August 2014 Car Rental Deal Watch!

[Parad0x]

Don't know if this has already been mentioned as I didn't read the thread but saw this in a Costco e-mail this morning. Valid for August rentals from Budget through Costco. $25 off plus a $20 Costco cash card. Read the details here.
http://www.costcotravel.com/Rental-...tm_term=BUDJULYCCMUGZ014&utm_content=20140702

If you are a Costco member, check the rates and see if this works out for you. We usually rent Alamo because they are cheaper and we get to pick our car. But, sometimes, Budget can work out cheaper.

Yeah, I've been seeing the cash card bonus the past several days on the Costco website. But for my dates, Alamo has been cheaper (Still way too $$$ though) than Avis and Budget which are offering the card, so it makes it a 'lame' promotion only because of the current rates, but certainly that can change.

Hopefully the rates will improve overall as there is still time, but I am shocked that this year the rates are this high. Definitely not following the 'schedule' of price reductions I've gotten over the past many years.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For those who are concerned about the validity of existing reservations with National using the KLM Flying Blue discount, I just sent the following email to their customer service department (the x's block out my personal reservation info for obvious reasons):

We have a confirmed reservation for a midsize SUV, picking up at MCO on August 17th and dropping back off at MCO on August 31st, 2014. Our confirmation number for the reservation is XXXXXXXXX. Total price, including taxes and fees, is $466.67 USD.

The reservation uses the code 8572130, which is the Flying Blue/air France KLM discount, as well as a coupon from the Entertainment Book. We are members of the KLM Flying Blue club (member #XXXX XXX XXX) and have the physical coupon from the Entertainment Book to present at the time of vehicle pick-up.

The original reservation was made on April 3, 2014.

It appears from your website that the KLM Flying Blue discount code is no longer being accepted at MCO (if a new reservation is attempted using the code, a "sold out" message appears.....if no code is used, multiple different vehicle options and prices are presented). We want to confirm that you will continue to honour previously booked reservations (such as ours) which have the KLM Flying Blue discount applied. This will be our first time using National Car Rental and we don't want any problems or issues to start our family vacation.

Your response via email to xxxxxxxxxxxxx is preferred.

Sincerely, Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina

I will let you know if/when I hear something back.

I did just check my reservation using National's online system, and it still says "confirmed".

I am desperately trying to hold onto this ressie as I am thinking I won't find anything else even close, unless the pricing trends start to decrease dramatically.

 

[CherylA]

For what it's worth, I've never had a problem with any code I've used to rent from any of the major car rental companies. You likely will never get a "yes it's acceptable don't worry about it" answer, but you can assume you are okay. Just because there are no longer cars available with that code doesn't make your code invalid it just means they are out of cars for that promotion, you already have yours reserved.

For those who are concerned about the validity of existing reservations with National using the KLM Flying Blue discount, I just sent the following email to their customer service department (the x's block out my personal reservation info for obvious reasons):

We have a confirmed reservation for a midsize SUV, picking up at MCO on August 17th and dropping back off at MCO on August 31st, 2014. Our confirmation number for the reservation is XXXXXXXXX. Total price, including taxes and fees, is $466.67 USD.

The reservation uses the code 8572130, which is the Flying Blue/air France KLM discount, as well as a coupon from the Entertainment Book. We are members of the KLM Flying Blue club (member #XXXX XXX XXX) and have the physical coupon from the Entertainment Book to present at the time of vehicle pick-up.



The original reservation was made on April 3, 2014.

It appears from your website that the KLM Flying Blue discount code is no longer being accepted at MCO (if a new reservation is attempted using the code, a "sold out" message appears.....if no code is used, multiple different vehicle options and prices are presented). We want to confirm that you will continue to honour previously booked reservations (such as ours) which have the KLM Flying Blue discount applied. This will be our first time using National Car Rental and we don't want any problems or issues to start our family vacation.

Your response via email to xxxxxxxxxxxxx is preferred.

Sincerely, Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina

I will let you know if/when I hear something back.

I did just check my reservation using National's online system, and it still says "confirmed".

I am desperately trying to hold onto this ressie as I am thinking I won't find anything else even close, unless the pricing trends start to decrease dramatically.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

You likely will never get a "yes it's acceptable don't worry about it" answer, but you can assume you are okay.

There is no reason that I shouldn't be able to get a "yes, your reservation is in good order" (or another definitive answer) from Customer Service.

When the difference in my price vs. current rates is $500+, I want to be sure all is well before we arrive. Under the circumstances, I think its a fair question for National.

 

[eangel12]

I thought by this point I would see movement in the prices for the end of August. There is NO price movement. Minivans are still showing for $75.00 per day including taxes. The last time we went, we paid $25 and some change per day for a minivan rental including taxes.

I do have a minivan rented using KLM but was hoping for something closer to $35-$40 per day with all taxes and stuff included. Doesn't look like that will happen at this point!

 

[wolf29]

Still lots of time left for rates to drop...too early to panic.

 

[eangel12]

I'm Chicken Little...I'm freaking out... Haha!!

 

[gerryrobinson]

For what it's worth, I've never had a problem with any code I've used to rent from any of the major car rental companies. You likely will never get a "yes it's acceptable don't worry about it" answer, but you can assume you are okay. Just because there are no longer cars available with that code doesn't make your code invalid it just means they are out of cars for that promotion, you already have yours reserved.

I don't think they are sold out of cars for that promotion. I tested the same code in atleast 3 other cities and I get the same SOLD OUT message. I don't think they are honouring any new reservations using this code. I'll be watching intently to your answer from National Gina as I also have a ressie made with them using the KLM code.

 

[katallo]

I'm Chicken Little...I'm freaking out... Haha!!

Just check constantly and book when it seems reasonable. I booked for late July 3 months ago for 229.00 with Dollar. I thought it would be less as the time got closer. Today rates are almost 400.00.

 

[Sophie's Mom]

Not sure if this matters or not - but I rented a car from 6/18 through 6/28 using the KLM code with no issues. Not sure when National stopped allowing you to book using the code - but had no problem actually using it when we picked the car up!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'll be watching intently to your answer from National Gina as I also have a ressie made with them using the KLM code.

And the answer is.........

"Thank you for contacting National. My name is Undra, and I would be happy to assist you with your inquiry. I've located your reservation XXXXXXXXX, and I do see that we will honor the KLM discount. Because the reservation has already been booked and confirmed, we will honor all discounts applied. Please feel free to contact me again, if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thank you for choosing National. We do appreciate your business.

Regards,
Undra with
National Rent-A-Car"



My $466 (all taxes and fees included) for a two-week rental of an SUV with the KLM code is almost looking to be unbeatable at this point, unless there is some MAJOR movement in the rates with other companies. So this email from National was a great relief!

 

[eangel12]

And the answer is.........

"Thank you for contacting National. My name is Undra, and I would be happy to assist you with your inquiry. I've located your reservation XXXXXXXXX, and I do see that we will honor the KLM discount. Because the reservation has already been booked and confirmed, we will honor all discounts applied. Please feel free to contact me again, if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thank you for choosing National. We do appreciate your business.

Regards,
Undra with
National Rent-A-Car"



My $466 (all taxes and fees included) for a two-week rental of an SUV with the KLM code is almost looking to be unbeatable at this point, unless there is some MAJOR movement in the rates with other companies. So this email from National was a great relief!

Thanks for posting. I have a minivan booked with this code. I was hoping for a better deal, but am happy with the deal I have compared to what is being offered.

 

[CherylA]

I'm seeing semi-reasonable rates though BJ's Wholesale with Dollar. My Dates are Aug 6-11 they are about the same as the rate I have from months ago. Even the minivan for those dates are less than half of what other companies are showing.

 

[rottiemom]

I'm seeing semi-reasonable rates though BJ's Wholesale with Dollar. My Dates are Aug 6-11 they are about the same as the rate I have from months ago. Even the minivan for those dates are less than half of what other companies are showing.

"Reasonable" in comparison to what else is out there. We're renting around the same time & the best that I could find was 214 for a week for an Economy through BJs/Dollar. Last year it was more like 100 and that was through Alamo...which is now up of 400! Insane!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

This is my third consecutive August planning a trip to Orlando (all 3 trips falling the last week or two weeks of the month), and I have to say, its freaking weird that there's so little movement at this stage of the game. Usually, less than 6 weeks out, prices are up and down like a toilet seat. I must admit, this is rather boring . The rental car game was a fun way to pass the last few weeks before our travel date arrived.

If this keeps up, we may have to start sharing crock pot recipes and telling cutesy stories about our kids just to keep each other's attention (just kidding..... .... okay, only kinda kidding! I love a good crock pot recipe ).

 

[donnaf516]

This is my third consecutive August planning a trip to Orlando (all 3 trips falling the last week or two weeks of the month), and I have to say, its freaking weird that there's so little movement at this stage of the game. Usually, less than 6 weeks out, prices are up and down like a toilet seat. I must admit, this is rather boring . The rental car game was a fun way to pass the last few weeks before our travel date arrived.

If this keeps up, we may have to start sharing crock pot recipes and telling cutesy stories about our kids just to keep each other's attention (just kidding..... .... okay, only kinda kidding! I love a good crock pot recipe ).

This is great! I was thinking along the same lines. Come on already! We need movement. It's always like a game to me to see how low I can get prices using different codes/discounts. I'm sure prices will still go down but at this point it's like watching paint dry.

 

[wolf29]

This is my third consecutive August planning a trip to Orlando (all 3 trips falling the last week or two weeks of the month), and I have to say, its freaking weird that there's so little movement at this stage of the game. Usually, less than 6 weeks out, prices are up and down like a toilet seat. I must admit, this is rather boring . The rental car game was a fun way to pass the last few weeks before our travel date arrived.

If this keeps up, we may have to start sharing crock pot recipes and telling cutesy stories about our kids just to keep each other's attention (just kidding..... .... okay, only kinda kidding! I love a good crock pot recipe ).

This will be the 8th straight year going the last half of August. We have ALWAYS had a car booked by now for about $15 a day. The fun IS in the hunt for a deal and this is no fun.

 

[Asherry25]

This is my third consecutive August planning a trip to Orlando (all 3 trips falling the last week or two weeks of the month), and I have to say, its freaking weird that there's so little movement at this stage of the game. Usually, less than 6 weeks out, prices are up and down like a toilet seat. I must admit, this is rather boring . The rental car game was a fun way to pass the last few weeks before our travel date arrived.

If this keeps up, we may have to start sharing crock pot recipes and telling cutesy stories about our kids just to keep each other's attention (just kidding..... .... okay, only kinda kidding! I love a good crock pot recipe ).

If it makes you feel better, my rate is up a few hundred dollars today - maybe it will plummet tomorrow!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If it makes you feel better, my rate is up a few hundred dollars today - maybe it will plummet tomorrow!

Nope .... not the kind of movement I was hoping for .

 

[Dax]

Just checked my rental again from Dollar....Still up over $200 from what I have booked at $180 for 10days....Geez....No clue why still so high