Are Oct '12 Rental Cars a Bit Pricey?

[PSUGuy]

We've rented cars about half of our trips, Tiffany the rest, but always in March, Nov or Jan. We're arriving on Oct 11 and the rentals for an Economy car are quite a bit higher than we've paid other times with the exception of a compamy I never heard of, Advantage. For 7 days I expected to get well under $300, am I being unrealistic?

Bill From PA

 

[VAN]

The last few years, I have been able to snag very, very low rates on rental cars. I will book as soon as I know my dates, and then will keep looking for better discount codes and lower prices.

The last two trips I took, I got unbelieveable rates just a day or two before I left!!! Five days Orlando were $50 TOTAL! Seven days Las Vegas $57 TOTAL!!!!!!!! (taxes and airport fees were at least $40 of that)

I've got reservations for Vegas again this year and they seem pretty high ... I do have them booked, but will continue right up until the day of departure in hopes of snagging something lower.

 

[nluvwithdisney]

Have you tried Dollar? They have City Specials for Orlando. You can get a midsize or compact for under $200 for a week currently.

 

[tebookie]

I've got a rental for 9/28-10/9/12 for just around $200 inclusive of taxes for a Fullsize car. Using Alamo insiders code and a BJs warehouse $40 off coupon. I've had it booked for months though.

Even checking rates again in the past few weeks I have seen a lot of movement in prices. Mostly downward, but still not less than the $200.

Note: I generally rent a fullsize car for 10 days this time of year each year and generally end up paying around $130 or so inclusive of tax. I'm hoping my rate drops some more before we go.

 

[OKW Lover]

I second the suggestion to book now and then keep checking. My rental car for Labor Day Weekend went down by more than half. ...And I'm still checking.

 

[castleri]

I have been checking daily for almost a month for 10/3-10/10 and made the mistake of not booking one when I first saw it for about $285 for a minivan - went back to that site 20 -30 minutes later and they were over $500.

Have to try to find some coupons. Usually I have gotten very good rates for a full size car for the end of Sept beginning of Oct. Must be because it is Columbus Day weekend.

 

[sympatico]

We've rented cars about half of our trips, Tiffany the rest, but always in March, Nov or Jan. We're arriving on Oct 11 and the rentals for an Economy car are quite a bit higher than we've paid other times with the exception of a compamy I never heard of, Advantage. For 7 days I expected to get well under $300, am I being unrealistic?

Bill From PA

Advantage belongs to Hertz. They bought it and replaced their Simply Wheels with it.

 

[CarolMN]

You might be running into a supply & demand thing. Even though you are arriving on the 11th, Columbus Day is the 8th and many schools, especially in the more southern states have the whole week off for fall break.

Try changing your dates to the following week just to see if that is the case. Then you will know whether or not to expect to pay more for your dates.

Good luck!

 

[webworm]

I have been checking daily for almost a month for 10/3-10/10 and made the mistake of not booking one when I first saw it for about $285 for a minivan - went back to that site 20 -30 minutes later and they were over $500.

Have to try to find some coupons. Usually I have gotten very good rates for a full size car for the end of Sept beginning of Oct. Must be because it is Columbus Day weekend.

With Budget using a public travelocity code x474200 and E-Coupon MUGZ029 for $30 off the total is $265 after coupon is applied when return minivan.

 

[webworm]

We've rented cars about half of our trips, Tiffany the rest, but always in March, Nov or Jan. We're arriving on Oct 11 and the rentals for an Economy car are quite a bit higher than we've paid other times with the exception of a compamy I never heard of, Advantage. For 7 days I expected to get well under $300, am I being unrealistic?

Bill From PA

Try Budget using travelocity code x474200 and E-Coupon MUGZ023 for $40 off. Total inc taxes after coupon is applied when return compact car is $227.

 

[richmo]

I second the suggestion to book now and then keep checking. My rental car for Labor Day Weekend went down by more than half. ...And I'm still checking.

Correct. Its very early. I've found the best discounts are about 7-14 days out, but that isn't the rule. You'll likely do much better.