Christmas through new year's eve car rental

[mguedes]

When is the best time to rent a car in December?

I am seeing pretty high prices now.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

7-10 days before your trip. I always book the Tues before my trip to get the best price. Of course hanging out on here and finding coupons and discount codes is a step in a great start.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We booked our rental for Christmas 2012 (December 23 -30) last July. Used the Budget Travelocity public code X474200 (which I believe is now discontinued for pick-ups at MCO) and a public coupon. Rate was right around $300 for the week, taxes included. Prices never did decrease, not even the week before our travel date.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

7-10 days before your trip. I always book the Tues before my trip to get the best price. Of course hanging out on here and finding coupons and discount codes is a step in a great start.

No! Not for the week from Christmas to New Year's. Waiting until a week before means you risk not getting a car. Book now, then keep checking (using any special offers you can find), and rebook if the price drops.

 

[formill]

Found the same as Gina- we book as soon as have flights- or even before that then watch and see if it goes down........we have been 4 times over Christmas and I have only ever seen the prices go up.

 

[mguedes]

For a mid-size SUV for 17 days from before Christmas through after new year´s eve I got $1987 so far. Too expensive!

CDW and EP inclusive.

 

[sam_gordon]

For a mid-size SUV for 17 days from before Christmas through after new year´s eve I got $1987 so far. Too expensive!

CDW and EP inclusive.

How much is the CDW & EP? Assuming $30/day combined, that's $510. Subtract that from your total, and you're down to $1477 for 17 days.

$86/day for a midsize SUV during one of the busiest time periods of the year? It may be high, but I don't think that's extreme.

I just check National for a midsize SUV for a week (April 20 to 27, so no holidays or anything special). Base price was $617, then another $139 in taxes and fees.

Changing it to a 17 day, brought the total up to $1804, and that's before adding on CDW & EP. I don't know what kind of price you expect to get.

 

[richmo]

No! Not for the week from Christmas to New Year's. Waiting until a week before means you risk not getting a car. Book now, then keep checking (using any special offers you can find), and rebook if the price drops.

This is my thought as well. In non-holiday times (and for common car types) the 7-10 day rule is a good guideline, but for that week, I'd book something non-binding and keep checking, at least every week or so.

 

[mguedes]

sam_gordon,

Last July I paid around $1500 for a mini van for the whole month. I did not know that end of year was that much more expensive.

 

[sam_gordon]

sam_gordon,

Last July I paid around $1500 for a mini van for the whole month. I did not know that end of year was that much more expensive.

Did you use a discount code or anything? Make any special arrangements (calling instead of using online)? That seems an awfully cheap rate for an entire month. Did that include insurance, taxes and fees?

 

[mguedes]

I did it online, CDW, EP and taxes inclusive. As far as I remember I use a VISA Alamo discount, but it was not much.

 

[travelcoupons]

7-10 days before your trip. I always book the Tues before my trip to get the best price. Of course hanging out on here and finding coupons and discount codes is a step in a great start.

No, no, no. Don't listen to this.
Christmas to New Years is the PEAK demand period. There are shortages of cars even. Rates will be highest 7-10 days before your trip at this time 99% of the time.

The lowest rate can happen at any time. Just for a point of reference, last year I booked a car from Dec 25-Jan 1. I found the lowest rate on October 17, 2012 ($108.36 for a weekly rental).
The first reservation I had booked on September 3 was $245 so my rate dropped in half. I continued to check daily & never saw a lower rate. In fact some of the agencies ran out of cars once it got within a week of Christmas.

 

[mguedes]

Thanks. I am looking for better deals everyday.

Minivans are even more expensive at $2744 for 17 days !!!!!