Car Rental Companies

Question

Is Discount Hawaii Car Rentals a reputable company? So much cheaper than renting directly from national brands.

Answer

Good question. Yes — Discount Hawaii Car Rental (DHCR) is a legitimate and generally well-regarded broker that many people use for car rentals in Hawaii. However, like any third-party rental service, there are pros and trade-offs to be aware of. Here’s a breakdown of what to know and whether it’s “safe” to go with them.

Reputation & Reliability

They partner with major national rental companies like Alamo, Avis, Thrifty, Enterprise, and more. That means when you pick up your car, you’re often dealing with a well-known brand, not some unknown local company.
On their website, they highlight no booking fees, no prepayment, and free cancellation — giving you flexibility. This is a big plus compared to some brokers that require prepayment or non-refundable reservations.
Their FAQ warns about “manager’s choice” or “wild card” bookings: if you choose that, the rental company may assign *any* car in the class (or higher), and if you refuse the assigned vehicle, you could pay an upgrade fee. So make sure you understand what you’re booking.
Their customer service gets very good feedback on their website and via testimonials: people praise the “Aloha spirit,” help with changes, and ease of use. Many repeat renters say they come back to DHCR because rates are competitive and the service is strong.
On Yelp, Discount Hawaii Car Rental has high ratings (4.5 stars for Kauai branch, 4.6 stars on Oahu) for being affordable and helpful. That supports the idea that many customers feel comfortable using them.
They also include up to two free extra drivers, which is more generous than many big-name rental companies.

Common Risks & Things to Watch For

As with any broker, you don’t always know which *specific* rental company or car model you’re going to get. Some users report being surprised at the counter. (Especially if using “wild card” options.)
There are a few negative reviews: on Reddit, some mention issues with shuttle times, or not being able to skip the counter even when they thought they could. According to Yelp, one renter was unhappy about being quoted one car class, but then being offered a very different type (and paying more). So make sure you read the rental-counter paperwork carefully before signing.
You’ll want to thoroughly inspect the car when you pick it up, take pictures of any existing damage, and make sure the rental agreement matches what you booked (especially class / size of vehicle). This helps avoid surprises when you return the car. Many complaints in the industry stem from mismatch in expectations, not necessarily shady business from DHCR.

Overall Verdict

Yes, Discount Hawaii Car Rental is reputable and used by many visitors to Hawaii. Their model — acting as a broker with major rental companies — lets them offer lower prices, free cancellation, and extras like multiple drivers. But as with any broker, there is some risk around exactly which vehicle you’ll get and how smooth counter pickup will be.

Recommendations If You Use DHCR:

Book with plenty of lead time — especially in peak travel seasons.
Select a specific car class rather than a “wild card” if you want more control over what you get.
Document the car condition on pickup (photos/video) to protect yourself from damage claims.
Confirm the pick-up hours of the rental company you’ll actually use, especially if you arrive late; some operations have strict closing times.
Save all booking confirmation emails and your communication with DHCR, in case something goes wrong.

If you’re comfortable with those trade-offs, DHCR is a solid way to save money compared to renting direct from national brands — and many people find their service and support exceed expectations.