I've been using HotWire quite a bit for rental cars. Not been able to find deals that can beat it elsewhere. I do not care which rental car company I go with. Usually get National or Alamo but sometimes Budget or Hertz.
For our upcoming trip I am flying into Panama City on business, then driving the rental car and dropping it off at MCO and riding Magic Express to our resort. Normally one ways would cost a premium but through Hotwire my daily rate is only $24 for a compact.
Earlier in the year I rented a compact at Milwaukee for $15/day and in Detroit $18/day.
I've been watching Hotwire for the past few months. Once you factor their taxes/surcharges to their base rates they have been higher then I've been able to book with the companies themselves.
I currently have 2 One way reservations with Budget for a intermediate car.
MCO-PC $77.69 total (3 days) with Budget
Cheapest rate with Hotwire
Dollar Rent a Car - Economy
Car rental
Car daily rate: CAD34.92
Rental days: 3
Estimated taxes and fees: CAD63.64
Estimated subtotal: CAD168.40
Rental car company will bill you when you return the car.
Estimated Trip Total CAD168.40
and PC-MCO $66.40 total (3 Days) with Budget
Cheapest rate on Hotwire
Dollar Rent a Car - Special car
Car rental
Car daily rate: CAD27.12
Rental days: 3
Estimated taxes and fees: CAD60.40
Estimated subtotal: CAD141.77
Rental car company will bill you when you return the car.
Estimated Trip Total CAD141.77
My rates booking with Budget are less then half of what Hotwire rates are. Sometimes it pays to keep checking prices with the Actual companies if you can't find a great rate on other sites such as Hotwire.