Renting a Mini Van Questions

[Piglet]

I've never rented a car before so forgive me if these are stupid questions. We will need a mini van for 12 days in January - what can I expect a good rate to be? Any tips to get the best deals? I've looked at Mousesavers and that is very helpful, but from what I can tell discount codes aren't out yet for 2017. Any idea when those start to appear? Also, I don't have a Costco membership and we don't have one near us. Would it be beneficial to get one just for the rental discount?

TIA

 

[tobikaye]

The best deal I was able to get for a mini van was about $400 for 8 days from Hertz. It was just from checking various rental agencies every week and no special codes. I also checked various locations for the same agency since the rate differed even if the locations were only 20 miles apart. Before that rate, I was getting $600-1200 for a mini van. This was for a trip from home to WDW and back.

Just know that as long as you do not do a "pay now" type deal, you can book and cancel as you go without an penalty. I do this when I am renting cars. If I know a few months out, I start checking at least once a week. If I find a better deal, I book it and cancel the previous deal.

 

[Piglet]

The best deal I was able to get for a mini van was about $400 for 8 days from Hertz. It was just from checking various rental agencies every week and no special codes. I also checked various locations for the same agency since the rate differed even if the locations were only 20 miles apart. Before that rate, I was getting $600-1200 for a mini van. This was for a trip from home to WDW and back.

Just know that as long as you do not do a "pay now" type deal, you can book and cancel as you go without an penalty. I do this when I am renting cars. If I know a few months out, I start checking at least once a week. If I find a better deal, I book it and cancel the previous deal.

Is that including taxes and fees?

 

[tobikaye]

Yes, it was, but like I said that was a deal. Lately when I have looked, I am getting about $600-700 as the best deal including taxes and fees for 8 nights. I have been considering a road trip and checking different rates for different vehicles.

 

[mom2rtk]

We rented one locally this summer and the best I could do was 442 (after tax) for the week. That was from budget. At least there were no hidden fees. Be sure to ask about fees for extra drivers. Budget is free for spouses.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have a 7 day mini van rental (December 17th to December 24th) currently reserved with Budget for $221 including all taxes and fees. Booked via carrentalsavers.com using whatever codes are part of their Smartbook (which are open to the general public).

 

[kjw42]

We got ours through Costco last Nov and paid $172.50 for 7 days at MCO. I think I stalked the website for a while to find that price but it does occasionally happen.

 

[monorailsilver]

We had a van in April for 10 days and paid $240 thru Alamo. We started at around $700 when we initially booked.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We had a van in April for 10 days and paid $240 thru Alamo. We started at around $700 when we initially booked.

How close to your travel date was it before you got down to that price?

We have our 'best rate so far' at Alamo for $510 for 12 days. I'm hoping to do better, though.

 

[lidec]

You can try Contract code 7014926 20% off. Coupon code AD3868JST $25.00 off specialty. and Prod. code AS1 Alamo insider.

 

[ice cube]

since you didn't list your dates I put in Jan 9-20 (12 days) with the code I use nationalcar.com $460 all in....list your dates..

 

[monorailsilver]

How close to your travel date was it before you got down to that price?

We have our 'best rate so far' at Alamo for $510 for 12 days. I'm hoping to do better, though.

I want to say January we got it down initially thanks to all the codes that people posted here. We might of dropped it down twice in January.

My dh needs to book our van for next April very soon because it's Easter week we are going. Dreading the beach crowds that week.

 

[Piglet]

I just checked Costco rates for a mini van for our dates and the total was $523 for 12 days, so it may be worth it to get a membership even though we don't have one close. Looks like they are $55.

You can try Contract code 7014926 20% off. Coupon code AD3868JST $25.00 off specialty. and Prod. code AS1 Alamo insider.[/QUO

Thanks for those! I tried them and our return date (1/18) conflicts with the coupon.

 

[Piglet]

since you didn't list your dates I put in Jan 9-20 (12 days) with the code I use nationalcar.com $460 all in....list your dates..

We are January 7 - 18. Just checked our dates and a mini van came up $900+.

 

[Piglet]

Anyone use Advantage Rent a Car? I found 502.00 total for mini van from them.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Any ideas on a deal for a one-day rental? We would be interested in renting a minivan on Nov 27 for the day to drive from Orlando (either MCO or WDW, those plans aren't set in stone yet) over to the Tampa area and back again. Best we've found is around $100 for the day.

 

[ice cube]

Iowamomof4 and Piglet I sent you both a "start a conversation" about helping you out with the rentals needed....

 

[nacho113]

I've never rented a car before so forgive me if these are stupid questions. We will need a mini van for 12 days in January - what can I expect a good rate to be? Any tips to get the best deals? I've looked at Mousesavers and that is very helpful, but from what I can tell discount codes aren't out yet for 2017. Any idea when those start to appear? Also, I don't have a Costco membership and we don't have one near us. Would it be beneficial to get one just for the rental discount?

TIA

Assuming that you will be renting from MCO? or are you looking to rent from home and drive down to WDW?

FYI: Sorry, we don't rent minivans anymore but last year Jan 13-23 we rented a mid-size SUV through Alamo with the Costco rate (from MCO) and price was $194.86 for the 10 days taxes included

 

[FigmentSpark]

We are January 7 - 18. Just checked our dates and a mini van came up $900+.

I'm getting $744 on Alamo with an Insiders number. It was the same when I added the Costco contract ID. Well, it's not $900+

 

[FigmentSpark]

I want to say January we got it down initially thanks to all the codes that people posted here. We might of dropped it down twice in January.

My dh needs to book our van for next April very soon because it's Easter week we are going. Dreading the beach crowds that week.

Thanks. I'll keep watching for a better deal, then. We need ours for March.