august 2013 codes for rental cars?

[rdevine10]

Thank you! Yes, to clarify, one way there and then one way back.

I was going to do a one way rental but decided I would rather just pay to park. (It was going to cost the same for a parked rental for us as dropping and renting again) But I did have good luck with this budget code:

Y937800

& 1 class upgrade: UUCZ010 (intermid to full size) with your visa

HTH.

 

[richmo]

I'm finally seeing some cracks in the armor for early August rates.

That said, Alamo rates for my early August week have not budged one cent either direction. However, when I plugged in my simulated dates, there's a pretty good drop. My actual dates with Alamo are currently (all quotes base) $352 for a midsize, $363 for a standard. The simulated July dates are $195 for a midsize, $205 standard. Not great, but this is the first I've seen the simulated dates come down since early June. (Simulated dates are the same day of week as the actual trip, but within 7 days of now)

The news is even better with Dollar. Last week, I was able to book $189 for a midsize SUV with my actual dates. Now my actual dates are showing city specials of $150 for a midsize, $166 for full. If I plug in simulated dates, its $125 and $155 respectively.

I'll be booking those Dollar rates now and still hoping Alamo eventually comes down too.

 

[brettb]

I just ran the numbers for my dates, 8/3 (morning) - 8/12 (evening) so a full 10-day rental:

Dollar.....City.......5C1M
Mid.......$285.05..$266.43
Std.......$309.01..$282.85
Full.......$311.77..$291.05
Prem..................$304.78


Alamo.....AD2338FDF (Visa $30 coupon w/ Insider's Discount)
Mid....$301.66
Std....$316.72
Full....$331.79
Prem...$354.26

National with the KLM code and $30 BJ's coupons still gives $306.46.

I also low-balled Priceline for a Full-size. Now when the bid and the re-bid fail, it offers me a Full-size for "$17/day" - total price of $260.75 (which is LESS than if you had BID $17/day). Last week it was offering a full-size for $15/day - total $235.95 (again, this is LESS than the total if you had BID $15 (and even *$14* per day!). It seems like I can click on "check your request" and still get access to this offer - I'm not sure what would happen if I actually tried to "Buy my rental car now" from this page.

These Alamo and Dollar prices are definitely lower than was I was getting last week. And the Dollar 5C1M promo code (from Mousesavers) seems to be better than the City Special rates.

For now, the National @ $306 is my keeper - I won't use Dollar to save $40. I'll keep playing with Priceline - if I can get a PL Full-size for < $200, that will be a no-brainer. It's too early for me to pull the trigger on a the PL Fullsize for $236 to save $70. (A few years ago, I was in a similar situation and a week later, National dropped down to what I had paid for the Priceline rental.)

 

[MrsDoubtfire]

I'm finally seeing some cracks in the armor for early August rates.

That said, Alamo rates for my early August week have not budged one cent either direction. However, when I plugged in my simulated dates, there's a pretty good drop. My actual dates with Alamo are currently (all quotes base) $352 for a midsize, $363 for a standard. The simulated July dates are $195 for a midsize, $205 standard. Not great, but this is the first I've seen the simulated dates come down since early June. (Simulated dates are the same day of week as the actual trip, but within 7 days of now)

The news is even better with Dollar. Last week, I was able to book $189 for a midsize SUV with my actual dates. Now my actual dates are showing city specials of $150 for a midsize, $166 for full. If I plug in simulated dates, its $125 and $155 respectively.

I'll be booking those Dollar rates now and still hoping Alamo eventually comes down too.

Rich... Have you ever used Dollar before? I have not, but it's giving me the lowest rate I can find (so far) for 13 days = $395 for a standard, 13 days. My concern is the fee they try to tack on for a "Pass 24" for the tolls in FL. I don't want to pay an additional $9 a day for it. Is that fee avoidable and can't the tolls just be paid in good old cash?

TY
Lori

 

[richmo]

Rich... Have you ever used Dollar before? I have not, but it's giving me the lowest rate I can find (so far) for 13 days = $395 for a standard, 13 days. My concern is the fee they try to tack on for a "Pass 24" for the tolls in FL. I don't want to pay an additional $9 a day for it. Is that fee avoidable and can't the tolls just be paid in good old cash?

TY
Lori

I've used Dollar before and have had no problems, but its been awhile...prior to the Pass 24 days. I would imagine you could get that waived, but maybe others can chime in with the answer.

 

[danjoan14]

I had booked a rental with Alamo about a month ago. The rental for an SUV for the week was $300 at the Car Rental in the MK. Last week, I was able to get a larger SUV through budget for $240 for the week using the discount codes I picked up here. I'm picking up the rental for the second part of our Florida trip. The Budget pickup is at the Double Tree near Downtown Disney. We plan to be there when I need to pick up the rental. I'm not sure how far away it is from Downtown Disney. It looks like it's about a 1/2 mile away.

 

[richmo]

I had booked a rental with Alamo about a month ago. The rental for an SUV for the week was $300 at the Car Rental in the MK. Last week, I was able to get a larger SUV through budget for $240 for the week using the discount codes I picked up here. I'm picking up the rental for the second part of our Florida trip. The Budget pickup is at the Double Tree near Downtown Disney. We plan to be there when I need to pick up the rental. I'm not sure how far away it is from Downtown Disney. It looks like it's about a 1/2 mile away.

The Doubletree is the last hotel on Hotel Plaza Blvd. 1/2 mile might be a little conservative...more like 3/4, I think. But, it is a nice walk if the weather is good and there's a pretty nice path. (Actually, at some times you can almost walk it faster anyway). If you're not into walking it, you could pick up one of the Hotel Plaza Blvd buses at the theme parks...

 

[JandD Mom]

Hi Everyone, we are headed to Disney on August 17. We are picking up the minivan in Tampa, and dropping it off at MCO the following Friday evening. I received a base rate of $140, and with taxes the rental came to $188.71.

I used the Emerald Club code of 5007125. However the American Express family pass code of 5125601 also produced this rate. Some of the other rate codes, including the KLM code, produced a much higher rate.

Previously I tried to book this minivan on both National and Alamo and got rates that were about $200 more, no matter what code I used. I have been holding a reservation with Budget for around $270, which I will now cancel.

I can't remember ever getting a minivan for this low of a rate! Good luck!

 

[rdevine10]

Hi Everyone, we are headed to Disney on August 17. We are picking up the minivan in Tampa, and dropping it off at MCO the following Friday evening. I received a base rate of $140, and with taxes the rental came to $188.71.

I used the Emerald Club code of 5007125. However the American Express family pass code of 5125601 also produced this rate. Some of the other rate codes, including the KLM code, produced a much higher rate.

Previously I tried to book this minivan on both National and Alamo and got rates that were about $200 more, no matter what code I used. I have been holding a reservation with Budget for around $270, which I will now cancel.

I can't remember ever getting a minivan for this low of a rate! Good luck!

Im renting in Tampa starting the 15th and tried the above codes. The 1st one tripled my rate! The 2nd wasnt as bad until you added in all the taxes (but still more than my existing ressie).

Still hoping Glad you got a good one!

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

I had booked a rental with Alamo about a month ago. The rental for an SUV for the week was $300 at the Car Rental in the MK. Last week, I was able to get a larger SUV through budget for $240 for the week using the discount codes I picked up here. I'm picking up the rental for the second part of our Florida trip. The Budget pickup is at the Double Tree near Downtown Disney. We plan to be there when I need to pick up the rental. I'm not sure how far away it is from Downtown Disney. It looks like it's about a 1/2 mile away.

All the rental car companies in the downtown Disney vicinity will pick you up at your resort. You just need to call the rental desk and request that you be picked up. No need to walk or figure out how to get there

 

[richmo]

I'm now seeing Enterprise with some much better rates for early August. For my dates (8/4-11), with no codes, the rate for an intermediate is $156.88 base, $217.98 total, which is about $10 higher than the Dollar City Special I quoted yesterday. (And I'll be using a Costco code to bring it down to $145.90/$205.12, which is slightly better than the Dollar City Special)

A couple interesting things about this: 1) Enterprise is the same company as Alamo, and presumably has the same fleet. Could this mean that we should see some reduction there as well? 2) If you've read my earlier posts, you know I like to plug in simulated dates close to the present date. Usually this shows lower prices. In the case of Enterprise, they're much higher. Makes me wonder if Enterprise goes up as the date gets close and Alamo goes down. I have no idea.

I think I'll do a reservation for Enterprise. For those of you that have used them at MCO, is the experience similar to Alamo? I understand they have kiosks now. Is it pretty much the same?...meaning punch in your reservation at the kiosk, then go out to the garage and pick out a car?

 

[MrsDoubtfire]

I'm now seeing Enterprise with some much better rates for early August. For my dates (8/4-11), with no codes, the rate for an intermediate is $156.88 base, $217.98 total, which is about $10 higher than the Dollar City Special I quoted yesterday. (And I'll be using a Costco code to bring it down to $145.90/$205.12, which is slightly better than the Dollar City Special)

A couple interesting things about this: 1) Enterprise is the same company as Alamo, and presumably has the same fleet. Could this mean that we should see some reduction there as well? 2) If you've read my earlier posts, you know I like to plug in simulated dates close to the present date. Usually this shows lower prices. In the case of Enterprise, they're much higher. Makes me wonder if Enterprise goes up as the date gets close and Alamo goes down. I have no idea.

I think I'll do a reservation for Enterprise. For those of you that have used them at MCO, is the experience similar to Alamo? I understand they have kiosks now. Is it pretty much the same?...meaning punch in your reservation at the kiosk, then go out to the garage and pick out a car?

I was not aware that Enterprise was now owned by Alamo - and thought National was related to Alamo. Plugging in my dates gives me the lowest price so far with Enterprise ($381.40, 13 days, MCO, full size), however I noticed that their hours of operation at is MCO is 6 a.m. to midnight. Our flight on SWA is due to arrive at 9:50 pm - but two years in a row, was delayed - getting us to MCO after 11 pm. If we got there close to midnight and were stranded there because the rental desk closed, we would not be happy.

I, too, am interested in anyone's opinion on renting thru Enterprise. TIA

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

I just got a rate of 219 from Enterprise. That is the lowest so far for my dates, the 5th-14th. It says there is a kiosk to speed things up, so I am I right in assuming if you get there after midnight, you would still be able to get your car?

ETA: just checked Alamo again and it is right at $200 for a full size, standard was more this time.

 

[Bob P]

Yes, Enterprise bought Alamo and National in 2007.....

 

[MrsDoubtfire]

I just got a rate of 219 from Enterprise. That is the lowest so far for my dates, the 5th-14th. It says there is a kiosk to speed things up, so I am I right in assuming if you get there after midnight, you would still be able to get your car?

I used the kiosk from Alamo (at MCO) last year, and it was EASY. I read that Enterprise has kiosks now, and that should save time, however there still has to be some employee somewhere (in the garage I suppose) who has to verify my info before I drive off in one of their cars

Anyone have a positive experience using Enterprise lately? As of today, I can shave another $20 off of my ressie by reserving a full size from Enterprise verses Alamo.

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

Dollar went down too, it was 203 for a full size for my dates. It's not better than the Alamo, which I prefer, but still something to check if your dates are early August.

 

[brettb]

I just ran the numbers for my dates, 8/3 (morning) - 8/12 (evening) so a full 10-day rental:
Alamo.....AD2338FDF (Visa $30 coupon w/ Insider's Discount)
Mid....$301.66
Std....$316.72
Full....$331.79
Prem...$354.26

I reran the numbers with Alamo just now:
Mid....$270.65
Std....$289.52
Full....$298.98
Prem...$316.52

But there's been no movement with National.

Doing my Priceline low-ball thing, I was offered $25/day ($359.55 total) for a Full Size, way up from the $17/day a day or so ago and the $15 last week. Strange. The "Exclusive Offers" from Budget and Avis came down - with a total price of $339.45 for a Full Size - less than the "Offer" price.

 

[brettb]

I just ran the numbers for my dates, 8/3 (morning) - 8/12 (evening) so a full 10-day rental:

Dollar.....City.......5C11M <- Note I had 5C1M in the original post
Mid.......$285.05..$266.43
Std.......$309.01..$282.85
Full.......$311.77..$291.05
Prem..................$304.78

And the rerun for Dollar:

Dollar.....City.......5C11M
Mid.......$261.24..$244.49
Std.......$281.65..$258.23
Full.......$285.05..$266.43
Prem......$309.01..$282.85

So there's been downward movement here, too.

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

I reran the numbers with Alamo just now:
Mid....$270.65
Std....$289.52
Full....$298.98
Prem...$316.52

But there's been no movement with National.

Doing my Priceline low-ball thing, I was offered $25/day ($359.55 total) for a Full Size, way up from the $17/day a day or so ago and the $15 last week. Strange. The "Exclusive Offers" from Budget and Avis came down - with a total price of $339.45 for a Full Size - less than the "Offer" price.

I can't believe the big difference in the price of a full size when I pick up and drop off dates are exactly 2 days difference from you, the 5th-14th and my full size is only $200 using the insiders code and a 30 dollar coupon.

 

[brettb]

I can't believe the big difference in the price of a full size when I pick up and drop off dates are exactly 2 days difference from you, the 5th-14th and my full size is only $200 using the insiders code and a 30 dollar coupon.

Is your rental a 9 or 10-day rental? We're picking up at 10:30am and dropping at 6pm so mine is 10 full days. That may account for *some* of the difference. (I'm using Insiders + $30 Visa coupon, too.)

Added:

It looks like the $200 is for a 9-day. If I switch from 6pm to 6pm and 8/5 - 8/14 or 8/4 - 8/13, I get the $200 price. If I move that to 8/3 - 8/12 ( my dates but 9 days) I get $266.89. So picking up on 8/3 accounts for $66 of the increase. Yikes!