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View Full Version : Frequent Auto Renters - Spike in Prices Permenant??

Bill From PA
02-02-2002, 09:49 AM
There seems to have been a spike in rental prices for all on site rental companies, we use Dollar. My rental experience is limited to a yearly jaunt to MCO, and I'm wondering if these rates will hold up until Nov., or maybe even get worse. Opinions from more seasoned renters?

Bill From PA
DebbieB
02-02-2002, 10:04 AM
I've been watching National's rates the past 3 years. They usually go up this time of year and stay high until late summer/early fall. I usually make my December and May reservations in August or September when the rates are low. I got around $110-$120 for the past 3 Decembers.
Pluto4President
02-02-2002, 12:19 PM
as Deb said - flunctuation is frequent. Just keep watching. Right now we're going into school breaks!
CarolMN
02-02-2002, 12:41 PM
It's definitely a supply and demand thing. Prices always seem to come down for the "off" seasons. However, I do remember reading somewhere that most of the larger car rental agencies have reduced the size of their fleets by 20-25% and raised their prices at the same time. Article (wish I could remember where I read this) said that it was a response to 9/11 and to the slumping economy.
CarolMN
02-02-2002, 12:47 PM
I remembered where I read the article - it was in the 1/27/02 Sunday Minneapolis newspaper, but actually originated with the Los Angeles Times. Here's the link if anyone else wants to read it:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/425/1115217.html
RobinLyn
02-02-2002, 12:59 PM
We have been vacationing to WDW yearly since 1995, and we also use Dollar. Never had a problem, rates are usually the lowest but not always. I will stay with Dollar mainly because of past experiences and decent rates. You can always cancel if rates go down or you find a better deal. It's much easier than with room reservations that require a deposit. It just requires watching weekly for lower rates on the web.....and I should know!! I'm hoping rates drop for the end of summer (last week of August) but made our reservations at Dollar already. Expecting they will go up rather than down any time soon.

RobinLyn ;)