Car Rentals in May

[jedijill]

Thanks for the AMEX codes. I just got a mid-size from May 7-15 for $112 total. Very happy!!!

Jill in CO

 

[skaliscik]

For those flying Southwest, I just got an email for up to 25% off with Alamo (I got 25% for my rental over Memorial Day weekend so I'm guessing all of May will get that) plus double Rapids Rewards points (1200 instead of 600) good on rentals of midsize and larger for 3 days or more through 9/30.

Corporate ID code 7015785

Didn't change my rate vs. the BJs code, but gets me RR points

 

[dalstitch45]

Now this Jersey girl has to figure out how to pump her own gas and I'll be set .

Trust me, I feel your pain on this one. Everytime I go out of state I still have to go step by step on the keypad. Luckily we don't have to do it all the time.

 

[aimcat]

Does anyone have any inside tips or discounts for flying into sanford and renting a car from may 19-29?

 

[zulaya]

Skaliscik,

I was using 12 noon to 12 noon.

My flight lands at 11:15am and departs at 12:05pm.

Not sure I can squeek in 2 more hours. But thanks for the idea. I'm taking the kids to school shortly and will play with the reservation when I get back.

Thanks!

Mary

Zuylaya,

are you looking to rent and drop off at MCO? if so, do you have your flight times? If you were looking at the car care center, i know those were 3x as high as MCO for me.

If you are looking at MCO, just using random times, by adding 2 hrs onto the rental allowed me to use the $40 coupon, which got me a rate for a midsize car of $89 total including fees. That is using the $40 insiders club code and the 10% walmart discount (both codes are listed on the last couple of pages of this thread). I'm not sure if you will be able to manage the extra 2 hrs on your rental time based on when your flights are (if you want to post your times I'd be happy to check them again for you!) You could save more if you have other memberships...i know my BJs membership gets me 25% off, not sue what the discount for Sams and Costco is.

 

[jcanary]

Don't forget that you also have to pay a $2 a day fee for the rewards if using southwest, or have they stopped that? is that fee included in your price?

 

[skaliscik]

Don't forget that you also have to pay a $2 a day fee for the rewards if using southwest, or have they stopped that? is that fee included in your price?

Hmmm...I don't know...is that a Southwest Fee or an Alamo fee?

 

[cepmom]

Hmmm...I don't know...is that a Southwest Fee or an Alamo fee?

it's a fee that Alamo adds in there for the SW rewards...it's only a couple of bucks and should be included in your total price. Dh uses Alamo a lot for work and I always use the SW code for bonus rewards. it's worth the extra couple of bucks

 

[n2mm]

Hmmm...I don't know...is that a Southwest Fee or an Alamo fee?

I think all airlines charge a transaction fee if you want your rental car points to be applied to your FF miles program. We use to use this feature when renting from Alamo. But when we rent from National we are signed up for the free day program, which doesn't have any fees. Just wanted you to know that SW isn't the only airlines that does this.

 

[VAN]

I just came across an Alamo $40 coupon ... some restrictions and must be an Insiders member (otherwise it's $30) ... AD4027JDO

I've got a compact for 85.78 (weekly rate, but I actually have it for 5 days May 4-9).

 

[skaliscik]

it's a fee that Alamo adds in there for the SW rewards...it's only a couple of bucks and should be included in your total price. Dh uses Alamo a lot for work and I always use the SW code for bonus rewards. it's worth the extra couple of bucks

I dont' see it on my breakdown of costs on my reservation confirmation, and i compared it to my old reservation with the BJs code and the breakdown is exactly the same.

 

[hurleysweety]

Alamo, mid-size, May 7-17th - $155.54

Contract ID # 7015309 (Costco 25% off)
Coupon Code : AD4027JDO ($40/off week, Alamo Insider)

but National Emerald Aisle, May 7-17 - $180.13

Contract ID # 5007160 (Continental Airlines)
Coupon Code : ND8578ADT ($35/off week)


Oh National...please come down...

 

[cepmom]

I dont' see it on my breakdown of costs on my reservation confirmation, and i compared it to my old reservation with the BJs code and the breakdown is exactly the same.

I just checked my DH's last business reservation and it showed like this on the confirmation:

Additional Items
Daily Freq Traveler Surcharge $4.50

Subtotal...............................................$4.50

 

[branv]

Thanks everyone for the Alamo tips!

I just went from a compact with Enterprise from 5/11-5/19 for $156 to a midsize for $119

 

[skaliscik]

I just checked my DH's last business reservation and it showed like this on the confirmation:

Additional Items
Daily Freq Traveler Surcharge $4.50

Subtotal...............................................$4.50

thanks.

 

[newyorkmike]

I have been managing a midsize rental for my parents through Alamo at MCO for May 21-28 (plus an extra 4 hours on the last day). Originally booked for $181, the rate has dropped each week for the last three weeks.

However, in connection with the most recent rate drop on Friday, which was from $153.49 to $130.94, I noted that when I checked the rate through the "modify" existing reservation button, I got the same rate. Only when I tried to book it as a new reservation did I get the new rate and then cancelled the previous reservation.

So when you are looking for rate drops with Alamo for an existing reservation, make sure that you double check to see if it is different trying to book it as a new reservation.

 

[madaboutMickey]

My rental with Alamo for May 20-28 has also dropped again. Midsize went from $151.73 to $138.92. Using the Insider ID code and the $40 off coupon. The previous reservation had been using the Visa ID with the $40. Tried Southwest and Visa ID codes and came up with the same price.

 

[dalstitch45]

I have a couple of quick questions about the Alamo Insiders. Since the rules say you must use the Alamo Insider Contract ID, do they give you a problem at the rental counter when you use the Costco code? My rate came out a few dollars cheaper with the Costco Contract ID. Second, is it a pre-pay once you book it? If the rates go down, I want to be able to change it. Thanks.

 

[skhermsmeyer]

I have a couple of quick questions about the Alamo Insiders. Since the rules say you must use the Alamo Insider Contract ID, do they give you a problem at the rental counter when you use the Costco code? My rate came out a few dollars cheaper with the Costco Contract ID. Second, is it a pre-pay once you book it? If the rates go down, I want to be able to change it. Thanks.

Good question. I did the same thing, but now I'm worried they won't let my sister get the car.

 

[Donald is #1]

I have been managing a midsize rental for my parents through Alamo at MCO for May 21-28 (plus an extra 4 hours on the last day). Originally booked for $181, the rate has dropped each week for the last three weeks.

However, in connection with the most recent rate drop on Friday, which was from $153.49 to $130.94, I noted that when I checked the rate through the "modify" existing reservation button, I got the same rate. Only when I tried to book it as a new reservation did I get the new rate and then cancelled the previous reservation.

So when you are looking for rate drops with Alamo for an existing reservation, make sure that you double check to see if it is different trying to book it as a new reservation.

I've had this happen with Hertz, National & Alamo. Hence I normally book a new reservation with the better rate and then go cancel my old one.