Air Miles for Car Rental

[FayeW]

I just spoke to a rep for Air Miles, and although they can't quote me for a car rental for Feb yet, she did give me an idea of cost based on current rates. Looks like about 900 air miles for a compact car, + $75 for tax. That seemed pretty reasonable to me, but I see that some of you just buy the rental certificates instead. It seemed to be more Air Miles for a $100 gift certificate so now I don't know what is better value. I guess it depends on the car rental rates...if the cash price is high, then the weekly rental using miles might be more value, but if you get it cheap enough, you could practically pay for it with gift certificates

Can someone share their experience using air miles for rental cars in Orlando?

[Sue M]

Originally Posted by FayeW

I just spoke to a rep for Air Miles, and although they can't quote me for a car rental for Feb yet, she did give me an idea of cost based on current rates. Looks like about 900 air miles for a compact car, + $75 for tax. That seemed pretty reasonable to me, but I see that some of you just buy the rental certificates instead. It seemed to be more Air Miles for a $100 gift certificate so now I don't know what is better value. I guess it depends on the car rental rates...if the cash price is high, then the weekly rental using miles might be more value, but if you get it cheap enough, you could practically pay for it with gift certificates

Can someone share their experience using air miles for rental cars in Orlando?

I'd be interested in hearing too. In the summer I cashed airmiles in for a gift Certificate for Budget. I ended up not using it, because Alamo rates went way down, and it was a better deal renting from Alamo even with gift card from Budget.

Trying it again for Jan. trip. I have Budget booked, and will try using gift cert. It's hard because rates keep on changing.

[FayeW]

I hope rates change...they are ridiculous for Feb!

I think I am going to use my air miles for tickets to Universal. I have enough now for (2) 2 day/park-to-park Adult tickets, so I should have enough for the 3 I need by Feb. On the other hand, there are good prices on tickets at undercover tourist, so I may not use them for anything this trip and maybe have enough for a couple of flights next year...

So hard to know what is the best value.

[EvangelineG]

Last time we used airmiles to buy Alamo certificates to pay for our rental. This time we just booked through airmiles for the whole rental (plus taxes). It worked out for slightly more miles this time, BUT we don't have to spend any time watching for sales and trying to get the best possible rate.

So for us, the certificates combined with being vigilant about getting the best rate was the least costly in miles and $$.

And booking the whole rental with airmiles, was bit more in miles, but a lot simpler.

[gilsan]

I think I am going to get the certificates for my trip at the end of October.

I would think the Feb prices will come down. In Feb I got a 10 day rental at the beginning of the month for $92 from National emerald aisle, all taxes and fees included.

[Sparrow78]

I've used Airmiles for Car rental down there. One thing to watch out for is they really try to make you buy the extra insurance. I confirmed with my car insurance before we left that I didn't need to buy extra and the car rental place (I'm sure it was budget) was really rude about it.
In the end I didn't get it and they did upsell us on a bigger vehicle (thankfully since the stroller barely fit in the car we ended up really getting)

I've done car rentals lots on airmiles and I love it.