Dilemma

[paysensmom]

Hi everyone!!
I have a dilemma that I am trying to avoid!!! FIRST of all, I have a three and a five year old. Our dates are 8/19-09/02 We plan on driving from West Virginia to Disney. We are staying off site. Now for the dilemma!
My husband finds out if he gets a promotion (for those Navy people CHIEF!!!) on Aug 15th!! YIKES! So FOUR days before we leave we find out if he gets to go or not. IF he gets promoted, he will NOT be joining us at Disney So on one hand, I want him to make it and a little bit of me doesnt. But it would be a great promotion for him!
So, if he makes it, he will need our vehicle and I will need to rent one to get me and the kiddos to Disney. Who has the best prices and how do I know if I can drive it across country? I dont want to pay by the mile and I wanna be able to leave the state!!!
We are near Dulles Airport in DC (If you count 3 1/2 hours as close HHA!)
We live in a tiny town and that is probably our closest place to get a good deal on a rental.
Please, please help me.
Thank you so much
Heather

 

[JanB]

Start your search with Sidestep

http://www.sidestep.com/

and with Kayak

http://www.kayak.com/

Both of these sites will search numerous websites and will then give you a list of links to those sites.

 

[goinback]

My suggestion would be for you to take the car and have your husband rent one for him to use while you are gone! Good luck!

 

[paysensmom]

Hey,
Thanks for the tips, I will check out those searches you recommended. And about my hubby taking the rental car...... We own a 2500HD chevy truck. So, if we get a rental, it would take WAY more gas if we took the truck and he took the rental!!!
Heather

 

[riaesq]

Before you even start searching for prices, I suggest calling whichever companies are in your area and ask about where you are allowed to drive to. Check local places like Hertz Local Edition and Enterprise and their airport versions nearby as they may have different rules and pricing. Some do have rules about only going to neighboring states- and they have hidden GPS trackers that have caught people.

 

[PlutoPup]

Thanks for the KISS2 promo code tip! I also booked a minivan (in Nov) for $199. for the week . I saved over $100! I LOVE this site

 

[MrMarv]

Heather---If you're not a member of the Auto Club (AAA), JOIN!!!!

The $$$ you'll save on your rental from Hertz Local Edition will blow your mind; Hertz also routinely offers great deals at their airports locations for Auto Club members as well, but watch out for assorted 'junk fees' that tons of airports acroos the country have, with Orlando being among the most gruesome.

Once you go to the Hertz website, just compare the total costs for renting a car at Dulles vs. renting from whichever HLE office is closest to you.

 

[paysensmom]

What sort of discounts do they offer for AAA? How much is a AAA membership? Is is worth signing up for just to rent a car one time? Thanks

 

[paysensmom]

Anybody have any ideas for me?? I am stressing over here
Thanks,
Heather

 

[gigi1313]

just a few random thoughts... would you consider flying and renting when you get to orlando? how 'bout the train? (there's also the auto train from virginia)

also, any chance you can ask a friend or relative to join you last minute after you learn if dh gets his promo (good luck btw!)? it may be a God-send to you in a number of ways...

 

[paysensmom]

I would consider flying and renting when I get to Orlando, but wouldnt that cost WAY more money? My hubby is in the Navy and I am taking college classes full time online. So, money is tight!! So, we need to keep that in mind! I dont know about an auto train? Is that cheap? I have asked a few people to go and its just not possible Plus, I am very limited as to who I can ask because we are staying in a room that only allows 4 people and most people I know have kids. Besides that, the people I know that have kids, would make my trip MORE stressful than going alone with a 3 and 5 year old
Keep it coming though!!
Thanks,
Heather

 

[paysensmom]

Does anybody have anymore tips?

 

[Mousema]

I would definitely look into AAA. It's about $50 a year and you can get all kinds of discounts with them, not just rental cars. It would also give you peace of mind travelling all that way with roadside assistance.

 

[paysensmom]

I think my vehicle insurance covers the rental as well. With the same type of coverage and roadside assistance. The AAA though, is there a way I can check and see how much money on the rental it would save me? If it would save me more than $50 dollars off the price I have then I will def. sign up.

Any other tips??
Thanks,
Heather

 

[undertheradar]

You need to confirm your insurance coverage. If you only have 1 vehicle and your husband will be driving it, you are trying to cover 2 vehicles(rental and personal) at the same time. Your agent will likely advise you to take the rental car coverage.

 

[paysensmom]

THanks, I did not think of it that way. I will check for sure!!

Anybody else got any ideas??
Thanks,
Heather

 

[Hef4545]

If you belong to a BJ Wholesale Warehouse or a Costco or Sam's, they have fliers that have codes. Usually when you rent a car using them, it is unlimited miles. I think American Express offers this on their website too.
It may take a little digging on your part to find the best deal.
I have driven alone to Florida which for me is about 1150 miles. I stopped in Savannah. It is harder when there is only one adult but we do what we have to do. Just make sure the car is checked You have a charged cell phone and you only stop in populated areas and no traveling in the dark.

 

[goinback]

Thanks for the KISS2 promo code tip! I also booked a minivan (in Nov) for $199. for the week . I saved over $100! I LOVE this site

What is KISS2 and where can you use it?!

 

[paysensmom]

Would I be better off if I fly to Orlando and then rent a car? I found $49 one way and $89 coming back on AIRTRAN. Maybe I can do it this way and spend just a little more than renting a car from here??
Does anybody know the cheapest place to rent a car in Orlando?

 

[goinback]

If you flew in would your dates change?