CRAZY July car rental prices!

[schoen]

I have looked at basically every car rental company, and I am getting quoted at 400-500 dollars for my week in July consistently. We will be there from 7/20-7/27. I am used to paying between 150-200 for a weekly car rental. I have tried a few codes, but I am still getting crazy high prices. Is this because it is summer? Do I just need to wait until last min. deals become available? At the quotes I am getting renting a car is cost prohibitive for this trip... but I HATE the idea of not renting one. Just wanted to vent! Also, I welcome any useful codes or tips for decreasing the price in July!

 

[Tara]

What size car are you trying to rent?

In general, the days of $175-$200 weekly rentals are gone. Yes, you can find some deals, but they are few and far between. I've had the best luck through Alamo with code 428488 (Walmart/Rand McNally code). I'd book something now at the lowest rate you can find and then keep checking back to see if you can modify it to a lower rate. I've found over the last year that rates don't really drop much until about 8 weeks out, if at all. Then there are some last minute deals at the 2 week point.

 

[webworm]

I have looked at basically every car rental company, and I am getting quoted at 400-500 dollars for my week in July consistently. We will be there from 7/20-7/27. I am used to paying between 150-200 for a weekly car rental. I have tried a few codes, but I am still getting crazy high prices. Is this because it is summer? Do I just need to wait until last min. deals become available? At the quotes I am getting renting a car is cost prohibitive for this trip... but I HATE the idea of not renting one. Just wanted to vent! Also, I welcome any useful codes or tips for decreasing the price in July!

You can try Budget using BCD Number x474200 (travelocity code for public use) and ecoupon muwz023 for $25.00 off. The total for a full size is $267.76 after the $25.00 coupon is applied at checkout.

 

[robinb]

According to Mousesavers (http://www.mousesavers.com/thrifty.html) you can use code "004C005932" at Thrifty. A mid-size is $242 for your dates with taxes.

 

[buttercup10]

I am totally there with you, but have no real advice. I'm there 4th of July week and luckily made reservations back in January for a car and got a midsize at Alamo for $204, which I actually thought was high and was looking forward to continuing the search closer to that week to get a better price with various coupons - but am looking now and just got quoted $450 at Hertz w/AAA!

If by any chance you are a USAA member, try them - I could have reserved a compact for $250 this morning.

 

[5boyz]

I checked Alamo for those dates 9am-9am MCO to MCO compact/Ecomony for $178.74 with code 299851.

 

[Tara]

I checked Alamo for those dates 9am-9am MCO to MCO compact/Ecomony for $178.74 with code 299851.

Where did you get this code?

 

[5boyz]

I was on a website and put in my dates and this quote from Alamo came up with the code and price. I used it twice in Feb. Once from MCO and once from TPA. Did the online check in and went straight to garage got my car went thru booth gave my DL and CC and away we went....I have 3 more seperate days booked for July & Aug. The website said something like vroomvroomvroom.com, but when I tried it right after I booked my car, it did not come up. So dont know what the exact website was?????

 

[robinb]

I checked Alamo for those dates 9am-9am MCO to MCO compact/Ecomony for $178.74 with code 299851.

Where does that code come from?

 

[mmmgood]

Alamo contract ID 299851 is for non US residents. I would be careful using this code. It includes damage waiver and other insurance. If you are in an accident you may have some major issues.

Thrifty Corporate Code 004C005932 is for employees of Island Real Estate - again, I would be careful with this code.

As one of the previous posters mentioned - you can get some good rates with USAA discounts - there is a link for free membership and you can compare rates here:

http://www.carrentalsavers.com/usaa.html

 

[TamaraQT]

I did my reservation back in Jan...at that time, my dates were 7/22 - 7/31...9 days it was only $229.50 for a Midsize upgraded to a Standard size car using the costco/alamo id:7014627 coupon: AU2291VYT.

THEN.....in April, we decided to save $$ on airfare and travel a day ahead...so my dates became 7/21 - 7/31.....and for that ONE EXTRA day cost me $37.71!!!!! ....NOW my rental is $267.21!!

BUT...thank goodness I did it then, because now starting from scratch with the same coupon codes it would cost me $763.53!!!!

 

[5boyz]

Alamo contract ID 299851 is for non US residents. I would be careful using this code. It includes damage waiver and other insurance. If you are in an accident you may have some major issues.

Thrifty Corporate Code 004C005932 is for employees of Island Real Estate - again, I would be careful with this code.

As one of the previous posters mentioned - you can get some good rates with USAA discounts - there is a link for free membership and you can compare rates here:

http://www.carrentalsavers.com/usaa.html

OH cool, good for me as I am a non US resident. I am also covered with my own car insurance. Thanks for the info!

 

[schoen]

Okay... So I tried a code from hertz for government and non-profit employees and i got 266 for a full size. My husband work for a state trade association, and they are non-profit. I am hopeful that works.

I got the same price with thrifty with the island real estate code... it says on mousesavers that anyone can use it. I am a little nervous about that one though. any experience with this code?

 

[LisaCat]

What size car are you trying to rent?

In general, the days of $175-$200 weekly rentals are gone. Yes, you can find some deals, but they are few and far between. I've had the best luck through Alamo with code 428488 (Walmart/Rand McNally code). I'd book something now at the lowest rate you can find and then keep checking back to see if you can modify it to a lower rate. I've found over the last year that rates don't really drop much until about 8 weeks out, if at all. Then there are some last minute deals at the 2 week point.

This is showing as "coupon not valid" on the Alamo site.

 

[robinb]

Thrifty Corporate Code 004C005932 is for employees of Island Real Estate - again, I would be careful with this code.

I trust it because it's on Mousesavers. Mary is VERY careful with the codes that she publishes.

As one of the previous posters mentioned - you can get some good rates with USAA discounts - there is a link for free membership and you can compare rates here:

http://www.carrentalsavers.com/usaa.html

Nice, but the USAA wants my social security number to join. I won't give anyone my SSN for a car rental discount ... no matter how good it is.

 

[jtjcwise]

I was having the same problem, but just booked through priceline for 10 days for midsize at $19 a day.

 

[miksicnarf]

Ditto to what everyone is reporting. The good news is, I locked in months ago at $170/midsize for a week beginning 7/27 with Alamo. The bad news is, I *could* save a bundle on airfare by shifting the dates one day but that savings would be negated by the massive increase in car rental rate. Frustrating!

 

[mmmgood]

I trust it because it's on Mousesavers. Mary is VERY careful with the codes that she publishes.

Really, I would have to disagree. I love the site but a few car rental codes are somewhat questionable. I would watch out for ones that are "submitted by ...." or "thanks to ..." When I worked for DTAG the contract terms of corporate ID's specified use for customers, members or staff only - not to be shared with the general public. If it gets excessive use Thrifty will ask her to remove it. In addition, counter staff may ask for evidence. Just use at your own risk.

Nice, but the USAA wants my social security number to join. I won't give anyone my SSN for a car rental discount ... no matter how good it is.

The SS is one downside with USAA but that is the risk of joining any financial institution. SS sharing is probably a discussion best left for another forum and I do hate to share mine. I have financial products through them so they already have mine, but they do provide some additional discounts as well as car rental.

 

[robinb]

Really, I would have to disagree. I love the site but a few car rental codes are somewhat questionable. I would watch out for ones that are "submitted by ...." or "thanks to ..." When I worked for DTAG the contract terms of corporate ID's specified use for customers, members or staff only - not to be shared with the general public. If it gets excessive use Thrifty will ask her to remove it. In addition, counter staff may ask for evidence. Just use at your own risk.

And really, I would have to disagree with you. Mary does NOT post any "hinky" codes like the ones I see here on the DIS, Flyertalk, Retail Me Not or Fat Wallet. The code in question is attributed to the owner of the agency and not just some random person who mistyped a code wrong and came up with a great price. I trust that Mary has vetted the code before she posted it and I would use any of her codes without hesitation.

 

[mmmgood]

And really, I would have to disagree with you. Mary does NOT post any "hinky" codes like the ones I see here on the DIS, Flyertalk, Retail Me Not or Fat Wallet. The code in question is attributed to the owner of the agency and not just some random person who mistyped a code wrong and came up with a great price. I trust that Mary has vetted the code before she posted it and I would use any of her codes without hesitation.

How about we agree to disagree. Most of the codes are fine, there are probably 3 or 4 reader submitted codes (including this one) that I would not advise someone to use without a word of warning.