? about paying car rental off in advance

[boomhauer]

Having never rented a car before, I'm not certain how it works.

I have a reservation through Dollar for December. I wanted to pay it off this weekend. First, will Dollar allow you to do that? Second, if the price goes down, will they refund you at all?

Thanks.

 

[safetymom]

I don't know of any of the companies that allow you to pay off your rental car in advance.

 

[tbrenk]

Having never rented a car before, I'm not certain how it works.

I have a reservation through Dollar for December. I wanted to pay it off this weekend. First, will Dollar allow you to do that? Second, if the price goes down, will they refund you at all?

Thanks.

I am using Dollar next month and asked the same thing. They will not let you pay in advance. What I did was set the $$ aside in an envelope and will pay cash when we return the vehicle.

 

[boomhauer]

So you pay when you RETURN the car?

What do you do - Leave a credit card imprint with them when you take the car?

 

[safetymom]

Yes you give them your credit card number when you get there. You can pay cash when you return the car.

 

[boomhauer]

OK - I guess that'll work too. I'm one of those people who likes to pay everything off in advance, but I suppose I can bank the money aside until we leave.

Thanks for the quick replies.

 

[szymon]

Alamo offers prepay which lets you pay for your rental in advance.

Most rental car companies charge your card when you return the car, but Alamo/National charges you upon pickup.

Szymon

 

[boomhauer]

I noticed Alamo would let me pay it off. Unfortunately, their rates were MUCH higher than Dollar.

Thanks for the info though. Never hurts to keep checking back.

 

[CanadianGuy]

For my recent rental from Alamo in Maine .. the rate for 9 days started off at 271 with taxes.

I kept checking as my trip got closer and the rate kept dropping. Anytime the drop added up to more than 10$ I'd cancel the previous reservation and book the new one. About 5 days before my trip.. it 'bottomed' out at 222$ and that was the rate I got.

Knox

 

[boomhauer]

For my recent rental from Alamo in Maine .. the rate for 9 days started off at 271 with taxes.

I kept checking as my trip got closer and the rate kept dropping. Anytime the drop added up to more than 10$ I'd cancel the previous reservation and book the new one. About 5 days before my trip.. it 'bottomed' out at 222$ and that was the rate I got.

Knox

Wow, that's not bad at all!

I got a decent rate through Dollar (I think). $298 for 10 days for a mini-van. I've seen some rates as high as $900 for the same period.

I'll keep checking though. You never know I suppose.

 

[jcanter426]

I got a rentalfrom Doller just now for $138 for 8 days (that includes all fees and taxes) there is a promo code right now it is KISSE.

 

[boomhauer]

I got a rentalfrom Doller just now for $138 for 8 days (that includes all fees and taxes) there is a promo code right now it is KISSE.

Wow - Now THAT is a great deal.

Now that I'm booked, I can't remember how to get the page on Dollar where you put in the promo code. I just see the corporate code.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Boom:

That Alamo rate structure was for Costco members .. which I am a member of. The Alamo savings was far more than annual Costco membership... and then some.

That was for a full size vehicle too! Ended up getting an Impala LTZ with XM satellite radio, center console and leather seating. Nice car overall.

You might consider looking at that Costco discount. You can price out the Costco stuff using the Alamo website and the Costco code & coupons (Google is your friend).. and then get a membership if you feel it's a value to you.

Knox

 

[goofy4tink]

We have done the Alamo prepay before and it worked out quite well. The other times, we have paid when taking the car. They have taken my cc, run it through and that was that. Now, it could be that they don't actually send the charge through until the car is returned, in good condition. But, I have never given a credit card, or signed anything at the time of return.