Can someone who is used to renting cars tell me if this is a good price?

[BYC]

I never rent cars, so I don't know if this is good or not. It would be for Dec. 8-17. Full size car, from Dollar Rental Car. The total, not including taxes, is $241.06. Is that a good deal, or could I do better? Thanks! I booked it through American Express travel, and it was the lowest price they came up with for our dates, and car type.

 

[cjnix29]

well, it seems right now car rental rates are pretty high. I booked a month or so ago for our trip in September and got a full size for 7 days for 130 total. I would keep checking closer to the date you want to travel, keep trying codes on mousesavers.com, as well as rentalcodes.com. It's a real pain to keep trying and trying, but it does make a difference. I had previously gotten an intermediate for 200 for the same time frame, until I got lucky one day and got this rate. I would keep it booked, since you can cancel when you find a better rate.

 

[Kim&Chris]

That seems pretty high. Call them and ask them to use the following code: oi1054. It's the Florida code from the Orlando Magicard.

I used this code and got an incredible rate. The only thing is - you have to actually call them and speak to a dollar rep to get this rate....it's not something you can do online.

Good luck.

 

[mommy*RN]

It is high, but so are prices right now. I would try the code the pp told you to call Dollar with (oi1054) and see what that gives. If it isn't any better then I would probably keep trying rates with different codes as your travel dates near. Often as your depature date approaches you see prices drop...

Good luck!

 

[jiminy14]

I have a full size car booked with National for Dec 27 - Jan 7 for $299 total. That's eleven days compared to your one week for $241 w/ no taxes. I would think that you could do better since you will be there before Christmas.
I used the AMEX code (5125601) and a two car upgrade coupon (10009416). With the coupon you select a compact car and it upgrades you to a full size. The coupon can be accessed through www.rentalcodes.com
National is also located at the airport in the same parking garage as Dollar.

 

[szymon]

It would be for Dec. 8-17. Full size car, from Dollar Rental Car. The total, not including taxes, is $241.06. Is that a good deal, or could I do better?

Using the AA Budget link you can get a full size for your dates for $253.94 including all taxes ($196.99 before taxes).

Szymon

 

[BYC]

I was mistaken when I said the price did not include taxes. I just checked, and it is a total of 241.06 with taxes. Also, it is for more than a week. It is actually a week plus 3 days. Jiminy 14- did you book yours on the National site? I tried to do that, but it didnt ask me for coupon codes, and ended up giving me a total close to $400. How did you use the AmEx code, and the 2 car upgrade code? Did you do it online, or by phone? Thanks!

 

[jiminy14]

BYC...I did book on the National site. They have since changed their site and there are no longer any slots to input the codes or coupons on the first page. What you have to do is fill out the info on the first page and click on the "Go" button. This will bring you to the page with all the different cars and rates. On the left hand side of the page you will see your info and a button "Go to edit trip information". When you click on this link it will take you to yet another page where you can actually input the AMEX code and coupon. Make sure when you use the coupon you pick the number 1 in the box after it. Submit this info and you will be taken back to the rate page where an intermediate car will be highlighted. Next to it should be a compact car listing. Choose this one, click on the button at the bottom of the page, and it will take you to the final page which will show a ressie for a fullsize car at the compact rate. The coupon is good until 12/31/06 so you should be fine with your dates.
I just ran your dates and I came up with a price of $244.71 for a full size car. No difference but you can sign up for Emerald Aisle. You would then be able to pick whatever you wanted from the full-size Emerald Reserve Aisle.

 

[BYC]

Thank you! Who would have thought renting a car would be so stressful!? I just want a really god deal! Appreciate your help!

 

[Everett3]

This is in no way a recommendation but my daughter arranged through Hotwire to rent a car for close to a week and got a better rate than through other channels. They don't tell you the company but they DO tell you it is a major outfit and that it is in the airport. You have to pay upfront but if it is a good deal and you are certain about your plans it might be a good deal. I arranged for a rental for a week in August and the rate was about $100 less than from the companies directly.

 

[CarolMN]

I was mistaken when I said the price did not include taxes. I just checked, and it is a total of 241.06 with taxes. Also, it is for more than a week. It is actually a week plus 3 days. Jiminy 14- did you book yours on the National site? I tried to do that, but it didnt ask me for coupon codes, and ended up giving me a total close to $400. How did you use the AmEx code, and the 2 car upgrade code? Did you do it online, or by phone? Thanks!

I think $241.06 incl tax is a good price for a 10 day full size rental - I'd keep checking, but if it didn't go lower, I'd be happy with it.

FWIW, I am willing to pay more (within reason) for a rental from an on site agency. The trouble with Priceline or Hotwire is that you can easliy end up with an off site agency. Some don't mind, but the time I save for pick up and especially the return is valuable to me.

Best wishes -

 

[BYC]

I think $241.06 incl tax is a good price for a 10 day full size rental - I'd keep checking, but if it didn't go lower, I'd be happy with it.

FWIW, I am willing to pay more (within reason) for a rental from an on site agency. The trouble with Priceline or Hotwire is that you can easliy end up with an off site agency. Some don't mind, but the time I save for pick up and especially the return is valuable to me.

Best wishes -

So far, I haven't found better than this, even using the advice I received here and on another site. So, I will keep this, but keep checking for a better deal as time goes by. I also am happy to have a company that is at the airport, so I don't have to do the shuttle route.

 

[Everett3]

I agree that a pick-up off the airport is a bummer but when I went to Hotwire's page and started the booking process I was told it would be a major rental company and that it would be on airport premises--That was before I had to pay for the rental--As I said I have never used Hotwire before so I will learn more after Aug 22
Everett

 

[jiminy14]

I agree with CarolMN...your rate is pretty good for that time of year. From your original post I thought the rate did not include tax. Since it does, you should go with it. I check my ressie every day. I would prefer to rent from Thrifty since they always upgrade us but National was cheaper at the time I started looking (mid-May). Thrifty has gone from $145/week to over $550/week for a full-size car without taxes and fees. At this point in time, I am resigned to the fact that the rates will keep going up and I should be happy with my $300 ressie.

 

[WillCAD]

$241 for a full-size for 10 days is actually a pretty good rate.

Rental car prices fluctuate wildly, so check at least once a week for better deals, and not just with Dollar - check with all the major companies.

The best deals I have found over the last 3 or 4 years have been through Alamo and Thrifty, using coupons and codes from Sams Club. But once in a while Dollar or National has come close with their Sams Club discounts.