December 2013 car rental

[robinb]

Hi All!

We've only used Alamo in the past, so are unfamiliar with other companies.

Currently I have a Dec 28-Jan6 reservation at National for $340 and a Dollar reservation for $310.

My DH would rather spend more money on convenience (pick our car from the aisle, use kiosk) and the spouse driver option (we are both Alamo and National members).

Today, I found an AVIS rental for just under $300, but didn't reserve because I don't want a bunch of ressies out there.

I know I need to cancel either my National or Dollar, so as to not drive up prices, but am not sure which company is "better"? As I mentioned earlier, we only have (positive) experience with Alamo, but their prices have been considerably higher.

What do you all think?

Thanks!
Rhonda

I think you should book that Avis rate anyway and then think about it. You can always cancel. Personally, I am not loyal to any specific car company. IMO the "big boys" are all the same and I believe that all allow spouses of people on their frequent renter programs to drive for free (although I would verify that for Avis & Dollar). Only you can tell if it's worth $30+ to pick out your car. I admit that it's fun but I don't think it would be $30 worth of fun for me.

 

[LauraLap]

I just wanted to mention that I was playing around with rates today for 7 nights....I couldn't find anything better than 35-360. So I thought, I wonder if I put in different drop-off locations and play with the dates.

Sure enough, I found a great combo.....pick-up MCO Dec 21st (morning) and drop off at Dolphin (evening) Dec 27th (6 nights total) - 198 dollars all taxes in! I think it was 144 before taxes. And then step-dad will take DME home the next morning (we're staying another week).

We got the deal at Alamo via Priceline.

 

[rlduvall]

Not only have I not found anything cheaper, but prices have gone up. I hope this isn't the best we are going to get! We're there Dec 2 - 11 and we are still at $178 for a full size car . .

Actually, I think that's an excellent rate for a 9 day full size rental. But I understand, it's always nice to save more.

 

[rackerlee92]

I think you should book that Avis rate anyway and then think about it. You can always cancel. Personally, I am not loyal to any specific car company. IMO the "big boys" are all the same and I believe that all allow spouses of people on their frequent renter programs to drive for free (although I would verify that for Avis & Dollar). Only you can tell if it's worth $30+ to pick out your car. I admit that it's fun but I don't think it would be $30 worth of fun for me.

Thanks for the feedback Robin!

 

[robinb]

I just wanted to mention that I was playing around with rates today for 7 nights....I couldn't find anything better than 35-360. So I thought, I wonder if I put in different drop-off locations and play with the dates.

Sure enough, I found a great combo.....pick-up MCO Dec 21st (morning) and drop off at Dolphin (evening) Dec 27th (6 nights total) - 198 dollars all taxes in! I think it was 144 before taxes. And then step-dad will take DME home the next morning (we're staying another week).

We got the deal at Alamo via Priceline.

That's a great rate! You can shave some more off with one of the discounts here: http://www.mousesavers.com/alamo-rental-car-discounts/ . FWIW, your rental is still a whole week since you are returning 6 1/2 days later and that 1/2 day counts as a whole one. In any case, the "weekly" rates usually start at 5 days .

 

[mkymouse40]

I know our price of $178 for a full size car is good, but I'm used to getting one for about $125 and an SUV for around $190. I need to accept that all things have gone up in price, but I don't like it!

Airline prices are ridiculous too, I keep waiting for them to drop, but that hasn't happened either. Gone are the days of $49 or $59 fares. We used to be able to fly to Orlando for less than $125, but now it is running $250+ for one person. We're at the 60 day mark now, so I'm hoping that within a few weeks they may drop. Fingers crossed.

 

[rlduvall]

I know our price of $178 for a full size car is good, but I'm used to getting one for about $125 and an SUV for around $190. I need to accept that all things have gone up in price, but I don't like it!

Airline prices are ridiculous too, I keep waiting for them to drop, but that hasn't happened either. Gone are the days of $49 or $59 fares. We used to be able to fly to Orlando for less than $125, but now it is running $250+ for one person. We're at the 60 day mark now, so I'm hoping that within a few weeks they may drop. Fingers crossed.

I feel your pain. We used to be able to get airfare from our region from $200. - $250. and now lucky to get it below $500. As for rental car rates, again I was spoiled with great rates - one time $75. for a week rental, but the last couple of years I have been paying around $200. for a full size. We can commiserate if rates don't come down and celebrate if they do.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Thanks for the feedback Robin!

I think you should book that Avis rate anyway and then think about it. You can always cancel. Personally, I am not loyal to any specific car company. IMO the "big boys" are all the same and I believe that all allow spouses of people on their frequent renter programs to drive for free (although I would verify that for Avis & Dollar). Only you can tell if it's worth $30+ to pick out your car. I admit that it's fun but I don't think it would be $30 worth of fun for me.

Spouses always drive free with Avis/Budget (regardless of whether you are a Wizard/Fastbreak Member or not).

 

[rackerlee92]

Spouses always drive free with Avis/Budget (regardless of whether you are a Wizard/Fastbreak Member or not).

Awesome! Thanks!

I went ahead and booked with Avis, but do need to talk it over with DH.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Had a Dollar reservation for Wednesday noon thru Sunday mid day. On their "they pick the car" special. $188.00 Just went on to modify time a little and it went down to $95.00 for the whole trip Just DW and I so works perfectly !! MVMCP will be that much more fun !!

 

[nascargirl]

Alamo rates are down finally, I had a full size car for 12/1 renting from Sanford and returning 12/8 MCO. That reservation price was over $350. Just now rebooked using the $30 visa code I am happy to report $184.00

 

[aubriee]

Alamo rates are down finally, I had a full size car for 12/1 renting from Sanford and returning 12/8 MCO. That reservation price was over $350. Just now rebooked using the $30 visa code I am happy to report $184.00

Why is it that every time I try to use this coupon I get 'capacity check coupon not available'? It happened when I tried to use it last month for my Sept trip and now again for our Dec trip?

I am a Costco member, have a WDW Annual Pass, and am a Alamo Insider but the Alamo site just won't work for me. I hate their new site. I just checked and the cheapest midsize-full size I can get is still over $300.00 for Dec 6th-16th.

 

[katallo]

Why is it that every time I try to use this coupon I get 'capacity check coupon not available'? It happened when I tried to use it last month for my Sept trip and now again for our Dec trip?

I am a Costco member, have a WDW Annual Pass, and am a Alamo Insider but the Alamo site just won't work for me. I hate their new site. I just checked and the cheapest midsize-full size I can get is still over $300.00 for Dec 6th-16th.

It's not you. The Alamo site is the worst one I have ever seen. Once you enter a coupon (even if it's rejected) you have to clear your history and cookies to try again. What amazes me is the fact they admit they know about these problems and have done nothing to improve them. We had always used Alamo, but this year we haven't used them one time because of the site.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It's not you. The Alamo site is the worst one I have ever seen. Once you enter a coupon (even if it's rejected) you have to clear your history and cookies to try again. What amazes me is the fact they admit they know about these problems and have done nothing to improve them. We had always used Alamo, but this year we haven't used them one time because of the site.

Likewise here.

 

[horselover]

Alamo rates are down finally, I had a full size car for 12/1 renting from Sanford and returning 12/8 MCO. That reservation price was over $350. Just now rebooked using the $30 visa code I am happy to report $184.00

What is the $30 Visa code? I don't see it on the Visa website. I only see $15 off.

 

[dis2cruise]

Not for me 12/16 to 12/23 $279 ugh

 

[aubriee]

It's not you. The Alamo site is the worst one I have ever seen. Once you enter a coupon (even if it's rejected) you have to clear your history and cookies to try again. What amazes me is the fact they admit they know about these problems and have done nothing to improve them. We had always used Alamo, but this year we haven't used them one time because of the site.

I've tried clearing cookies and history and it still shows 'capacity check coupon not available'. I've tried using my desk top, two different lap tops, and several different computers at work. It's like it recognizes my insider number or something.

edit: no that's not right, I just cleared my history and cookies and tried it again without logging into my insiders. It still shows 'capacity check coupon not available'.

 

[pigletto]

I've tried clearing cookies and history and it still shows 'capacity check coupon not available'. I've tried using my desk top, two different lap tops, and several different computers at work. It's like it recognizes my insider number or something.

edit: no that's not right, I just cleared my history and cookies and tried it again without logging into my insiders. It still shows 'capacity check coupon not available'.

I'm getting the same message.

 

[mkymouse40]

I have multiple $ off Alamo coupon codes and they are all coming up at "capacity check". The upgrade coupon works, but nothing else does. HUM??? I agree, their new site sucks!

 

[nascargirl]

I used AD2338FDF and 7015504 on the Alamo site. The problem that I am finding is I cannot cancel my previous reservations on the web site. Ugh!