Where to Search - USA Hotels and Cars?

[subichow]

Hi everyone, hopefully I'm asking in the right section.. I'm just wondering what various sites or sources you all use when searching for hotels and rental cars in USA. I'm currently using Expedia and whatever else google comes up with on page 1, but if anyone has any better knowledge about where or how to book it would be much appreciated!

 

[24601]

Priceline often have good deals on hotels, especially the mystery ones ("express deals"). Never used them for cars, but they do that too. I've only ever booked cars direct from the rental companies. Suggest compare a few of the hotel sites to find the best thing for you. Assumes of course you aren't tied in to one brand or another in which case maybe check out the hotel sites directly (eg Hilton, SPG, etc).

 

[subichow]

Priceline often have good deals on hotels, especially the mystery ones ("express deals"). Never used them for cars, but they do that too. I've only ever booked cars direct from the rental companies. Suggest compare a few of the hotel sites to find the best thing for you. Assumes of course you aren't tied in to one brand or another in which case maybe check out the hotel sites directly (eg Hilton, SPG, etc).

Nope no hotel loyalty, although by the time I go I'll be Velocity gold which I believe comes with some hotel and car status as well? More concerned with competitive pricing than loyalty overall.

 

[24601]

Nope no hotel loyalty, although by the time I go I'll be Velocity gold which I believe comes with some hotel and car status as well? More concerned with competitive pricing than loyalty overall.

you get bonus VA points if you book via Agoda through the VA website. Their prices are sometimes competitive, often not. Also a bonus on Thrifty/Europcar/Hertz.

 

[robtemt]

For car hire in the USA, we always book through RentalCars.com

Most of the cars are from the typical "big guys" (Hertz/Alamo/Dollar/National). I typically avoid Budget, Dollar, and Fox (especially for LAX).

Your rental includes all the insurances you need (and that sometimes aren't included booking direct). It avoids the up-sell at the counter. Never had any issues, and always have found their price to be lowest. Your credit card insurance and your own comprehensive car insurance here doesn't cover you in the USA. The minimum insurance from the car hire companies is basically third party (covers the person you hit).

Only downside may be if you are a member of Hertz Gold, etc., I don't think these rentals apply to that benefit, but I've never tried to link the 3rd party reservation to the membership account.....

 

[newmarket]

For hotels trivago or Priceline, but can be a little hard to narrow down to location. I generally book directly on the hotels website.

I generally book cars directly via Avis.com.au or hertz.com.au. The .au gets insurance included.

At a pinch I will also use Alamo.

As mentioned above, Priceline also does cars and I have heard a lot of people using them but I never have.

 

[cjd600]

I generally book cars directly via Avis.com.au or hertz.com.au. The .au gets insurance included.

The .co.uk gets insurance included and tends to be cheaperthan the .com.au
(also try hertz.de and hertz.fr for incl insurance and further price comparison, get some variations depending on rental location)

 

[subichow]

Thanks for the tips guys, I hadn't even thought of booking using a .au or other version.

 

[MikeG]

I'm a fan of Skyscanner car hire.

https://www.skyscanner.com.au/carhire

With the car rentals, I've found that AtlasChoice.com and if you wait when the prices are up they get discounted before your eyes.

They include all necessary insurances, leaving nothing to be paid at the counter.

In terms of end rental companies I found Thrift and Alamo to be very good.

 

[sausagefingers]

Someone suggested to me https://www.americacarrental.com/ previous to my last US trip and it saved me $800 on a car I already had booked.
I've booked with them again for a one day hire LAS-LAX.

 

[MikeG]

Someone suggested to me https://www.americacarrental.com/ previous to my last US trip and it saved me $800 on a car I already had booked.
I've booked with them again for a one day hire LAS-LAX.

I just did a quick check and it was about 30% more expensive than atlas choice including insurance on a weekend hire in Chicago.

 

[subichow]

So much searching to do now haha! Thanks everyone, very handy when people who had experience can recommend something rather than just searching aimlessly myself.