car rental, what am I doing wrong???

[beachgrl001]

ok I just got a price from hertz for a 9 day rental in sept.(full size car) $650.00!!! yikes! that is way too much. I have looked at the codes on mousesavers and most of them expire in May. I have 3 adults and 2 kids(one w/a carseat) plus I will have a stroller. What size car do I need to ask for? Thrifty seems to have the best prices that I could find. I have seen people post who say they got mini vans for like $200. (8 or 9 days) What am I doing wrong? should I wait until closer to my trip dates?

 

[grimley1968]

Check out Thrifty, Alamo, National, etc. I got an 8-day rental at LAX for this coming June from Thrifty for about $240. It's supposed to be a Chrysler 300, which would certainly carry your party.

 

[Shagley]

I am also needing to rent a car in September, but I am going to wait until around June to book it. By then, there should be more coupons or discount codes available that will be valid through fall. It seems like right now all of the sales and specials are geared toward the late spring / early summer travelers.

 

[trstno1]

Try the Alamo Walmart Discount. On Alamo's website, they offer 15% off if you prepay, but then you have to pay $5 if you change or cancel the reservation.

The Walmart Discount got me about 30% off, and there was no need to prepay. The rate was really good - ~$160 + fees for a minivan for a week (total~$210).

Also, Alamo now lets you check in online and avoid the counter altogether, just like National.

Edit: My rate is for January, but I would still try it for your dates.

 

[scootert]

I think rental rates are just higher than they've been in the past. I've got a week reserved in May for an intermediate through National and the best I can find is $200 including taxes (AARP code and $15 coupon). We'll only rent through National or Hertz so that is part of the challenge, but it just seems like rates in general are a lot higher than in previous years.

 

[Maggiemom]

Go to Costco and BJ's wholesale club website. They have car rentals with up to 25% off and then they have additional coupons. I have found them to have the best rates. I used them last year and I don't remember showing them my card at the counter to get the rate. So I don't believe you need to be a member. Hertz is the most expensive car rental. They are really for the business traveler. Alamo has the best rates.

 

[hemispheredancer]

Beachgirl....what are your dates? I have found some good rates for DISers. Let me know what kind of vehicle you will need. Will you be picking your car up at the airport? Will you be bringing your own carseat? That will save some money right there.

 

[Kycha]

Beachgrl,
You have plenty of time to get a good rate. Keep checking mousesavers.com. I know you can combine coupon codes, rate codes and contract id's to get the best rate at National and Alamo. Check out mousesavers.com to learn how to combine codes. Mary is constantly updating her website with new codes. Make sure to check the specials or hot deals on the rental car sites. There are alot of coupons and codes in the Entertainment book. I think the books are on sale(1/2 off) right now. You can definitely get a better rate. It just takes some time.

 

[taimgxe]

I got a quote for a full size @ Dollar for 239.48. No coupon codes at all. You mentioned that were leaving on 9/3/6 and staying for 9 days. I assume that you mean that you are flying to Orlando?
Here is the breakdown:
1 Week at $160.32 per week. Unlimited mileage. 1 Extra Day at $25.92 per day.

Base Rate: $186.24
U.S. Dollar (USD)

Total Estimated Charges: $239.48


Try Budget, Alamo, etc... I am sure that you will find something MUCH cheaper.

 

[Jennifer Frommer]

I book and re-book as needed until my vacation time arrives... I have a great deal right now with Alamo for a minivan for 8 days in May for $184 total !!

I used the following codes: ID: 430710 (walmart discount code), rate code: BY and COupon: D42C ($25.00 off coupon... if you need a copy of it, please e-mail me).

My sister-in-law and I have different vacation times but by using these codes, she got a minivan for $167 for 8 days!! These codes have worked great for me!! Good luck!

 

[beachgrl001]

Thanks for the advice. I tried the coupon(D42C) it said it wasnt good for my dates. but Im going to keep trying.

Hemispheredancer, yep, we're flying(US air) taking our carseat, so we have 5 people altogether. plus all of that luggage and I was thinking of taking my "good" stroller but it is so BIG! Im probably going to try to buy something more compact. We definately need a car because we're staying offsite Thats it! next time Im staying onsite, taking disney transpo. and avoiding this mess.

By the way how do you combine coupons?? I couldn't find the info on mousesavers....

 

[Jennifer Frommer]

Sorry, I meant to type code: "D24C". D42C works but is only $15.00 off... not sure when that one ends. "D24C" is for $25.00 and it is good until 12/31/2006. Hope this helps!

 

[mell]

How do you get the walmart codes and coupons? Are they available at the store?
Thanks

 

[grimley1968]

How do you get the walmart codes and coupons? Are they available at the store?
Thanks

Jennifer Fromer gave the codes to us above. Read her posts and she lists them.

 

[Jennifer Frommer]

I get most of my codes on "mousesavers" website in the rental car section. I search around too to see what else I can find but mousesavers always points me in the right direction.

It's all a big game, I've found and I learn something new every trip. This trip for me, Alamo has had the best fares by far but I still check the others. You never know! (I usually check Alamo, Dollar, Budget and L&M)... the others are either off the airport or they are too expensive.

Hope this info helps! Good luck!

 

[beachgrl001]

Thanks the info did help Im getting a much better rate from alamo. Now I just have to decide on what size car.