Orbitz Car Rentals: Your Comprehensive Guide

In the bustling world of online travel agencies (OTAs), each platform strives to offer a comprehensive suite of services to attract and retain customers. Orbitz, a well-established player in the travel booking arena, is no exception. While often recognised for its flight and hotel deals, a common question that arises for travellers is: Does Orbitz offer car rentals? The short answer is a resounding yes. Orbitz provides a convenient platform for booking rental cars, allowing you to consolidate your travel arrangements in one place. This article will delve into how Orbitz facilitates car rentals, its associated benefits, and how it stacks up against other booking methods.

Why Consider Orbitz for Car Rentals?

Orbitz aims to be a one-stop shop for all your travel needs. By integrating car rental services alongside flights, hotels, and vacation packages, they offer a streamlined booking experience. This consolidation can be particularly beneficial when planning a complex trip, allowing you to manage multiple aspects of your journey through a single portal. Furthermore, Orbitz leverages its loyalty program, Orbitz Rewards, and its unique Insider Prices to offer potential savings on rental cars, much like it does for other travel components.

Navigating the Orbitz Car Rental Booking Process

Booking a rental car through Orbitz is a straightforward process, designed to be user-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Searching for Rental Cars

Begin by visiting the Orbitz website or opening the Orbitz mobile app. On the homepage, locate the 'Cars' or 'Rental Cars' tab. You will then be prompted to enter your desired pick-up location, drop-off location (which can be the same or different), pick-up and drop-off dates, and times. You can also specify any preferences you might have, such as the type of car you're looking for (e.g., economy, SUV, luxury).

2. Understanding Search Results

Once you initiate the search, Orbitz will present a list of available rental cars from various providers. The results page typically displays the car type, rental company, price per day, and the total cost. You'll notice that Orbitz often provides filters on the left-hand side of the screen, allowing you to narrow down your options by:

• Rental Company: Filter by specific brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, etc.
• Price: Sort results by the lowest price first.
• Car Type: Select from categories such as economy, compact, mid-size, full-size, SUV, minivan, luxury, convertible, and more.
• Features: Some filters might include options like air conditioning, automatic transmission, or specific passenger capacities.
• Insider Prices: Look out for prices highlighted in blue, indicating a discount available to Orbitz Rewards members.

It's important to pay attention to the details provided for each listing, including any baggage fees or specific terms and conditions. Orbitz, like many OTAs, may sometimes have access to negotiated rates or special promotions that can lead to savings.

3. Making a Reservation

After selecting the car that best suits your needs and budget, click on the price to proceed. You will then be taken to a reservation page where you can review your selection. Here, you can often add optional extras such as GPS navigation, child safety seats, or additional driver coverage. You will also be presented with options for collision protection, which is an important consideration for rental cars.

Hot Tip: Consider using a credit card that offers primary rental car insurance, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card. By paying for your rental with such a card and declining the rental company's collision damage waiver, you can save money and benefit from built-in protection.

Next, you'll need to enter your contact details and payment information. Ensure that you are logged into your Orbitz account to potentially earn Orbucks on your rental car booking. Once all information is entered and reviewed, click 'Reserve' to confirm your booking.

4. Post-Booking and Confirmation

Upon successful booking, you will receive a confirmation email from Orbitz containing all the details of your rental car reservation, including your booking reference number. It's advisable to keep this email handy for pick-up. Orbitz also offers a price guarantee, which, for rental cars, means you can submit a claim if you find the identical booking for a lower price within 48 hours of booking, provided the reservation is at least $50 (excluding taxes and fees).

Orbitz Rewards and Insider Prices for Car Rentals

Orbitz Rewards is a significant draw for many users. By signing up for a free account, you can earn Orbucks on your travel bookings, including rental cars. The earning rate typically stands at 1% for bookings made on the website and 2% for bookings made through the Orbitz app. Every Orbuck is equivalent to $1 and can be redeemed for hotel stays.

Insider Prices are another key benefit. When logged into your Orbitz account, you’ll often see discounted prices on certain hotels, and occasionally, these discounts extend to rental cars. Keep an eye out for prices highlighted in blue, signifying these member-exclusive savings. While the savings on rental cars might not always be as substantial as those for hotels, every little bit counts, especially on longer rentals.

It's important to note that while you earn Orbucks, you generally won't earn loyalty points or status benefits directly with the rental car company if you book through a third-party like Orbitz. This is a trade-off to consider when deciding where to book.

Price Comparison: Orbitz vs. Other Platforms

When it comes to rental car pricing, OTAs often show similar rates across the board, with slight variations due to negotiated deals or promotions. Orbitz's pricing for rental cars is generally competitive. In head-to-head comparisons, Orbitz often matches prices with other major OTAs like Expedia and AmexTravel.com. The standout exception is when Insider Prices are available for specific rental companies, such as Budget, where Orbitz might offer a daily saving of $2 to $5.

Costco Travel is often cited as a strong competitor due to its negotiated group rates, but it typically covers a more limited selection of rental companies. Therefore, Orbitz provides a broader range of choices, and when Insider Prices are applicable, it can offer superior value.

The price guarantee offered by Orbitz is a valuable tool. While the window for claiming a price difference for flights and packages is 24 hours, for hotels and rental cars, it extends to 48 hours before check-in or pick-up. This provides a good safety net, ensuring you're not missing out on a better deal shortly after booking.

Potential Drawbacks of Booking Rental Cars via Orbitz

While Orbitz offers convenience and potential savings, there are a few points to keep in mind:

• No Rental Company Loyalty Points: As mentioned, booking through an OTA usually means foregoing direct loyalty points and elite status benefits with the rental car company. If you are a frequent renter with a specific brand and value their perks, booking directly might be more advantageous.
• Customer Service Layer: If any issues arise with your rental car booking (e.g., a problem with the vehicle, billing disputes), you will need to liaise with Orbitz customer service first, rather than the rental company directly. While Orbitz aims for a seamless experience, this added layer can sometimes introduce complexity.
• Potential for Glitches: Although rare, there can be instances where pricing or availability shown on Orbitz might not perfectly align with the rental company's direct offering, especially concerning limited-time promotions or specific inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I book rental cars using the Orbitz app?

The process is very similar to booking on the website. Download the Orbitz app, log in or create an account, tap on the 'Cars' tab, enter your rental details, and follow the prompts to search, select, and book your vehicle. Booking via the app often earns you a higher rate of Orbucks (2%).

Can I cancel a rental car booking made through Orbitz?

Yes, you can generally cancel rental car bookings made through Orbitz. However, the ability to cancel without penalty depends on the specific cancellation policy of the rental company and the fare type you selected at the time of booking. Always review the terms and conditions carefully before and after booking. You can typically manage your booking, including cancellations, through the 'My Trips' section of your Orbitz account.

What if I find a cheaper price for my rental car elsewhere after booking with Orbitz?

Orbitz offers a price guarantee for rental cars. If you find the exact same rental car booking for a lower price within 48 hours of booking, you can submit a claim to Orbitz to have the difference refunded. Ensure the booking meets all eligibility criteria, such as being in USD and having the same terms and conditions.

Do I earn Orbitz Rewards (Orbucks) on rental car bookings?

Yes, you can earn Orbucks on rental car bookings. The earning rate is typically 1% when booked on Orbitz.com and 2% when booked through the Orbitz app. These Orbucks can then be redeemed for hotel stays.

Are there any special perks for Orbitz elite members on car rentals?

While Orbitz elite status (Gold and Platinum) offers perks on hotels, these benefits generally do not extend directly to rental car bookings made through the platform. Any benefits would be those offered by the specific rental car company for their own loyalty program members, which you typically won't earn when booking via Orbitz.

Conclusion

Orbitz is a viable and convenient option for booking rental cars, offering a user-friendly interface, integration with its Orbitz Rewards program, and the potential for savings through Insider Prices and its price guarantee. While it may not offer the direct loyalty benefits of booking with a rental company itself, for travellers seeking to consolidate their bookings and potentially earn rewards, Orbitz presents a compelling choice. Remember to always compare prices, review the terms and conditions, and leverage the available tools to secure the best deal for your next road trip adventure.

If you want to read more articles similar to Orbitz Car Rentals: Your Guide to Booking Wheels, you can visit the Automotive category.