car rental experts

[pinky]

Please help!!! For the first time, my DH will not be going with me and DD (16 yrs) on annual trip to Orlando. This is always the one big vacation we take each year. To make it a little more special, I've considered renting a convertible (a surprise to DD when we pick up the car). I've looked around some and the cheapest I've found is a $296 weekly rate. My dates are April 10-17th (Easter) and we're coming in on SWA just before noon and departing at 1 pm. I've tried the codes anyone can use (this was the amateur sports code) and this is the cheapest I've found at the airport. (I did find $269.99 at an offsite location, but the cost of a shuttle/tip for 2 people is more than that.)

I was hoping some of you could find better association rates and/or coupons. I'd be willing to join AAA , buy an entertainment book, etc. (there's no BJ's in our area). I have a Sams membership but am having problems registering online so I can't get any codes from them right now. I know there are rates / coupons for credit cards, airlines, hotels (I'm a member of most of them) but I don't know the codes. (I normally use Avis with our company AWD, but since it's a holiday, the rates are above $500).

I've noticed that rates are climbing from day to day. To be affordable I need to keep in under $300 including taxes & fees. If anyone has any codes I may qualify for, please PM me.

I hear a lot about the entertainment book. Are these rates good during holidays? And the free day coupon good during Easter? The kids sell them as fundraisers here, but I've never bought one.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[safetymom]

Have you tried www.mousesavers.com ?

Also most offsite rental agencies have free shuttles.

 

[pinky]

thanks for the reply. I'll try mousesavers. It's a great site and I haven't looked there in quite awhile.

By off-site, I mean off the airport grounds such as Hertz at the US on-site hotels (that's where I got the $269 rate since we're staying there first) or National at WDW Dolphin (since we're ending our vacation next door at BWV).

 

[CarolA]

It is pretty rare to get much lower than that on a convertible. Sometimes the Dollar Kiss codes help a little, but..... the discounts on convertibles tend to be pretty small. Also, some of the discounts are blocked off for holidays.

I have gotten one for less money off Priceline.

 

[pinky]

I'm doing the happy dance...........

I got it for $282 including taxes with National!!!! I'd booked a car back in May and decided to change the car class to convertible.

If any of you are Southwest Rapied Rewards members.....


(If you're heading to Orlando, Dollar has a deal for you . . . a fantastic rate of $36.99 per day and $179.99 per week on a convertible.

Valid in Orlando, FL only for rentals booked between March 9 and 15, 2004.
Rentals must be picked up by August 31, 2004.
24-hour advance reservations required.
Blackout dates: April 1 - 10, May 27 - 29, and July 3 - 4, 2004.
Available only on southwest.com.
Earn credit toward free flights with this Rapid Rewards Preferred Partner.
See Additional Terms and Conditions below.
Reserve your car rental today!)


I took out the promotion code so I wouldn't get in trouble!

Hope this info helps someone. It's a great deal, but unfortunately I need it April 10th!!
I'm happy with my National deal!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by pinky
Please help!!! For the first time, my DH will not be going with me and DD (16 yrs) on annual trip to Orlando. This is always the one big vacation we take each year. To make it a little more special, I've considered renting a convertible (a surprise to DD when we pick up the car). I've looked around some and the cheapest I've found is a $296 weekly rate. My dates are April 10-17th (Easter) and we're coming in on SWA just before noon and departing at 1 pm. I've tried the codes anyone can use (this was the amateur sports code) and this is the cheapest I've found at the airport. (I did find $269.99 at an offsite location, but the cost of a shuttle/tip for 2 people is more than that.)

I was hoping some of you could find better association rates and/or coupons. I'd be willing to join AAA , buy an entertainment book, etc. (there's no BJ's in our area). I have a Sams membership but am having problems registering online so I can't get any codes from them right now. I know there are rates / coupons for credit cards, airlines, hotels (I'm a member of most of them) but I don't know the codes. (I normally use Avis with our company AWD, but since it's a holiday, the rates are above $500).

I've noticed that rates are climbing from day to day. To be affordable I need to keep in under $300 including taxes & fees. If anyone has any codes I may qualify for, please PM me.

I hear a lot about the entertainment book. Are these rates good during holidays? And the free day coupon good during Easter? The kids sell them as fundraisers here, but I've never bought one.

Thanks for the help!!

right now swa has a special going for a convertable through Dollar

http://www.southwest.com/hotfares/hotfares_cars.html

I really don't know if this will help you, but, you can give it a try.

 

[mep319]

Me and DD7 are doing our 1st mother daughter vacation!!! It is in addition to our "family" vacation so I'm trying to do it as cost effective as possible....any suggestions on the cheapest/safest way from MCo to AKL. We usually do a towncar but I think it would be too much for the 2 or us (???any good deals out there??) I hate the thought of Mears but thinking that might be the best way to go...anyone have suggestions??? Thanks!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mep319
Me and DD7 are doing our 1st mother daughter vacation!!! It is in addition to our "family" vacation so I'm trying to do it as cost effective as possible....any suggestions on the cheapest/safest way from MCo to AKL. We usually do a towncar but I think it would be too much for the 2 or us (???any good deals out there??) I hate the thought of Mears but thinking that might be the best way to go...anyone have suggestions??? Thanks!

I would go with FL Tours. Might be pricy in comparison to Mears, but, you won't be in a van with a bunch of people and you won't take a "tour" to other resorts to drop people off. IMHO, well worth the extra cost.