When is the best time to look for deals on car/ minivan rentals?

[alicat07]

We have nixed the idea of the autotrain and are opting to drive like we did the last 2 trips. We are, however, considering renting a minivan to make the trip more comfortable, but I think it may be a little too far out to get a good rate...we are planning on going next January 2013. When is the ideal time to start searching for rental prices? And where should I look for the best deals? Costco? Just online searches? Thank you for any advice you have!

 

[Mister Skellington]

We have nixed the idea of the autotrain and are opting to drive like we did the last 2 trips. We are, however, considering renting a minivan to make the trip more comfortable, but I think it may be a little too far out to get a good rate...we are planning on going next January 2013. When is the ideal time to start searching for rental prices? And where should I look for the best deals? Costco? Just online searches? Thank you for any advice you have!

as long as you are just doing reservations and not actually buying your rental, it never hurts to start early. I book one until I find a better deal and then I book that one and cancel the other. The process is repeated until I leave. Having said that the best rates will most likely be into fall or even early winter for your trip.
Like I said though, it never hurts to start shopping!

 

[Grandmalovesyou]

We are traveling Dec 1- Dec 8th (7 members of my family) we plan to use 2 rental cars. One a large van for the 7 of us and then a 2nd car when some of us would like to do something separate from the group so we decided today to book the Van. We booked thru USAA and we hope we got a good deal. My main worry was that if we waited too long then they might not have Vans available. The 2nd car we hope to wait a while for a deal closer to our travel date. Last Nov we at the last minute decided to go to Disney and we were able to get a SUV within a month of our dates. But that vehicle was only needed for 4 people. The large van was more of a concern. I do not mind paying a bit more for peace of mind.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Usually a week or two before you leave is when the best rates become available.

Rental car companies will release their "last minute" rates which usually span a one week period. For example today Alamo release their last minutes rates and for rental from March 6 thru Mar 12.2012. Couple the last minute rate with a discount coupon and you should be able to get a good rate. And it depends to if your city is among the cities included in the last minute deal.

Or you could opt for priceline and name your own price. The closer you do it to your trip the better chance you have of getting a better deal.

 

[alicat07]

Thank you all for the replies!! I will definitely start looking at rates...so far its not looking too good yet for a minivan type vehicle, but I will keep checking back, especially as it gets closer!! Thank you so much for your input, I don't usually rent cars so I'm new at this!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We are also facing the same situation. We are planning an August WDW trip and are probably going to be staying offsite so we will need to rent a minivan. The rates for a minivan are very high and we don't want to get two cars, so I've also been wondering when the best time is to grab a great rate and where to find coupon/promotion codes for the time we want to go on our trip.