basic RENTAL CAR questions ~ help please

[rockin_rep]

We rarely rent cars as our companies handle the details when we fly for work. So i'm a little confused about basic issues ~ can you please help? (They say there's no such thing as a dumb question, but you be the judge! )

1) We have an existing reservation but i'd like to try to get a better rate on line (using a coupon or code). So do we just go into that existing reservation on line ~ or just start over with a new reservation? Will anything happen to the original reservation if the coupon / code doesn't prove to be a better rate? (i'm afraid it will somehow be voided?)

2) How much control do you really have over what you get once you arrive? For example, if you would prefer an American made auto but they give you a foreign, can it be changed? Or a specific kind of mini-van or SUV?

TIA for any feedback.

 

[juligrl]

Having worked in car rental I'll try to answer this as best I can.

If you have a coupon or code for a better rate than what you were quoted, call the location from which you are planning on renting and see if they can honor your coupon. Generally, if you just tell them what you want to do, they can make it happen.

If you just want to see if you can get a better rate online, don't be afraid to double book then just cancel the higher priced reservation. As long as you follow that up with a call to make sure that you have the reservation that you actually want, than you shouldn't have a problem.

As far as having control over what type of vehicle you get, you really don't. You can reserve a size class (standard, full, luxury, pick up truck, minivan, etc.) but unless a rental office has a ton of cars and no customers, you get what they give you. Again, if having an American made care is very important to you, call the office you will be renting from directly so that they can at least note your preferance in your reservation. If they have the availability, they may be able to honor your preference.

In most cases, the rental car company will guarantee a size class, but not a particular car. Also, don't forget to check your insurance coverages to see if you will be covered in a rental/what type of coverage you have and what your deductible is. If you're paying for a rental with your credit card, you may want to check to see if they offer rental car coverage and for what amount and restrictions if any as well.

If you have any more questions regarding rental let me know. I worked in the car rental industry, so there's a lot of things I know just from having been in it that they don't necessairly want you to know.


Good luck!

 

[BonnieA]

Last time I rented a car (early May), I must have made and cancelled my reservation 9 times before I got the cheapest rate. I would check every week to see if the price changed, if it did I would make a new reservation and cancel my old reservation. I did it all online. Got cancellation receipts with each one but didn't need them.

 

[rockin_rep]

Thanks for the feedback. We're still checking, and re-checking. I'm amazed at the varieties and options through each company, and then the travel companies. too.

About priceline:
They seem to have two options: the one where you 'pick' your rate -- which is non changeable, and then the other one -- but while that's supposedly ajustable, it doesn't say that on the contract page. Anyone know if it is?

My next question is this - how much flexibility do you have once you get to the rental counters? For example, if you have two reservations, is it possible to go to the first one, and if you don't like what they give you, can you say 'no thanks' and check the other? Probably not, but thought I'd ask.

Thank you again for any additional help.

 

[MEK]

I always make several rental car reservations. Try mousesavers.com for some good suggestions on rental codes. They give a lot of practicle information about the different companies in orlando.

Don't be afraid to use off site, if it's a good deal. We got a fabulous rate at Thrifty last summer and it took very little time to shuttle there. There was no wait at the counter. We saved over $100 compared to the onsite companies.

I used Alamo at MCO once on a Saturday evening. It was 45 minutes in line.

I rent a car twice a year. They are always American. I never see a foriegn car on the lot (although, unlike you, I would prefer a Honda!).

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