Tips for car rental savings?

[Mitsu3000gt]

We used Costco the last few times and they were quite a bit cheaper. Also if you use Expedia and do Flight/Hotel/Car from them, you can get some ridiculous deals.

Also if you need more than a compact/economy car, just book a compact and upgrade when you arrive - it will be way cheaper than pre-booking it. When I was in SanDiego, we went from an economy car to a Corvette for $150 for a week, but I think the lady working there was trying to do us a favor.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Whoa: $525 for pre-paid!!

Yeah, the pre-paid seems to be hit or miss. I saved a couple hundred bucks on a week long rental last time. Always worth checking.

[Feruk]

Just rented for San Diego this morning. $160 CAD for 5 days.

Skyscanner.ca

[Strider]

AutoSlash

[benyl]

renting from a non airport location will save you some $$, but it has to outweigh the transport costs to and from the airport.

If you only need a car here and there, see if your hotel has a rental location and just rent when you need the car. save the parking fee.

[Akumaz]

if you have CAA or AMA, go through their travel department
was able to get some really good deals in peak season

[C_Dave45]

So far, no one has come close to my very first search on Expedia. So I'll just stick with them I guess.
Probably just do the four days. The last four are at the hotel/resort which also charges $50+ per day for parking. So we'll just Uber it around while we're there and skip a car rental. Saves over $300 right there.

[Thaco]

yeah honestly Uber is probably the way to go, if you're doing touristy stuff, you'll probably have parking fees there, plus finding a spot, plus car rental, plus hotel parking fee, well over $100/day, even if you go over that a few days with Uber, the convenience of being dropped off at the front door of everything would offset that (disclaimer, i have never used uber, but when considering the options, it seems great for something like this where everybody is out to milk you.)

[C_Dave45]

We used uber daily on our last Vegas trip. Best thing ever. Never had to wait more than about 6 minutes. No tipping, no fumbling with cash or credit card. Just pull up to your destination and get out. Like having your Mom drop you off at the mall! Haha.
The first four days we're staying with friends in suburbia San Diego, so a car is a must. Also I hate returning a rental car at the airport. I much prefer being dropped off right at the terminal.
Can't wait for the trip.