December 2013 car rental

[lovesdumbo]

$306 for 12/4-11 coming up for me at Alamo standard now, using insider ID and $30 off.

Your dates drop to under $200 if you return to Dolphin too.

 

[mkymouse40]

Can you take ME one way (back to airport)? It looks like you all are suggesting picking up at MCO and returning to the Dolphin and taking ME from there to the airport.

 

[mkymouse40]

Mine went up $200 by changing my dropoff to the Dolphin.

 

[robinb]

Mine went up $200 by changing my dropoff to the Dolphin.

National often charges more for one way rentals.

 

[pigletto]

Dollar is back down again right now for anyone looking. It doesn't seem to cover the dates very close to, or over Christmas. My dates are the 13th to the 22nd and it's at the 198.00 I booked for the other day.

 

[mkymouse40]

I hope this isn't a sign that rental car prices have bottomed out. My Alamo reservations went up as follows: Full size car increased $137; Full size SUV increased $100, and a MiniVan increased $143.

I've been hoping they were going down some more.

 

[pigletto]

I hope this isn't a sign that rental car prices have bottomed out. My Alamo reservations went up as follows: Full size car increased $137; Full size SUV increased $100, and a MiniVan increased $143.

I've been hoping they were going down some more.

Dollar hasn't been coming down in the evenings anymore. Everything is higher again for my dates. We usually go in August, and the pattern I noticed over the years is that rates would do a big drop at about 6 weeks out, and then again right before leaving. I usually got the best rate at 6 weeks out.
So I will continue to watch, but already the December patter is different than what I am used to, and I don't think the same things will hold true.

 

[miksicnarf]

Just wanted to share that I got a great deal with Priceline yesterday. I've tried bidding for a car on PL in the past but they'd never accept a bid as low as I could get elsewhere. Yesterday I got a coupon in email for an additional $3/day toward my bid, so I figured I'd give it another shot--went with what I thought was a totally lowball offer of $15/day for a minivan, and it was accepted! Comes to $178 total, all fees included, for the week with Hertz...our dates are 12/10-17.

I used to scour the internet for codes and try every one with every rental company, but recently I've found I can get the same rates at Costco.com. It still requires checking repeatedly, booking and cancelling as the rate decreases, but at least you only have to check one site. Before I scored the PL deal I had a minivan with Enterprise through Costco for $244 total and a fullsize for $160 (not sure how many people are going) which I thought was pretty good.

 

[lilaggie2002]

I'm on the hunt too for a great deal. Right now we are looking at around $400 for a rental. We are leaving on the 29th and would return the car back to it's original location on Sunday December 8th. I would appreciate any help in finding a better deal. This is my first time to rent a car for a long trip and the $400 was for a standard size car. :S

 

[mkymouse40]

lilaggie2002...there are so many factors involved in finding the best deal. When you check prices, be sure to check the difference between picking up at your local airport versus a rental car company in the immediate area and surrounding area. For instance, I live outside of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. Renting a car in my actual small town can be higher than renting in a city closer to the airport.

Additionally, if you belong to Bjs, Costco, or Sam's Clubs, try their savings. I know that AAA and AARP also rent, but I have found their prices to be higher.

If you join the Alamo Insider's Club, you get an additional driver for free. This could really help you out to be able to share the driving from Texas.

You just need to play around with offers and coupons and make multiple reservations. Then you need to check almost daily to see if and when the prices go down and book again and cancel the earlier reservations. Just be sure you get Unlimited mileage, which is not always available from your local companies.

Good Luck.

 

[lilaggie2002]

lilaggie2002...there are so many factors involved in finding the best deal. When you check prices, be sure to check the difference between picking up at your local airport versus a rental car company in the immediate area and surrounding area. For instance, I live outside of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. Renting a car in my actual small town can be higher than renting in a city closer to the airport.

Additionally, if you belong to Bjs, Costco, or Sam's Clubs, try their savings. I know that AAA and AARP also rent, but I have found their prices to be higher.

If you join the Alamo Insider's Club, you get an additional driver for free. This could really help you out to be able to share the driving from Texas.

You just need to play around with offers and coupons and make multiple reservations. Then you need to check almost daily to see if and when the prices go down and book again and cancel the earlier reservations. Just be sure you get Unlimited mileage, which is not always available from your local companies.

Good Luck.

Thank you!! That's all great advice and gives me a great starting point!

 

[Itinkso]

Booked Alamo via Priceline (no bidding) for Dec 4 MCO - Dec 11 Dolphin $209 for a mid-size. Will keep looking when the dates get closer.

 

[pigletto]

Booked Alamo via Priceline (no bidding) for Dec 4 MCO - Dec 11 Dolphin $209 for a mid-size. Will keep looking when the dates get closer.

Are you able to cancel when you book directly with Priceline and don't use the bidding feature?
We've used the "Name Your Own Price" option a few times, but we wait until the last minute because once we do there is no cancellation policy.

 

[robinb]

Are you able to cancel when you book directly with Priceline and don't use the bidding feature?
We've used the "Name Your Own Price" option a few times, but we wait until the last minute because once we do there is no cancellation policy.

I believe you can cancel as long as you don't use the Name Your Own Price option.

 

[Itinkso]

Are you able to cancel when you book directly with Priceline and don't use the bidding feature? We've used the "Name Your Own Price" option a few times, but we wait until the last minute because once we do there is no cancellation policy.

Yes, you can easily cancel off of the confirmation page as it goes directly through Alamo.

I actually canceled my first reservation, 12/4 - 12/09, when I realized I could get the full week for only $10 more.

 

[Itinkso]

Booked Alamo via Priceline (no bidding) for Dec 4 MCO - Dec 11 Dolphin $209 for a mid-size. Will keep looking when the dates get closer.

Canceled and booked through Costco for $186 for same dates, location and car!

 

[horselover]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone is finding good rates recently. I still have no car reserved for our 12/18-25 stay & it's making me very nervous.

 

[greenclan67]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone is finding good rates recently. I still have no car reserved for our 12/18-25 stay & it's making me very nervous.

Well the best I have done so far over Christmas week. Dec 23rd, 10 am pick up, drop off Jan 2 @ 7 am. Total with taxes & fees was through Avis for $332.83
Using the AWD A074800 and $35 off coupon MUWA130

I figure it is more then I want to pay, but I can live with it!

 

[rackerlee92]

Hi All!

We've only used Alamo in the past, so are unfamiliar with other companies.

Currently I have a Dec 28-Jan6 reservation at National for $340 and a Dollar reservation for $310.

My DH would rather spend more money on convenience (pick our car from the aisle, use kiosk) and the spouse driver option (we are both Alamo and National members).

Today, I found an AVIS rental for just under $300, but didn't reserve because I don't want a bunch of ressies out there.

I know I need to cancel either my National or Dollar, so as to not drive up prices, but am not sure which company is "better"? As I mentioned earlier, we only have (positive) experience with Alamo, but their prices have been considerably higher.

What do you all think?

Thanks!
Rhonda

 

[mkymouse40]

Not only have I not found anything cheaper, but prices have gone up. I hope this isn't the best we are going to get! We're there Dec 2 - 11 and we are still at $178 for a full size car, or $293 for a full size SUV or Mini Van.

This price is with Alamo because I like the additional free driver aspect. Here's hoping for better prices for everyone!