Car rental discounts for Jan with National?

[lillykat]

Alright to all rental experts. We have an 8 day rental for January 5th with national - for convience of emerald aisle. Well right now we are paying 186.00 full size with a coupon I got from mousesavers.com. DC coupons expire in December. Is this a good rate - that appears to be the same rate for an intermediate- so I might as well stay with full size. So the big question when do January rental discounts come out with DC, will they come out, and now since we have up graded to a deluxe from the AKL we need to save a few $ if at all possible. Any suggestions?

 

[pbhunt]

Excerpt below is from Yahoo Business on the problems at Budget Car Rental, National may be lowering its prices, soon. It will be of interest to see what Disney does about extending the dates on their National Car rental coupons:


"But as travelers slowly return to the skies, Budget and its rivals may be confronting another, equally serious problem -- more competition from ANC Rental units Alamo Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental.

ANC's Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing on Nov. 13 temporarily relieved it of its debt payments, giving it more power to lower prices at a time when major rental companies are already fighting for customers, industry experts say.

``It's fair to say that the ANC filing will place some pressure on direct competitors,'' said Barry Dichter, an attorney for the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft whose specialty is financial restructuring. ``It gives them greater flexibility on pricing since it does not have to pay interest on its debt while in bankruptcy.''

 

[jultomzach]

I have a rental from National for the very same period (8 days starting on January 5th). My total is $166. I used my Disney Club membership.

 

[pbhunt]

Even though the Disney Club Coupon and Contract codes work on the National website for reservations in 2002. I don't know if expired documents would actually be valid at the gate when you pickup the car. I booked my April '02 reservation using the DC contract discount and a United Air 1freeday coupon. We're just kind of hoping that DC will extend their promotion.

 

[Candlelady]

Good Morning,

I just reserved(this morning) a full size for 2 weeks Feb 6-20th for $429.44including all taxes and surcharges at National EA in Ct not Orlando. This worked out to 169.18 p/wk without taxes. I thought this was a pretty good price.

I did NOT use the Disney contract code. I was leary of a hassle because the code expires Dec 31st. I always use Hertz but they just couldn't match this price even with a AAA discount and coupons. I figger if and when they issue another contract code for 2002, I will change the reservation. I did use the coupon code that was available on the Disney Club site.

I tried it with the contract code also and it took another 80 off. But like I said, I don't want to have any hassles at the start of our vacation so I decided against it. It's just not in my nature to go against the rules.

 

[lawgs]

the contract code should not expire....contract codes start with a 5

but the coupon code may....coupon codes start with a 1

 

[Candlelady]

I just checked the Disney Club site and the contract code does start with a 5, but also states that the offer expires Dec 31, 2001

 

[pbhunt]

Lawgs, you are the master of car rentals! They have continued to extend the DC contract page as the expiration date approaches, Candlelady is right, the current discount expires 12/31/01. As long as we renew our DC membership, do you think it is relatively safe to book future rentals using the DC contract code (and in spite of their bankruptcy?) What is your opinion?

 

[jultomzach]

I forgot to mention that I used an entertainment coupon (given to me by a friend who did not intend on using it). That coupon expires on 11/02. I will take the risk that National extends it's affiliation with Disney as both companies heavily promote the affiliation. I used my DC for the contract #.

 

[josierac]

I just changed my ressies for August 2002. I originally had the DC discount and I added the 1 day free coupon. I received the 2002 benefits letter from DC. Even though the coupon says 1 free day with a weekend rental it can be used for longer rentals.

Even thought the DC site has not updated their expiration dates the code is good for 2002 (stated on the DC letter)

Give that a try, making a new reservation. I saved $100 on a 8 day minivan rental. The base rate had dropped and the coupon saved me another $37.

 

[lawgs]

pbhunt...

as long as the website accepts the code and gives you the discount ...it would seem that the actual code is extended beyond the date mentioned above....

when you try to put in a coupon code and it is expired....it LETS you know....so am making the assumption the 5 contract id is ok as long as the website accepts it...

bankruptcy may even help rates according to a report on yahoo.....will have to wait and see...

this time when we go (2 days and counting) we are using Alamo since we got a "good" deal for a midsize for the week....so will miss national convenience but that is not worth the 35$ difference in price....

 

[baileybrad]

I have been checking National for the past 4 to 6 weeks about twice a week. I have a full-size for $254 for 10 days. The rate had actually went up the last time I checked to around $280. I doubt if I will ever match the total for a 9 day rental for a full-size in late October--$148. That is the best deal I have ever gotten. The rate went down just before our trip so that is why I will continue to check back periodically.