august 2013 codes for rental cars?

[GoofEeyore26]

Just an FYI, Priceline appears to have some special running with Avis right now. Not through the the name your own price, Daily rates are running at like $17-19 bucks for mid sized cars. I just got a week for 110 bucks by booking through priceline then going on the avis site and modifying the reservation with a $30 discount code (MUWA090)

 

[gmeh1]

I have two reservations with Alamo at the same price for a standard car for 13 days- 240.09 each. One is with the Visa coupon, and the other is with the United coupon, both for 30. If I use the United Mileage Plus coupon, will I need to show any kind of membership card or anything? I do have a Visa card but would prefer to have the option to use Discover if I want.

No, they won't ask for the United proof. If you use the Visa coupon and don't use the visa to pay for it, you will loose that discount. Join United FF, it is free and you will have the number.

 

[gmeh1]

Yikes!!! Always makes me nervous when the check engine light comes on. Sorry to hear you had so many issues ... who'da thought, with such a low mileage vehicle??



You might, and you might not. I am in the same situation as you.....I would prefer to use my MasterCard vs. my Visa, as my MC does not charge me a conversion fee from USD to CDN but the Visa does (2.5%). That said, I don't a have membership to the United program, so I decided to keep the Visa coupon over the United coupon just so I don't have any potential issues at the time I pick up the vehicle.

Gina, you would not have an issue with the United discount. They never ask, but, to be on the safe side (just in case) you can join United for free and you will have the number immediately.

The check engine light often comes on because someone along the line did not seat the gas cap properly on one of the trips to the gas station. For some stupid reason after properly seating the cap the light does not go out. I have been running my car for 7 years with the CE light on with no problems at all. I had it checked and the car's computer could not find anything wrong with it.

 

[richmo]

Gina, you would not have an issue with the United discount. They never ask, but, to be on the safe side (just in case) you can join United for free and you will have the number immediately.

The check engine light often comes on because someone along the line did not seat the gas cap properly on one of the trips to the gas station. For some stupid reason after properly seating the cap the light does not go out. I have been running my car for 7 years with the CE light on with no problems at all. I had it checked and the car's computer could not find anything wrong with it.

I always say you should be prepared to document any discount you use. I happened to use the United discount last week and I wasn't asked for the card, but I had it with me.

On the check engine light issue, gmeh is correct that its probably ok to run around with the check engine light on, and a loose gas cap is usually the culprit, especially in a fairly new car...and tightening it doesn't automatically solve the check engine light problem...it may stay on for several more cycles.

However, if I'm picking up a rental car, especially at an agency like Alamo where I have a choice, if I start the car and the check engine light comes on, I"m moving to a different car.

 

[gmeh1]

Just some notes on my Alamo rental experience, from about 11am on 8/3 to yesterday, 8/12 at about 5pm:

I booked a Standard with the Insider's discount and the Visa $30 code (AD2338FDF). I checked in online so I did not stop at the counter or a kiosk.

In the full size row, there were several Impalas, a couple of (dark colored) Altimas, and to my (almost) delight, a white Passat. But I opened the door of the Passat to a breath-taking smell of car deodorizer that would surely give me a headache. And I *didn't* know what the car would smell like if and when the deodorizer smell faded.

I went down the row looking for a lower mileage Impala. Most were in the high teens and dark colored. I found one that was around 10k but it made a funny noise when I started it. I went to the booth and asked if I had any other options and the nice manager took me to the National Executive Selection aisle where I opted for a 2014 Silver (2?)LT Impala with about 5500 miles on it. I was pretty happy with that!

At the gate, my $30 Visa code had mysteriously changed to a free day so I'm glad I looked at the paperwork and saw the total didn't match my printed confirmation. Without the code, the agent could do much (quickly) but luckily I was able to find it on my phone. She keyed it in and, voila!, the new total matched my expected number. (So write down that code just to be safe!)

Overall, it was a nice car. BUT the rear passenger window did not work (at least it was stuck closed!) and there were electrical clicking sounds coming from that door every so often. And a little past half way into our trip, the check engine light came on. And the remote start stopped working. (I assume related to the CE light.) Not cool when you're coming back to the car in those hot, hot theme park parking lots! It's nice to start it up when you get off the tram just to take the edge off the built-up heat. (I reseated the gas cap but the CE light was still lit when I returned the car after several starts and 70 or so more miles.) I told the agent about the issues when I returned the car. No extra discount was offered, but at $179.xx for a 10 day rental, I have no complaints.

As for the 2014 Impala, my experience is only one data point but I'd pay attention to reliability ratings before buying one - or wait for the 2015s. (But I'm still happier with my 2012 Hyundai Genesis - which didn't cost any more than a loaded V6 Impala - except for the remote start and the longer driver's seat bottom. The Impala won on those two points.)

I love the Impala and the Genesis. Both are on my short list of replacement vehicles. As to returning the car, you should have asked for a manager rather than the agent. But, since you are happy, all is good. What did they replace it with? Also, suprised that an LT was on the Exec. aisle, usually the LTZs get that honor.
That car deodorizer they use in the cars is enough to gag a maggot, but, it does go away after you drive for a couple of miles with the windows open and the AC running. The window cleaner is awful also.
Thanks for sharing your experience and glad is was not all bad.

 

[gmeh1]

I always say you should be prepared to document any discount you use. I happened to use the United discount last week and I wasn't asked for the card, but I had it with me.

On the check engine light issue, gmeh is correct that its probably ok to run around with the check engine light on, and a loose gas cap is usually the culprit, especially in a fairly new car...and tightening it doesn't automatically solve the check engine light problem...it may stay on for several more cycles.

However, if I'm picking up a rental car, especially at an agency like Alamo where I have a choice, if I start the car and the check engine light comes on, I"m moving to a different car.

I completely agree that you should be prepared to document any discount you use and that is why I am a member of a LOT of different airlines. They are free to join, so, why not?
I also completely agree about the CE light. In my case, it has stayed on for 7 years. LOL. I had it checked and the computer cannot find anything wrong. It runs fine, but, renting, nah. I know my car, I don't know theirs. If that happened, I would certainly bring it to the attention of the manager on duty (not the agents in the booth, they never seem to pass the info on).
I am more concerned with the car deodorizer, which can make it difficult to breath (for me) and is really putrid. I found that driving around with the windows open and the AC on gets rid of that nasty odor quickly. It does not help that they are parked in a hot garage with the windows closed. Only magnifies the smell.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Is it just visa30? I can't get it to work. All the coupons are gone off the Costco site!!

The Visa $30.00 off code is AD2338FDF

Yes, that was the visa code I used with the Costco contract ID number.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

This is exactly what happened to me. Mine went up about $15 and it was the base rate that went up.

Problem is, the same thing will happen to you if you either online checkin or view the reservation. And I imagine it will when you hit the kiosk or the rental counter too. What I did was bring the original confirmation on paper. If you don't have that, I imagine the original email confirmation would work too. I did online checkin the day before (which showed the higher rate), then kiosk (also the higher rate), then I took my rental contract and original paperwork with the lower rate and they adjusted it for me.

This seems to be another problem with their horrible website...

Thanks for the heads up. Will go straight to the counter with my print out then.

 

[skw444]

Last time I rented a car was 10 years ago, so I don't know what a good deal is. I have a Full size at Enterprise for 8/31 - 9/7 for $142 total. Anyone know if the rate will get any lower than this?

 

[brettb]

The check engine light often comes on because someone along the line did not seat the gas cap properly on one of the trips to the gas station. For some stupid reason after properly seating the cap the light does not go out. I have been running my car for 7 years with the CE light on with no problems at all. I had it checked and the car's computer could not find anything wrong with it.

In NJ (and a bunch of other states), your car would fail inspection just for the light being on. I'm surprised the OBD-II didn't report *something*. Do you change your own oil? Maybe it's doing double duty and indicating it's due for "service." I think my Accord had a separate light for that and I just googled how to reset it. (Turn key while pushing some button in, etc, etc.)

If the problem was the gas cap, I would have thought it would have come on sooner than it did, but who knows?. And it's possible that the number of starts and miles after I reseated wasn't enough - my old 2003 Accord would sometimes go longer than that before resetting. The Accord light sometimes would wait to reset until the monring after I thought, "Hmmm. The light hasn't gone off yet...maybe I'll have to take it in."

If the light had been flashing or if I had noticed a misfire or a change in performance, I would have gone to the Car Care Center immediately.

I think the key indicated it was a 2LT, which I think means V6. (Based on sound and feel, I would have thought it was a very good 4 or a not-so-smooth-and-powerful V6. I regret not opening the hood and looking.) So while the trim wasn't LTZ, maybe it was on the Exec Selection aisle because the 2014 Impala is kind of a hot car right now. A Disney security guard at AKL bent my ear for a while when I pulled up in it.....

My comments about the car were purely about Chevy - I was totally happy with Alamo. Although if I have anything to report about the car in the future, I will let a manager know just so that the information gets passed on.

I had a truly terrible car at the Tommorowland Speedway, though. The steering was completely broken. All the way around the track, BAM.....BAM....BAM as the car lurched back and forth against the guide. It was a dad and little, little boy in the car before me - the dad probably thought the poor kid was a lousy driver because he was so young. But the steering wheel spun freely like on Mr. Toad!

 

[SingLikeC]

Does anyone know if you can change your Visa code to the United code? I'm a Mileage Plus Member with United and I don't necessarily want to use my Visa card for rental. I didn't know the United code existed when I booked using the Visa code......any thoughts?

 

[richmo]

Does anyone know if you can change your Visa code to the United code? I'm a Mileage Plus Member with United and I don't necessarily want to use my Visa card for rental. I didn't know the United code existed when I booked using the Visa code......any thoughts?

Try creating a new reservation with the United code. If its better than what you have with Visa, keep it and cancel the Visa code. The Alamo site doesn't seem to be playing nice with modifying existing reservations these days.

 

[gmeh1]

In NJ (and a bunch of other states), your car would fail inspection just for the light being on. I'm surprised the OBD-II didn't report *something*. Do you change your own oil? Maybe it's doing double duty and indicating it's due for "service." I think my Accord had a separate light for that and I just googled how to reset it. (Turn key while pushing some button in, etc, etc.)

If the problem was the gas cap, I would have thought it would have come on sooner than it did, but who knows?. And it's possible that the number of starts and miles after I reseated wasn't enough - my old 2003 Accord would sometimes go longer than that before resetting. The Accord light sometimes would wait to reset until the monring after I thought, "Hmmm. The light hasn't gone off yet...maybe I'll have to take it in."

If the light had been flashing or if I had noticed a misfire or a change in performance, I would have gone to the Car Care Center immediately.

I think the key indicated it was a 2LT, which I think means V6. (Based on sound and feel, I would have thought it was a very good 4 or a not-so-smooth-and-powerful V6. I regret not opening the hood and looking.) So while the trim wasn't LTZ, maybe it was on the Exec Selection aisle because the 2014 Impala is kind of a hot car right now. A Disney security guard at AKL bent my ear for a while when I pulled up in it.....

My comments about the car were purely about Chevy - I was totally happy with Alamo. Although if I have anything to report about the car in the future, I will let a manager know just so that the information gets passed on.

I had a truly terrible car at the Tommorowland Speedway, though. The steering was completely broken. All the way around the track, BAM.....BAM....BAM as the car lurched back and forth against the guide. It was a dad and little, little boy in the car before me - the dad probably thought the poor kid was a lousy driver because he was so young. But the steering wheel spun freely like on Mr. Toad!

No, I don't change my own oil, I can do a lot of stuff myself, but, changing the oil might cause me to break a nail and then you have to properly dispose of the oil and I don't know anywhere in Orlando to do that. We don't have car inspections in FL. I have a maintence due light on my car and I do know how to reset it.
I did not take your comments as negative at all. I thought it great that you shared it. The 2LT is indeed a 6 cyl and that is probably why it was in EXEC.
Sorry to hear about your terrible car at Tomorrowland, LOL.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Alamo rates still WAY up again today for my dates.....more than $100 over what I locked in at last week. I am guessing my last reservation might be the best rate I'm going to get as we are now just 8 days until arrival. I will keep watching, though, just to ensure I don't miss a last-minute dip .

Is there anyone else still here that's still watching rental prices?? lol, maybe I'm one of the only lonely souls who haven't left yet.

 

[utkscvol1]

I'm still here we check in August 30th. I still have not seen a dip in rates. I checked yesterday and Alamo was still sitting at the lowest so far which is what I snagged last week. Full size rental for August 30- September 7 for 179.97 all in. I was hoping to get down to $150- that would have been nice! I'm like you I will faithfully keep checking

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'm still here we check in August 30th. I still have not seen a dip in rates. I checked yesterday and Alamo was still sitting at the lowest so far which is what I snagged last week. Full size rental for August 30- September 7 for 179.97 all in. I was hoping to get down to $150- that would have been nice! I'm like you I will faithfully keep checking

Ah, good! I thought I might be kind of lonely, waiting out the next week by myself!!!

I was *hoping* to get my SUV rental down to $275, but I'm guessing I will have to be satisfied with my $285. DH is just happy he is with Alamo and gets to pick his vehicle, and that he got a standard SUV instead of a midsize (as the midsize had been unavailable up until last week, and when it did appear it was more expensive than the standard ) .

I am now anxiously watching the weather. This is about the time last year that Hurricane Isaac started brewing .

 

[bjakmom]

Ah, good! I thought I might be kind of lonely, waiting out the next week by myself!!!

I was *hoping* to get my SUV rental down to $275, but I'm guessing I will have to be satisfied with my $285. DH is just happy he is with Alamo and gets to pick his vehicle, and that he got a standard SUV instead of a midsize (as the midsize had been unavailable up until last week, and when it did appear it was more expensive than the standard ) .

I am now anxiously watching the weather. This is about the time last year that Hurricane Isaac started brewing .

I still check morning and night, too. LOL My $219.95 rate for 12 days is up this morning to $384.xx Wow, that's quite a difference.
And last night I did my first check on WESH local weather - now to start packing.

 

[piglet33]

I'm still here too. I have $159 for 9 days for a Standard with Alamo.

 

[laughinplace199]

I'm still here too. We have booked a standard at Alamo for 6 days for $127. I'm not expecting it to go lower, but I'm still checking...just in case.

 

[puffkin]

I'm still here too, checking morning, noon, and night but my rates jumped drastically yesterday. I think I hit the bottom last week but I'll check until we leave tomorrow night. You never know. Still holding at Alamo standard/full at $139 for 8 days using VISA/Insiders.

Literally all packed and ready to go which is highly unusual for me....just have to get through two more pesky days of work