Car Rental rates - what to expect?

[ushkina]

Hi everybody,
What kind of weekly car rental rates (in Orlando) should I expect for the economy/compact car? I see that Dollar is offering 130$ weekly rate (economy car) - is it good? Is it possible to find something even cheaper?
Does it make sense to reserve the car now if we are only going in May - do prices drop when one reserves last-minutes?

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. Check other companies and Mousesavers.com.

2. Make sure the rate quote includes all fees and taxes. Also make sure your own auto insurance will cover a rental so you don't have to buy insurance from the company. Taxes and fees can easily add 25% to quoted rates in Orlando; if you buy insurance the increase is closer to 50%!

3. Make your reservation as soon as possible. Rates tend to go up as you get closer. HOWEVER, if you can find a lower rate you can cancel the reservation (or even be a "no show") without penalty.

 

[ushkina]

Thanks for your reply! The price I gave is using the code from mousesavers, I don't think it includes taxes. . I am wondering whether it is still a good price. Our Visa card covers rental car insurance, I am pretty sure, so we 'll save quite a bit this way!

I tried to reserve it and here are the fees that it added:

Base Rate $129.99
Taxes, Surcharges And Fees
STATE TRANSACT TAX $14.35
VEHICLE LICENSE FEE $3.29
APT CONC RECOV FEE $13.06
STATE TAX

What is APT CONC RECOV fee? Do I really need to pay it (if I have rental insurance covered?)
Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes, you have to pay the "Airport Concession Recovery Fee". That is what the Orlando Airport Authority charges the car rental company, and it is a pass through.

The "State Transaction Tax" is actually a $2.05 per day fee which is (supposedly) used for more road construction.

Also, everything listed is also subject to the 6.5% State Sales Tax.

Your Grand Total, without Insurance and assuming you return the car with a full tank, will be $171.13!

 

[ushkina]

Cheshire Figment, thanks for the explanations!!!

 

[ncbyrne]

http://www.rentalcodes.com/ The car rental box is near the top right at this site.
We are also going in May (2-12). I reserved our car thru Alamo and book last September as soon as we had our flights confirmed. I researched rental prices through every rental agency onsite at MCO. The first ressie I made was with National. But within a week I found a lower rate at Alamo. I've checked every company, every week since and have not been able to find anything lower. Normally, I have gotten the lowest prices at Dollar, but not this trip.

 

[antmaril]

I also used a code I found on rentalcodes.com for an Avis car in Orlando for Presidents' Week. It was a compact (four-door Cavalier) and the weekly price including all taxes was $162.

As a side note, if the price is the same for Alama/National and Avis, I would go with Avis, only because the lines are much shorter at the airport. When we arrived a couple of weeks ago, the line for Alamo/National was really long. I walked up to the counter at Avis.

Good luck!

 

[swilshire]

I have always used National in Orlando. If you are an Emerald Club member, you can walk right across the driveway and pick your car. Throw in your bags and you're out of there in five to ten minutes. Returns are quick as well. No bus to ride.

Sometimes they are short of midsize cars and put some interesting vehicles on the aisle. I grabbed a PT Cruiser when they first came out. The kids loved riding around in it.

I can't even remember how I got my free Emerald Club membership since I've had it for years. I know they have one version you pay for, but sometimes you can get in free as a member of some other group. I know I've gotten a gazillion offers for Hertz Gold membership this way.

I have consistently found National to offer almost the lowest rates everywhere and they are much less restrictive on things like leaving the state (or even the country) in their cars than some of the other companies.

Sheila

 

[mad4themouse]

Go to MouseSavers.com - Rental Cars . Mary has all the current rate codes, contract IDs and coupon codes that are available.

If you follow the link on the page to Turner Travel, you can get a free Emerald Aisle membership at National. This allows you to bypass the counter and procede directly to the Emerald Aisle where you just pick whatever car you want from your rental class. You present your license, coupons and any substantiating paperwork at the exit gate and you're on your way. An added plus is that you do not need to pay to add your spouse as an extra driver.

I've been an Emerald Aisle member since the days when the Disney Club offered free membership. I like the fact that I can skip the lines, DH is already approved, no hassle to purchase insurance, and I get to pick out whatever car on the EA that I want. National also includes all the taxes and surcharges in the quote that they give you before you commit to renting. No surprises.

And no, ushkina, it is not too early to reserve now for a May trip. I reserved my minivan for July back in August of 2003. I check constantly for new rate codes and coupons but the only thing that has come out to lower my rate was the Entertainment Book coupon ($20 off my total).

 

[ushkina]

Wow, great tips, thanks everybody!!!

 

[ushkina]

Thanks a lot! I just went to rentalcodes.com and found a cheaper rate for AVIS - 116$ weekly + taxes!!