December 2014 Car Rental Discount Watch

[pigletto]

I just checked the rates again at car rental savers dot com.

My rate dropped to $152.76 for a standard car. Pickup 12/13 at 1pm and dropoff at 10am 12/20. It's through Alamo. That's a $67 drop!

Nice!! I wish we were using Alamo (really like choosing our own vehicle) but they are way higher than the rates I am getting with Dollar. It seems like every time I check Dollar has dropped another $5 for our dates. Sitting at $170.12 for the 10 day Standard rental now. I don't think I've gone much lower than this in years!

 

[tiggerjenn]

Nice!! I wish we were using Alamo (really like choosing our own vehicle) but they are way higher than the rates I am getting with Dollar. It seems like every time I check Dollar has dropped another $5 for our dates. Sitting at $170.12 for the 10 day Standard rental now. I don't think I've gone much lower than this in years!

I've not used Alamo before, what do you mean by you choose your own car?

 

[pigletto]

I've not used Alamo before, what do you mean by you choose your own car?

You are directed to the row for whatever size car you booked and can choose any vehicle in that row rather than being assigned a certain car. Generally there are many to choose from in your aisle and you can check them out and decide what you want. It's fun!

 

[buckeev]

I have been watching the roller coaster pricing for months, and they FINALLY have come down to what I consider reasonable!
I've added a few days on both the front end and the back end of our "Christmas/New Years" trip...total of 20 days now! FS rental $413! (If I could just get a mini van for that, I'd be a very happy camper!)

 

[tiggerjenn]

Buckeev- I know what you mean about the mini van! I don't think a full-size is going to fit our needs but the mini-van prices are just ridiculous!

 

[peel]

The KLM code is working again. Let's hope it stays that way!

 

[Missyrose]

Just as an FYI, make sure you read anything and everything Dollar gives you in your contract at the rental counter VERY carefully. Orlando airport is one of the counters mentioned that have had issues.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/19/dollar-rent-car-insurance-scam-video/

 

[pigletto]

Just as an FYI, make sure you read anything and everything Dollar gives you in your contract at the rental counter VERY carefully. Orlando airport is one of the counters mentioned that have had issues.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/19/dollar-rent-car-insurance-scam-video/

Interesting. In reading reviews I had seen a similar piece from 2012 as well. I have used Dollar before and had no issues and read plenty of positive reviews as well. However that doesn't mean some agents won't scam as it seems to be a big problem. The critical point seems to be to ask to see the charges before leaving the counter as they pointed out. We've gotten the high pressure insurance pitch at other MCO rental companies as well, and dh and I are well versed in saying no because we know exactly what we are covered for under our own insurance.
Thanks for posting the article, I will definitely go in with eyes and ears open.

 

[buckeev]

Just as an FYI, make sure you read anything and everything Dollar gives you in your contract at the rental counter VERY carefully. Orlando airport is one of the counters mentioned that have had issues.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/19/dollar-rent-car-insurance-scam-video/

Same can be said of any one of the rental companies. On our most recent trip, Alamo overcharged my card by $1200! Luckily, I was alert enough to catch it at the return kiosk. I had kept my original rental paperwork, otherwise it would've been a much bigger challenge to get the credit back.

Tiggerjenn...you might be surprised at how much luggage-n-stuff you can cram in a full size! A few trips ago, I took 5 suitcase-(empty of course)-to our local Enterprise to test the trunk capacity. The Impala is probably one of the most popular cars at MCO, so that's what we compared. Much to my surprise, they all fit easily. Two of these suitcase things are huge. We usually travel as a Fam 5, so there ain't much room inside the cab for luggage, only a couple of soft side items.

 

[pigletto]

Same can be said of any one of the rental companies. On our most recent trip, Alamo overcharged my card by $1200! Luckily, I was alert enough to catch it at the return kiosk. I had kept my original rental paperwork, otherwise it would've been a much bigger challenge to get the credit back.

Tiggerjenn...you might be surprised at how much luggage-n-stuff you can cram in a full size! A few trips ago, I took 5 suitcase-(empty of course)-to our local Enterprise to test the trunk capacity. The Impala is probably one of the most popular cars at MCO, so that's what we compared. Much to my surprise, they all fit easily. Two of these suitcase things are huge. We usually travel as a Fam 5, so there ain't much room inside the cab for luggage, only a couple of soft side items.

We also went with an Impala when we rented from Alamo. We are a family of four and had also brought dd's friend with us. The trunk is HUGE. I was concerned that all of our stuff wouldn't fit but it did. That was one carry on a piece, 2 large suitcases, and 3 medium. We did have one of the backpacks in the back window but it was fine.

 

[Missyrose]

Any Disney AP holders out there? I just snagged a nine-day full-size rental from Alamo at MCO for $201 (Dec. 6-14) using the AP ID!

 

[Syndrome]

Any Disney AP holders out there? I just snagged a nine-day full-size rental from Alamo at MCO for $201 (Dec. 6-14) using the AP ID!

We are AP Holders and need a full size rental for EXACTLY the same dates as you ! Would you let me know where you found that ? Do I need to use a code or is it on the website somewhere for AP perks or something ?
Spill the beans ! lol ,

Thanks !

 

[rlduvall]

Any Disney AP holders out there? I just snagged a nine-day full-size rental from Alamo at MCO for $201 (Dec. 6-14) using the AP ID!

Excellent. Thanks for reminding me to check again today. Did you also use Alamo's e-coupon AF5365ODH for a free day? Might bring it down a little more. I was just able to lower my rate [8 day rental] to $148. total for a standard/full size.

Edited: I checked your dates and made it a 9 day rental and see it down to $177 for a full size and $155 for standard.

 

[rlduvall]

We are AP Holders and need a full size rental for EXACTLY the same dates as you ! Would you let me know where you found that ? Do I need to use a code or is it on the website somewhere for AP perks or something ?
Spill the beans ! lol ,

Thanks !

Go to Alamo. Enter your dates and time and click on "Add Discount Code."
Coupon Code: AF5365ODH [Alamo e-coupon for free day]
Contract ID: 860292 [Disney AP - and they might ask to see your proof]

Happy hunting.

 

[Syndrome]

Excellent. Thanks for reminding me to check again today. Did you also use Alamo's e-coupon AF5365ODH for a free day? Might bring it down a little more. I was just able to lower my rate [8 day rental] to $148. total for a standard/full size.

Where can AP holders find this info ?

Thanks !

 

[pigletto]

Where can AP holders find this info ?

Thanks !

We aren't AP holders anymore but when we were the AP code was listed on the Passholder website.

 

[Syndrome]

Go to Alamo. Enter your dates and time and click on "Add Discount Code."
Coupon Code: AF5365ODH [Alamo e-coupon for free day]
Contract ID: 860292 [Disney AP - and they might ask to see your proof]

Happy hunting.

Thanks ! We are AP Holders , so we will bring proof .

We aren't AP holders anymore but when we were the AP code was listed on the Passholder website.

Thanks, did some digging and finally found it !

 

[pigletto]

After no movement for most of the week, the Dollar/Thrifty prices are shifting a bit again tonight. Dropped another $7 and I am down to $163.88 for a 10 day rental with Dollar in a Standard vehicle. This is with the CAA/AAA rate and the codes can be found toward the bottom of page 3 of this thread if you are a member and want to try them.

 

[Syndrome]

After no movement for most of the week, the Dollar/Thrifty prices are shifting a bit again tonight. Dropped another $7 and I am down to $163.88 for a 10 day rental with Dollar in a Standard vehicle. This is with the CAA/AAA rate and the codes can be found toward the bottom of page 3 of this thread if you are a member and want to try them.

Decent rates using AAA , thanks !

I cant remember , but we when we used Dollar a few years ago, I think we were able to pick our own car ??? Anyone know if you can pick your own with Dollar/Thrifty ?

We got a great rate using Budget last month at MCO, but we weren't able to pick out a car . We did have a few car choices from the attendent though .

 

[karliebug]

I am looking for a rental Dec. 13-17 from Sanford airport. The cheapest I have found so far is with dollar for $166 for a compact. There are only 2 of us do size doesn't matter but I was hoping for a cheaper price since it is only 4 days. Can anyone offer some tips?