Car hire / transport to Tampa help please!

[mikki.young]

We have succumbed to an impulse and booked a trip to Florida in August. My problem is we are going to Tampa the middle weekend and won't be using a car there (if we take it there will probably be parking fees of $80). I'm trying to decide between getting a car anyway to drive there and back (Aug 7 to Aug 16 am pick-up pm drop off) or picking a car up in Tampa to come back to Disney for the rest of the trip (11-16Aug).

I'm having trouble costing how much it would be to get a taxi/town car to Tampa. I'd also love it if Wayne could tell me where the best deals are on car hire at the moment

Any thoughts / suggestions?

 

[chmurf]

just FYI a taxi from TPA (tampa international airport) to MCO (Orlando International) would cost around $250... (each way)

 

[wayneg]

http://www.mearstransportation.com/taxi-services/taxi-fare-estimator/

This will give you a rough idea of taxi costs, LBV to Tampa = $178

I am struggling with car hire this year. I still haven't booked for July, thinking I should have booked earlier. I usually find a deal about 2 months out but not happening this year.

Try a search on here http://www.quidco.com/carrentals-co-uk/ Also check eBookers, they used to show on the search engine above but not recently. Also check ebookers App, sometimes shows better prices but then no cashback.

 

[mikki.young]

I'm coming in at around £210 for 10 days of a fullsize car. The SUVs add another £70 which I don't think is worth it. Can't decide whether to wait or to book!

 

[chmurf]

you could also try this offer http://www.alamo.co.uk/brits

 

[mikki.young]

you could also try this offer http://www.alamo.co.uk/brits

Yes, done them. they were just the best rate. Used them before - new option to me is to pay in advance, always had to pay at the end before in dollars so this is a plus.

 

[mikki.young]

So what do I get tonight but an email from Topcashback offering 10.5% back on Alamo in USA bookings. Looks like it is working on the gold upgrade too!

If anyone else is interested the offer ends in 5 days.

 

[wayneg]

So what do I get tonight but an email from Topcashback offering 10.5% back on Alamo in USA bookings. Looks like it is working on the gold upgrade too!

If anyone else is interested the offer ends in 5 days.

Too expensive for me in July
16 nights Full size car = £359.92 less 10.5% cashback = £324

Same car/Alamo booked via Netflights = £301 less 6% Quidco = £283

Can get cheaper with others but I suspect they are with Budget, I want Alamo, Dollar or Hertz.

 

[wayneg]

Did you book?
I just booked mine, eBookers have an offer on today (possibly tomorrow) with 10% off using their mobile app to book. I tried it and its given me almost 20% off. Their website = £317, App = £257 (Alamo)
Even bigger saving if I took Dollar, Website = £337, App = £256

 

[mikki.young]

Darn, I booked. Glad you got a good rate though!

 

[orangetiggs]

£261 for our dates midsize suv with dollar, tempted to book

 

[london75]

Argh the offer seems to stop at mid size SUV, full size SUV are still disgustingly expensive. Oh well, we'll keep hoping for a glitch on hertz

 

[oceanscape]

Did you book?
I just booked mine, eBookers have an offer on today (possibly tomorrow) with 10% off using their mobile app to book. I tried it and its given me almost 20% off. Their website = £317, App = £257 (Alamo)
Even bigger saving if I took Dollar, Website = £337, App = £256

Is Alamo better than Dollar? Mine are same price, can't decide which one to choose

 

[wayneg]

Is Alamo better than Dollar? Mine are same price, can't decide which one to choose

There was £1 difference for me. I took about 30 mins to decide.
I really like Dollar Express, also had good free upgrades using it but last couple of rentals have been older shabby cars. On the other hand excellent cars with Alamo and good service with their Save time service to bypass the desk.
Its all down to the cars available on the day, its a 50/50 choice, there really is nothing to choose between the 2.

 

[oceanscape]

There was £1 difference for me. I took about 30 mins to decide.
I really like Dollar Express, also had good free upgrades using it but last couple of rentals have been older shabby cars. On the other hand excellent cars with Alamo and good service with their Save time service to bypass the desk.
Its all down to the cars available on the day, its a 50/50 choice, there really is nothing to choose between the 2.

Thanks! I'm tempted to use Alamo too but every single person on here and the DIBB seems to use Alamo these days, and I believe Virgin Holidays use Alamo too now, so I'm thinking the lines for the SaveTime kiosks might be long after a Virgin flight and that the Dollar queue might actually be shorter and with a greater choice of cars!!