Car rental advice please

[alisonbestford]

We're off to see The Mouse next year - March 23rd - April 13th

Flights and accommodation are paid for
I just need to arrange car hire and decide what to do about tickets

Now, here's my dilemma.
I'm looking to find the cheapest car hire that I can (aren't we all )
I've found a 2 door compact on Alamo, with a free upgrade to Intermediate, for £315.
Next I went to Kelkoo and found a 2 door compact for £323.64 through Auto-europe.co.uk.

Has anyone had any dealings with auto-europe?
I know they're working out less car for more money than Alamo but they offer a no cancellation or amendment clause.
As DH might need more surgery next year - and we probably won't find out until the end of Feb - this would be an added bonus - as long as they are legitimate.

If we have to cancel the holiday it's doubtful that we'd get any money back under the insurance as it would be a result of a pre-existing condition.
I know we could leave car hire until we know for definite what's happening but mightn't prices go up?

The hol was originally fine tuned around scans due at the end of Feb, beginning of March, so that we'd be away whilst the results were being processed (we've had to wait 3 months before now) and DH would be having a fun holiday, instead of sitting worrying

I'm trying not to get grumpy about the change of plan ( just a case of his surgeons thinking they were doing him a favour by tying in some optional cosmetic surgery with possible essential neuro-surgery) by planning our trip but DH's MRI scan is now on Tues and I'm going to have an all out battle to try and get the results before Xmas....

Another question is what to do about DH and DD's annual Universal passes.
They both expire towards the end of Jan.
If I re-new them with 30 days to spare they will cost $106 each.
Do I re-new or wait and pay more?
Aaaarghhh

Postponing isn't really an option as we would lose the money we've paid and it's doubtful that DH would be fit to fly following a 5th bout of neuro-surgery

Thanks for any help / suggestions

 

[Miffy2003]

Alison - I have no advice but what a difficult time for you all. I very much hope all goes well for your DH and your family.


Car hire is something I don't tend to do until just before the holiday - I have never found prices change much (at all?) depending on when I have booked. Might be one to leave until a month before say?

Anyone else have a view on this, as this is JMO.

Best wishes Alison

 

[tartangirl]

My good ness what a worrying time for you.

The price you have with Alamo seems really good and with a free upgrade - if that is direct with Alamo I would go with that rather than going through a third party.

I agree with Miffy - I always book the car way in advance but the price never seems to change nearer the time.

 

[alisonbestford]

Thanks Tartangirl and Miffy for your advice and concerns
We've battled with DH's head, together, for over 8 years now (he's been fielding it for 14!) so we have a bevvy of hospital staff and MacMillan nurses who are fantastic and let me rant and rave when I need to - only one of them can offer advice on WDW though.....

I think that, if I book now, it might well be best to go with Alamo as the free upgrade would be great.
If I were to let that one go and book later I guess we'd lose the upgrade but the other prices might remain pretty constant?

Anyway, keep the suggestions coming please.
We're off to the 'BigW' in search of a Bratz Roxy doll for DD to spend her birthday money on before it burns a hole in her pocket.. and then we're off to see the local Brownies in action at the Christingle service.
DD has an invitation to join Brownies after Christmas so she's getting prepared

 

[disneyholic family]

some years i've booked everything way in advance, but some years, due to either medical situations or unknown holiday dates, i've waited until close to the end to make reservations....

if you have any doubts about when or whether you're going, you should wait until you're sure...

 

[jtlover]

I have tried www.yescarhire.com before and they are good but I am looking at www.usrentacar.co.uk this time as they are even cheaper.

We are getting a 4 x 4 for £169 for 7 days which is about £20 cheaper than yescar.

 

[alisonbestford]

The alamo quote was through the USrentacar site

I think I will do the sensible thing though and wait until nearer the time before booking.
I don't suppose they'll run out of rental cars in the next couple of months...

It'll be a shame to lose the free upgrade but 'better safe than sorry' I guess

 

[disneyholic family]

The alamo quote was through the USrentacar site

I think I will do the sensible thing though and wait until nearer the time before booking.
I don't suppose they'll run out of rental cars in the next couple of months...

It'll be a shame to lose the free upgrade but 'better safe than sorry' I guess

if you go onto the US Alamo site (www.alamo.com), you can reserve a car without making any sort of deposit....so you won't lose anything if you cancel...
i used the code from Simon's book and got a nice deal from alamo (including all insurance, which was nice)...

 

[alisonbestford]

That sounds good Beth

Have you any idea what the new code is though as the full price, for the weeks we need, is well over £400?