Budget Car Rental prices for May 2005 - EXPENSIVE!

[lilo62]

Has anyone else had the same experience that I have had?

I am renting a car for a day before the cruise at a really inexpensive rate and then renting a car the day after the cruise is over (May 14) and the prices are astronomical!

For an economy car for me and my hubby to rent from the time we get off the ship until our flight leaves later in the evening is $90! I almost fell off my chair!

I cannot understand why either

 

[TiggerKing]

Lilo:

From looking at the Budget web site myself, I believe it is due to picking the car up at Cape Canaveral and returning to MCO. This is probably due to the fact that they have (or anticipate) a ton of reservations for that date from cruise passengers, and/or they may be charging a drop-off charge (although that should not be occurring in Florida).

I priced the same vehicle for p/up and drop-off at MCO (which doesn't help you), and it was only $37. I found that if you picked the car up in Titusville, it dropped the price to $73 instead of $99. But, that still is ridiculous. If you decide to go that way, take note that those rates are for ANY size car, including premium vehicles.

 

[lilo62]

I did in fact notice that it was accross the board. Holy smokes!

If only I was smarter and made my reservation about 3-4 weeks ago when it was only like $30 from Cape Canaveral to MCO. Procrastination is truly NOT a good thing!

 

[tink5]

We just rented a car (full size) from budget from Cape Canaveral to MCO on Aug 14. It was only $52, with tax and everything. The week before I called to reserve the car it was $89. Keep looking online, it seems like they change the prices daily.

 

[mousecrazy]

I encountered the same thing with Budget for April 9. Rates had been around $45, then just recently jumped to $89. I hesitated to reserve the one way from port to MCO before because Budget requires a credit card. I chose to use Avis for the return to MCO because they do not require a credit card and gave a comparable quote $51.27 (using AWD B021600 - Walmart customers) inc tax for full size.

 

[staylor]

If you reserve through the rental company and they have a better rate on a later date usually it's not problem to change. Not like an airline where you have penalties and such. Also, check out biddingfortravel.com and see what the going rates are on priceline. Though keep in mind when you book priceline, it's paid right then. So you cannot change the rate.

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Budget quoted me $108 today for 9 HOURs from PC to MCO!!!!

I told them No thank you and called Avis.

$45.60!

Crazy, eh?

BTW, I told the guy from Budget on the phone that I got a rate of $31.00 online, but when I went to book it later that day, it was $89! He told me it was probably because I mistakenly put in for a roundtrip rental (I know I did one way)! They are nuts!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

WOW!

I booked with Budget on 8/29 for my May 12-14 rental.

That day I was able to get a Full Size with Costco discount code for $39.66 base rate and $51.79 with taxes and fees.

Today...the base rate is $63.01!

For once I booked at the right time!

Debbie

 

[slabeaume]

A couple weeks ago I reserved my week with Budget for just over $100---picking up at Mco and dropping off at Port Canaveral. At that time, the return was only $30. But for some unknown reason, I didn't book the return then. I went to book it today and found that $90 price! I guess if it doesn't go down, we'll be returning via Disney bus!

 

[markºoº]

Lilo, you have a long time before you cruise. My guess is that prices will change over time. My experience seems that rental car prices are always higher if you book WAY in advance. Prices are usually better 1 -3 months out.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We have two one ways booked with Budget for our upcoming December cruise. It was $41 each way for a full size car. Keep checking.

 

[ivanova]

booking this far in advance you will see wild fluctuations in rental car prices - like someone else pointed out though you can change your rental car ressies several times, unlike airplane ressies - so keep checking, when you see a lower rate reserve it, then if you see something even lower later reserve that and cancel the previous ressie. We usually get great rates when we're a lot closer to the time we need to actual get the car.

 

[lilo62]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad to know it just wasn't me!!!

I am notorius (as my hubby can swear) of checking back to see if airfare, rental rates etc. go lower. Heck, I'd rather have more $ in my pocket then they theirs!

 

[Pgood]

I am on the 12/11 cruise and was trying to book with Budget for 12/18 (one way PC to MCO). The prices were $99, $89 with a discount. I called and was told that they had not come out with the one way prices yet.

I tried and tried and finally today I was able to secure a $38.97, intermediate car rate!!!! code - X724300 was the lowest.

My advice is keep trying!!!

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We've had a full size car reserved for our December 2nd trip for a while. The price went down about $10 and it is now $40 for a one way from MCO to the port.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

When we went on the 4-day cruise this past May, I was able to get a car on priceline for the whole time. The cost of the car on priceline, plus the parking charge at the port (which was $40) was less than what it was going to cost to make 2 one-way rentals.

This is a good idea to look into if you are on the 7-day cruise or if you are staying in Orlando before or after the 3 or 4-day cruise because weekly rates are often a lot cheaper than daily rates.