August 2012 Car Rental Thread

[Forevryoung]

I just booked my first "decent" rate through Kayak renting at Dollar. I had refused to book the rental until it was less than the town car + taxis we would need (split Universal/Disney stay).

Total was $189 for a compact car 8/25-9/3

There are 2 adults 1 child and our luggage. If I can find an intermediate for similar, I'll take it but I prefer smaller cars. Hoping it comes down a bit more (and would prefer Alamo/National) but this is a good starting point.

 

[TandEsMommy]

Has anyone ever used this contract code ? its a Farbest-croda Italiana code.

It gives me a rate that is just $20 more than I was able to get with the KLM code a few months ago, definitely a good deal for current prices! Can I ask where you got this code? Only thing I can really find is a chemical company called Croda; don't want to pass the code on if it's one you need to show ID for.

 

[minniemomof3]

Minniemom, AFAIK, the CCC doesn't handle rentals for the Dolphin. I would call the CCC the day before and confirm that they will allow you to pick up from there. Their number is 407-824-3470. I can't find the same rate to return to SOG/CCC. Only to MCO. I wouldn't rely on being able to change that without the rate changing.

mrebuck, anyone can pick up a car at SOG. Also, you can call the CCC at the above number and arrange pickup at the CCC if you are concerned

Gorechick, you can check Kayak but AFAIK, no. I think this is a special to get more movement through SOG, because even reserving it for pickup at the CCC, Dolphin, etc, the rates are higher.

Thank you!

 

[QueenDoOver]

Thank you for posting the Kayak tip. I was able to get week one and week two both covered. 11th to 18th picking up at SOG dropping at MCO. 18th to 25th picking up at SOG dropping at MCO. That was the only way I could get that great rate. Week one we are staying at BLT and week two at SSR. Do you think they would stich my reservation together so I won't have to trade the car in? What is CCC? Should I try to pick my car up there, week one from BLT?

Thanks for your help!
Tracey

 

[kinggoofy]

It gives me a rate that is just $20 more than I was able to get with the KLM code a few months ago, definitely a good deal for current prices! Can I ask where you got this code? Only thing I can really find is a chemical company called Croda; don't want to pass the code on if it's one you need to show ID for.

What I did was google national discount codes. And then about 200-300 of them came up..and one night i was bored as usual and just went through each one..code by code and eureka...this code was the best.

I know there is always a "chance" for a 1st time, BUT, in all our years from renting from National, I have never..never been asked where a certain code came from.

We are EA members, so when we pick up our car its right to the aisle..get our car and go to the drive up window and away we go.

And trust me, I have used some codes that were published on the internet that you would think were only reserved for "VIP's".

I have never been asked to produce a coupon either.

 

[kinggoofy]

Quicker, walk to shades from poly. There is a marked path.

Great idea...it probably is a quicker way. Thanks

 

[TandEsMommy]

Thank you for posting the Kayak tip. I was able to get week one and week two both covered. 11th to 18th picking up at SOG dropping at MCO. 18th to 25th picking up at SOG dropping at MCO. That was the only way I could get that great rate. Week one we are staying at BLT and week two at SSR. Do you think they would stich my reservation together so I won't have to trade the car in? What is CCC? Should I try to pick my car up there, week one from BLT?

Thanks for your help!
Tracey

National is notoriously good about extending rentals, but that's very much a YMMV. It could be that they are trying to cycle more cars to MCO at this particular time of month, so they need them brought to MCO.

I just checked on Kayak for 8/11-8/25, and the same $20/day came up. Of course, you can only use the $35 coupon for the one reservation, so splitting it *would* be $35 cheaper...but the cost of getting to/from the airport, as well as your time, is well worth the $35 IMO.

 

[Gorechick]

Thanks for the info. Let me ask this, would I be able to take Magical Express with the kids and luggage to POR and DH take ME to SOG to get rental car?

 

[buffettgirl]

Great idea...it probably is a quicker way. Thanks

Thanks for the info. Let me ask this, would I be able to take Magical Express with the kids and luggage to POR and DH take ME to SOG to get rental car?

Magical Express does not service Shades . So that's a no go. If you can take ME to Poly, that's your closest hotel, but I'm not sure how ME works, having only stayed at SOG for a number of years, so I'm not sure if you're allowed to take ME to a hotel you're not staying at.

When you get to poly, the bus area/monorail area has a clearly marked path to SOG, which walks you off Poly property, across the street ,and onto Shades property. You can't miss it. The walk is about .5 miles or so. Maybe a tiny bit longer. But it's a very easy walk. The path is there specifically for those of us who walk Shades to Poly to take the monorail. It's fully paved in Poly, there is a crosswalk on the road, and the rest of the walk is on a sidewalk down Shade's driveway. It's a very nice walk.

 

[Gorechick]

It might be better to just take ME to POR and call a cab to get over to SOG then.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

$103/week total through National, up to full-size only. Pick up is listed as Shades of Green, but if you call the CCC beforehand, you may pick up your vehicle there for the same rate. (They drive the cars over to SOG, so it saves them a trip.) You may return to SOG/CCC or MCO.

....

I just checked on Kayak for 8/11-8/25, and the same $20/day came up.

Thanks for this info!! Very helpful, I was able to book a full size for the last week of August for $85 with the $35 coupon!!

I may switch if the rates come down as we get closer to our date of departure - I'd rather pick up at MCO, as we are arriving mid-day and it will be easier than taking ME. But, if I can't get a better deal, it's great to know I've got this as a back up plan. Thanks again!

 

[DVC Daisy]

$103/week total through National, up to full-size only. Pick up is listed as Shades of Green, but if you call the CCC beforehand, you may pick up your vehicle there for the same rate. (They drive the cars over to SOG, so it saves them a trip.) You may return to SOG/CCC or MCO.


1) Open Kayak in one tab and National's website in another. Sign in to your Emerald Club account; once your sign in is confirmed, close the tab.

2) On the Kayak homepage, click cars on the top center.

3) Choose to drop off at a different location; for your pickup location, put in "Lake Buena Vista, FL" and "MCO" for your drop off location

4) Input your dates and times, no need to select to compare to other sites. (Unless it's changed in the last hour, this is the best deal going.) I selected 5:00 for you, since 4:30 wasn't an option.

5) Wait for the options to load completely; click on the National option for the full size car; it will say "$20/day, $205 w/ tax". The National website will begin to load in another tab.

6) The National website will load, and will show you a total of ~$140.xx

7) On the left hand side of the screen, select "Edit Trip Information"

8) The traditional booking screen will come up. Leave the Contract ID and the IATA# alone; in the Coupon box, type ND8578ADT.

9) Click "Continue". Depending on your saved preferences with National, it may take you to the vehicle selection page, or to your pre-defined vehicle choice. If you have a saved preference that is different from what you are pricing now, simply click "Edit Vehicle Selection" on the left hand side.

10) When you have selected the appropriate vehicle, your total for a full size will show the $102.xx

Oh dear, ok I am feeling like a total dingbat. I have literally tried this over 10 times since yesterday, following the directions exactly step by step & the cheapest anything that comes up for National for me is $58 per day! What am I doing wrong????? Could it be my dates? Length of rental? I don't get it.

I am renting currently MCO>MCO 8/15 8:00 PM to 8/25 5:00 PM. The best I have is Dollar for $407 for a full size. Which is actually great considering I started out with $525 from Costco for a crossover! So I am happy about that

But still, over $400 is so much!

Any idea what I am doing wrong? BTW - National is my favorite, so I would love to get a deal with them, but at this point I am just trying to get my price down!

 

[kalliyan1]

Oh dear, ok I am feeling like a total dingbat. I have literally tried this over 10 times since yesterday, following the directions exactly step by step & the cheapest anything that comes up for National for me is $58 per day! What am I doing wrong????? Could it be my dates? Length of rental? I don't get it.

I am renting currently MCO>MCO 8/15 8:00 PM to 8/25 5:00 PM. The best I have is Dollar for $407 for a full size. Which is actually great considering I started out with $525 from Costco for a crossover! So I am happy about that

But still, over $400 is so much!

Any idea what I am doing wrong? BTW - National is my favorite, so I would love to get a deal with them, but at this point I am just trying to get my price down!

It's your pickup time...I change the pick up time from 8pm at SOG to 5pm at SOG and the rates described above work. If there is anyway you can get the car at 5pm or perhaps the next morning.

 

[sherabby]

Going to watch this thread with all of you DIS fans. We arrive Aug 12th and go home late Aug 17th. Short trip this year. Didn't even start looking for the rental car yet.

 

[TandEsMommy]

Oh dear, ok I am feeling like a total dingbat. I have literally tried this over 10 times since yesterday, following the directions exactly step by step & the cheapest anything that comes up for National for me is $58 per day! What am I doing wrong????? Could it be my dates? Length of rental? I don't get it.

I am renting currently MCO>MCO 8/15 8:00 PM to 8/25 5:00 PM. The best I have is Dollar for $407 for a full size. Which is actually great considering I started out with $525 from Costco for a crossover! So I am happy about that

But still, over $400 is so much!

Any idea what I am doing wrong? BTW - National is my favorite, so I would love to get a deal with them, but at this point I am just trying to get my price down!

The rate is only good for pickup at SOG, which is closed at 8pm. As kalliyan said, you would have to pick up the car sooner or the following morning.

 

[DVC Daisy]

It's your pickup time...I change the pick up time from 8pm at SOG to 5pm at SOG and the rates described above work. If there is anyway you can get the car at 5pm or perhaps the next morning.

Thanks! Wow, don't think I would have figured that one out so thank you SO MUCH!!!!

 

[gmeh1]

It might be better to just take ME to POR and call a cab to get over to SOG then.

I don't think you can take ME if you don't have a Disney Resort Reservation. From the WDW site:

Disney's Magical Express provides complimentary transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport for Guests staying at the following Walt Disney World Resort Hotels:

•Disney's Art of Animation Resort
•Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
•Disney's All-Star Music Resort
•Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
•Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
•Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
•Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
•Disney's Beach Club Resort
•Disney's Beach Club Villas
•Disney's BoardWalk Inn
•Disney's BoardWalk Villas
•The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
•The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
•Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
•Disney's Contemporary Resort
•Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
•Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
•Disney's Old Key West Resort
•Disney's Polynesian Resort
•Disney's Pop Century Resort
•Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
•Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
•Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
•The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
•Disney's Wilderness Lodge
•Disney's Yacht Club Resort

 

[Gorechick]

I don't think you can take ME if you don't have a Disney Resort Reservation. From the WDW site.

We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside, so we can take ME from the airport. We would only need to go to SOG to get the car if we take advantage of the deal that was posted.

 

[njmomof2]

$103/week total through National, up to full-size only. Pick up is listed as Shades of Green, but if you call the CCC beforehand, you may pick up your vehicle there for the same rate. (They drive the cars over to SOG, so it saves them a trip.) You may return to SOG/CCC or MCO.

Thank You for posting this. I was able to get this great rate for 9 days at the end of August.

I have a Question. Can anyone pick up a car at Shades of Green? I read on this mousesavers page http://www.mousesavers.com/onedayrentals.html that you have to be military to pick up a car there.

I just hope the reason for this great rate isn't because it is supposed to be a military rate. I don't want to call National and ask as I don't want to call attention to anything and spoil it for anyone, but I need to be sure I have a rate I can use.

Has anyone talked to the CCC and been able to pick up a car there and get the SOG rate?

 

[pesto78749]

You're very welcome to all! I'm glad to be able to help anyone out; I'm still struggling to beat my $277 for a minivan for a week so if anyone comes across a minivan deal, send it my way

Please share the company and the code you used. i have a minivan for 10 days and its 524. all taxes and fees included. Is the 277. just the base rate or TOTAL?
Thanks!!!