September 2015 Car Rental Watch

Drcell01 · Sep 3, 2015

My continued rental car searches have proven valuable as I continue to find better deals. Today I found a deal at Dollar Rental Car for the 10 days of my vacation. Its a prepay with Lock and Go promo (their choice of vehicle - compact or larger) and using my AAA discount code of $90 including all taxes and fees.

I have Dollar Express account which gets me in and out of the line at the counter fast and the car pickup is in the airport. You must sign up in advance for a dollar express ID. It takes a few days for the ID number to be sent to you via email.

nacho113 · Sep 3, 2015

Dis5150 said:
Okay I made the reservation with my DD25's fiancé's Costco membership number. I can't buy the membership online until tomorrow (payday) as my mortgage check hasn't gone thru yet and don't want to bounce THAT check, lol. I'm assuming we will be fine using his number on the reservation as long as we have a valid card with our name on it when we pick up the car? Or will I need to modify the reservation when I get my actual card number??

You may be able to update this afterwards, or cancel and rebook if the rates haven't increased.
I'm really not sure how closely they check the info (ie: Costco number to the name on the reservation). Having to enter the membership number into the reservation is something new that they just started this spring. In the past this wasn't required and truthfully I don't ever remember being asked to produce my card (although we always carry it with us).
The closest we ever came to anyone even mentioning the Costco membership was on a last minute flight change I was unable to use online check-in and had to use the counter to check-in when we arrived. The rep said "WOW that's an amazing rate you got from Costco" but never asked to see the card even then.

Dis5150 · Sep 3, 2015

nacho113 said:
You may be able to update this afterwards, or cancel and rebook if the rates haven't increased.
I'm really not sure how closely they check the info (ie: Costco number to the name on the reservation). Having to enter the membership number into the reservation is something new that they just started this spring. In the past this wasn't required and truthfully I don't ever remember being asked to produce my card (although we always carry it with us).
The closest we ever came to anyone even mentioning the Costco membership was on a last minute flight change I was unable to use online check-in and had to use the counter to check-in when we arrived. The rep said "WOW that's an amazing rate you got from Costco" but never asked to see the card even then.

DD25 is going to go into Costco tomorrow and get the card there instead of me doing it online. So the reservation is in her name, she is paying with her Visa and Costco will be in her name. I'm just the one paying for everything, lol (giving her the cash). I will check tomorrow and see if rates are the same and rebook. I'm very excited for this lower rate! Can we check in online (or at a kiosk) with the second driver already on the reservation or will we have to go to a counter?

richmo · Sep 3, 2015

Dis5150 said:
Okay I made the reservation with my DD25's fiancé's Costco membership number. I can't buy the membership online until tomorrow (payday) as my mortgage check hasn't gone thru yet and don't want to bounce THAT check, lol. I'm assuming we will be fine using his number on the reservation as long as we have a valid card with our name on it when we pick up the car? Or will I need to modify the reservation when I get my actual card number??

Depends what agency. I know with Alamo, they ask for a membership number when you make the reservation; I'm not sure if the other agencies do. It sounds like you were asked, so I'll answer as if you're using Alamo.

I've never been asked to produce Costco documentation at MCO for Alamo, even before they started asking for the membership number at reservation time. I've always rented with the understanding that they have the right to see documentation for any discount I might use, but I can't remember anyone at MCO asking for it. In your case, since your fiance has a membership and presumably will be along, I think you're covered. I don't think its really necessary for you to purchase a membership just for this case. Once you're married (or have residence in the same place), you can share a membership anyway...no need for two.

Dis5150 · Sep 3, 2015

richmo said:
Depends what agency. I know with Alamo, they ask for a membership number when you make the reservation; I'm not sure if the other agencies do. It sounds like you were asked, so I'll answer as if you're using Alamo.

I've never been asked to produce Costco documentation at MCO for Alamo, even before they started asking for the membership number at reservation time. I've always rented with the understanding that they have the right to see documentation for any discount I might use, but I can't remember anyone at MCO asking for it. In your case, since your fiance has a membership and presumably will be along, I think you're covered. I don't think its really necessary for you to purchase a membership just for this case. Once you're married (or have residence in the same place), you can share a membership anyway...no need for two.

Actually it is my daughter's fiancé that has the card. And he is not coming on this trip. I just used his member id number to see the rate, to see if it would be worth it to purchase the Costco Membership. So if I don't buy it, no one with us will have a card. I don't want to take the chance they ask to see one (that would be just my luck!). I don't mind having the card - I can still use it to buy stuff online since we don't have one in our state. And I will let my daughter put it in her name with me as second person, since she has one near her house in Colorado Springs. Her fiancé is the second person on a card with his grandfather, so she always has to have him (fiancé) go with her when she needs to shop there, so it would be good for her to have her own anyway.

And yes it did make me put in the membership number to even see the rate.

Jarmo · Sep 3, 2015

Just snagged a full size from Dollar 9/6-9/11 (weekly rate), through Capital One Rewards site

Subtotal: $58.81
Taxes and Fees (Opens in a new window) $30.19
Total due: $89.00

Edit: Something strange I noticed with Dollar/Thrifty through Capital One... the rewards rate including taxes seems to be equal to the normal rate before taxes. Kind of an interesting agreement that they must have.

emilymad · Sep 3, 2015

Maybe I just completely missed it but I booked a reservation with Alamo today using the Costco code and it didn't ask for my membership number. We plan to get a Costco membership before our trip so I will have the card but the website didn't require me to have it.

I went back to the Alamo website and I see where it wants you to put a membership number but it allowed me to book with out it.

Dis5150 · Sep 3, 2015

emilymad said:
Maybe I just completely missed it but I booked a reservation with Alamo today using the Costco code and it didn't ask for my membership number. We plan to get a Costco membership before our trip so I will have the card but the website didn't require me to have it.

I went back to the Alamo website and I see where it wants you to put a membership number but it allowed me to book with out it.

That's odd. When I tried to book without it, it wouldn't go any further, putting a message in red on the screen to fill in missing information.

emilymad · Sep 3, 2015

Dis5150 said:
That's odd. When I tried to book without it, it wouldn't go any further, putting a message in red on the screen to fill in missing information.

I know. It is really weird. I even went back to my email confirmation and the price looks right. We hope to get to Costco over the weekend so hopefully I can just rebook then just in case.

BattyKoda · Sep 3, 2015

This thread has been extremely helpful, but I've got another question:

I've got a decent rate with both Dollar and Budget (@165 for a full size, for dates 9/11-9/20, rates through Car Rental Savers as I have no other discounts available other than Visa). I've only used Alamo in the past. Does anyone prefer either over the other or not recommend one, or both, at all?

houseofduck · Sep 3, 2015

Dis5150 said:
That's odd. When I tried to book without it, it wouldn't go any further, putting a message in red on the screen to fill in missing information.

I think I was getting an error message before too and dutifully added my member number each time afterward. But, I just made a reservation and didn't put the number in and it let me book the reservation.

Yellowjj · Sep 3, 2015

Dis5150 said:
That's odd. When I tried to book without it, it wouldn't go any further, putting a message in red on the screen to fill in missing information.

I have never filled in my membership number when booking and it always goes through error free.

MaryS123 · Sep 3, 2015

richmo said:
On the United code, which is an old one, but seems to work fine: You don't need to fly United for this trip (I'll be on US Airways myself), but I'll bring my United MileagePlus card along in case they ask...which they probably won't.

I searched this UA code and seems that it still works. One site says it expires Dec 2015 BUT Alamos website and old cached site says it expires June 2014. I think also UA is no longer partnered with Alamo? Even searching car rentals on UA site its only 3 other companies but not Alamo.

Will Alamo honor this code?

To be certain we can use this code along with our costco card and all will be ok? I just don't want to get to the rental place and then be told sorry this price is not valid you owe $30 more (times 2) for the two reservations we have.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT = Also the contract ID associated with that code says "Contract Id was invalid after Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014"

So I don't think we will be using that united code

Gena001 · Sep 3, 2015

Dis5150 said:
I am getting $90.14 estimated now! How close to the "estimated price" are you actually charged? And how fast will I get the Costco card in the mail? Do I have to have it in hand to use code? Or will I get some print out from Costco when I purchase the membership? I don't have a Costco anywhere near me, but DD25 has one by her house and the car will actually be in her name with my DH as the 2nd driver (we don't have a Visa).

That is exactly my rate! I originally was at $162ish. I continued to watch and check for lower rates, but nothing better has popped up. You do need a Costco card, they may ask to see it.

Good luck!

richmo · Sep 4, 2015

BattyKoda said:
This thread has been extremely helpful, but I've got another question:

I've got a decent rate with both Dollar and Budget (@165 for a full size, for dates 9/11-9/20, rates through Car Rental Savers as I have no other discounts available other than Visa). I've only used Alamo in the past. Does anyone prefer either over the other or not recommend one, or both, at all?

I've done both a Dollar and a Budget rental in the past couple of years at MCO. I'm not sure if any of the procedures have changed, but here's my experience:

At Dollar, I signed up for Dollar Express and filled out whatever info they wanted. When I arrived at MCO, I was able to bypass the counter in the terminal and go straight to the garage. There was a small counter/booth in the garage that had a board with names and car assignments (a parking spot number). You just go to the car and go. If you don't like the car they assigned, there is someone in the booth that can make a change.

With Budget, I signed up for FastBreak, again so I could bypass the counter in the terminal. Instead, you go straight out to the garage and there is a FastBreak counter there. You wait in line there, but when I went there was only one person in front of me, whereas there were lots of people at the counter in the terminal. They may give you a couple options as to which car you want in the class you reserved. I have heard some people say they are pressured to get additional options with Budget, but my experience was they only asked about the gas and SunPass options. Oh, and if you decline the SunPass, be very careful to make sure it is switched all the way off and I also took it down and stored it in the console of the car. Just make sure to put it back before you return the car. If you have a northeast EZPass, the adhesive system is identical...velcro-like tape.

As far as the cars go, the vehicles I got from Dollar and Budget were fine. I still prefer Alamo due to the ability to go straight to a car if you do online checkin and to easily choose from several.

BattyKoda · Sep 4, 2015

richmo said:
I've done both a Dollar and a Budget rental in the past couple of years at MCO. I'm not sure if any of the procedures have changed, but here's my experience:

At Dollar, I signed up for Dollar Express and filled out whatever info they wanted. When I arrived at MCO, I was able to bypass the counter in the terminal and go straight to the garage. There was a small counter/booth in the garage that had a board with names and car assignments (a parking spot number). You just go to the car and go. If you don't like the car they assigned, there is someone in the booth that can make a change.

With Budget, I signed up for FastBreak, again so I could bypass the counter in the terminal. Instead, you go straight out to the garage and there is a FastBreak counter there. You wait in line there, but when I went there was only one person in front of me, whereas there were lots of people at the counter in the terminal. They may give you a couple options as to which car you want in the class you reserved. I have heard some people say they are pressured to get additional options with Budget, but my experience was they only asked about the gas and SunPass options. Oh, and if you decline the SunPass, be very careful to make sure it is switched all the way off and I also took it down and stored it in the console of the car. Just make sure to put it back before you return the car. If you have a northeast EZPass, the adhesive system is identical...velcro-like tape.

As far as the cars go, the vehicles I got from Dollar and Budget were fine. I still prefer Alamo due to the ability to go straight to a car if you do online checkin and to easily choose from several.

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this review of both, I appreciate it. I'll keep checking Alamo but it sounds like I'll be more than ok with either of the other two.
Thanks again.

richmo · Sep 4, 2015

BattyKoda said:
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this review of both, I appreciate it. I'll keep checking Alamo but it sounds like I'll be more than ok with either of the other two.
Thanks again.

You're welcome. I should have pointed out that with both Dollar Express and FastBreak, you likely need to attach your membership number to the reservation. You can sign up for either/both free, but you'll need to modify or make a new reservation...which of course could push the price up or down. If its a significant "up", I'd leave the reservation alone and just check in at the counter.

Dis5150 · Sep 4, 2015

Gena001 said:
That is exactly my rate! I originally was at $162ish. I continued to watch and check for lower rates, but nothing better has popped up. You do need a Costco card, they may ask to see it.

Good luck!

DD25 is getting the card today!

Everything is in her name anyway (I'm just footing the bill by giving her the money to pay for everything), so she will have the card in her name, Visa in her name, reservation in her name, etc. My DH is the additional driver. I am SO happy with this rate! But I will still keep checking right up until we leave, lol!

Dis5150 · Sep 4, 2015

Yellowjj said:
I have never filled in my membership number when booking and it always goes through error free.

I guess the system just doesn't like me, lol, because it definitely would not let me go any further until I put in a number. I will try again today anyway when I have OUR actual number, not the DD fiancé's.

ETA: I just tried it again and it did not require it this time. I think what the problem was is that when I was making the reservation I wasn't sure what they were asking for in that field, lol, so I put Alamo membership number there. It errored, obviously. Then when I tried to leave it blank it wouldn't let me. Rate is up $3.00 today.

awdwnut · Sep 4, 2015

Using all of your wonderful information, I was just able to change our Alamo reservation (full size car from 9/25-10/10) from our previous total of $304 down to $225! This was using the Costco code and the $30 off coupon. We have been counting down to this trip for over a year and this last minute savings was an unexpected bonus! A BIG thanks to everyone who posted info on this thread!

WE ARE IN THE TEENS TOMORROW!!!

awdwnut

September 2015 Car Rental Watch

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