Cheapest rental cars?

admiral nelson · May 11, 2003

I'll be going in early/mid July, for 9 days, though I need the car till about 8-9pm on the last day. And early the first day as well. What kind of rental deals are a fair price? I don't care about how nice the car is, etc. I want cheap as long as it's mobile.

Is priceline the way to go?

EDIT:
I've seen some pretty cheap prices from Americar and EZ-Rent(through Orbitz). I thought I used one of them last year, but at $115 a week for an intermediate, it certainly seems like this is the way to go.

Tink10 · May 11, 2003

We're going in June for 9 days and have also been looking for a decent deal on a rental car. We have Yourride reserved, but would rather have a car simply for convenience & hotel changes.

After searching, I booked an internediate at Alamo for the 9 days at an all-inclusive rate of $206.

Well, this morning, I decided to check to see if it would be more cost effective to split my trip up into two rentals. I checked Alamo and it was more expensive. I then checked National (with the Carlson-Wagonlit code) and split my rental up into the following.......

Pick Up @ MCO-Drop Off @ WDW Dolphin (3 Days)

Pick Up @ WDW Dolphin Drop Off At MCO (5 Days)

The total of BOTH Ressies is $169.00.

So, by splitting my ressie up, I saved almost $40.00

You may want to check out that option.

I Hope This Helps!

Pat_Elliott · May 12, 2003

admiral nelson

I'm the King of Cheap. I take the same attitude as you, which is I don't need a Rolls, I need a matchbox with an engine and wheels so I can get where I'm going. However...

At least one person here has taken umbrage with my rating of Americar, but I must continue to give it. It's my opinion only, mind you, and I acknowledge that.

I rent a couple dozen cars a year due to business and the occasional pleasure trip. I've never seen such business practices in my life as those shown to me by Americar. The basics, without getting into my fourth or fifth rant in the last year:

They will lie and use scare tactics to get you to purchase their insurance. I rented on a September day and when other rental places had one or two people in line, Americar was backed up 45 minutes due mainly to almost everyone coming back in and complaining about the condition of their cars. While I was out checking the car with an attendent (I insisted on video taping him next to this mess rather than documenting damage), the counter person tried to tell my wife that because we were staying in DTD, we were at threat for falling branches and our rental car coverage from our collision wouldn't cover such things (a pure, simple lie). It took me an hour and twenty minutes to get out of there, and two days to settle my wife down. It didn't ruin our vacation, but it's certainly one of the first things we bring up when people ask about that trip.

Stick to the majors. Priceline may be a good option. My opinion, anyway.

Pat

Hillbeans · May 12, 2003

I must thank Mary @ Mousesavers for my code. I reserved an Alamo full-size Buick from 5/31 - 6/6 using code 'TV' for $108.00

What a great deal!

scottygirl · May 12, 2003

Originally posted by Hillbeans
I must thank Mary @ Mousesavers for my code. I reserved an Alamo full-size Buick from 5/31 - 6/6 using code 'TV' for $108.00

What a great deal!

I also have to thank Mary from Mousesavers. I got a full- size Buick from 6-16 to 6-23 using code "TV" for $150.00 total. It is definately the cheapest I've seen.

dbail2 · May 12, 2003

Got Dollar minivan for $209 a week in Mid July. Using no code.

admiral nelson · May 12, 2003

That TV code isnt valid for when I go, maybe if I look closer to July.

However I got a deal off Budgets site, for the 9 days I need it, of $206. Compared to about $175 with EZ-rent. I believe budget is in MCO, which by itself might make it worth the extra $$$. The code was NN for anyone interested.

Hillbeans · May 13, 2003

Yes, I think the TV code for Alamo is only good through mid/late June. Good luck.

wdw_first_time · May 13, 2003

Priceline. Priceline. Priceline. I always got great deals through Priceline. Cars from major rentals, not from no names.

Nobody can beat Priceline. Last week I rented a midsize for $15/day for 4 days from MCO. Try www.biddingfortravel.com to get an idea on how much to bid. Good Luck.

Greg Wright · May 13, 2003

I'll just mention that one factor beyond money is that some places have to shuttle from the airport to get to the car rental, whereas others you get your car right there. I went to the airport website to see which ones were right at the airport, searched them all out, and picked Dollar.

Once as a kid we had reservations for a not-to-be-mentioned rental place, and it was over 2 hours waiting for a shuttle. That was probably atypical but I never want to deal with losing precious hours on an expensive vacation.

tojth · May 14, 2003

Does anyone have advice about the service you get from the various car rental agencies in Orlando? Last time we went to WDW we had to wait in line 2 hours for our car and the clerks were very unfriendly. I can't remember which company it was, but I wouldn't want to repeat that experience.

Which agencies provide the best service? I think we will arrive around noon, if it matters. I want a good deal, but I don't want to waste hours of vacation time and start my vacation dealing with rude clerks.

Thanks!

dbail2 · May 19, 2003

For 6 years we have been using dollar and they are always fast at getting us in our vehicle. They are in the orlando airport and you can reserve it on line without a credit card. Good prices too. we have a mini van for $209 a week plus taxes. That was with no discount just going to their site, www. dollar.com. in July.

tojth · May 19, 2003

Thanks for the advice. I'll check them out.

jilljill · May 19, 2003

Don't forget if you have an Entertainment book to put in the codes to check prices. Some coupons are for single or double class upgrades or monies off a weekly or weekend rental. If you belong to any organizations; AAA, some timeshare owners groups even car owner groups, they will sometimes offer codes for discounts.

Longsx3 · May 19, 2003

I used the the TV rate code, which I found on Mousavers, and got a SUV for $152 a week without taxes in Tampa.

Phil from PA · May 20, 2003

I have been flying into MCO last couple of years and when it comes to car rentals I have found the following:

1. Get quotes from various travel websites and the rental sites themselves.
-I have found coupons usually are not that good in getting you the cheapest rates (like the entertainment book rate).
2. If you find a good price, book it but keep checking for the better deal since you can usually cancel the old reservations.
3. Always book rentals at the airport (saves on tipping the driver, time in getting to the offsite location, and time especially in the morning you are leaving the airport to come home).
4. When you arrive have the person who made the reservation go downstairs immediately to secure the rental. Meanwhile have the other person in your group wait for the luggage. You can almost guarantee being the first in line if you do it this way.
5. If you have a personal auto policy and carry comprehensive and collision on your own vehicle, do not buy the insurance (in addition you might have coverage under your credit card).
6. Never pay to have them fill the gas tank for you, the ppg is expensive to say the least.

Just a couple of thoughts and I hope these help.

Phil from PA

BibbidyBobbidyBoo · May 24, 2003

Perhaps I'm trying a bit too early? I've tried just about every single code on mousesavers that I can- and the best I can come up with is Alamo with my PAP discount code for $471.91 for minivan (not that much cheaper for a midsize car and we'd be cramped with carseat and especially luggage to/from the airport) for 10 days.

That doesn't sound all that great to me. I hope I can find a better rate before November.... maybe it's because it's Thanksgiving week? All the codes for Dollar and Budget wouldn't work that week for me.

Longsx3 · May 24, 2003

It is probably becasue your not renting until November. I doubt any rental codes you find now would be good them. Also Typically the Starting the few days before a Holiday are blackout dates. So it may depend if Travel is still off as to whether or not you find a good code.

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
Perhaps I'm trying a bit too early? I've tried just about every single code on mousesavers that I can- and the best I can come up with is Alamo with my PAP discount code for $471.91 for minivan (not that much cheaper for a midsize car and we'd be cramped with carseat and especially luggage to/from the airport) for 10 days.

That doesn't sound all that great to me. I hope I can find a better rate before November.... maybe it's because it's Thanksgiving week? All the codes for Dollar and Budget wouldn't work that week for me.

megnsamsgrace · May 25, 2003

You can do better... I booked a minivan for 2 weeks in October (the 3rd-17th) for $461 with all taxes through Dollar... I did it over the phone and used the wal mart code on MouseSavers (thanks Mary!!).... I think thats a great price for 2 full weeks! ~Steph

ellie&mattys mom · May 25, 2003

Can anyone tell me which car rentals are located at the Airport...I know of Budget...

We used Alamo even though it was a great rate it was to difficult with kids...

Cheapest rental cars?

Mission Space Wannabe

Always Lurking

<font color=blue>Kimberly's proud papa!</font><br>

I told them I like Michael Bolton

Real Scottish Princess

DIS Veteran

Mission Space Wannabe

I told them I like Michael Bolton

Earning My Ears

Earning My Ears

Earning My Ears

DIS Veteran

Earning My Ears

<font color=blue>Collects Disney men!<br><font col

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

<font color=red><br>AKA BIP - Bibbidy is a Pirate

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

DIS Veteran