car rental upgrade question

[Deesknee]

Anyone ever hear of an free upgrade to a minivan?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

There are two times where this happens, the first is when the agency is out of other vehicles or in the case of National, when there are minivans on the Emerald Aisle.

In the end, I wouldn't count on it, Orlando is a huge market for rentals (even after the downturn in the economy). If you need a minivan, I'd rent a minivan. The worst thing that can happen is you book a smaller car, you get there and you are assigned a smaller car and there are no upgrades, even paid, available.

 

[Lewisc]

Several times I've seen families trying to fit luggage in a car much too small for the number of people and luggage. Not sure how long it took before they gave up or how much it cost to upgrade to the car class they needed.

At least one couple was offered an upgrade to a mini-van. Didn't need the space. Didn't want to pay extra for gas. Turns out minivan was the only vehicle left.

DON'T COUNT ON AN UPGRADE being available, even paid. Rental agencies are doing a better job balancing fleet size with demand. The larger agencies have merged. Fleets are shared. They run last minute sales if they'll have an excess of vehicles during the weekend.

Try codes. Try kayak. Carsavers. Get close try PL. Don't rent a car smaller then you can live with.

edited to add: Looks like your a family of 6. Even for full size , premium and luxury cars Alamo (and National) is only promising a car that seats 5. You have to reserve a mini-van or try to find an agency that guarantees you a full size car with 6 seat belts.

 

[dudspizza]

I was looking at an Enterprise coupon code through Costco where you get 5% off and a free upgrade...... well, in the fine print it says you get the upgrade upon availability..... if the next car size is not available, you don't get the upgrade...... they offer a straight 10% coupon that would save a bit more cash and I decided to book that one.....

That said, I wish National would come down with their rates for March so I can use my executive status....

 

[Jaime4004]

My parents (just the 2 of them) have been offered a free minivan upgrade a few times through dollar. One time my brother and his family of 6 were with them (separate rental car) and my father asked if my brother could have it instead and they said yes. We (family of 5) have usually rented through dollar and have never been offered any free upgrades.

 

[Lewisc]

Many of the free upgrade coupons are subject to availability at the time of rental. Others only let you upgrade to a full size car.

OP needs 6 seats. Really can't take the chance of an upgrade being available (at any price).

Reserve and keep shopping.

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you everyone. Yeah, we are a family of 6. We always reserve a minivan. I just can not believe what they are asking this year! I usually budget about $350. for the rental. I found the reciept from June '09 for 7 days + a few hours it was $288. ( I know even then that was a good deal). Now, they are asking $687 for just under 10 days, and that is for November. I know it is about 4 extra days, but geeze. I think we are just going to reserve one from the disney area & return to the airport. That way we can get it for less days and hopefully bring it closer to the $400 mark.

Thanks again. I didn't realize the upgrade coupons were usually based on availbility. Good to know, I won't rely on that.

 

[webworm]

Thank you everyone. Yeah, we are a family of 6. We always reserve a minivan. I just can not believe what they are asking this year! I usually budget about $350. for the rental. I found the reciept from June '09 for 7 days + a few hours it was $288. ( I know even then that was a good deal). Now, they are asking $687 for just under 10 days, and that is for November. I know it is about 4 extra days, but geeze. I think we are just going to reserve one from the disney area & return to the airport. That way we can get it for less days and hopefully bring it closer to the $400 mark.

Thanks again. I didn't realize the upgrade coupons were usually based on availbility. Good to know, I won't rely on that.

You might want to try Budget using BCD Number x474200 (travelocity public code) and E-Coupon MUWZ023 or $25.00 off. The coupon will be applied against total when you checkout. Usually their rates are one of the lowest for a minivan.

 

[Lewisc]

You normally rent for a week. You want to rent for a week plus 4 days. The rate for 4 days is going to be almost as much (maybe more) then the rate for an additional week. You're basically paying to rent for 2 weeks. You should expect to be paying at least twice what you were paying.

$288 for a week a couple of years ago. $687 for 2 weeks this year. Doesn't sound crazy.

You can shop. Try codes. The problem is the extra 4 days. You're staying on site? Use DME one direction and rent for 7 days.

 

[SFRN97]

During our Sept 08 trip we had reserved a mid-size and were offered a minivan. We are hoping the same happens for our upcoming Nov trip Deesknee I see we are neighbors we are also from Mass. our you a BJ's Wholesale Club member. We reserved a mid-size for 12 days with a free additional driver for 238.00...