Car Rental July 2015 - Outrageous ! Help !

[jcvalenti]

We've been going to Disney - a lot - since 2004. Over the years we've rented full size and minivans. About 2 years ago, I noticed the rates started skyrocketing, so this year, I thought I'd try to plan the car rental as early as possible to catch a deal.

I just priced out Minivans from 7/12 to 7/24 and they were hovering around $900 on Orbitz and Costco ! Even using my link through Chase.com it was coming in around $650.

Where should I be looking to find a good deal ? I'm trying to be a little more fiscally responsible this trip, but unexpected bumps in things like car rental are throwing a serious crimp in my plans !

 

[elgerber]

We've been going to Disney - a lot - since 2004. Over the years we've rented full size and minivans. About 2 years ago, I noticed the rates started skyrocketing, so this year, I thought I'd try to plan the car rental as early as possible to catch a deal.

I just priced out Minivans from 7/12 to 7/24 and they were hovering around $900 on Orbitz and Costco ! Even using my link through Chase.com it was coming in around $650.

Where should I be looking to find a good deal ? I'm trying to be a little more fiscally responsible this trip, but unexpected bumps in things like car rental are throwing a serious crimp in my plans !

In my experience, car rentals are not like other vacation items, that are cheaper well in advance. I have always found the best car rental deals 3-5 weeks prior to travel. A couple of times, they have even continued to drop until days before the travel date.
Minivans are always higher, and can sell out faster, so I would book one now, but then continue to check with codes often, especially as travel time gets closer.

 

[buzz2400]

keep checking. Also check out mousesavers.com. they have many codes for rentals. You most likely will find a cheaper rate if you keep checking. I always do. But to be safe, make sure you do book the cheapest one you find at first. You can always cancel it.

 

[parkluvr]

I agree with pp about checking a little closer to your travel dates. Last summer I wanted a mini van rental for two weeks in June. When I initially checked, rates were over a thousand dollars for the rental period. I continued to check periodically and about 6 weeks prior to departure I was able to get my 2 week rental for around $350. Also, if you are a Costco member, they usually run some pretty good rates periodically with Alamo.

 

[pigletto]

It's a good idea to check once a day right now. They will drop at some point so you want to catch it. It's anyones guess when that is. I usually find my best rate around 6-8 weeks out, but that isn't a given.
Check once a day or so until you see rates drop, and then every few hours while they are dropping (to cancel and rebook at the cheaper rate) which in my experience usually occurs for a day or two before they go back up.

 

[ArmchairDetective]

Check Expedia UK! I found, for your dates, a minivan at $550.

Ever since I saw rooms cheaper on Expedia UK it's my first go-to for everything.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Also you might want to ask for help on the transportation board. Lots of rental discount codes and coupons can be found on that thread.