Car rentals.. don't forget to try longer dates!!

[nicolem05]

WOW I just had to share the deal I am thrilled with.. and hopefully someone else will benefit

This trip we are travelling over Christmas and New years so we knew that everything would cost us extra.. and the car has been the worst! I only wanted a car for a few days since we are doing a couple days at universal and wanted to do a few outings we normally do in the area..
I am used to finding deals and combining discounts until I get a mini van for around $220 per week.. this trip I was finding nothing! I tried only a all date combos days.. different codes.. different locations nothing! I was trying for a rental anytime between dec.21-jan.2 and tried many combos in that range including the whole span and several surrounding days.. nothing reasonable. Finally today I tried rentalcars.com for our entire stay Dec.15-Jan.6 and the difference was jaw dropping! but then a pop up came up from Priceline offering $20 a day for an SVU $26 for a mini van and $10 a day for a full size $17 for a premium and $40 convertible.. I tried several dates and discoved as long as I started the rental before the 21st I got great rates.. I ended trying a name your own price (but I was happy to take $20 a day for the svu!) I offered $14 a day for the whole 22 days on a full size SVU and it was accepted by Budget.. I use Pricleine a lot but have never much luck getting "great" deals with them on cars but happy we did!!
Now we don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the magical express for our 7am return flight!! Whooohoo...
I really thought that since we only wanted a car for a few days this trip shuttles might be the way to go.. but I can't believe we saved $1312.41 off the lowest published svu rate.. so anyone travelling at the holidays try longer dates you might you get a great deal like us!!

 

[coastgirl]

Wow, good for you! Interesting information too, I understand the starting early part, but you'll still have it during the "peak" days...rather counter-intuitive! Well done.

 

[hurleysweety]

I just discovered this too. A little OT, as its regarding my ILs visiting for the holidays. When I changed the pickup date from the 17th to the 18th, (I was just messing around with dates) the price difference was almost $70! Also, dropping off on the 24th vs the 25th was another huge difference!

Now I'll be changing some dates around for WDW trip in May to see what happens...

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Although you're not doing this, for casual readers, just make sure you don't book a car beyond your actual stay (ie. for a week when only staying 4 days). Rental car companies can (and almost always do), requote if you fail to meet the rate requirements booked, which can mean a large bill at the end.

 

[Daddio]

Great tips. Thanks. I'm haveing trouble trying to find something starting for a week on December 28.

David

 

[linzbear]

I just want to note this, as I recently read it, but if you're planning on using your CC for rental car insurance, make sure they cover it. Visa only covers it if you are renting for 15 days or less.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I just want to note this, as I recently read it, but if you're planning on using your CC for rental car insurance, make sure they cover it. Visa only covers it if you are renting for 15 days or less.

Also most coverage is secondary and doesn't cover liability outside the vehicle.

For example, you are driving your convertible rental car and you t-bone a brand new BMW, totaling both cars. The car rental company would go after your insurance first followed by any secondary coverage to replace their vehicle. The person you hit would first go after any applicable liability coverage on the rental car (ie. state mandated coverage) and then would go to the driver's insurance; credit card coverage would not apply for the liability portion.

Failure to have sufficient coverage on the above, either for the rental car (which varies by state in terms of how collision/liability is applied to rental cars) or liability can result in personal assets being reviewed.

 

[linzbear]

Also most coverage is secondary and doesn't cover liability outside the vehicle.

For example, you are driving your convertible rental car and you t-bone a brand new BMW, totaling both cars. The car rental company would go after your insurance first followed by any secondary coverage to replace their vehicle. The person you hit would first go after any applicable liability coverage on the rental car (ie. state mandated coverage) and then would go to the driver's insurance; credit card coverage would not apply for the liability portion.

Failure to have sufficient coverage on the above, either for the rental car (which varies by state in terms of how collision/liability is applied to rental cars) or liability can result in personal assets being reviewed.

CCs also don't cover specialty cars, so your convertible would not be covered anyway

 

[jlewisinsyr]

CCs also don't cover specialty cars, so your convertible would not be covered anyway

Most convertibles are covered, it's higher end vehicles with MSRP's above $50,000 that are usually not covered.

Excluded worldwide are: expensive, exotic, and antique automobiles; certain vans; vehicles that have an open cargo bed; trucks; motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes; limousines; and recreational vehicles.

Examples of excluded expensive or exotic automobiles are the Aston Martin, Bentley, Bricklin, Daimler, DeLorean, Excalibur, Ferrari, Jensen, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Porsche, and Rolls Royce. However, selected models of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Lincoln are covered.

An antique automobile is defined as any vehicle over twenty (20) years old or any vehicle that has not been manufactured for ten (10) years or more.

Rented
vehicles must have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price that does not exceed $50,000 USD.

Although I cannot quickly get to AMEX's, the policy is just as liberal (I wasn't about to go pull my own agreement). Convertibles are rarely not covered, at least the generic run of the mill fleet convertibles.

 

[nicolem05]

Wow, good for you! Interesting information too, I understand the starting early part, but you'll still have it during the "peak" days...rather counter-intuitive! Well done.

This is what I found funny.. I am still having the car over the peak days when I wouldn't have even had it over the actual holidays with my first request.. also it isn't like they are gettingmore money from me over the long run from keepin git longer.. this rate was cheaper than anything I found for as few as 3 days!.. not that I am complaining

Although you're not doing this, for casual readers, just make sure you don't book a car beyond your actual stay (ie. for a week when only staying 4 days). Rental car companies can (and almost always do), requote if you fail to meet the rate requirements booked, which can mean a large bill at the end.

Wow this is interesting.. I was wondering about this.. Are you saying you would you still get penalties for paying if you drop a car off early but still paid for all the days booked?

I also wanted to again make note of the fact that even when I tried Priceline right from their site I didn't find prices nearly as good as the priceline pop up from rentalcars.. and the pop up has book now offers just for your dates.. really the best rates I have found with every coupon I could try. So really I would try seeing what they "offer" you from the pop up if you re still looking.. not sure why it's a big difference but it is..

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Wow this is interesting.. I was wondering about this.. Are you saying you would you still get penalties for paying if you drop a car off early but still paid for all the days booked?

It's not a penalty. Rates are provided based on meeting certain criteria. For the lowest rates, you may be required to keep the car for 6 days and/or over a Saturday night. If you fail to meet the requirements for the rate code, the car rental company has the right to reprice your rental at the rate code that meets your actual usage.