January 2017 Car Rental Rate Watch Thread

[nascargirl]

Just lowered my rate with Alamo flying into Sandford Airport. I am now at 192 for a full size using the annual pass rate. When I booked 3 weeks ago, I started at 238.00

 

[nascargirl]

Just checked Alamo again, rate is now down to 185.18

 

[JohnDaleswife]

My costco rental will not come down, but it will include a $20 cash card now, so I guess I'll look into that.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Well, I take that back. I dropped the Costco reservation and went with Car Rental Saver, with Enterprise and it went down $40!

 

[nascargirl]

Alamo rate just dropped another 5.00

 

[rookie2]

I'm in a huge panic!! I had a great price thru Dollar but our flight just got changed ....so we arriving 5 hrs early and of course the rental prices are ridiculous now. Any great codes out there or suggestions. Has anyone had any luck calling and changing times w/out a huge price jump?

 

[JamieOak]

I'm in a huge panic!! I had a great price thru Dollar but our flight just got changed ....so we arriving 5 hrs early and of course the rental prices are ridiculous now. Any great codes out there or suggestions. Has anyone had any luck calling and changing times w/out a huge price jump?

I was emailed a 30% off deal through Dollar yesterday and got a booking for a mid-size SUV for $383 for 1/4-1/9 in Houston. I was hoping for a cheaper deal on a smaller vehicle, but they were not available with the promo code for me. It looks like the promo code is 101148. Hope that helps.

 

[Coreyjohnson2007]

I'm in a huge panic!! I had a great price thru Dollar but our flight just got changed ....so we arriving 5 hrs early and of course the rental prices are ridiculous now. Any great codes out there or suggestions. Has anyone had any luck calling and changing times w/out a huge price jump?

what dates / times do you need / type of vehicle?

 

[rookie2]

I was emailed a 30% off deal through Dollar yesterday and got a booking for a mid-size SUV for $383 for 1/4-1/9 in Houston. I was hoping for a cheaper deal on a smaller vehicle, but they were not available with the promo code for me. It looks like the promo code is 101148. Hope that helps.

Thank you I did try that code but the price was still over $400.

 

[rookie2]

what dates / times do you need / type of vehicle?

Jan 19(6pm)-29th(5am). We would like at least a fullsize (we have 5 adult sized ppl) My original booking was $186.24 total now it's showing over $400 for the same dates just a different pick up time.

 

[Coreyjohnson2007]

Jan 19(6pm)-29th(5am). We would like at least a fullsize (we have 5 adult sized ppl) My original booking was $186.24 total now it's showing over $400 for the same dates just a different pick up time.

Ok did a little searching for you, and you might have to get creative. First I would call your original booking company and ask what happens if you show up a little early and see if they can "let it slide" or modify your original. You're not adding any more days so I don't see why not. Personally I might just wing it and see what happens. Once I changed the times in the system when booking to show like 4 days and 23 hours even though it wasn't 100% accurate and it charged me 4 days instead of 5 and save me like 30 bucks. I'm not saying its honest, but, savvy shopper!

Here is what I found and it might take finding a friend with a Costco # to help you. If you go to costcotravel.com and put in your dates/times I saw 334 for a fullsize and a few dollars cheaper for a standard. (Alamo doesn't have a standard row at MCO so you default to the FS row...keep that tip in your pocket for future use...) If you're not cool with doing that go to Alamo website and use code 7013880 - its a Southwest Airlines code. If you sign up for Alamo Insiders (it's free) that will give you a 2nd driver for free. If you do the SW Air code it is 365... Not much cheaper but some. But honestly I would try contacting the rental company directly at MCO and see if they're cool with you showing up "a couple hours early".

 

[rookie2]

Ok did a little searching for you, and you might have to get creative. First I would call your original booking company and ask what happens if you show up a little early and see if they can "let it slide" or modify your original. You're not adding any more days so I don't see why not. Personally I might just wing it and see what happens. Once I changed the times in the system when booking to show like 4 days and 23 hours even though it wasn't 100% accurate and it charged me 4 days instead of 5 and save me like 30 bucks. I'm not saying its honest, but, savvy shopper!

Here is what I found and it might take finding a friend with a Costco # to help you. If you go to costcotravel.com and put in your dates/times I saw 334 for a fullsize and a few dollars cheaper for a standard. (Alamo doesn't have a standard row at MCO so you default to the FS row...keep that tip in your pocket for future use...) If you're not cool with doing that go to Alamo website and use code 7013880 - its a Southwest Airlines code. If you sign up for Alamo Insiders (it's free) that will give you a 2nd driver for free. If you do the SW Air code it is 365... Not much cheaper but some. But honestly I would try contacting the rental company directly at MCO and see if they're cool with you showing up "a couple hours early".

Thank you so much for all of the info. I will call Dollar to see if they will let the earlier time slide. I will also check Alamo It may be worth the membership to Costco as I have a Vegas trip planned in March Someone on another post suggested checking on blk Friday too.
Thanks again!

 

[Coreyjohnson2007]

Thank you so much for all of the info. I will call Dollar to see if they will let the earlier time slide. I will also check Alamo It may be worth the membership to Costco as I have a Vegas trip planned in March Someone on another post suggested checking on blk Friday too.
Thanks again!

curious what they say?

 

[emmabelle]

I know I've picked up cars early and late and never had a problem. We've even called and added days when we've been stuck in WDW because of snow and they haven't upped the rate. I usually use Alamo though.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm in a huge panic!! I had a great price thru Dollar but our flight just got changed ....so we arriving 5 hrs early and of course the rental prices are ridiculous now. Any great codes out there or suggestions. Has anyone had any luck calling and changing times w/out a huge price jump?

Did you link your flight information to the original reservation? If the flight time changed, you have a good argument for the accommodation & they will likely honor it as it's not your fault

With Alamo I have emailed them (info found on their website) and simply stated that my flight times have changed. Make sure to include all the information as to res # and the new pickup time you need.

Note that there were never any questions asked, even when "I" moved the flight up myself a few times after flights dropped substantially on SWA. I've even been able to add a day or two onto existing reservations.

Alamo has a quick automated response, then a 2nd email will be received by a customer service specialist; indicating that the time has been adjusted as a courtesy.

No idea if Dollar or the other vendors roll the same way but I'd sure take the time to email them & ask. I don't suggest calling as there is no paper trail unless you ask for an email modified reservation

Good luck

 

[Halle]

I'm in a huge panic!! I had a great price thru Dollar but our flight just got changed ....so we arriving 5 hrs early and of course the rental prices are ridiculous now. Any great codes out there or suggestions. Has anyone had any luck calling and changing times w/out a huge price jump?[/QUO
Call, they worked with me and kept all three cars I had reserved at the same price.

 

[magicwdw]

Great news!! I have used Dollar the last few years so I am glad to hear that they worked with you.

 

[rookie2]

I LOVE my DIS people!! I called this morning and they changed the pick-up time w/out any additional charges. Sorry it took me so long to reply... this was my first chance to contact them when they were open.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I was perusing the rates at the Costco Travel site for late Jan to early Feb, and they are completely nuts. Fortunately for me, I had already snagged an excellent Budget rate which I had assumed would be a placeholder until something good from Alamo came up, but now I'm not sure. With any luck rates will start to normalize as the dates get closer.

 

[Coreyjohnson2007]

I was perusing the rates at the Costco Travel site for late Jan to early Feb, and they are completely nuts. Fortunately for me, I had already snagged an excellent Budget rate which I had assumed would be a placeholder until something good from Alamo came up, but now I'm not sure. With any luck rates will start to normalize as the dates get closer.

same boat. I booked 1/8-14 for a full size for 157 w Alamo but was thinking cyber Monday would bring something good. Have yet to see anything super good.