Car Rentals Rates - This is an Obsession!!!

[BethR]

This is when I have to question myself - how much is my time worth???

Sitting here, day after day, site after site, code after code, coupon after coupon. But I can't HELP myself! I want that rate to come down!

I had a terrific rate this morning - $134 at National for 8 days not including taxes and fees. I didn't book immediately because I didn't have my Emerald Club info at hand, and then when I got it - POOF! - the rate was gone.

And now I keep trying over and over.

And I should be doing just about ANYTHING else! (Like trying to get into some of the places where we want to eat in August that I have been unsuccessful getting into.)

But I know that you all understand. Because we are CRAZY!!!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

totally understand where you are coming from Beth!

 

[tinaluis]

I know what you mean Beth. I was lucky enough to see a post last night on the DIS and had my EA information on hand so I got a full-size car for 8 days for $136 including all taxes. I almost didn't go thru the trouble of checking because I have dial-up at home and it goes SOOOOOO slow. I was really glad that I did. I know it's aggravating, but keep checking (perhaps late night is the trick?). Another option is www.hotwire.com. I've noticed that they've been touting their "last minute car rental rates" so I gave them a try. When I put my August dates in, it gave a rate of $23.95 a day, but when I put in June 24th it gave a rate of $12.95 a day. Perhaps that might be a good "worst case scenario" in addition to a cancelable back-up?

 

[T. Lynn]

I'm addicted to renting cars. When we go to the mountains, we always rent a car. It saves wear and tear on our vehicle and our miles.

We get them for $9.99 (through DH work) a day so it's well worth it to me.

By the way, is there an Enterprise at MCO? Our next trip will be the first time flying for us. I'd love to use Enterprise and save $$$ since we will be staying for 2 weeks.

 

[chris1gill]

I missed out on that National rate the one time I'm not logged in for twelve hours Anyhow, if you try Dollar right now for a mid size car, the rate is 110 per week & 20 per day... our nine day rental with taxes is 194 & I have a double upgrade coupon I'll be using... Not as good as the 136 for 8 days, but still not bad..

 

[jeankeri]

I am also obsessive about checking the rates. My sister thought I was crazy to rent a car for our 4 day Memorial weekend trip. She thought it would be more expensive that Mears. I got an economy for $62. We were staying at the Dolphin, so no ME. I checked rates up to 2 days out when the Alamo hot deals e-mail came out. Keep checking your rates!

 

[jez4100]

I also have this obsession and just found alamo for 10 days in August for $173 for a full size car. I check expedia every day to see whose rates are the cheapest and then I go to that website to book it.

 

[KristinU]

I missed out on that rate this morning too, Beth!

I posted about it over on the Transportation board and the OP recommended that I check in later on this evening, that she had seen a good rate in the a.nm., saw it go up, then tried in the evening and got a great rate. So I'm going to be checking in the mornings and evenings from here on out.

Good Luck!

 

[cocoswife]

I'm so sorry Beth, I know you were unable to reserve due problems with your Emerald membership. We had a similar problem with DH's membership and I used the Mousesavers link to get him a new membership.Once I started entering all the information, somehow, the system updated his old membership and allowed me to make a new reservation. Try to join again and be ready for when the rates go down again. Trust me, I understand your obsession Good luck!!

 

[mshrm]

hello my name is Lori and im also an addict...

Were going to CA but Ive searched all the websites. I found the lowest rate at an off brand company from www.sidestep.com and I reserved that. However ive been checking hotwire often for a lower rate on a major company and once a week i submit a really low rate to priceline. Im SURE I will get an even lower rate before its all said and done.

The rate I have on hold is $119.95 per week for economy.

Good luck to you fellow addict, I hope you get a fantastic rate!

 

[thelionqueen]

Where did you get that rate? National website or somewhere else?

 

[Anc96]

When you say $110 a week, is that including all the taxes and fees?
Below is my current reservation 9with e-zrentacar.com).. it seems pretty good, but when you add it up you get $257.93. My total is $370.60, a difference of $112.67. More than a weeks rental price.

Is that usual?

And last year I book early and checked everyday.. it went down almost daily so updated my reservation. Now I booked May 1st, and every time I checked it kept going up.. a lot! Today it's down from the last week or so, but still pretty high.

I'm glad I booked when I did.


Car Choice: Mid-size

Toyota Corolla or Similar
Daily Rate: $18.35
Weekly Rate: $100.94
Length of Rental: 17 Days 0 Hours
Pickup Location: Orlando Intl Airport - MCO
Return Location: Orlando Intl Airport - MCO

Pickup Date: Thursday, July 06, 2006
Pickup Time: 11 AM
Return Date: Saturday, July 22, 2006
Return Time: 7 PM

Estimated Total: $370.60

 

[BethR]

Anc96 - if you are renting at the Orlando Airport, the taxes and fees usually add an additional 25% to the price of the rental. It really adds up.

Thanks for the encouragement Fellow Rental Rate Obsessors! I will be sure to check a little later tonight to see if I can get a better rate.

Well actually, I have a few minutes, I'm going to check NOW!

 

[chris1gill]

When you say $110 a week, is that including all the taxes and fees? Estimated Total: $370.60

Our 110 per week was before taxes for a mid size car... I have a free upgrade coupon, so plan to use it... you could try going to www.dollarcar.com to see what their pricing is for your dates?

 

[tcmata]

Can someone tell me what the Emerald Club is?

Thanks!

 

[Anc96]

Thanks everyone!

BethR - I am flying into MCO.. but the E-Z car rental is off-site. We take a shuttle there. I've used them 2ce in the past and had no problems. I just thought their tax/fees seemed high.

I checked that sidestep site and found that Thrifty is only $21 more than EZ... but they have an airport site! I think I used them once too.. a few years back, but I'm not sure... can anyone tell me their experiences with Thrifty?
I'd rather have onsite, but until now, all onsite was over $100 more! If I remember right (if they're the same company) you have to go across the road to the Thrifty parking complex. It was hard getting the luggage there as I think there were only esculators. But I booked the Thrifty now.

As you see below, Thrifty's taxes and fees aren't as much as EZ's. Their weekly and daily rates are higher... yet the taxes/fee only come out to $96.16:

Car Class: Dodge Stratus or similar
Rate: 2 weeks @ $119.31/week with Unlimited Miles; 3 extra days @ $19.00/day with Unlimited Miles
Total Base Rate (USD): $295.62
Options
No Options Selected
Book It
Rental Time Charge $295.62
Airport Access Fee (9.8%) $29.75
State Surcharge ($2.03 per day) $34.51
Sales Tax (6.5%) $23.91
Vehicle Licensing Fee ($0.47 per day) $7.99
Total Estimated Mandatory Charges (USD) $391.78
Estimated Grand Total (USD) $391.78

Nice that they itemized the taxes and all.

 

[AllyBri]

Beth
Anytime you have OCD over something Disney related..don't worry, it's a good thing.

 

[n2mm]

I was reallly surprised to see how quickly this rate came and went. I was one of the lucky ones yesterday morning to snag a great rate. Ex.Aisle for 5 days with a total of $96 (includes all taxes and fees) (Aug. 17-21). However, I sent the info to my friend to alert her and haven't heard if she jumped on it right away. I did check this AM and the rate is even higher than yesterday. Let just hope that it drops again for those who did not get in in time. August is always a slow time, with hurricanes and such, so generally the rates are usually lower. I did check my October dates when the rates had dropped to $91 a week yesterday AM, but they were not effective for my mid-October trip.