Costco Car rental

[ChisJo]

We always book a car with Costco Travel, and it usually ends up being with Alamo, and an extra driver is always waived. However, this time we are renting with Budget and I'm just reading the fine print and it says that the extra driver is waived in Canada locations only. Has anyone had success with the extra driver being waived with Budget through Costco with a rental at the Orlando airport? Or am I hooped?

 

[FigmentSpark]

Call them and find out. I'm with you, in that I only used Alamo. We had no problems with the second driver.

Wait, you are renting in the U.S. and it says that it's only available in Canada? That makes no sense that it would be advertised to you.

 

[ChisJo]

Call them and find out. I'm with you, in that I only used Alamo. We had no problems with the second driver.

Wait, you are renting in the U.S. and it says that it's only available in Canada? That makes no sense that it would be advertised to you.

When even choosing Alamo, it state in the general information that the additional driver is waived, but for Budget, it doesn't. But the one thing with Costco is the second driver is always waived....thats why I'm confused.

 

[ChisJo]

I figured it out....I initially booked on the Costcotravel canada site. I switched over to the costcotravel us site and got the additional driver waived..... For future, now I know!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Can you do that when you're not a U.S. member? I didn't know that.

 

[ChisJo]

Can you do that when you're not a U.S. member? I didn't know that.

I was able to. I just used my regular sign in information and it worked just fine. DIdn't kick me out to the Canada site. I've used it before to book vacation packages and had no issue. I guess we'll see but as long as I produce a Costco membership when asked, I don't think it would matter. It doesn't state in the fine print that my address needs to be based in the US.

 

[Sue M]

I think you’re covered even on the .ca site. Although we have a res with Alamo on the beginning of the web site it says second driver in Canada only but once I booked I got pop up window that says good for Canada or US.

 

[hardis5]

Rented budget via Costco res last month from MCO and 2nd driver (they specifically asked spouse) was included.

 

[ChisJo]

Rented budget via Costco res last month from MCO and 2nd driver (they specifically asked spouse) was included.

Thank you so much!

 

[mkmommy]

My rental through Costco.ca had free 2nd driver.

I am to the point of not even checking other codes as Costco is the best rate. For March Break last week , rates kept going up, and then 3 days before SUV rates plunged and I saved $130, I was thrilled.

 

[flav]

Spouse as 2nd driver is waived by Budget.

 

[JenLovesMM]

Good to know. I booked through Air Miles for a midsize SUV with National car rental for when we were there 2 weeks ago and because I had booked through a points program, the 2nd driver was not free. Would have cost more to add a 2nd driver than what the rental cost me! Next time I will have a look at the Costco rentals.

 

[mjhtvchick]

Anyone ever book through Costco with Avis?

 

[ChisJo]

My rental through Costco.ca had free 2nd driver.

I am to the point of not even checking other codes as Costco is the best rate. For March Break last week , rates kept going up, and then 3 days before SUV rates plunged and I saved $130, I was thrilled.

Thats what happened to us. Yesterday I checked (I am a compulsive checker....I've been checking twice a day for 6 months....we leave next week!) and our SUV went down $150. Slightly thrilled about that. Today, its up again by $50, so I booked at the right time!

 

[Sue M]

Anyone ever book through Costco with Avis?

I always put in Costco rental site for Alamo, Avis & Budget. Alamo consistently has lowest price for me. I book one way rental from Ft Lauderdale airport and return to Disney Car Care Centre across from TTC. It also is the most convenient drop off unless I’m staying at an Epcot Resort, then I drop off at Dolphin.

 

[Sue M]

Thats what happened to us. Yesterday I checked (I am a compulsive checker....I've been checking twice a day for 6 months....we leave next week!) and our SUV went down $150. Slightly thrilled about that. Today, its up again by $50, so I booked at the right time!

Me too. I check daily! Every time price drops I cancel & rebook lower price. I also find somewhere during the last 3 -4 weeks price will drop to lowest cost. Keep checking! May drop more.

 

[lolomarie]

Me too. I check daily! Every time price drops I cancel & rebook lower price. I also find somewhere during the last 3 -4 weeks price will drop to lowest cost. Keep checking! May drop more.

Are there any cancelation fees? I like this strategy! Just looking into booking my Costco rental for September.

 

[a1tinkfans]

No cancellation fees
But book ur other first then go back and cancel old one! Good luck!

 

[ebharris]

I hope it's okay to ask this here-not trying to take over a thread! Question for those who have booked through the Costco site. It's in USD ($299 USD - $375 CDN), so if Expedia.ca is $25 more ($400 CDN), when all is said and done (after credit card fees) am I better off going with Expedia because it will charge me in Canadian Dollars?

 

[Sue M]

Are there any cancelation fees? I like this strategy! Just looking into booking my Costco rental for September.

No cancellation fee. They don’t take credit card. You just pay at time of rental.

I hope it's okay to ask this here-not trying to take over a thread! Question for those who have booked through the Costco site. It's in USD ($299 USD - $375 CDN), so if Expedia.ca is $25 more ($400 CDN), when all is said and done (after credit card fees) am I better off going with Expedia because it will charge me in Canadian Dollars?

It depends. I’m not familiar with booking with Expedia. My CIBC APP says it converts to $393 with 2.5% forex fee. So I’d say it’s a wash price wise. Do you have to pay at time of booking with Expedia? If so, then not a good deal as prices can drop significantly. Also Costco adds in free extra driver. And lots of times has coupons for free upgrade.