I have been searching for a rental car for 6/21 - 6/29. When I first started looking, prices were over $500, even for a subcompact. I have been persistent in checking the car rental savers site and trying different codes and coupons. First I got it down to $324 on Avis, using the SUV special code from the Avis site. Then I got it down to $270 for an intermediate using the Visa code from car rental savers. Then last Friday night, I got a $216 rate with Avis using USAA. I thought that was as good as I'd get -- trying to stick with Avis, Hertz or Alamo so that we can bypass the check-in and go straight to the car.
But I've kept checking ... and tonight I got $201 for a mid-size with Hertz using USAA. Added a AAA coupon and my final price is ... $179.51!! Yayayayay! I'm so happy and proud of myself for being diligent in checking prices. My dh was very grumbly about the initial prices, and keeps checking Hotwire to see if he can get a better deal. HA!
I definitely recommend persistent checking at the car rental savers site and experimenting with all of the codes and coupons that you qualify for. (We don't have a Costco membership, so I never tried those codes.) The rates can jump up and down from moment to moment and definitely vary from day to day. When you see a low rate, jump on it. It may not be there the next time you check. There is no charge to cancel or modify.
Good luck everyone!
ETA: OMG!!!! Just got it down to $157.04 by using a coupon from the Hertz website ($40 off rentals in Florida PC #127525). Squeeeeeeeee!