Car Rental Frustration

[madscrapper]

Hi,

I'm getting slightly frustrated trying to get a decent rate for a rental car in October (2nd - 7th)... The rental is for 5 days, but at that point,,I'm being bumped up and charged for a week (I've tried National and Dollar) HOWEVER, although I'm charged for a week, I can't use any of the coupons that require a week rental - since the actual rental is only 5 days...and I can't use any coupon I've found for a weekend rental since they can't be used on a reservation longer than 4 days...I've tried BJ's and Costco coupons and a few codes from Mousesavers...I don't have an Entertainment Book...as well as Travelocity and Expedia....any suggestions

Thanks,
Jeannine

 

[Lewisc]

You probably have a decent rate. Most posters have the opposite problem, they want to get a weekly rate since the weekly rate is (almost) always cheaper than a daily rate for 3 or 4 days.

You're getting the weekly rate because it's cheaper than paying the daily rate for 5 days. You might try travelnow and see what you get.

 

[madscrapper]

Well, the rates I'm being quoted (I also tried Alamo) are $200 plus...I usually rent for a week or more and have never paid that much for a weekly rental of a full sized car...thanks for your help

 

[mcnuss]

What size car are you looking for?

I just booked Budget for $131 for a mid-size Oct. 3-8 using the Wal-Mart code on Mousesavers.

 

[Lewisc]

Dollar (I used travelnow) is showing 162 (208 with tax and fees). Keep looking, you might get better results using a free upgrade coupon.

 

[dcgrumpy]

alamo QV code is $194 or $195 w/ tax and fees

 

[DebbieB]

I have National intermediate Emerald Aisle for $156 including tax for Oct 1 to 6. I used Disney Club plus $15 off entertainment coupon. Mine is 5 days.

 

[mazzarafe]

There is a link on Mousesavers for a $15 off coupon for Vacation Outlet. The minimum rental is 5 days. I'm using it with my DC discount for a 6 day rental in December.

It's for intermediate thru convertible. You should give it a try.

 

[inkkognito]

You may also want to take the lowest rate you can find and then place a bid below that via Priceline (don't forget to factor in their $5.95 service fee). Even if your bid is not accepted, you're not out anything. Specify the MCO area and if your bid is accepted, you're very likely to end up with an onsite location. We usually get Alamo or Avis, although we did get Hertz (offsite) once. But Hertz wasn't too bad...the buses are always there waiting, and they upgraded us from an economy car to a RAV 4.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mcnuss]

Good point Barb, I had forgotten about Priceline! I once used Hotwire for a car at BWI, got Hertx, and it was great. For an extra $2 per day on top of the whopping $15 I was paying, we got a Ford Explorer. Thanks for reminding me - I'm going over to biddingfortravel.com right now!

 

[ineedpixiedust]

For our trip 9/25-10/2 we found a great rate through the Southwest Airlines website. We wound up not booking a flight through them, but you can still rent a car through their site. Best rates I've found so far!

www.southwest.com

Good luck!