ENTERTAIN code on Dollar Not Valid

[Sandi]

I also found my rate went down. I had reserved a couple weeks ago using the ENTERTAIN code and had an intermediate base rate of $125. I just put in a new reservation using ENTERTAIN and the base rate dropped to $112. Not a huge difference, but I can think of a few things to do with $15.00.

I need to cancel my old ressie after I'm sure everything with the new one took.

With respect to having "back up reservations," if you don't pick up your back up, aren't you charged some kind of penalty? I've never gotten a back up because I thought you'd be stuck with two reservations to pay.

 

[A kid at heart]

nope.

 

[beattyfamily]

National charges a "no-show" penalty...I think it's $50.

They are one place that requires a CC when reserving...

 

[Sandi]

That "no show" must have been what I was thinking of. I usually get National cars. This time I've got Dollar and they also have my CC. Looks like they may all have different policies.

 

[tlens]

I haven't given my credit card number for the back up reservation so no big deal if I don't pick up.

 

[WDWKim]

Sandi,

Just wanted to thank you......didn't think I was going to do much better then the 125.00 a week rate until I saw your post, so I like you figured an extra $13.00 is and extra $13.00! Thanks again........

P.S. I'm not to worried about using the "Entertain" code, as like some posts have already suggested, if the web site takes it, then they have to honor it. You can compare it to what happened to an airline a few months ago where someone did an error and people were getting flights for I think something like $5.00 round trip in a 45 minute span and the airlines had to honor it.

Kim

 

[A kid at heart]

I've never been charged a no-show rate with National. if you don't give a CC nbr when you make the ressie how can tey charge you a no-show fee?

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by A kid at heart
I've never been charged a no-show rate with National. if you don't give a CC nbr when you make the ressie how can tey charge you a no-show fee?

If you book your car with National using the Emerald Club, they have your credit card on file and, I suppose, could charge you a no-show fee if they wanted to. When I make a back up reservation I make sure I do not give my credit card for that reservation... You are right though, if they don't have your CC they can't really charge you...

 

[DMRick]

Back ups might make you feel better..but if several do "back ups", once the cars are in demand, the prices go up for the rest of us. By your cancelling (I assume you are at the least calling that day and cancelling) very last minute, the places you have booked at, are then showing no cars available, or the prices are up for the next person, because the computer shows them in demand. This is much like people who book several rooms at Disney while trying to make up their mind where they want to stay..while others have to keep calling back, or change their vacation to get a room.
If you are having continual problems with the place you rent your car, and you feel you have to have a back up, I would suggest you change car rental places..and go with one more trustworthy. Or perhaps a lot of people had a car on hold where you were hoping to rent, and actually showed up, messing up the "allowed" amount of no shows..and so then the next person (perhaps you) has no car.
Not meaning to be mean about this, but really, how kind of the car places to take our word for it that we will show up, and not make up pay a reservation fee. Won't last for ever, if they continue to have no shows. Just My own opinion.

 

[sgtdisney]

I think if rental car companies were held accountable, like the airlines are, that you will get EXACTLY the kind of car you reserved at EXACTLY the same price that was quoted you, you would see less people concerned about having a back up reservation. I do see the point you are making, and I can appreciate it. However, I have had one too many bait and switch, or other glitch at one rental car agency or another not to have a back up for security and to fall back on. The companies that I have had a lot of problems with (read ALAMO. ) will never see my business again. However when you are at the counter and they tell you that they 'switched sizes' and your 'Mid-size car' is now a Cavalier, take it or leave it, I want the option to leave it and leave it with confidence...

 

[DMRick]

However, I have had one too many bait and switch, or other glitch at one rental car agency or another not to have a back up for security and to fall back on. The companies that I have had a lot of problems with (read ALAMO. )

We rent cars often..and so far, haven't had a problem where they didn't have something (usually an uprade) to offer us. You're obviously doing just what I said..not using a company that hasn't given you good service. More should do that. But how can you expect all the companies to have enough of the right cars, when they are always guessing if everyone is going to show up. Before 9/11, I think they had more cars to play with. I'm not seeing (or at least hearing) that now. I'm sorry, I just can't see the justification of holding up cars at other places, just so you have a car to fall back on. I'm sure before much longer, we'll all need deposits, if that continues at the rate I read on these boards.
BTW, just becasue I have an airline ressie, doesn't always mean I'll have the seat I reserved..usually it's on the same airplane..but not always where it was suppose to be..but because I can't have a back up seat (since the airline charges, people don't book a back-up), I go with what they give me. Not much I was able to do last week, out of Kentucky, when SW decided to give our whole plane to another group (theirs broke..guess they were more important than us)...and we had to sit and wait for a "new" plane (and we were suppose to just touch down, not even get off). Some on our plane missed their connections. So, even the planes aren't perfect...but again, we don't have back ups <g>.

 

[sgtdisney]

You are probably right, eventually all the agencies may take deposits or hold you CC number when you make a reservation at some point in the future. If this is the case, though, I would hope that there would be more recourse if there was a problem at the counter. Until then, however, I will probably continue to make backup reservations because I have had problems once too often, and not just with Alamo, and I don't want my vacation getting off on the wrong foot..

 

[tlens]

The biggest reason for me making the back-up this time is the fact that no one is really sure where this ENTERTAIN code came from. I did call Dollar and ask them if I needed a coupon to use it and they didn't know the code but confirmed that my reservation didn't mention needing a coupon. The original poster got totally different information from Dollar SO, the long and short of this is, I'm taking a chance that when I get there, they decide not to honor the rate OR, they ask for a coupon. Then I am stuck paying the high prices (over $300.00) for the same car I currently have reserved for $112.00.
I understand your point but, and I don't mean to be blunt, I'm looking out for me. (Please don't flame me!! )
I had reservation originally at Alamo with my credit card attached. That one was cancelled quickly. I wouldn't blame the rental companies if they ask for a CC. But until they do, I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

 

[hawt1]

Tlens....

I started this discussion because of the info I got from Dollar...so I too made a back up reservation.

It turns out that Dollar is now my back up to Budget because they just dropped their price to $199 per week for a minivan...


I don't blame you for having a back up...but I can also see the point of people having too many backups may drive up the price for others.

Also, what if the rental companies start counting on people not showing up...then when you do show up fo ryoru rental, they dont have any cars left...typical Seinfeld...but you can't really blame them if people are renting but not showing....

They are in a Catch 22 on this one...and so are we.

 

[whozit]

I made two reservations with the entertain code about 3 weeks ago (economy car for $30.23 per day). Picked up car at MCO on 8/8/02...no problem, no coupon required, no card required, no questions....used it to get to resort, then dropped it off at Dollar's Marriot Courtyard location by Downtown Disney. Picked up car 8/15/02 at Marroit, drove to MCO, dropped car off...again, no questions, no problems.

 

[n2mm]

Another confirmation that it works. Just got back 2 days ago. We used the ENTERTAIN code for a great rate on a full size. Went to the counter and paid and NOT A PROBLEM, no questions, no coupon needed. Got a great full size car, perfect service, friendly employees and NO hassles. Yes we go again in Sept. and will use this code for that trip too! Got a base amount of $126 for a full size. We did NOT have a back up car. We had a quote in hand, enough said! We had a car from 8/8-13. No problem using the code here!

 

[beattyfamily]

Another poster having a problem with the ENTERTAIN code.

He posted this in the Budget Board:

Entertain code thread

 

[dtauer]

My parents just got back from Alaska and they used the ENTERTAIN code at that airport. No problems, no questions, no coupons needed. They weren't thrilled with the car (only compacts were still available when they made the reservation), but the code worked and saved a LOT of money. If you have ever rented a car in Anchorage you know how expensive it can be, but the ENTERTAIN code brought the price back down to a reasonable level.