August 2014 Car Rental Deal Watch!

[eangel12]

I am shocked at the prices. I looked in September and they are all getting fabulous prices. Ugh!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

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's any consolation, prices out of Tampa are even worse. Last year, I got a minivan from Hertz (BJs membership) for $187.11 including all taxes and fees. This year, the cheapest I have is a Standard SUV (KLM code) for $309. Without the KLM code, the cheapest price from any of the major rental companies is over $650!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If it's any consolation, prices out of Tampa are even worse. Last year, I got a minivan from Hertz (BJs membership) for $187.11 including all taxes and fees. This year, the cheapest I have is a Standard SUV (KLM code) for $309. Without the KLM code, the cheapest price from any of the major rental companies is over $650!

My current reservation ($466 taxes included for a two week rental through National using the KLM discount and an Entertainment Book coupon) for a midsize SUV isn't too far off the pricing of our last year's rental. I think we paid about $225 for a standard SUV in 2013 (got a gorgeous Jeep Grand Cherokee with Alamo) but that was only an 8 day rental. This year, its virtually double the time (two full weeks plus some extra hours on both ends of the rental). A little smaller vehicle, yes, but still manageable (I hope!).

Without the KLM discount, I'm seeing prices of $800-$1100 . I must admit I have slept much better after receiving confirmation from National that they will continue to honour my existing reservation with the KLM discount applied. I would faint if I had to pay $1000 for a rental vehicle for two weeks .

 

[Parad0x]

Costco is down for me somewhat today for Alamo, so check your dates my fellow Costco peeps, lol.

 

[VinnyNYC]

I was just on National's website playing around with some codes:
Contract Id: Not sure that number I entered, but it's coming up GMAC Mortgage Corp.
Coupon Id: NDA2324BR $30 off
Into TPA Tampa
8/17 11:00AM
8/25 12:00 PM
Including all insurance
Midsize
$317.00 total

Can someone help me with the GMAC Mortgage Corp Contract ID? Can anybody use it?

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I was just on National's website playing around with some codes:
Contract Id: Not sure that number I entered, but it's coming up GMAC Mortgage Corp.
Coupon Id: NDA2324BR $30 off
Into TPA Tampa
8/17 11:00AM
8/25 12:00 PM
Including all insurance
Midsize
$317.00 total

Can someone help me with the GMAC Mortgage Corp Contract ID? Can anybody use it?

That is a code for GMAC employees traveling on company business.

 

[webworm]

In my experience bidding on Priceline usually saves 50% of the going rates you find elsewhere. Just don't pay attention to suggested bids offered by Priceline.

 

[houseofduck]

My problem with priceline is that you can't name your own price for one way rentals (at least, I haven't figured out how to do it). We usually don't rent a car unless there's a one way involved.

 

[wolf29]

My problem with priceline is that you can't name your own price for one way rentals (at least, I haven't figured out how to do it). We usually don't rent a car unless there's a one way involved.

There is a spot to click on under pickup/drop-off location where you may input a different drop-off location on the Priceline car rental page.

 

[houseofduck]

The only one way that I have tried with "Name your own price" on priceline was to Port Canaveral. I get the following message every time.

"Name Your Own Price is not available for the itinerary you requested. T"he best available rates are shown below."

I thought that message was for all one ways. But, I just tried from PBI to MCO and it worked! Thanks for the information!

 

[artesian]

Costco is down for me somewhat today for Alamo, so check your dates my fellow Costco peeps, lol.

Yup seeing a dip. We should see some good movement soon although they are being a bit weird this year

 

[Toeknail]

I saw that Hertz rates were way down this morning on the rentalcarmomma site. $295 total (including all taxes/fees) for an intermediate for 10 days from MCO (Aug 23 to Sept 2).

 

[lmmantini]

I booked a reservation months ago with National using the KLM code. Our 8/15 - 8/24 rental of a standard was $286.35 with the code. It was well over $500 without and lately it has been in the $600s. I wanted something cheaper so I've been stalking the rental websites and it finally paid off today. I got a midsize with Payless for $210.55. Would still like to see it below $200, but I'm happy to be saving over $75. Keeping my fingers crossed I can get it even lower.

ETA: My numbers above include all taxes and fees.

 

[n2mm]

Wow. I was thinking of a last trip in august and while I can get decent airfare and room availability I was shocked at the prices for rentals.

 

[CherylA]

With Alamo through Costco, up from a standard to a full size price down $10. Its something!

 

[Toeknail]

I booked a reservation months ago with National using the KLM code. Our 8/15 - 8/24 rental of a standard was $286.35 with the code. It was well over $500 without and lately it has been in the $600s. I wanted something cheaper so I've been stalking the rental websites and it finally paid off today. I got a midsize with Payless for $210.55. Would still like to see it below $200, but I'm happy to be saving over $75. Keeping my fingers crossed I can get it even lower.

ETA: My numbers above include all taxes and fees.

Just be cautious if renting from payless (or really any of the off-site locations). I have read several reviews and those offsite/cheaper car rental companies have a lot of unhappy customers. I am looking for cheapish car rentals on site (by the way, the on-site Dollar location also gets terrible reviews).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/payless-car-rental-orlando

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

Yay! Alamo through Costco came in under $300 for our dates. I'm so happy, I love Alamo and was so disappointed that their rates were running so high. Hopefully this is a trend and the deals will start rolling out for August.

 

[Parad0x]

I checked Costco earlier today. Nothing changed, for Alamo though Budget had dropped lower than Alamo.

So I checked again an hour ago, about 4 hours after the first check, and Alamo dropped lower than budget for compact thru Premium.

So, I saved another $70 from my low with Alamo for this trip.

 

[laurabelle]

I just rejoined Costco, there isn't a club very convenient to me, but the discount was over $100 less than the cheapest price I could find so far.
I have to wait until they email me my member number to book the car reservation. Thanks for posting.

 

[lmmantini]

Just be cautious if renting from payless (or really any of the off-site locations). I have read several reviews and those offsite/cheaper car rental companies have a lot of unhappy customers. I am looking for cheapish car rentals on site (by the way, the on-site Dollar location also gets terrible reviews).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/payless-car-rental-orlando

Thanks, I had no idea! I think I'll stick with National. Saving $75 isn't worth the hassle.