Car rental, nothing cheaper than $700??

[Monkeyfeet]

So I am looking for a 4 door car, either premium or full-size (2 adults, 2 kids in carseats and 3 or so suitcases).

We will be there from April 9th - April 20th. We NEED a car because we will be in Disney offsite as well as visiting family south and north of there.

I can not find anything cheaper than $700 (total with tax)!

I would really appreciate some help. I know some use codes. We do not have any memberships so not sure if we can use a code.

thank you!!!

 

[powellrj]

Its still really early, keep checking back all the time and check mousesavers.com and also the transportation board for new codes.

 

[carebee21]

It's still a little early. Most sites haven't released their 2012 codes yet.

However, I'd also urge you to be realistic in your expectations. I'm just curious what sorts of prices you're expecting to see? You're going the day after easter, which is spring break still for many schools. Also, weekly rentals are cheaper than daily rentals. However, you don't have a full second week, so those 4 or 5 days, may end up being more expensive than your first full week. Also, car rentals are more expensive now than last year. Many cut back on their fleet. Based on the time of year and the size of car, I'd really expect the absolute lowest your going to find is $550ish.

 

[mrsklamc]

Find the best code you can....then when it's almost time to go, try priceline- may not work w/ spring break though.

 

[DISdreamin']

Enterprise has a premium for $670 including taxes and fees which, in all honesty, I think is a pretty reasonable rate this far out! I didn't look for discounts at all, that's just their straight rate.

 

[sweetdana]

Priceline. I got down to 8$ (plus tax) per day for a full size

 

[Macprincess]

I agree it's way too early find a great deal now. However, I also agree that traveling to FL the day after Easter is going to cost you big time for a car rental. The two weeks flaking Easter are the peak of season in FL. Everything will be more expensive and car rentals are not only expensive but hard to come by that week. Start looking now. I would hold a car now just in case. Then be dillagent at looking for deals. As soon as you find a decent price nab it. Hot wire and Priceline often have good rates but keep in mind that you won't find a super cheap rate that week of travel.

 

[SaraJayne]

That's Easter weekend and Spring Break. Don't expect much of a deal.

That said, it's still pretty early. Hopefully, you'll find something a bit more reasonable as the time gets closer.

 

[prncess674]

Try autoslash dot com. They are a great company and they continually check for lower rates. There is no fee and they don't take a credit card number so there is no risk in letting them watch the rates for you.

 

[dougsmom98]

Try Budget using BCD code X474200. We have two reservations booked (one in Florida for Feb. break and one in California for April break) with this code and apparently it is a Travelocity code. Here is a thread about the code. It has been used in recent months.

 

[roelongo]

I always check the codes on rentalcodes.com and have always had luck with a code that is listed.

 

[kermit116]

So I am looking for a 4 door car, either premium or full-size (2 adults, 2 kids in carseats and 3 or so suitcases).

We will be there from April 9th - April 20th. We NEED a car because we will be in Disney offsite as well as visiting family south and north of there.

I can not find anything cheaper than $700 (total with tax)!

I would really appreciate some help. I know some use codes. We do not have any memberships so not sure if we can use a code.

thank you!!!

For an 11 day rental on a full size/premium car, that sounds like a pretty good deal. As others have said, you may find cheaper rates as the day is closer. I would sign up to me a "member" of the various rental car places - Alamo, Budget, etc. It won't cost you anything, and they may send you an email with a discount code you can use for a cheaper rate.

Also, check Travelocity every once in a while. I tend to get the best discounts that way - even better than using the rental car company's discount codes.

Beware of renting form a no-name company, though. It may appear cheaper, but they usually add on a bunch of fees when you actually go to rent the car, and it'll end up costing more than going with a nationally-known company.

 

[Monkeyfeet]

Thank you all So I presently have a full-size reserved through Expedia for $480, so over $200 less than the original one. I am feeling much better

We have gone down every year for the last 15 during this time and typically have never paid more than $400 for that amount of time.

Still hoping to get a little cheaper and I will definitely try priceline when it gets closer.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is no need to be worrying about a car rental so far out. It's almost certain a better price will be offered. Just keep checking occasionally.

 

[dzorn]

We ended up driving last year because I could never find a good car rental price. I could find good flight prices but I refuse to pay that much for a rental car.

Denise in MI

 

[ccgirl]

I use carrentalsavers.com and have yet to pay more than $260 for a full size car for 10 days. I would agree with the others that it's still a bit early for codes to come out.

 

[At World's End]

You might want to look at intermediates instead of full size/premium cars. If you join Alamo and National clubs, you rent an intermediate and pick from anything on their "aisle." the past two times we scored minivans (in January), but that is not likely at peak season. You are almost sure to find something that will fit two car seats in the back. As for the luggage, consider bringing two suitcases and a rolling duffle. The duffle can go under the kids feet, squish in back of the suitcases in the trunk, or on your lap worse case scenario. It's not really a long drive from the airport, and you won't have to deal with luggae after that until the drive back to the airport.

If you join the clubs, you will get coupons via email. Watch the rates as your trip gets closer. We got a great deal ($201 incl. tax for a full size with Alamo for 10 days in Jan) the day before departure.

 

[Kim in SPR]

Reserve then keep checking back. I booked months ago with Avis for a mini van for 9 days. I started out at $550 with some codes I picked up (which was a great rate to begin with!!). I checked back shortly after and found the same van at the same location for $478. I checked back just today and saw the same one for $402. Each time I re-reserved (doesn't cost anything) then cancelled my previous reservation. I'm going the week of Thanksgiving, also a busy week. Last, try off-airport locations if possible. At least in NY the rental car agencies charge an "airport recovery fee" of over 10% which I guess is a surcharge to reclaim what they pay the airport to be there.