Check your National rate - big drop today 3/3/03

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

JOC, I also made both of my ressies for full size and used the same coupons for both as well. The rep at National told me that the EA guarantees you a midsize or better. She told me if I specifically wanted a full size then change my ressie to Emerald Reserve. This morning the web site gave me the choices of counter or Emerald Reserve. This afternoon the web site gave me the choices of counter or Emerald Aisle. I've never used National before, so maybe someone who has used them several times can enlighten us about the difference between EA and ER and what our chances of getting midsize vs full size are if we opt for EA. I'm confused myself .

 

[DebbieB]

Wow! My reservation for May 9 to 16 went from $189 to $139! That's full size EA with $20 Entertainment coupon (using EC contract code). When I tried it earlier today, it would not let me put EA with full size but this time it did. I think the price was $159 when I tried it earlier (I didn't book it).

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

After I saw the first post in this thread, I checked my ressie. Saved about $60 on what I thought was already a great rate. Went from $213 to $155. The subsequent posts about EA promising an midsize or better didnt make sense until I did some checking. The base rate was the same for Intermediate, Standard, and Full Size. I had originally booked an intermediate anyway, so even though my new ressie is for a full size, I'll take what I can get. That $60 is going to pay for another character meal on this trip!!!

Funny thing I just noticed, if you select counter service instead of EA, it is much more expensive. Not sure what thats worth, but there you go...

 

[Belle0101]

I must be doing something wrong - can somebody give me some suggestions to try or to double check please?

Last week or so, I had a rate of $190.13 using the $15 off weekly rental coupon from the Entertainment Book and booked using my Emerald Aisle card. I stupidly didn't book because I thought maybe the rates would go down.

I thought since it ws posted that rates went down this would be the time to book. Oops, big mistake on waiting. I went right over to National now and get a rate of $244.64 using the same information -- $50 more!

My dates are April 5 to 11. What's my mistake - waiting, not using the right codes ... I've never rented a car before so it's all new to me. Should I go ahead and book at $244.64 just in case they go up?

Thanks, I really appreciate all the great advice I've gotten here.

 

[mrsstats]

Book your National at the rate you see now. Keep checking, they change all the time. When you find something better, make that reservation and then cancel the old.

Thanks to whoever gave the tip for the lower rate. I now have the same rate I was going to have with Alamo but I can use the Aisle. Great time saver as we need to get out of the airport, to Orange Lake and back to the Gaylord Palms within 1 1/2.

 

[JOC]

Belle0101,
I just now plugged in your dates and I got a rate of $204.25 total for a full size car...that's without using any discount codes.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Belle,
You did not specify if you belong to the Emerald Club or not, but I checked using EC, the DC discount, and the Vac Outlet coupon, I got $188 for an intermediate. Actually, just rechecked and I got the same rate without EC using the Vacation Outlet coupon and the DC contract #

 

[Belle0101]

Thanks you guys are the best!!

I do have the Emerald Club Card and now that it's been mentioned I do remember reading somewhere that sometimes not using the EC gets you a better rate. I'm going to zip over there now and use the info you guys posted and save some $$$$$

In the long run I'll probably end up spending the same amount of money but instead of giving it to National I'll be giving it to the Mouse!



**UPDATE**
I can't use the Disney Club code, my membership expired. Here's what I'm doing -- I sign into the site since I have the Emerald Club Card, I'm choosing full size, pick up at 9:30 pm on 4/5, drop off 4/11 at 7:30 am, using the Entertainment coupon code for $15 off weekly and the contract number line already has a number in it that I did not put in -- that gets me $244. If I just skip the Emerald I can get below $200.

I'm guessing my choice is to not use the Emerald and save money or use Emerald, spend more and be able to skip the counter. Since I'm getting in later I really wanted the convenience of skipping the counter.

That or I'm missing a few brain cells and reserving a car is beyond my scope of comprehension.

 

[n2mm]

Belle0101, you might want to empty your cookies also. Sometimes that prevents me from getting a good rate when I know one exist.

I just redid mine and they all went down again from this morning. I use EA all of the time and booked a full-size car. This means you are guaranteed at least what you booked (my case, full-size) or anything you want from EA. You don't have to select from EA exclusively. Actually if that was true, I can't tell you how many times we would be sitting in the garage during our vacation, because EA has been empty everytime we've been there in our last 8 trips.

 

[sherrie]

Thank you for your post, I saved 45.00 on my ressie and went from intermediate to full size for $110.00 a week in May.

 

[Jailen's Gma]

Thanks, changed mine and saved $52.00.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Belle0101
I can't use the Disney Club code, my membership expired. Here's what I'm doing -- I sign into the site since I have the Emerald Club Card, I'm choosing full size, pick up at 9:30 pm on 4/5, drop off 4/11 at 7:30 am, using the Entertainment coupon code for $15 off weekly and the contract number line already has a number in it that I did not put in -- that gets me $244. If I just skip the Emerald I can get below $200.

I'm guessing my choice is to not use the Emerald and save money or use Emerald, spend more and be able to skip the counter. Since I'm getting in later I really wanted the convenience of skipping the counter.

I just PM'd you with what I got using Emerald Club and Vacation Outlet coupon/contract: $188 total. Good luck!

 

[madthemouse]

May 5th - 11th.

Base Rate - $132.98

BJ's
Discount - $ 13.30

Weekly
Coupon - $ 15.00

Sub Tot. - $104.68

Tax $ Fee - $ 38.23

Total - $142.91

Best price so far over Dollar, Alamo and Budget.

 

[ticketwm35]

Is there a special code you are using to get these great rates? How do you become a emerald member?


Ticketwm35

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by madthemouse
May 5th - 11th.

Base Rate - $132.98

BJ's
Discount - $ 13.30

Weekly
Coupon - $ 15.00

Sub Tot. - $104.68

Tax $ Fee - $ 38.23

Total - $142.91

Best price so far over Dollar, Alamo and Budget.

I plugged in May 5th - May 11 (didn't change the times though) and came up with $127.85 total for Full size with Emerald Club...base rate was $120.89

P.s....I used Vacation outlet contract/coupon

 

[robinb]

Thanks!

I just lowered my

LAX car from $90.88 with taxes to $85.82
MCO June/July 7 day from $178.43 to $122.80
MCO June/July 8 day from $216.99 to $132.49


Now I wish Christmas/New Years rates would come down .

 

[mg]

What is the vacation club contract? Can anyone use it? Thanks

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, I believe anyone can use it.

It's at:

website

 

[betterlatethannever]

This is absolutely amazing. I am not a Emerald Club member, but have DC,AP Enertainment, BJ membership.

Tried today. Couldn't get any discounts!!!

Emptied my cookies (from the computer LOL).

Went back and plugged in May 22-31, full size, no discounts, and got $232 including tax. tried various combinations of discounts and coupons and got down to $189 including tax.

Previous to this, I had a $315 rate (including tax) which I booked in the beginning of February.

When I first booked the reservation in January, the no discount rate (including tax) was $487.

I just whish airlines let you keep on rebooking and cancelling when the rates drop.

Ed

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by betterlatethannever
This is absolutely amazing. I am not a Emerald Club member, but have DC,AP Enertainment, BJ membership.

Went back and plugged in May 22-31, full size, no discounts, and got $232 including tax. tried various combinations of discounts and coupons and got down to $189 including tax.

This is what I came up with not logging in to Emerald Club for you for your dates (not changing arrival and departure times) for a Full size:

Pick-up:
Orlando Intl Arpt
22-MAY-2003 09:00 AM

Return:
Orlando Intl Arpt
31-MAY-2003 09:00 AM

Time & Distance 1 Week @ 132.98 132.98
Extra - Time & Distance 2 Day @ 22.16 44.32

Base Rate _____ 177.30

Less Discounts:

Discount (contract) -35.46
Disney Club (coupon) -20.00

SubTotal _____ 121.84

Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 13.90
Fl Schrg/tire&bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 18.45
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 4.41
State Tax (6.50%) 10.31

Total Estimate _____ $168.91