Alamo dropped rates on Minivans

[Dizneydaz]

Just wanted to let everyone know that even though I had already booked a minivan (and a std. SUV) with Alamo, I checked this a.m. to see if rates had dropped, and they had! The rate I booked before with the Entertainment coupon was (for 9 days) minivan $280 and SUV $230. (Taxes and fees inc.) We were deciding between the two. We like the roominess of the minivan and if you're lucky you can get one with an onboard DVD player.

Anyway, this morning the rate had dropped to $230 complete for the minivan! Now I don't have to decide between the two. (The SUV was actually more on this hot rate). We've used Alamo the last 2 times and really like being able to pick our own vehicle. I immediately booked the new rate and cancelled the other two ressies. The rate is available through the hot deals link, click on the save $15/week. The weekly rate for the van dropped from $202/wk to $150! Yahoooo! I don't know what time period this weekly rate is good for, we're arriving on the 15th.

It just goes to show you that even after you book, keep checking those rates. My first ressie was a minvan which I booked over 2 months ago started out at $345 for 9 days so I've saved over $100 by checking.

2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CVW]

Where are you finding this? I went on their website for Dec 15-22 and the rate was $330.

 

[ckret01]

I actually checked my rates before I saw this thread.

I booked an Standard SUV thru Alamo from 9/24 to 10/2 for $175. I originally had it for $230, then $225, then $219, then $196, then $189 now $175 Yes keep checking. I am using a $25 off code form entertainment. I am so happy it keeps going down when it was up to over $300 last week.

Dizneydaz I have a few questions for you:

1.You had mentioned in your post that you get to pick out your car for Alamo, How does that work I have never rented from them before?
2. How was the line at the counter? Did you arrive in the AM or PM
3. How far away is the garage from the counter?
Thank you!

 

[Dizneydaz]

I actually checked my rates before I saw this thread.

I booked an Standard SUV thru Alamo from 9/24 to 10/2 for $175. I originally had it for $230, then $225, then $219, then $196, then $189 now $175 Yes keep checking. I am using a $25 off code form entertainment. I am so happy it keeps going down when it was up to over $300 last week.

Dizneydaz I have a few questions for you:

1.You had mentioned in your post that you get to pick out your car for Alamo, How does that work I have never rented from them before?
2. How was the line at the counter? Did you arrive in the AM or PM
3. How far away is the garage from the counter?
Thank you!

ckret01
1. We rented from Alamo for the first time last Sept. (usually we use Dollar) We had two vehicles. 1 for my group and 1 for my sister's. After we checked in I asked about what color the van was and he told me-you get to pick it. They give you the paperwork and you go outside to the pickup area (just outside the terminal) and pick our your vehicle based on signs overhead (minvans, fullsize, etc.) We had our choice of many different vans and picked a really nice one. My sister picked out a larger full size car with a large trunk. On our last trip we (I mean my DD) picked out a van with a DVD player. The keys are in the car. You load your luggage, exit the parking structure, and give the paperwork to the attendant upon exiting. It works great! We've gotten great vans both times (with remote controlled sliding doors too!) I've noticed there is a difference between available vehicles and I guess if it's really busy you may not get the best one. We've been lucky though.
2. In January we arrived very early in the A.M.-Redeye from California. There was no line. Sept. 04 we arrived early evening. Waited about 10 minutes I think. We've never run into much of a line at Alamo or Dollar.
3. The garage is very close to the terminal. After you get your luggage, you go down (I think) the elevators to the rental car level. After you get your paperwork, you exit out the terminal, cross the (small) street to the parking garage (I think you go up the elevator 1 level in garage). Follow signs to Alamo cars. It takes, maybe, 5 minutes to get to your car. It's the easiest I've ever had with rental cars. On our first trip in 1998 we rented off-site and had to shuttle. Never again. Also, returning is very easy. Follow the signs for rental car returns, pull-in, empty vehicle (the hardest part) and go check-in.

2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Where are you finding this? I went on their website for Dec 15-22 and the rate was $330.

Keep checking! When I booked it in early July the rate was $345 for 9 days. It seems like the rates drop as you get closer to rental time. Good luck!!


2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vossjemi]

Ok, I just checked my rates again. I previously have had bookings and as better deals came along, cancelled & rebooked. My last one was on 8/25/05, and I booked a minivan using mousesavers ACG coupon (rate/product code BY, contract ID 641394, and coupon code DT9B). I got my minivan for 7 days (9/17-9/24) for the price of $199.78.

After I booked we all saw the rates skyrocket. I'm not sure if this was due to Katrina or what, but it went up to over $400.

Today, I checked using your hot deals link. Price for my dates was $226.52. However, price using the ACG coupon was $215.24, which is cheaper than the hotdeal link. You might check these codes out to see if you can get yours cheaper too. But, don't forget to go to Mousesavers and print the coupon as you will need it. Since my prior booking was still cheaper, I kept it. I doubt it will go cheaper than that! But, I guess never say never.

 

[ncbyrne]

Oct 13-24. Pick up/drop off 6:00 p.m. Pick up @ WDW Car Care Center, drop off, MCO. Using all of the codes for Alamo, the price is still coming up almost $80 higher than the rate I have with National for a mid size car. I can't ever seem to get the best rate with Alamo.

 

[Dizneydaz]

ncbyrne,

Keep checking as you get closer to your dates. I just rebooked my minivan from this a.m. A few hours ago the weekly rate was $149.90, I just rebooked at $127.42/week . Total for 9 days, inc. taxes and fees, less Entertainment coupon for $15, total $204.91!!! I've now saved over $140 from my first booking 2 months ago ( July 5). I have been checking rates and they haven't really dropped much until today. We arrive in less than 48 hrs. I did get a dropped rate a month ago (Aug. 20) but todays rates are beating that one by $75.

Just keep checking-the rates should go down.
Question-have you tried booking picking up and returning to MCO instead of the Car Care Center for pickup? Does it make any difference?

Vossjemi-I used the mousesavers codes you suggested and it came up $227.35 total v.s. $204.91 Entertainment coupon $15 off (9 days)

Oh, I didn't use the hot links, I used the E-coupon link to start and then entered my coupon codes.

2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!111

 

[verandah]

Thanks for the heads up Vossjemi. I was able to lower my ressie by another 28.00 dollars.

 

[madge]

wow! my rate for a week, mid size SUV is $141.xx ....which is cheaper than my Emerald Aisle reservation with National that has stayed at $146.xx for WEEKS.

has anyone prepaid to get a lower rate with Alamo?

Edited to add: $133.xx if I prepay.

I wonder if that's the best I'm going to do with my trip 2 weeks away....still not as good as the $88/week rate I had in March with National.

 

[Dizneydaz]

wow! my rate for a week, mid size SUV is $141.xx ....which is cheaper than my Emerald Aisle reservation with National that has stayed at $146.xx for WEEKS.

has anyone prepaid to get a lower rate with Alamo?

Edited to add: $133.xx if I prepay.

I wonder if that's the best I'm going to do with my trip 2 weeks away....still not as good as the $88/week rate I had in March with National.

Madge, I would wait til the last minute to prepay. As you can see by my above posts, the rates change rapidly. Good Luck.

2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[madge]

Madge, I would wait til the last minute to prepay. As you can see by my above posts, the rates change rapidly. Good Luck.

2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good idea. It's only $8 difference in the price.

I think I will place a hold on that now

 

[verandah]

no pre-paying here.

 

[vossjemi]

ncbyrne,

Keep checking as you get closer to your dates. I just rebooked my minivan from this a.m. A few hours ago the weekly rate was $149.90, I just rebooked at $127.42/week . Total for 9 days, inc. taxes and fees, less Entertainment coupon for $15, total $204.91!!! I've now saved over $140 from my first booking 2 months ago ( July 5). I have been checking rates and they haven't really dropped much until today. We arrive in less than 48 hrs. I did get a dropped rate a month ago (Aug. 20) but todays rates are beating that one by $75.

Just keep checking-the rates should go down.
Question-have you tried booking picking up and returning to MCO instead of the Car Care Center for pickup? Does it make any difference?

Vossjemi-I used the mousesavers codes you suggested and it came up $227.35 total v.s. $204.91 Entertainment coupon $15 off (9 days)

Oh, I didn't use the hot links, I used the E-coupon link to start and then entered my coupon codes.

2 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!111

Exactly what were your codes so I can check for my ressie?

 

[Dizneydaz]

Exactly what were your codes so I can check for my ressie?

Vossjemi I sent you a PM

24 hours to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vossjemi]

Ok, I got it. Question...I'm assuming I need an entertainment book to get this coupon deal? I ran the codes and price is $149.95! Great Deal!

I also ran the codes for my ACG coupon today and its at $167.47. So, I thought I could cancel and re-book. Then, I thought I'd better check cancellation policies. Alamo's website says it charges $50 to ressies that don't cancel within 24 hours, but when I reserved it didn't require a credit card. Did yours? It also said something about a guaranteed ressie only being good for ones with credit cards. WEll, just curious here, but I want a guaranteed minivan. If I get there (around noon) and they have none, I'm a little worried.

 

[madge]

I'm down to $106.xx for the same reservation I made yesterday!!
Mini-van in the $150 range for a week, not bad at all!!

What is a Chevy Equinox, though? It says mid-size SUV, but I don't know what that means, LOL

This is what the National rates did in the spring, woo hoo!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Ok, I got it. Question...I'm assuming I need an entertainment book to get this coupon deal? I ran the codes and price is $149.95! Great Deal!

I also ran the codes for my ACG coupon today and its at $167.47. So, I thought I could cancel and re-book. Then, I thought I'd better check cancellation policies. Alamo's website says it charges $50 to ressies that don't cancel within 24 hours, but when I reserved it didn't require a credit card. Did yours? It also said something about a guaranteed ressie only being good for ones with credit cards. WEll, just curious here, but I want a guaranteed minivan. If I get there (around noon) and they have none, I'm a little worried.

Yes, the codes I sent you do require Entertainment coupon. Maybe someone you know has a book you can get coupon out of. If not $167 isn't bad. I've never had a problem cancelling ressies. I've used Alamo on two previous trips without a credit card guarantee and had no problem. And I've cancelled ressies on both trips. Good luck.

12 hours and counting!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vossjemi]

Ok, thanks...guess what? I just realized that I do have an entertainment book. My daughter who just started kindergarten was supposed to sell them, but they got the distribution thing all messed up and just sent her home with one, so I decided to buy it. I registered, and there was actually a coupon in the book that matched the prices with one online (although different codes) in entertainment's system. It was even cheaper than the codes you gave me. $138.26 for a minivan 9/17-9/24! Woohoo!!! I'm bringing the coupon I printed off the entertainment website as well as my membership card. I cancelled my old ressie. I simply cannot believe this price! Unbelievable! I just made back the $25 I paid for the Ent. Book and then some. THanks! I would have never looked into this whole entertainment thing had you not brought it up.

 

[Waseller77]

I just got a minivan from 9/24-10/1 for $149.48 (total) through Alamo too! I used the ACG coupon (wish I had the Entertainment coupon for $25!) and Wal-mart ID#. Thanks for the tip!