Any good car hire deals?

[flortlebap]

Just had a look.
"United States + Canada residents only"

Heh, typical. All the more reason to just move to Florida

 

[wayneg]

Heh, typical. All the more reason to just move to Florida

I wouldn't worry too much about it, even with the so called 50% discount it quoted me $731(£480) 7 seat minivan for 2 weeks rental, probably didn't include CDW.
Same rental in UK I can get for about £100 cheaper, all inclusive.

 

[Rainforest]

The link that Embraer posted looks really good. My 2 questions, though, are :

1) Is this just for "travel agents", or valid for anyone connected with airlines/airports?

2) I couldn't figure out if the final amount was the total, ie inclusive of CDW, SLI, taxes, etc.?


Thanks!

 

[Embraer]

Travel Industry in general mate, just take your ID. Price includes everything including a FREE tank of gas

 

[bobbins]

Travel Industry in general mate, just take your ID. Price includes everything including a FREE tank of gas

Free gas with the Gold rate, the non-Gold is quite a bit cheaper and I looked at the T's & C's and there is the option to pre-pay or bring back full. I much prefer to return full as you can just refill the car during the trip and not have to think about trying to return the vehicle near-empty.

Down-side of that deal is it means dealing with Alamo. I've used Hertz for the last few years and not sure I could bear to go back to Alamo!

 

[wayneg]

Free gas with the Gold rate, the non-Gold is quite a bit cheaper and I looked at the T's & C's and there is the option to pre-pay or bring back full. I much prefer to return full as you can just refill the car during the trip and not have to think about trying to return the vehicle near-empty.

Down-side of that deal is it means dealing with Alamo. I've used Hertz for the last few years and not sure I could bear to go back to Alamo!

Would always choose Hertz over Alamo but their prices are crazy for me next month, Alamo/Dollar I can get for around £160, Hertz £363.59
I don't have a problem returning full or empty, all down to price for me.

 

[bobbins]

Would always choose Hertz over Alamo but their prices are crazy for me next month, Alamo/Dollar I can get for around £160, Hertz £363.59

Hertz have features now and again saying they'll price match publically availabe rates at the major companies but I've no idea if it works in practice.


ETA: Just got an offer from Hertz by email:
"Book by 31 July 2013 and save 20% on all rentals taken between 1 August and 15 December. Just enter CDP code 758670 when you book to apply your discount."

Still looks very dear for the standard SUV that I would prefer.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

What wrong with Alamo ? The package I've got for next year comes with a full size SUV from Alamo pickup and return to MCO. I are there any pitfalls I should be on the lookout for ? Or should I insist the TA changes car supplier ?

 

[bobbins]

What wrong with Alamo ? The package I've got for next year comes with a full size SUV from Alamo pickup and return to MCO. I are there any pitfalls I should be on the lookout for ? Or should I insist the TA changes car supplier ?

Cars can be a bit ropey, lots of complaints about overly aggressive attempts to sell upgrades and additional insurance, and trumped up charges on return. Often long waits to collect the car.

I wouldn't go to the trouble of changing suppliers (I doubt you can) but just keep your wits about you when you collect and reyurn the car.

To be fair, I had hassle last couple of times I rented off Hertz but both times it was sorted out promptly.

 

[gavvy]

I've had no problems with Alamo - but have managed to avoid the rental counter the last few trips, I think thats where their problems lie- pushy aggressive salesman.

The cars seem to be no better - or worse than Dollar, and, in my view better than Budget, but to be honest there is not much in any of them, I would go with the best price.

 

[wayneg]

I've had no problems with Alamo - but have managed to avoid the rental counter the last few trips, I think thats where their problems lie- pushy aggressive salesman.

The cars seem to be no better - or worse than Dollar, and, in my view better than Budget, but to be honest there is not much in any of them, I would go with the best price.

I agree with Dollar & Alamo being similar, Dollar I find I get better service with my Express card, usually get an upgrade and less hassle.
Worst hardsell has always been Alamo but cars similar quality.
Worst quality cars I have had have been with Budget, wouldn't rent from them again unless they were far cheaper than anyone else. rented 3 times with free upgrade vuchers, had to fight for upgrade every time.
Best Hertz, no hard sell but thats because I use Gold #1 (or whatever its called now) plus very good cars but as I said prices too high for me.

All down to the price for me but I will pay more to avoid Budget.

 

[scoobydooby]

What wrong with Alamo ? The package I've got for next year comes with a full size SUV from Alamo pickup and return to MCO. I are there any pitfalls I should be on the lookout for ? Or should I insist the TA changes car supplier ?

We always use Alamo. Personally I have never had hard sell (never had any 'sell' actually), cars have been in excellent condition. Had a free upgrade once. Return service at airport is very fast and efficient.

I don't know if it makes a difference re the sales issues but we always do on line check in.

 

[wayneg]

We always use Alamo. Personally I have never had hard sell (never had any 'sell' actually), cars have been in excellent condition. Had a free upgrade once. Return service at airport is very fast and efficient.

I don't know if it makes a difference re the sales issues but we always do on line check in.

Just booked another car for next month since I last posted, best price...... Alamo
Now booked:
7 seater for 17 days with Dollar, collect MCO, drop TPA
Standard SUV 3 days with Alamo for relatives collect Disney CCC, drop MCO
Intermediate SUV 7 days with Alamo collect & drop BOS

I even matched Embraer's trade price using Holiday Autos and the 10% egg discount link, if Quidco pay out at 14% I will have beaten the trade price by £26.
I think there could be some price errors on Holiday Autos website, it was only an extra £11 to add gold, some cars were same price for both all inclusive & Gold.

 

[gavvy]

Let us know if the quidco tracks with the egg link

 

[bobbins]

I've had no problems with Alamo - but have managed to avoid the rental counter the last few trips, I think thats where their problems lie- pushy aggressive salesman.

The cars seem to be no better - or worse than Dollar, and, in my view better than Budget, but to be honest there is not much in any of them, I would go with the best price.

That group of companies are much of a muchness.

Hertz is just in a different league - they're aimed at the business professional market.

 

[bobbins]

I even matched Embraer's trade price using Holiday Autos and the 10% egg discount link, if Quidco pay out at 14% I will have beaten the trade price by £26.
I think there could be some price errors on Holiday Autos website, it was only an extra £11 to add gold, some cars were same price for both all inclusive & Gold.

I found an egg link in a post from 7yrs ago and it still worked, but it comes out at the same price as I can get through CSMA. Hmmm...wonder if I could use that through Quidco?

Interestingly (to me, anyway!) I'm sure the Holiday Autos page layout has changed since I looked through CSMA a couple of months and I got it to email me a quote and that's certainly different - the old one specifically listed the proper hire car classification code. Not happy it doesn't now, as it all gets a bit random with SUVs/crossover sizes.

As you say, the Gold prices are all over the place - indeed for a Standard SUV, Gold is £1 cheaper than non-Gold, although still quite a leap from the Intermediate price so it's more like the non-Gold price is too high.


Can I ask, at what point does it tell you who the supplier will be, or are you able to figure it out?

 

[disneyholic family]

Just booked another car for next month since I last posted, best price...... Alamo
Now booked:
7 seater for 17 days with Dollar, collect MCO, drop TPA
Standard SUV 3 days with Alamo for relatives collect Disney CCC, drop MCO
Intermediate SUV 7 days with Alamo collect & drop BOS

I even matched Embraer's trade price using Holiday Autos and the 10% egg discount link, if Quidco pay out at 14% I will have beaten the trade price by £26.
I think there could be some price errors on Holiday Autos website, it was only an extra £11 to add gold, some cars were same price for both all inclusive & Gold.

did you book the alamo, directly with alamo.uk?
or using a discount code

 

[wayneg]

I found an egg link in a post from 7yrs ago and it still worked, but it comes out at the same price as I can get through CSMA. Hmmm...wonder if I could use that through Quidco?

Interestingly (to me, anyway!) I'm sure the Holiday Autos page layout has changed since I looked through CSMA a couple of months and I got it to email me a quote and that's certainly different - the old one specifically listed the proper hire car classification code. Not happy it doesn't now, as it all gets a bit random with SUVs/crossover sizes.

As you say, the Gold prices are all over the place - indeed for a Standard SUV, Gold is £1 cheaper than non-Gold, although still quite a leap from the Intermediate price so it's more like the non-Gold price is too high.


Can I ask, at what point does it tell you who the supplier will be, or are you able to figure it out?

Holiday Autos changed about a month ago, they have been taken over by Car Trawler which is the reason we are struggling to get good prices, they own or power just about every car rental site.
I have always used the link below, its about 6-7 years old.
Now you don't know who its with until you have paid. I gambled and it was with Alamo, you can cancel and get full refund if you don't want to keep the booking once you find out. Strange way to sell cars

did you book the alamo, directly with alamo.uk?
or using a discount code

I booked one with Virgin holidays who came out cheapest for the 3 day rental. The other I booked with Holiday Autos/Egg using the formula in this link http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...e/734198-holidayautos-discount-worldwide.html
Alamo direct were 20% more expensive.

 

[duffdo]

I've had no problems with Alamo - but have managed to avoid the rental counter the last few trips, I think thats where their problems lie- pushy aggressive salesman.

The cars seem to be no better - or worse than Dollar, and, in my view better than Budget, but to be honest there is not much in any of them, I would go with the best price.

Pushy and aggressive salesmen indeed! Tried to sell me an upgrade from an intermediate to a Camaro. Price went from $550, to $400 to $200 for the 14 nights. Admittedly the lower price seemed like a good deal, but I had just been on a long flight and couldn't be bothered! He got real shirty when I said no. I probably would have taken it if he had said $200 in the first place. This time around I have just gone for the bog standard basic car. £125 for the week fully inclusive plus an extra driver. Probably not the cheapest I could have got, but not bad in my opinion (from Alamo again!)

 

[disneyholic family]

Holiday Autos changed about a month ago, they have been taken over by Car Trawler which is the reason we are struggling to get good prices, they own or power just about every car rental site.
I have always used the link below, its about 6-7 years old.
Now you don't know who its with until you have paid. I gambled and it was with Alamo, you can cancel and get full refund if you don't want to keep the booking once you find out. Strange way to sell cars



I booked one with Virgin holidays who came out cheapest for the 3 day rental. The other I booked with Holiday Autos/Egg using the formula in this link http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...e/734198-holidayautos-discount-worldwide.html
Alamo direct were 20% more expensive.

that is weird that you don't know who it is until you've paid!!
two years ago, i had the most spectacular deal using a discount code at alamo UK - it was a code for car racing enthusiasts if i'm remembering correctly...
i don't remember the code, otherwise i'd try it on the off chance that they were having that deal again and they hadn't changed the code...
but alas i can't remember it....