another car rental question

[ontariomonkey]

Does anyone know which companies (if any) do not charge for picking up and dropping off at different locations? Has anyone used priceline or similar site for this type of 'one-way' rental?

 

[cats mom]

I've never encountered a drop off fee when pricing Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz.

I think Thrifty has always had a drop off fee, and I've had one come up when pricing Dollar recently. (makes sense since they've merged with Thrifty)

Thrifty and/or Dollar are sometimes less expensive overall than the companies without the drop off fee though.


Last time I checked priceline didn't allow you to return to a different location if you wanted to use their name your own price feature. If you selected different pick up and drop off locations it took you to their retail section. It's been awhile since I checked that though.

 

[disneylove69]

I had a drop off with Hertz.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Thrifty instituted a drop-off fee a year or two ago. Since they are partnered with Dollar I'm guessing that Dollar also had a drop off fee. That said, I have priced rentals with Thrifty that included a drop off fee and some that have not. I'd definitely price out each company to see which gives you the best rate. We tend to prefer Budget as they usually give us the best rate and are located in the terminal at the airport.

 

[kcashner]

My experience was a drop off fee from Thrifty, on the way TO PC, but not on the way to the airport. On our last cruise, they were the cheapest despite the drop off fee, but I needed a minivan for that cruise instead of our usual small car. That might have made the difference. On the way to PC (with drop off fee) they were cheapest by about $10, on the way to the airport, they were cheapest by $40 or more!!! I paid $46 total with all taxes, etc. for the mini-van!!! It was $93 on the way to PC with drop off.

OK...drop off charge with Thrifty.

Never paid a drop off charge with Budget or Avis. Hertz and Enterprise also have outlets near the port, I haven't personally used them. All were nice people, good shuttle service, only reason to choose one over the other was price!

Always check for discount codes at mousesavers.com and rentalcodes.com and sign up for the free preferred customer program for whatever company you are using (this saves you a lot of time picking up the car at MCO as you bypass a long line).

I'm not aware of any "cheapie" deal like Priceline or Hotwire that allows one way rentals.

 

[ontariomonkey]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with Budget and there was no drop-off fee. I got the smallest car for just the trip from the port to mco for $23.83inc. I am quite pleased I used the 'pay now and save' option.

 

[Zach's Mom]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with Budget and there was no drop-off fee. I got the smallest car for just the trip from the port to mco for $23.83inc. I am quite pleased I used the 'pay now and save' option.

That is an awesome rate. I am wondering if you used any special codes. I keep checking all the company and the lowest I have been able to quote for October is around $50.

Thanks,

Jody

 

[kcashner]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with Budget and there was no drop-off fee. I got the smallest car for just the trip from the port to mco for $23.83inc. I am quite pleased I used the 'pay now and save' option.

This is an AMAZING rate. I've gotten $29.99, but never $24!

PP, $50 is too high....keep looking. It's too early to get a great rate for October--the best rates come out about a month before you need the car. If you want to be safe, book it now for $50, but then about the beginning of September start looking seriously. You can book a cheaper one and then cancel the more expensive!

 

[mickeyluv]

Would it be a bad idea to wait until we land at MCO to rent a minivan or should I reserve one online before we leave? We are flying to Orlando on October 23rd and we are only wanting to rent a minivan for the six of us for that evening around orlando and then drive it to the Port the next morning.

 

[ontariomonkey]

No special code BUT the price for 1 day was higher. So I just typed in pick-up 8:30am, drop off 2:30 pm and used 'pay now to save'. I love getting good deals!

Mickeyluv, if I were you I would reserve on-line before you travel or you will be hostage to whatever crazy-high prices they wish to charge you the day of. Using the same parameters I used myself (12 hrs on the same day) budget does a mini-van for $75.28inc. extra for insurance, car seat etc though. Not sure if that is good 'cause I never price out a mini-van.

 

[mickeyluv]

If you reserve online before hand they don't actually charge your cc until you actually rent the vehicle right?

 

[ontariomonkey]

If you just reserve it, you don't pay right away, but after you get there. But to get the cheapest price, you have to pay in advance.

 

[kcashner]

No special code BUT the price for 1 day was higher. So I just typed in pick-up 8:30am, drop off 2:30 pm and used 'pay now to save'. I love getting good deals!

Mickeyluv, if I were you I would reserve on-line before you travel or you will be hostage to whatever crazy-high prices they wish to charge you the day of. Using the same parameters I used myself (12 hrs on the same day) budget does a mini-van for $75.28inc. extra for insurance, car seat etc though. Not sure if that is good 'cause I never price out a mini-van.

Book it on line in advance. In June, Thrifty had mini vans for $39. Even with the drop off fee, it was the cheapest. It will save both time and money to book on line. You don't have to pay till you pick up the car, but with some you'll save by paying in advance.

Use discount codes if applicable.

The above 12 hours cheaper than 24 is unusual....most time, 1 - 23 hours are the same price. I'm impressed, and will continue to check this out!

 

[jnadelman]

Can I ask, why do you care if they charge a drop off fee or not?
Just price them all out and go with the cheapest one overall. Do you want a $50 res with no drop off fee, or a $30 res with a $10 drop off (total on $40).
I don't care what fees they want to add. Let them add a fee for putting doors on the car for all I care. As long as I can live with the end price, I'm happy.

 

[kcashner]

That's exactly what I'm saying--it's the bottom line that matters.

The only reason you care that it is called a drop off fee is that this fee doesn't show up on line on the page where you price the car--it doesn't show up until near the end of the booking process.

So, if you see Budget for $30, Avis for $32, and Thrifty for $25 you'll think the Thrifty is cheapest....until you start the booking process and see the extra fee. Most are $15, but we got hit with t $35 drop off fee on one leg and none on the other!

Another thing to watch (especially if you're using an airport other than MCO) is mileage. Some contracts include unlimited free mileage, others charge after 75, 100, or 125!

 

[Mish]

Can someone please tell me what you use for the drop off location. Thanks Michelle

 

[Mojodisney]

Can someone please tell me what you use for the drop off location. Thanks Michelle

Cape Canaveral - I tried Port Canaveral and it doesn't work, but Cape Canaveral works except with Thrifty and Enterprise online.

 

[MAGICX2]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with Budget and there was no drop-off fee. I got the smallest car for just the trip from the port to mco for $23.83inc. I am quite pleased I used the 'pay now and save' option.

My experience was a drop off fee from Thrifty, on the way TO PC, but not on the way to the airport. On our last cruise, they were the cheapest despite the drop off fee, but I needed a minivan for that cruise instead of our usual small car. That might have made the difference. On the way to PC (with drop off fee) they were cheapest by about $10, on the way to the airport, they were cheapest by $40 or more!!! I paid $46 total with all taxes, etc. for the mini-van!!! It was $93 on the way to PC with drop off.

OK...drop off charge with Thrifty.

Never paid a drop off charge with Budget or Avis. Hertz and Enterprise also have outlets near the port, I haven't personally used them. All were nice people, good shuttle service, only reason to choose one over the other was price!

Always check for discount codes at mousesavers.com and rentalcodes.com and sign up for the free preferred customer program for whatever company you are using (this saves you a lot of time picking up the car at MCO as you bypass a long line).

I'm not aware of any "cheapie" deal like Priceline or Hotwire that allows one way rentals.

I would REALLY like to know who you all are getting this great rate?!?! I just priced a compact car for a 24 hour rental period picked up at Disney Car Care Center and dropped off at Port and it was over $115!!! How is this possible?

 

[Carlnne]

I just priced a one day from port to mco for dollar for $29 but when I advanced to the next step it added a drop off of $45- for a total of around 95 with taxes! I think the last time I checked prices the drop off was only 10 or 15. I probably will stop checking dollar if thats the new fee.

 

[taliategan]

I just priced a one day from port to mco for dollar for $29 but when I advanced to the next step it added a drop off of $45- for a total of around 95 with taxes! I think the last time I checked prices the drop off was only 10 or 15. I probably will stop checking dollar if thats the new fee.

I was checking rates for our January cruise & also got the $45 drop off fee with Dollar - it was $ 10 more than the daily rate. Also checked for pick-up at Southwest Regional Airport (where we will spending a few days in that area before the cruise) and there is $100 drop off fee at Cape Canaveral.