Confused about how to get cheap National fares

[eartha]

After browsing through the posts here and the information on Mousesavers, I got excited about renting a car from National for the first and last days of our trip. A post here said that you should be able to get a reservation for about $30, which is only slightly more than we would have paid for airport shuttles anyway, and with our own car we can see some other places in Orlando. So I joined the Emerald Club through Capital One and put in a quote. After EC discount and taxes, a single day came to $51. (Since we are staying Mon-Fri, the free weekend day coupon code wouldn't apply.) Am I missing something?? What can I do to lower the quote?

 

[drusba]

Not sure where that $30 for one day came from. Best discounts are usually available when you rent for multiple days in a row and particularly if they include weekends. Sometimes weekly rate can be less than 5 day rate simply because it includes a weekend (and what some do is rent for the week and return after five days paying the weekly price). Also, not sure how you plan to rent a car for only first and last day. If what you are thinking is dropping it off at the WDW National area and then picking up there to go back to airport then you have another reason for lack of discount--generally when you pick up and drop off at different places a higher price will apply.

Additionally, many belong to the Disney Club and you can get discounts on National there that can often be 10% to 20% off of whatever price is being quoted but it again it is usually for multiple consecutive day rentals. Moreover, prices fluctuate often (and significantly) and tend to go down the closer you get to a desired pick-up date. (For example, the weekly price for a minivan when we went in June dropped from about $380, including all taxes and fees, to about $220 about 3 weeks before our scheduled arrival date.)

 

[Melbo5]

I just got my best deal from National -- got the Emerald Aisle through CapitalOne today because it took too long to go through Disney (they fax -which took 4 days or mail and application and then you have to mail it back). We're leaving on Thursday so I didn't have the time to wait.

I then logged onto National and put in the Disney contract number and the Disney coupon and came up with a full size (or whatever else I choose) car for 9 days for $184 which includes all the fees & surcharges. That's $65 less than the previous quote I had from them using codes from entertainment.

I had also checked out Avis, Hertz, Payless, Dollar and Budget using codes from Enrertainment, Costco and Mousesavers. I am thrilled!

 

[pbhunt]

Most of the discounts offered do not apply to a 5-day/weekday rental. The only discount offered for Emerald Club, is that you can rent a full size car for the same price as an intermediate. There is no real savings unless you have additional discounts to apply, Disney Club offers the best contract code, daily rate discount, Capitol one also offers a small discount. You need to be on the lookout for $ off coupons now, maybe Entertainment book, Costco, or FF from the airlines. You should also check the rates @ Dollar, or other onsite places to see if National is your best deal.

 

[RAV]

If you belong to AAA or have a Costco membership, the discounts are pretty good too!

 

[Pluto4President]

The EC discount usually isn't too thrilling. I booked 9/29-10/01 (including a Saturday) for $35 taxes included for a full size on the EA. To do this I was able to use both DC codes.