Car rental

[alisonbestford]

I'm not sure whether anyone, wondering about car hire, has been over to the transportation board but I've just saved masses by booking a 7 seater mini van through this link:

http://www.alamo.com/index.do?source=costcotravel&action=hotDealsTemplate.do&msg=affil_costco_offer

£208 for 21 days and, no, you don't have to be a Costco member.
This was posted on the thread:

GOOD NEWS ALL!!! You DO NOT have to be a Costco Member to take advantage of rental car discounts online!! I have called and verified (besides, another DIS'er also confirmed this on another thread) the they do not require a membership nor card at car rental counter. If you booked travel through the actual club, then you would need your card. However, anyone who logs onto Costco.com is eligible for their discount.

The coupon is on the left hand side of the screen when you go to travel then to rental cars, then Alamo.

Also, THANK YOU to OP! I had a SUV booked for 12 days (5/28-6/9/06) for $275.00 (which I was thrilled about), but by rebooking today, my new rate is an AMAZING $198.45 (including coupon)! Thank you so much.

BTW all, you need to print that coupon and present it at the car rental counter when you get your car..don't forget! The discount is applied as a courtesy to the customer to show final price, but the ticket agent needs the coupon in order to apply it in person.

Obviously that doesn't include insurance but I'm going to re-new my insurance4carhire annual policy for £103.95

Hope this might help someone.

 

[penlanspice]

Hi Alison

I have never looked into doing it this way before! Apart from the Alamo fee and your cost to purchase the insurance policy are there any hidden fee's once you get to the rental counter?

I just had a look at that site and it states for a 2 week rental in September is $218, airline-network is £367. So even if I purchase the insurance I would still gain?

Am I right?

 

[TraceyL]

I would verify that this offer is available to non US drivers first

 

[alisonbestford]

I would verify that this offer is available to non US drivers first

When you book it asks your country so I clicked on UK and searched using that criteria.
It then shows the cost in both USD and GBP.
All it seems to ask is that you must take your passport to the desk and states that international visitors can't do online check in

State taxes, and airport fees are included in the price.
You can add the insurance online but it works out way more expensive than either doing a 'UK package' or taking your own policy.

See also:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1009087

 

[penlanspice]

Alison

Sorry, I was refering to taking your own insurance. So there is def. no hidden fees at the counter if you have that insurance policy you have?

Thanks

 

[alisonbestford]

I used the insurance4carhire policy with our 'free' Dollar rental last year.

We had to pay airport tax and state tax (about £40) but that was it.

The Alamo quote says it covers airport, and state taxes, so I can't see that we'd owe anything else

I've e-mailed Alamo to double check and also posted on the Transportation board - where someone has offered to double check for us

I've printed off the confirmation, and intend to 'go for it' as, if all else fails, I doubt they'll have run out of cars when we get off the flight
There's nothing to pay upfront so, unless you've got a fantastic price now, I'd say give it a try

 

[alisonbestford]

Just an update on the Costco offer as I e-mailed them to check out whether you needed Costco membership
Various posts had said not but the reply I got was this:

Thank you for inquiry.

If you are going through Costco website you will have to show proof you are
a Costco member at the time of pickup.

For any other questions or concerns please feel free to email us.

Thank you,

Amanda
Reservations Internet Response
Alamo Rent A Car

I have, subsequently, cancelled and re-booked, using WalMart codes from the Mousesavers site (a mini van for just £224 for the same length of time )

Still a saving of around £90 once I've re-newed my insurance