Car Rental Rates for 12/16-24th.......What to expect?

[LIFERBABE]

For those that have rented a vehicle for this time of year in the past, what price should I expect to find? What do you normally call a good deal for 8 days, intermed. picking up at MCO for mid Dec?

Just want a good ballpark, doesnt have to be exact. I just returned from an 11 day trip and used National EA and got a pretty good rate ($178 total) on a intermed using PV code and ENT. coupon.

Is it too soon to start looking/booking?

Thanks!

[bootc3]

bump

[safetymom]

Usually prices near the holiday are much more expensive. It can't hurt to start looking and reserving now.

[mareed]

From what I can currently see, the peak holiday prices go up on Dec. 16. Via Travelocity, without using any special codes, I see a total of $279 for Dec. 16-24 for intermediate.

We're picking 3 different vehicles starting on Dec. 19, and I originally made my reservations in late May and actully posted here because I was surprised at the fairly reasonable rates I was finding since I'd always heard that car rentals during XMAS were really high. An example of the rate is an intermediate for 7 days, Dec. 19 - 26 for $155 total (at Thrifty using WMRT code). Well, this is now $393 at Thrifty with the same code, and the next best thing is $262 at Enterprise.

So, I say it's definitely not too soon to start looking/booking, and I'd definitely do so now before it goes up even more, but still continue to check in case they go back down. Good Luck!

[LIFERBABE]

That's great info! I was surprised by the high rates and wondered if they would go down any.

I am definitely looking.

[DennisP]

Make the car rental reservation but keep checking the rates. I made a car rental reservation in February for our June trip. The cost after discounts was about $210 for a week rental. All other car rental companies were about the same price.

A few days before the trip, I checked the car rental rates again. The cost dropped to about $120. I made a new reservation at the lower price and canceled the original reservation.

[Brikate]

... and how about using coupons or codes during this time? Are they valid? :confused: Was anyone able to use any last year over the Holidays? We will we renting 12/29 - 1/2, (out of and returning to Tampa) so this will be right smack dab over New Year's and we usually use National (unless we can get a better deal elsewhere).

[LIFERBABE]

So far the best rate I have is $214 with Nat'l for the 8 days using 6600330 and -$20 Ent. Coup. for my dates 12/16-24th. My Trav. Agent has $194 for a compact.

I had an awesome rate for our June trip, but I was wondering since this is the holidays, will the rate keep dropping or hold steady due to demand.

As far as using coupons and codes, I was able to use both, but when I tried to use the Ent. Free Upgrade coup. with Nat'l it said it had reached capacity. I called and the CSR told me the same thing, so they must be restricting the coupon usage.