March 2016 Rental Car Discount ~ Promo Code ~ Rate Watch

[PerfessorZ]

I reserved a car through Alamo back in September for our March 18-27 trip. I'm really glad I did as prices now are *much* higher than when I booked. For the 10-days, midsize car, with Alamo Insider discount, the total was ~$280, taxes and fees included. I checked today and the same rental would be almost exactly twice as much!

My reservation is not pre-paid, so I have the option of switching out should things change, but I'm feeling like I have a pretty good deal at this point.

ETA: When I was making the reservation, I found I saved $8 or $10 by setting the return time 30 minutes earlier than a full 24-hr period. This didn't work with all the rental periods I tried, but if you're staying a non-standard rental time (not a weekend or a week), you might be able to shave a few $ off playing with pickup and dropoff times.

 

[SuzyQue]

After being in shock for the last week at what I might have to pay in March thinking I was late to the game, just booked through Carrentalsavers.com. Renting intermediate (Dodge Avenger etc) from March 6 - March 17 for $285 taxes included. Budget was the same price. Don't mess with putting your own codes in, just put in your pick up info and dates on the home page and let them find it for you. I did then try doing this through the Dollar site and they didn't come anywhere near that price.

*** Just checked and Dollar is now offering this rate under their City Specials.

 

[vacation_junkie]

I reserved a car through Alamo back in September for our March 18-27 trip. I'm really glad I did as prices now are *much* higher than when I booked. For the 10-days, midsize car, with Alamo Insider discount, the total was ~$280, taxes and fees included. I checked today and the same rental would be almost exactly twice as much!

My reservation is not pre-paid, so I have the option of switching out should things change, but I'm feeling like I have a pretty good deal at this point.

ETA: When I was making the reservation, I found I saved $8 or $10 by setting the return time 30 minutes earlier than a full 24-hr period. This didn't work with all the rental periods I tried, but if you're staying a non-standard rental time (not a weekend or a week), you might be able to shave a few $ off playing with pickup and dropoff times.

Alamo Vegas Brazil Code : 7016427 $144 ($99 before taxes/fees) for the week including all taxes. Not prepaid... March 15-22nd
Can't find anything to beat it..

 

[uccats97]

When I used your Vegas Brazil code, it added over $70 to the price without a code! Beware.

 

[SuzyQue]

When I used your Vegas Brazil code, it added over $70 to the price without a code! Beware.

Yes, someone on another thread mentioned the Vegas Brazil code is not a deal anymore, the jig must be up.

 

[cckp72]

Yes, someone on another thread mentioned the Vegas Brazil code is not a deal anymore, the jig must be up.

Uh oh - I used this for my ressie for Feb 27. I wonder if I will get in trouble when getting the car?

 

[wings91]

It's the dates more than the jig. March is Easter, so blackout dates must be in effect. I'm booking for April and September and the VB code is by far the best rate.

Also, in the April I found a $25 Alamo coupon code AD3868JST. Says it's for specialty vehicles, but works for most sizes.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Alamo rates through Costco seem to be dropping. Grabbed an Intermediate for $184 this weekend (travel dates 2/27 - 3/5) and today it's the same rate but the Intermediate SUV dropped to $174 so I snagged that. Considering a month ago all we were seeing was $400+ for a compact I'm feeling pretty good right now. I'll keep watching but happy with these rates if they don't budge.

 

[vacation_junkie]

Uh oh - I used this for my ressie for Feb 27. I wonder if I will get in trouble when getting the car?

No you will not get in trouble for using it. Alamo has no clue if you booked the car rental or they did for you using their Travel Agency ID.

Yes, someone on another thread mentioned the Vegas Brazil code is not a deal anymore, the jig must be up.

I just went in to do another ressie and used the Vegas Brazil code and it worked fine for me still. It's $2 more then my original reservation but its still active.

 

[vacation_junkie]

When I used your Vegas Brazil code, it added over $70 to the price without a code! Beware.

Still worked for me. $150 inclusive for the week.

 

[scottmel]

subscribing

 

[Ranger111]

Hey, I never said the "Vagrant" code did not work. It still will give you a price, it is just what price does it give you? Price it with the code if you want and price it without that code and see what you get. That should be standard for all reservations.

 

[minster22]

Wings91...just used your $25.00 coupon code and it worked nicely with the VB code thank you very much!! Just want to make sure I am eligible to use it. Do you know where it is from?

 

[maux]

Just used the Vegas Brazil code and the $25 coupon and saved $100 on my March 4-11 rental with Alamo! Thanks so much for posting!

 

[Echo queen]

This code worked for me to.

 

[candy0730]

I just booked using the Brazil code and the $25 off (midsize for me - thanks Wings91!) for a total of $178 for 8 days! As of right now without the codes the cost would be $409. Also, using the Brazil code gave me an additional driver free and also no charge for "protection - CDW allocated inclusive". The much cheaper rate and the extra freebies such as the additional driver and insurance make me question using this code. I did a little digging on the Disboards and found a thread where someone stated that if you get in an accident and CDW is included that it may be a problem. They state:

As long as the CDW is NOT included with the rental.
I'm kind of the "glass half empty" kinda guy so I tend to err on the side of caution.
The scenario goes something like this if you have an accident/claim:

CDW is included in the rate ... your own car insurances bows out since you already have coverage with with the CDW = Zero coverage from auto insurance
CDW is included in the rate ... any coverage with a Credit Card is automatically forfeit since you have to decline the CDW from the rental company in order to use the CC coverage. Again = Zero coverage from CC company
CDW is included in the rate ... oops but you are not actually elidgeable to use this coverage because you are not properly affiliated with the company who's rate code you are using . And one last time = Zero coverage from Vegas Brasil affiliation.

You could ultimately be held responsible for all damages incurred in the accident (to all vehicles/parties involved)
Bottom line, if the CDW/LDW is included with the rental and you are not properly affiliated with that company, you are taking a huge risk and I would stay far away from this, just not worth it to save a few dollars.
Now if the rental goes off without a hitch and you save some money, consider yourself lucky.
However if there is a collision with thousands of dollars damage to all vehicles involved and then personal injury as well, you could be "up the proverbial creek without a paddle - or leg to stand on)

***EDIT: Sorry, just read back over my own thread and it sounds kind of preachy. I didn't mean it to come out this way just wanted to make people aware of the possible fallout if CDW is included and an accident/claim is involved.***

Just wondering if anyone has any insight on this. It would be awful to be on the hook for all repairs if there is an accident.

 

[Ranger111]

Whew I did not realize the Brazil "Vagrant" code includes CDW.

Now, if it does, odds are you are O.K. because, seriously, the chance of being in an accident are small.

But, in the remote event you do have an "issue," you are opening yourself up to major -- and I do mean major liability. If, indeed Vegas Brazil includes CDW, I think personally I would be a big fool to use it.

So, accident, two totaled cars -- maybe you could be on the hook for $50-60,000 (loss of use, all that jazz).

Personal injury -- any significant injury $50,000 plus++++

As PP said, not worth it.

If you feel lucky, and it saves you some bucks, go for it.

dave

 

[wings91]

There's strange behavior with the CDW and VB code. Sometimes it's included, sometimes it's not. I booked a SUV a few weeks ago..no CDW. Today it's added in. I agree, with PP, I wouldn't want to risk the responsibility you might incur by taking the CDW when your not eligible for the code. But keep checking, it may not always be included.

 

[vacation_junkie]

Wings91...just used your $25.00 coupon code and it worked nicely with the VB code thank you very much!! Just want to make sure I am eligible to use it. Do you know where it is from?

That is a code used by their travel agency when they book their clients rental cars.
They are fine if you use that code as it only benefits their agency.
Looks like they are providing more business to Alamo then they directly/technically are Works in their favor when they negotiate their discounts/kickbacks from Alamo.

 

[vacation_junkie]

There's strange behavior with the CDW and VB code. Sometimes it's included, sometimes it's not. I booked a SUV a few weeks ago..no CDW. Today it's added in. I agree, with PP, I wouldn't want to risk the responsibility you might incur by taking the CDW when your not eligible for the code. But keep checking, it may not always be included.

I agree... I keep rebooking as the price keeps dropping. 1 out of my 3 last reservation includes the CDW. I'm still confused as to if its a good thing or not..