shaved a few dollars from the original. And their rate was the lowest from the onset.
CAR INTERIOR NOTE:
Yes when it comes to car rental interior cleanliness, it is worth your time to keep an eye on it.
On my last visit, the rental co. had changed to rubber floor mats (thank you!) which made maintenance a breeze.
But, if you have CARPET mats, your first step is to visit a Costco or supermarket to get a cardboard box-tray. Having some newspapers in the tray is good as they can be changed out. Get a sizeable tray that will hold at least two pairs of hiking boots. Keep extra pairs of shoes or sandals that you can switch to after messy hikes. The boot tray is a godsend for keeping Kauai’s red soil off the carpets. It’s a bear to get out once it’s there too.
(An extra cardboard try is also good for holding grocery items, especially when Costco doesn’t supply boxes. )
Pretty simple – and better than a 100.00 cleaning fee!!
Would love an article about the least expensive ways to get from airport OGG to Kaanapali resorts. Uber seems expensive $115-$152 one way. We normally travel during shoulder off seasons (Spring and Fall) and could get a rental car for around $215 for the week – but we’ve notice this year the rates for the smallest class of car is averaging around $300 due to all the fees – eek! We love to just park ourselves at the resort and not drive anywhere – we take the bus system to the shopping and dining. Seems a waste to have a car to just drive us to the resort and sit in the garage all week. Who has suggestions besides Uber?
If you don’t mind a longer trip, try the Maui Bus. See the schedule here: https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/4353 You would take a #35 or #40 from the airport to Kahului, then #20 to Lahaina, and either #25 or #28 (depending on exact destination) to Kaanapali. Your luggage must fit under your seat or on your lap. FYI, there is a car rental location in the Kaanapali area if you decide to do a short term rental during your stay.
Aloha,
We always go to Maui in October and I have been checking car rental rates since we purchased our airfare in February. The rates are currently triple on Costco’s website what we are used to paying. Could you please advise why the rates are so high this year and could you please suggest any alternatives for car rentals? Mahalo in advance for your help!
Hi Tammie.
Best thing with car rentals is to keep trying but get something now that you can cancel if necessary. Try our advertiser Discount Hawaii Car Rental, whom we learned about from visitors, or the other sources we listed in article.
Aloha.
I just got back and I was also surprised by the prices at Costco. I ended up using Expedia and was satisfied with their prices. I reserved the car about 2 weeks before my trip.
I’m glad we found this link. We are heading to Kauai in September and then to Oahu. We’ll need a car for both weeks. How soon should we begin looking to reserve the cars?
Hi Rick.
Suggest trying to get something booked now, then reviewing it once or twice as dates approach. That seems to work best for us.
Aloha.
In general, we’ve noticed that car rentals in Maui have jumped $200 for the same week we’ve been vacationing in Maui. What’s going on? Last year in September, we rented for 9 days a car via DCR under $400. Now it’s $510!
Hi, We are trying to use car rental momma for Advantage car rental. When we follow the link, it says you can have an additional driver added for no charge at the counter but can’t figure out how to confirm that anywhere. Any ideas? Thanks! Chris
Hi Chris.
Suggest you might go through with reservation (assuming not prepaid). Then call Advantage after it is completed and ask if that is the case regarding additional driver.
Aloha.
Hello again!
Looking for car rental in Kona on Dec. 20 to 30. Do I need to reserve now? Can you suggest for a website please?
Mahalo
Karen
Hi Karen.
Yes you should definitely book that now. Have you tried our advertiser, Discount Hawaii Car Rental? We learned about them from our website visitors.
just booked a car through “Advantage Rent a car” for a trip coming up in February? Any idea how this company is?
Shop around with the discount agencies in this story. Compare prices.
I used Turo when I was in Oahu recently and rented from Shams and it was a great experience. The car was only $123 for 4 days and they picked us up and dropped us back off at the airport.
What is the point of taking pictures w/ that day’s newspaper? What does that prove?
Example, I rent a car on Mar 11. I buy that day’s newspaper. On Mar 13, I notice some scratches/dents on the car.
I take pictures of the car on Mar 13 holding my Mar 11 newspaper.
Two reasons to take a picture *in the car rental lot* with today’s paper:
1) Day of rental: to show that a scratch or dent was already there when you rented it.
2) Day of return: to show that a scratch or dent that they say you caused was not actually there when you returned it.
I don’t know about the newspaper, but ALWAYS take pictures before you leave the lot. ALWAYS. Even if the light is poor due to late night pick up – and, especially, if its raining. I asked a lot attendant to do a visual inspection and he added several scars that were NOT on the initial damages chart. Trust NO ONE.
1. if you need to process a claim with either your personal insur company or the credit card insurer, it will help them to fight the rental company in the event the renter tries to pull a fast one on extra costs – there are no ethics boundaries in the car rental business.
2. the digital pictures you take have the date of exposure in the metadata. The insurance company will want to see that data too.
3. AND, of course, take pictures of the vehicle BEFORE you return it. Preferably before it gets too dark of course. Flash pictures don’t work well. Get near some of those bright lot lights.
4. if there IS damage to the car (major or minor) contact the insurance co. BEFORE you return the car. It will make the processing of the damage claim easier for you and the rental company.
The key lessons: do your HOMEWORK; don’t take anything for granted; don’t trust the rental co.; and be careful when/where you park your car in Hawaii’s narrow parking slots. You might be a careful driver – but many other people are NOT.
I have used AutoSlash once so far and like it because they keep checking for lower rates after you have the reservation. They emailed an updated reservation when they found a lower rate. It shaved a few dollars from the original. And their rate was the lowest from the onset.
Suggest checking Advantage/Fox rates, also.
Lately, Autoslash had been notifying us of lower rates, but this time they require prepayment. No go, sorry Autoslash.
Good tip about the car wash and protecting the carpet/floor if hiking. I understand Kauai has some mighty fine RED dirt :0)
Counting the days Jeff – can’t wait to see Kauai and meet up.
CAR INTERIOR NOTE:
Yes when it comes to car rental interior cleanliness, it is worth your time to keep an eye on it.
On my last visit, the rental co. had changed to rubber floor mats (thank you!) which made maintenance a breeze.
But, if you have CARPET mats, your first step is to visit a Costco or supermarket to get a cardboard box-tray. Having some newspapers in the tray is good as they can be changed out. Get a sizeable tray that will hold at least two pairs of hiking boots. Keep extra pairs of shoes or sandals that you can switch to after messy hikes. The boot tray is a godsend for keeping Kauai’s red soil off the carpets. It’s a bear to get out once it’s there too.
(An extra cardboard try is also good for holding grocery items, especially when Costco doesn’t supply boxes. )
Pretty simple – and better than a 100.00 cleaning fee!!
Great Idea! March 2018 rained all month except for four days! Still… love the Garden Island!
Would love an article about the least expensive ways to get from airport OGG to Kaanapali resorts. Uber seems expensive $115-$152 one way. We normally travel during shoulder off seasons (Spring and Fall) and could get a rental car for around $215 for the week – but we’ve notice this year the rates for the smallest class of car is averaging around $300 due to all the fees – eek! We love to just park ourselves at the resort and not drive anywhere – we take the bus system to the shopping and dining. Seems a waste to have a car to just drive us to the resort and sit in the garage all week. Who has suggestions besides Uber?
If you don’t mind a longer trip, try the Maui Bus. See the schedule here: https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/4353 You would take a #35 or #40 from the airport to Kahului, then #20 to Lahaina, and either #25 or #28 (depending on exact destination) to Kaanapali. Your luggage must fit under your seat or on your lap. FYI, there is a car rental location in the Kaanapali area if you decide to do a short term rental during your stay.