Car Rental for August

[jwcollin]

I know it is a little early to be looking at car rentals, but our August trip is coming fast! (or so I like to think!!)

I am trying to figure out the best way to get around while we are there, from August 16 to September 2. We will be spending 7 days at Universal Studios and then 10 days at the World!

Checking out car rental prices, I am shocked! They are currently running around $1000.00! They will have to come down a HUGE amount before I would consider booking!

However, Expedia.ca right now has a Full sized car for the entire time for $360! But its with Dollar Rent A Car... I have always booked with Alamo or Budget, so I am not sure about Dollar?

My question to all of you: Would you book (and pay) at that price, and would you feel comfortable booking with Dollar?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Looking this far out for a Aug rental will result in heart failure. You will find the best rates closer to your vacation date. So don't panic.

$360 for a standard is way to HIGH. My last two rentals (2011 and 2012) I paid just under $100 and I booked my car with Alamo less than two weeks before my trip. My rental was for 7 days in 2011 and 9 days in 2012. I suggest you join the Alamo Insiders program. Its free and they offer better coupons and lower car rates to those that are Insider members.

 

[jwcollin]

haha, what can I say! I'm a planner!

Thanks for the feedback, I guess I will wait...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have a one-week rental booked through Expedia.ca for our August trip (August 26th to September 2). We have paid $142 taxes and fees included for a full size with Budget (which gives us a free spousal extra driver). Its not as good of a price as our January trip ($69 taxes included through Alamo) but is MUCH lower than many others have even quoted as paying recently on the many car rental threads on the transportation board, and its a price we can live with if it doesnt go down.

For our January getaway, we also had our initial car reservation with Expedia.ca ($126). When the Alamo rate beat it, I cancelled the Expedia ressie online and had my full refund back (no penalty deducted) within 48 hours on my credit card . No problems there at all.

When planning this next trip, we wanted to be reasonably sure of our budget. When we found this decent rate, we booked knowing "it can only go down from here". If it doesn't, we are okay with that. If it does, we will cancel and rebook at the lower price just like last time.

FWIW, I totally share and appreciate your need to plan!!! There should be a support group for people like us!!! (lol, okay, maybe there is ..... its called the Disboards! )

 

[luvsvacations]

I also having been looking for Aug 17-28. RIght now I have a Budget mini-van for about $500. Best I have found - just tried the expedia.ca and that is $800.

 

[luvsvacations]

I also having been looking for Aug 17-28. RIght now I have a Budget mini-van for about $500. Best I have found - just tried the expedia.ca and that is $800.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I also having been looking for Aug 17-28. RIght now I have a Budget mini-van for about $500. Best I have found - just tried the expedia.ca and that is $800.

For whatever reason, Expedia.ca doesn't seem to give favourable rates for vans. For cars, on the other hand, they can be great.

At this point, I haven't been able to find any other source that gives a better rate for a full size for my dates. Not carrentalsavers, not hotwire, not even direct with Alamo with my Insiders membership and a coupon. Definitely worth a look for those looking for economy to full size cars.

 

[jwcollin]

That's exactly what I have been doing too, Carrentalsavers, Costco.com, and I have memberships with most car rental agencies, everything right now is ridiculously high! Not a lot of good coupons out for that time period yet, but I'm really hoping those prices come down.

Funny, we used to go on a Disney holiday and we never would rent a car. Once we rented and had the freedom, we never want to be without!