Car Rental advice

[keishashadow]

We will be going over March break next year. How is a full size sedan for suitcases, though? We were looking at the SUV because our 28-29 inch suitcases (4) need to fit in the back, or at least 3 of the 4, I guess. Also, we'll be arriving after 10pm. I wonder how that will affect their stock of cars left for the day?

it's really early in the game. if you feel the need book anything now, make sure it's fully refundable. I'd start to casually look later this summer. many people seem to think the best rates pop up 30 days or so prior but i've found my best ones often pop up several months out.

search for the March 2017 thread which will surely pop up here, wherein you can find the real-time best codes/coupons. Good idea to stalk the month prior too as many codes will carry ovver.

alamo often has SUVs & vans on the midsize aisle @ MCO. No guarantee. Many midsize cars can handle 3 suitcases easily. To me four large suitcases and carryons sounds excessive for 4 people for a disney trip of a week, YMMV lol.

if you really want a SUV or minivan, you could research the bidding procedure and try for priceline a few weeks beforehand. Just make sure to factor in all the fees/taxes re your daily bid. When I need a minivan when the extendned family comes along, it's usually the way I go.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have always used Costco for Alamo rentals at MCO and have been very happy with the service and pricing. I like having the second driver for free. I also like the ability to rebook if the price drops. In fact, for our upcoming 2 week trip in July, we booked an economy with a class upgrade last December for $390, which is now more than double for the same timeframe; I have not seen a lower price for our two week period since the start of the year. So, waiting may not always be a good idea, particularly for Spring Break.

To get away with a smaller/cheaper vehicle, one thing that we do is that I get the car at MCO and DW and DS take DME. That way, we can send our luggage via DME and when we return to MCO at the end of the trip, we check the luggage using resort check-in and then just drive together back to MCO. Obviously this doesn't work if you are not staying at a Disney resort . . . LOL!

If you have the option to use DME, the other way to get the Alamo price lower is to look at MCO -> MCO, MCO ->Dolphin/CCC, Dolphin/CCC -> MCO, or Dolphin/CCC -> Dolphin/CCC. Using a different pick-up or drop-off location can change the price dramatically. Sometimes it is more and sometimes it is less. Of course, using Dolphin or CCC requires using DME for one or both legs of the trip. Also, the pick-up time is more limited at the Dolphin, but not as much trouble at CCC.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Hmm. I didn't think about picking up or dropping off at the hotel. I am using Costco, but Alamo is the best price on there anyway.

 

[gdrj]

I don't like to do the pay now, especially if your trip isn't until March, because the price often fluctuates. I have a rental for September which I booked a month ago, and the price has dropped twice already. (It also increased once but came back down) It is so easy when booking with Costco travel to rebook the cheaper rate and then cancel the older reservation.

We usually use Alamo for MCO, like the go straight to the car perk.

I don't usually do the pay now option either. The rates will most likely fluctuate. I would book it now, and keep any eye on rates.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, I' not interested in any pay now rates. They aren't worth the hassle if anything changes, including plans.

 

[keatmon]

Thanks so much. I thought it should work, but then the websites all say it's a 2 or 3 bag rental, so I started second guessing myself.

We were able to fit 4 full size suitcases, a stroller (not an umbrella stroller), and carry on bags in the trunk of the Sante Fe. We didn't have to put the seats down to fit everything.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Wow! Thanks, Keatmon. That's encouraging.

 

[leebee]

Check carrentalsavers.com On the right side of the page, there's a "SmartBook" menu. Put in your dates/times and they search all kinds of codes and coupons for you. I've been getting my best rates lately through carrentalsavers without the hassle of having to search out and copy/paste codes and coupons. Book the best rate you find, then keep checking. Sometimes my best rate has changed a day or two before actual pick up, dropping by quite a bit, so keep checking!