Car Rental Question

[josh0208]

We are going to WDW on 4/3/10 for 8 days and need to rent a car. The rates right now are ranging from $650-800 for April 2010. Is this because of how far in advance it is? When should I make my reservations? When we went in April 2006 we paid about $300 for the rental car.

 

[mcorbo]

We are going to WDW on 4/3/10 for 8 days and need to rent a car. The rates right now are ranging from $650-800 for April 2010. Is this because of how far in advance it is? When should I make my reservations? When we went in April 2006 we paid about $300 for the rental car.

I rent a car every year, and found that this year, rates seem to have doubled, maybe even a more than doubled, especially on the suv's and minivans. Last year I paid about $220 for a minivan for 6 days, this year the lowest I can find is $500.

 

[VAN]

The first thing I would do is check mousesavers.com for any rental codes. Then I'd book the reservation and check back periodically for reduced rates and/or new codes.

I believe that the rental companies have lowered their inventory and so have been able to rent at a bit higher prices. You will be traveling during the busy Easter season and you don't want to miss out on a rental car.

It is very easy to rebook and cancel should you come across lower rates.

My recommendation is to go ahead and book now and then periodically monitor the rates.

Good luck!

 

[Bren's Mom]

It's still early yet.

We're going a few weeks after you, 4/17-24. So far the best I've been able to find is $397. for a SUV. (We would be fine with a compact, the SUV was the cheapest!) But I don't expect to really pay that. Most of the current coupons expire by the end of this year. I'll check again in January, and February, and March. When I find a better deal I'll cancel the more expensive one. And I'll keep doing that until the trip.

I will also attempt to get a better deal via Priceline starting about 1 month before we go. You can try once every day I think now (they've changed so many things and it's been a little while so dont' quote me on this, but I know you can try often) so I'll just keep trying!

 

[kehlyrsmom]

I have always checked mousesavers for the coupone codes. So far over the last 4 years Dollar has always had the best price for the mini-vans. I made the reservations for my brother when he went to Orlando in Mid August and his rate was about 150 more then my rate in Sept for the same length of time so it can just depend upon the time that you are going. I booked my rental back in May for our Sept vacation leaving in two days!!! I have been checking often but I have not found a lower price then what I booked in May.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I highly recommend trying Priceline's name your own price if you can't find any good deals closer to your trip. I got a rental car last weekend from Hertz (not for Orlando) for $13 a day with unlimited miles. Everything went very smoothly.

Oh and don't forget to price out the WDW car care center for rental prices too! We saved a lot of money renting a van from there instead of the airport. Most rental companies even have a shuttle that will come pick you up from your WDW resort and take you there (it's right outside of MK next to the Hess gas station if you didn't know).

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Rental rates are crazy lately. I think that the taxes and fees for rentals out of MCO almost double your daily rate.

I second the idea of checking out Mousesavers.com for codes, as well as rentalcodes.com.

If you're not concerned about which company you rent from, you might try Priceline or Hotwire.

Get an Entertainment Book for the rental coupons in it. You can usually get free days or upgrades with them.

Don't pre-pay to lock in a rate now unless you've found an awesome rate. Make a reservation that doesn't require a payment if it's important to you to have something reserved.

April can be busy with spring breakers. Easter 2010 is April 4. The weeks before and after it will be high due to the larger demand.

 

[buzz2400]

I just came back from renting a car in july. I had been pricing them for a long time before the trip. the rates have more than doubled. People have posted because the car companies have gotten rid of most of their fleet so they can now raise the rates, supply and demand. What I would highly recommend is book right now with the lowest rate you can find. Don't forget to use the codes from mousesavers.com. Then every now and then recheck and see if you can find something cheaper. You can always cancel the first reservation. I also tried priceline.com and found they were no better. Some people have also posted that you can rent from the car care center at disney and you can get a cheaper rate because you are not renting from airport. You would have to take the disney transport to your hotel (if you are staying onsite) and then you call the car care center and they will come and pick you up and bring you to your car. It explains it better on mousesavers.com.

 

[josh0208]

Thank you so much everyone. Seems I have a lot of research to do. I'll reserve (not pay anything) right now with what I can find and keep changing if I find something cheapier. I can play the car rental game!

 

[kazmommax3]

Wow - prices are unbelievable!!! I'm looking for later in Jan '10 and was shocked to see starting prices @ $800. I've always been able to get great deals and mousesavers has always been a huge help with that. Guess I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled for really good deals but at this point I'm not going to plan on getting a minivan for the trip. Bus travel it is!! Best of luck to you all... if I am lucky enough to find anything good, I'll be sure to post!!