September 2015 Car Rental Watch

Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina · Jul 18, 2015

Bedeve said:
Bla Bla, etc
Ask before you speak out !
Theproofofthepudding is in the eating
Alamo Customer Service
1(888)233-8749

You are free to book a vehicle as you see fit.

I, personally, would not count on a desk clerk at one of the Alamo sites at the Orlando International Airport to honor something that a customer claims an agent told them when they called their Customer Service Center. Nor would I suggest anyone else take that risk.

If you can get something from them in writing (a response to an email, for example, that you can print and have on hand when you pick up your vehicle), that's one thing. Otherwise, the risk remains that whatever you are told when you call will not be the case when you pick up your car.

Edited to add......I'm also sure that if you called the Alamo Customer Service center and asked if you could use a Costco Code even though you are not a Costco member, I am virtually certain they will tell you that you don't qualify for the discount under that promotion. Considering that was the scenario I was referencing in the post you quoted (though you deleted those pertinent details in your response) I thought it deserved some clarification here.

lovingthemouse · Jul 18, 2015

Thanks so much for the BJ's coupons. We are looking for an 8 passenger minivan, and sadly, the BJ's coupons do not include that class. Have 2 minivans booked, each a little over $300 for Sept 10-19. Hoping the prices do go down.

andiraye · Jul 24, 2015

Has anyone booked through nuCar? I saw a great deal on a minivan today. $257 for a week. I've never used them before so am a bit nervous. Are they actually at the airport at the same terminal as the other rental car places?

chocolatemint · Jul 26, 2015

Anyone know approx when we can expect to see rates go down again?

Boardwalk Gal · Jul 26, 2015

chocolatemint said:
Anyone know approx when we can expect to see rates go down again?

I am thinking in Aug..that what happened last year.

n2mm · Jul 27, 2015

I can't imagine the rates going any lower. I've got a standard size car for TWO weeks at a total of $226. That's about $75 a week before taxes and fees added. While I would enjoy seeing it below $200, I'm not expecting it to lower anymore than that. This is with Alamo using the Passholder code and the coupon AD2338FDF. National is double this price. (which I prefer). My dates are September 10-23.

richmo · Jul 27, 2015

chocolatemint said:
Anyone know approx when we can expect to see rates go down again?

Depends when you're leaving. There could be reductions at any time (or increases). Often the best deals are anywhere from 2 to 21 days before you leave. You should, of course, keep checking occasionally now and have something booked. But about three weeks out is when you should check on a regular basis and keep doing it until you leave. During that period I've seen rates fluctuate several times within the same day.

Gena001 · Jul 27, 2015

For my trip - pick up in FLL 9/5 & return to MCO 9/12...the rates went up about $50. Glad I booked already! but I'll keep watching.

:car:

xiaojunjun · Jul 27, 2015

Don’t Do This Sneaky Move to Save Money on Using contract ID. You should only use the codes if you’re qualified!
Here's a true story for using a “fraudulent” discount code on car rental.

http://elliott.org/should-i-take-the-case/dinged-using-fraudulent-discount-code-avis-rental/

If they found out you used a fraudulent code you will no longer be able to rent vehicles from any Holdings Company (Enterprise, Alamo, National).
All other accounts related to your account will also be closed. If you were to open a new account, it would also be closed.
If there's any kind of accident, particularly if someone is injured, there's going to be follow-up, the company assigned the ID will be asked to doument the user's employment. And, that's when this moves from a small paymnt issue to fraud. At a minimum, in an out-of-court settlement, you will wind up paying full damages out of pocket.

richmo · Jul 28, 2015

I agree with using only codes that I can document. I remember reading a case (don't think it was here; maybe Flyertalk?) where someone found a code (I'm thinking for Avis, but not sure) by accidentally transposing two digits in a corporate ID. Anyway, it turned out to be a corporate code, had really good rates and included all insurances (that should have been a red flag right there). This person didn't have to produce any documentation when picking up the car and all was good except they got in an accident. After that the problems started, because it got back to the corporation that Avis had the contract with. Not sure how it all got resolved but both the driver and the company were in dispute with Avis (?) for letting the car out, the insurance company didn't want to honor the claim since it wasn't an employee of the company, etc. Messy.

I agree that is an extreme case and you're not going to run into that kind of problem if trying to use, for example, a Costco discount while not a member. But, besides it being wrong, at least in my mind, the last thing I want is to be challenged to produce documentation I don't have. I will also agree that its pretty rare, at least with Alamo, to be asked for any proof of membership or physical questions, etc....at least at MCO. My only point is they could, and do have the right to ask for proof. There's enough going on with a trip without worrying about that.

LeslieF · Jul 30, 2015

richmo said:
I agree with using only codes that I can document. I remember reading a case (don't think it was here; maybe Flyertalk?) where someone found a code (I'm thinking for Avis, but not sure) by accidentally transposing two digits in a corporate ID. Anyway, it turned out to be a corporate code, had really good rates and included all insurances (that should have been a red flag right there). This person didn't have to produce any documentation when picking up the car and all was good except they got in an accident. After that the problems started, because it got back to the corporation that Avis had the contract with. Not sure how it all got resolved but both the driver and the company were in dispute with Avis (?) for letting the car out, the insurance company didn't want to honor the claim since it wasn't an employee of the company, etc. Messy.

I agree that is an extreme case and you're not going to run into that kind of problem if trying to use, for example, a Costco discount while not a member. But, besides it being wrong, at least in my mind, the last thing I want is to be challenged to produce documentation I don't have. I will also agree that its pretty rare, at least with Alamo, to be asked for any proof of membership or physical questions, etc....at least at MCO. My only point is they could, and do have the right to ask for proof. There's enough going on with a trip without worrying about that.

Agree! I've heard of messes like that occurring before!

ocalla · Aug 1, 2015

You guys are getting somereally great rates for a full week!!! I only need a car for part of a day from Dolphin Resort location. I'm not finding any good rates for that one!!!

Boardwalk Gal · Aug 1, 2015

i am glad i book this month ago with Alamo...i am amazed how much it has gone up...I am paying 152.00 TOTAL (yes including all the dumb fees) for a compact car for 10 days in Sept. Now it is 235.00 total. Although last year i paid 72.00 TOTAL and hoping it will go down more but i take my current rate if it indeed stays up!! Good riddance!

buzz2400 · Aug 4, 2015

I just got a good rate with dollar, 9/28-10/8 using my AAA with the lock low and go. I had a good rate on that vegas brazil code but I am very hesitant on using it because I don't know if there are restrictions on it.

dreamer66 · Aug 4, 2015

In hoping someone here can help me. We are driving to Orlando from NC & once we arrive will need a vehicle large enough to hold 6 adults & 2 motorized chairs (I forgot the actual name of these but they're for people with walking disabilities). For the trip there & back it will just be my husband & I but one of the motorized chairs will be his so that will with us getting there & back home. We only will need a large vehicle for all 6 of us + the 2 chairs while we are actually in Orlando from 9/4 to 9/12. Since we will need a larger vehicle than the ones we own i thought about just renting a large SUV at home to drive down to Florida & drive back home but the best price I can find is around $800 through Enterprise. If a one has any suggestions or advice i would welcome some. Thanks in advance!

EricMat · Aug 5, 2015

I'm lokking for a Standard SUV rental for 20 days starting on Sept.28th.
You guys are the experts on rental

should I wait for the prices to fall or should I rent this week.

Using coupons and codes, the best price I can find today is around $600 with Alamo. Sixt is less expensive, but I read a few too many unpleasant stories to go with them.

Thanks for the help!

VikingInMouseEars · Aug 6, 2015

EricMat said:
I'm lokking for a Standard SUV rental for 20 days starting on Sept.28th.
You guys are the experts on rental should I wait for the prices to fall or should I rent this week.

Using coupons and codes, the best price I can find today is around $600 with Alamo. Sixt is less expensive, but I read a few too many unpleasant stories to go with them.

Thanks for the help!

I would go ahead and reserve it and then keep checking rates as your travel time draws nears. That price isn't horrible for a 20 day rental for an SUV. Its quite possible that rates will fall, but in case they don't you can fall back on the $600.

mbethel · Aug 7, 2015

Dollar rates just dropped a bit for our trip. We just booked a trip 2 weeks ago but we started with a minivan ressie for $365 and last night modified our Dollar 9/8-9/17 rental for $295. Used promo code SO15K from mousesavers

BattyKoda · Aug 7, 2015

I found a decent rate on Alamo and a better one on Dollar... but have only really used Alamo in the past. Looking for reviews on Dollar online hasn't done anything to make me lean towards using them. Anyone here recommend them?

EDIT: never mind about Dollar... they added the taxes and whatnot afterwards instead of giving rate with fees upfront as Alamo did. At least for now, Alamo it is.

So new question, is 266.84 for a fullsize for Sept 11 - 20 a good rate? I was able to use the visa code of AD2338FDF.

VikingInMouseEars · Aug 7, 2015

That rate is fair

BattyKoda said:
I found a decent rate on Alamo and a better one on Dollar... but have only really used Alamo in the past. Looking for reviews on Dollar online hasn't done anything to make me lean towards using them. Anyone here recommend them?

EDIT: never mind about Dollar... they added the taxes and whatnot afterwards instead of giving rate with fees upfront as Alamo did. At least for now, Alamo it is.

So new question, is 266.84 for a fullsize for Sept 11 - 20 a good rate? I was able to use the visa code of AD2338FDF.

That rate is fair, I would go ahead and reserve it. But keep checking literally right up until you leave and if/when you find a cheaper rate then book that one and cancel the old one and then still keep on checking.

September 2015 Car Rental Watch

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