Author Topic: Car rental through priceline, hotwire, etc.. (Read 8006 times)

jmail · « **on:** February 23, 2010, 02:34:47 PM »

Quick question for the forum regarding renting through Priceline. This would likely also apply to hotwire, orbitz etc.. reservations.

If I reserve a car through one of these services, will I be able to take advantage of the car rental agency's counter bypass program if I am a member (e.g., National's emerald club, hertz gold, Avis preferred, etc..) or must you go to the counter for these reservations?

Seems like the kind of question someone here would know the answer to.

Thanks in advance!

Dan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:01:06 PM »

Priceline/Hotwire bidding: Highly doubtful.
Orbitz/Expedia, etc: Yes.

md · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2010, 06:13:09 PM »

Priceline-Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I've done it with Emerald.

ChaimB · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:56:53 AM »

keep in mind when using a Hotwire or Priceline since you arent paying the car company but Pl or HW there is no CDW coverage from the CC

makes no difference that they will swipe your CC since you arent paying them if you damage the car the CC will NOT pay

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:03:20 AM »

Quote from: ChaimB on February 24, 2010, 12:56:53 AM

keep in mind when using a Hotwire or Priceline since you arent paying the car company but Pl or HW there is no CDW coverage from the CC

makes no difference that they will swipe your CC since you arent paying them if you damage the car the CC will NOT pay

I called AMEX and they said they would cover CDW on priceline rentals.
Might want to get that in writing though.

ChaimB · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:36:21 AM »

Quote from: Dan on February 24, 2010, 01:03:20 AM

I called AMEX and they said they would cover CDW on priceline rentals.
Might want to get that in writing though.

Who at AMEX did you speak with,if a reg agent then I wouldnt rely on what they say. if you spoke with an agent at their ins company that handles the CDW claims then its worth something.

I believe the booklet from AMEX is no different then MC or VISAs and it will say the entire rental must be charged on the card with the rental company. Which would mean having to pay the rental company directly and thusly paying PL or HW will mean no CDW

jmail · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2010, 07:05:34 PM »

I just spoke with a rep at the amex insurance arm and they said you are covered even if you go through an intermediary website.

Have you had any specific experience where CDW was rejected by Amex when you rented through priceline?

jmail · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2010, 07:26:24 PM »

I just spoke with a rep at mastercard and she confirmed coverage through priceline.

I have to admit though, that I see where ChaimB is coming from. The rental insurace agreements for Amex says as follows (excerpted):

How To Activate CoverageCoverage for theft of or damage to a Rental Auto is activated when the Cardmember:
1. presents his or her eligible Card to the Rental Company to reserve the Rental Auto, by making a reservation; or by placing a hold or deposit at the time the Rental Auto is checked out;
2. declines the full Collision Damage Waiver or similar option (CDW), or pays for a partial collision damage waiver, offered by the Rental Company;
3. is the primary renter, which is defined as the Cardmember, who is named on the written agreement with the Rental Company as the person renting and taking control and possession of the Rental Auto (â€œPrimary Renterâ€); and
4. uses the Card to pay for the entire auto rental from the Rental Company at the time of vehicle return.

"Commercial Car Rental Company" or "Car Rental Company" means any commercial car rental agency which rents Rental Autos.2 For the purposes of this Description of Coverage, Commercial Car Rental company means "Rental Company."

I can see how this can be read to require you rent directly from the rental company, but I think this can also be read to include reservations through priceline.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2010, 06:26:40 AM »

There are 2 different kind of Amex coverages (I have 2 different amex cards, and each one has his own system):

Some Amex cards need you to pay for the rental with the card in order to be covered.

Other amex cards will cover you just for having this amex card (no need to show it at the rental counter or so).

I found this info in the brochure you get with the card, and verified it over the phone with them too.

Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2010, 11:17:34 AM »

Quote from: SuperFlyer on March 01, 2010, 06:26:40 AM

Other amex cards will cover you just for having this amex card (no need to show it at the rental counter or so).

Which one is that?

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2010, 12:04:21 PM »

by me that would be a Plat, but then again, by me its a global card.

MnM1130 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2011, 06:09:45 AM »

Just wondering if anyone here has ever been banned from a car rental company and got that car rental company through priceline... any experience? (im speaking tho priceline right now.. just asking)

AJK · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2011, 10:41:11 AM »

Quote from: MnM1130 on October 23, 2011, 06:09:45 AM

Just wondering if anyone here has ever been banned from a car rental company and got that car rental company through priceline... any experience? (im speaking tho priceline right now.. just asking)

OT: Wow, what does one do get banned from an entire rental co?

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2011, 10:43:54 AM »

Quote from: AJK on October 23, 2011, 10:41:11 AM

OT: Wow, what does one do get banned from an entire rental co?

Rather easy. Accidents, fake id's.

Yeki89 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 23, 2011, 03:04:19 PM »

ask any boucher

Name Changed · « **Reply #15 on:** October 23, 2011, 03:12:16 PM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on October 23, 2011, 10:43:54 AM

Rather easy. Accidents, fake id's.

Even a phone call to them trying to use an AWD that isnt really urs cud get u blacklisted

MnM1130 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2011, 04:58:27 PM »

Quote from: AJK on October 23, 2011, 10:41:11 AM

OT: Wow, what does one do get banned from an entire rental co?

i once made a reservation for my dad using the florida corp account number and they banned him from avis (and budget) so its really quite simple!

AJK · « **Reply #17 on:** October 23, 2011, 05:05:53 PM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on October 23, 2011, 10:43:54 AM

Rather easy. Accidents, fake id's.

Quote from: Name Changed on October 23, 2011, 03:12:16 PM

Even a phone call to them trying to use an AWD that isnt really urs cud get u blacklisted

Quote from: MnM1130 on October 23, 2011, 04:58:27 PM

i once made a reservation for my dad using the florida corp account number and they banned him from avis (and budget) so its really quite simple!

Interesting. Seems ironic more people arent getting blacklisted considering the wholesale use of some of the codes.

MnM1130 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2011, 06:48:38 PM »

BTW... in answer to my question- priceline cancelled my reservation with no problem....

Galitzyaner · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2012, 07:00:25 AM »

General question:

Am I out of the loop? Is there some reason why you folks don't seems to be renting through cheap places like Priceline, Hotwire, OneTravel etc.. or searching Kayak?

Is there some sort of coverage you will be lacking, by renting through these places?

From all the searches I've done, it seems waaay cheaper by booking through the above places (even automatics)..
So why on earth do you guys pay ... more?!

From what I read up here on the DDF, the CC companies do cover the CDW when you book through priceline etc..