December 2015 Car Rental Rate watch

[Rigbyfab4]

Hi All,

I couldn't find a December 2015 thread, so I thought I would start my own!

I just booked an mid-size with E-Z Rent-a-Car for a week (12/4-12/11) and was quoted $137.27 all-in. A couple of questions...

1) Are these guys really in terminal?
2) Does anyone know what kind of car you actually are likely to get in this category?
3) Anyone have experience with this company in general?
4) Is this a good rate for the week?
5) Will I be able to adjust the times on this ressie once I have confirmed flights?

Thank you! Would love to hear some of these answers plus hear how everyone else is doing!

 

[Conway733]

I haven't heard of this, but now I'm going to check this out. That is a great rate! Hope someone is able to give a positive review.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are in Orlando for Christmas week, December 19th to 26th. We've made an initial reservation for an intermediate SUV with Budget for $272 taxes in. Its a good starting point . We will gladly upgrade to a van if we can get a comparable price (we have two adults and two older teens).

 

[Rigbyfab4]

We're currently booked for a mid-sized rental for $153 (a week and one extra day). This is through E-Z Rent a Car. Hoping to hear from some folks with experience with them what vehicles they're actually renting in that class.

 

[CarolMN]

Bumping up in hopes of more info on codes and rates for early December.

 

[nataliej_vk]

Looking in early December as well but not sure if I want to rent from the airport or once I'm at Disney at the car centre or swolphin any advice????

 

[lugnut33]

I expected this thread to be more busy. Anyways, my BIL put the fear in me by asking if I had seen rental rates for the holiday time. I hadn't, but just checked and figured I'd go ahead and lock on in now as I can always cancel if prices drop. While it's not cheap, it's also not totally unreasonable. I rented a crew cab pickup truck (not my first choice, but it'll work and it was by far the cheapest option) from Alamo using Alamo Insider and Visa coupon for $481 for Dec. 22-Jan 1.

 

[maciec]

I didn't get my lowest rate until October of last year for our December 2014 trip. I'm hoping I can get the same this year! I paid $163 for a mini van for 6 nights 7 days

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Just booked a mid size SUV with Dollar for Dec 23-Jan 5 for $566 using the AAA discount code. Not bad, I think we paid about $600 last year with Alamo and would love to get that rate again. I would rather go with Alamo instead of Dollar.

 

[mmouse50]

I booked a car from alamo with code 7016427 (it was mentioned on another thread and people have used it at MCO with no problem) and the 2 car upgrade AU4224FDC. It was the best that I had found. I don't have a saturday night stay - I got a compact - upgraded to standard for 148.55 12/6 -12/12

 

[Rigbyfab4]

I booked a car from alamo with code 7016427 (it was mentioned on another thread and people have used it at MCO with no problem) and the 2 car upgrade AU4224FDC. It was the best that I had found. I don't have a saturday night stay - I got a compact - upgraded to standard for 148.55 12/6 -12/12

This worked for me - just re-booked at $177 for a week and a day. Same upgrade too - Compact to standard. Thank you!

 

[wdwrich]

I booked a car from alamo with code 7016427 (it was mentioned on another thread and people have used it at MCO with no problem) and the 2 car upgrade AU4224FDC. It was the best that I had found. I don't have a saturday night stay - I got a compact - upgraded to standard for 148.55 12/6 -12/12

Worked for me too. $283 and change for a mid sized vehicle for just under two weeks (12 days) in early December.

 

[prairiesarah]

I just booked through Costco Travel (Canada although when I've checked previously rates were similar on US site and I believe you have to book on your home countries site). Dec 10th to 25th - Minivan through Alamo for $471 for my inlaws. I think that is a pretty good deal and was much better than the $980 it has been at since I started looking. Still waiting on something for my dates - Dec 17th to 27th.

 

[nuzmom]

I'm joining in...
I booked 2 reservations with Alamo, Costco id 7014627 and visa coupon AD2338FDF, Dec 7 to 22nd, for $504 (7 passenger minivan and Std SUV). Premium was only $3 cheaper. Pretty pleased with the minivan price.

We are traveling in 2 groups - my DS and I from the 7th to the 12th and then my DH and older DS join us from the 12th to the 22nd. I've considered 2 rentals, but it just isn't making sense pricewise. I'd rather not have the minivan for just my DS and I, but the best price is to just get one car for the whole time. My DH has some hip issues that make getting in and out of a car uncomfortable so a minivan and/or SUV suits us very well.

Anyway, today was a price drop at Alamo for my rental. Don't know about others, but you may want to check (or make) your reservation. My previous ressie for a premium was $125 higher!!!

 

[LorrieAnn5]

I'm joining in...
I booked 2 reservations with Alamo, Costco id 7014627 and visa coupon AD2338FDF, Dec 7 to 22nd, for $504 (7 passenger minivan and Std SUV). Premium was only $3 cheaper. Pretty pleased with the minivan price.

Anyway, today was a price drop at Alamo for my rental. Don't know about others, but you may want to check (or make) your reservation. My previous ressie for a premium was $125 higher!!!

Thanks nuzmom - This is the first time I've ever needed a rental car so I'm learning as I go. I was able to save about $10 on a Full Size Car with the Alamo codes that you posted; however, I am not a Costco member. Will I be required to show a Costco membership at car pick up?

 

[nuzmom]

Thanks nuzmom - This is the first time I've ever needed a rental car so I'm learning as I go. I was able to save about $10 on a Full Size Car with the Alamo codes that you posted; however, I am not a Costco member. Will I be required to show a Costco membership at car pick up?

I have never had to show my membership card, but YMMV. Because the Costco code gives you a second driver for free (which we really like) and we like their organic products, I joined our nearest club. I don't use codes that I'm not 100% certain I can use, so I wouldn't use the Costco code unless I was a member. I know others on the boards feel differently. I try to always remember to take my membership card with me, just in case.

Did you price a Standard car? At Alamo at MCO the standard and full size are the same cars so there's no need to book a full size, unless it's cheaper than the standard.

 

[LorrieAnn5]

Ok, I cancelled my booking with the Costco code and just kept the Visa discount. I wouldn't consider an AMEX or Military discount w/o meeting the requirements and since I don't have a Costco membership I feel like I shouldn't use that.

Thanks for telling me about the standard/full size being the same. I'm paying about $4 more for full size over standard...I might downgrade to standard. I've been hearing that they just tell you to choose any car in X Rows (one person even scored a minivan in the standard row) but I'm picking up my car at 9pm on a Friday night so I'm afraid there might not be much of a selection.....

I really only need the car to drive to FLL for 2 nights, but it's the same price to rent it for 2 days as it is for the week so I think I feel better about skipping Magical Express this trip and have the car the entire trip.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Years ago at the Phoenix airport I was asked for my Costco card by Alamo, thankfully I had it. That was before I realized the kiosk was the way to go!
I honestly use codes I know I shouldn't but use the kiosk or join the club of the company so I can bypass the counter. On our upcoming trip we are using my husband's employer code which won't be an issue. Although I am using one I don't qualify for to get a car to drive to and from our hometown airport . I make sure I never have a credit card attached to reservation. I can't bypass the counter at my local Avis as it is in a trailer. IF they ask for ID and I can't show it I will just drive our car and pay the parking (in this case renting cars both ways is cheaper than parking for 12 days). Know some from on this but I've never had an issue. My sister has used one code I found several times in the US with no issues. I just booked her a car for over half the rate other codes had. I just always make sure if we use one we don't qualify for there is no insurance with it. I know there would be major problems if something happened.

 

[poop1]

I just got a full size through alamo with the costco and visa rate for dec 11th-19th for $194. Doing the 7 day cruise so dont really need a big car. I used the same codes at the beginning of june for the same car class for 17 days and paid $340. Idk if it was just luck of the draw but i ended up with a minivan. They had all diff types of cars in the full size aisle. Does anyone know if this is common for them to have a buffett of cars in the full size aisle?

 

[HappyHappy]

Do you have to call Costco to add a coupon? I booked a minivan and see some references to coupons but cannot see where to add coupons on line.