February 2014 Car Rental Deal Watch

[CherylA]

Yikes. I have a reservation with Firefly in February--made it quite a while ago and have been concerned about it since, due to poor reviews. Thanks to PP I just looked at Yelp. Should be more like GULP! OMG those reviews are insanely bad. Between the cockroaches and the reviewer who said they ran out of cars and forced them to pay for an upgrade...I just made a back-up reservation with Dollar. Mid sized SUV for $303 with tax for 8 days. No, it's not as cheap as I'd like. But I also don't want to think about arriving at the airport at 10:30 p.m. with 2 young kids in tow, and finding the car I reserved is not available. Guess I'mm parting with an extra $100 for the peace of mind.

I think $100 is 100% worth the piece of mind especailly with 2 young kids! A reliable car rental is so important since its really one of the 1st things of your trip, if that goes bad it starts your trip out on a sour note.

 

[nilseks]

I think $100 is 100% worth the piece of mind especailly with 2 young kids! A reliable car rental is so important since its really one of the 1st things of your trip, if that goes bad it starts your trip out on a sour note.

You're right, Cheryl! That's a very good way to put it! I ran it by hubby because right now I have both cars reserved, and he said go with Dollar because at 10:30 at night he's in no mood to mess around lol. I have to look into the Dollar Express thing, I think maybe we can just sign up for that and walk straight to the car. That would make that $100 much more worthwhile. My 10 year-old is totally an early-to-bed kid and I know by the time we land he will be a beast!

 

[CassieF]

The Yelp reviews on Firefly are pretty ugly. If you're still booking through them, I'd read Yelp so you don't get scammed on the pre-paid fuel option that everyone is complaining about.

I did read yelp and I'm good at saying no!

I am still keeping dollar as a back up, but I really wish they'd drop their prices so I didn't have to worry about it!

 

[gifmar]

Car rental rates for early February dropped this morning; Alamo, Dollar & Thrifty. My 4 day rental 2/5 - 2/9 dropped $60 since last night to $128. I compared discount codes; Visa, AMEX, and Annual Passholder. Passholder was the best but not by much. I went with Alamo.

 

[nilseks]

I did read yelp and I'm good at saying no!

I am still keeping dollar as a back up, but I really wish they'd drop their prices so I didn't have to worry about it!

Yeah, I have absolutely no issues saying NO. I've used Advantage in the past and went through the whole 'no, no, no' thing with no problems. And I always charge my rental cars on Discover because I know if there's a problem, they will back me up with no issues and remove charges easily.

That said, where they lost me with Firefly was the cockroaches and the people who said the car they reserved wasn't available. Reserving a car for someone and then telling them it's not there and forcing them to pay for an upgrade, that pretty much sounds like bait and switch to me. My husband has NO patience for that type of stuff and like Cheryl said, I don't want to start the vacation on the wrong foot.

 

[CherylA]

You're right, Cheryl! That's a very good way to put it! I ran it by hubby because right now I have both cars reserved, and he said go with Dollar because at 10:30 at night he's in no mood to mess around lol. I have to look into the Dollar Express thing, I think maybe we can just sign up for that and walk straight to the car. That would make that $100 much more worthwhile. My 10 year-old is totally an early-to-bed kid and I know by the time we land he will be a beast!

Did you look into staying at the Hyatt at the airport the night before and then getting your car in the morning? Have to say that is another yes costs a little more but sooooo worth it thing when traveling into the airport later at night with kids, but of course depending on if you got some deal on your room you might not be able to knock the first night off. Just a thought cause I've been there done that and this time we're staying at the airport for our 1st night!

 

[ashleyrm]

Noticed some price drops on carrentalsavers.com this morning for my week (2/7 - 2/13). Budget has a full size for $226.70. My current national price of $210.09 is still lower, but getting ready to go check out individual car websites.

 

[CassieF]

Yay! I just booked through costco for Alamo at 148 TOTAL for 2/2-2/6, a 5 day rental! I'm dropping my firefly (thank goodness!) and dollar rentals, but will check back tomorrow...maybe they'll drop some more!

 

[ashleyrm]

Yay! I just booked through costco for Alamo at 148 TOTAL for 2/2-2/6, a 5 day rental! I'm dropping my firefly (thank goodness!) and dollar rentals, but will check back tomorrow...maybe they'll drop some more!

Glad you were able to get rid of the Firefly reservation! Are you a member of the Alamo insiders so you can pick up your car outside without going to the counter? Highly recommend it if you haven't signed up yet.

 

[Ranger111]

I did read yelp and I'm good at saying no!

All the women I know are experts at saying no...

Back to point, Enterprise has just dropped significantly for my April four-day. Two days ago they had dropped $100, so I reserved quickly. Then, this morning, down another $10.

Funny thing though, using my Emerald Corporate code with Enterprise boosted the rate by $90.

 

[nilseks]

Did you look into staying at the Hyatt at the airport the night before and then getting your car in the morning? Have to say that is another yes costs a little more but sooooo worth it thing when traveling into the airport later at night with kids, but of course depending on if you got some deal on your room you might not be able to knock the first night off. Just a thought cause I've been there done that and this time we're staying at the airport for our 1st night!

Yes, I actually looked into it, thanks. Couldn't find any good deals on the Hyatt, lowest I could find was $181. Granted it may go lower in the next 3 weeks but I figured I couldn't beat the other deal I found...got a room at the Best Western 2 miles from the airport for $48 total for the night. It has good reviews and a hot breakfast buffet (thus saving us breakfast costs) so I figured even if picking up the next day lowered my car rental costs, it would never offset it enough to make up the difference. Then the next day after going to AK we will check into our actual hotel for the week, Wyndham Bonnet Creek

 

[CherylA]

Yes, I actually looked into it, thanks. Couldn't find any good deals on the Hyatt, lowest I could find was $181. Granted it may go lower in the next 3 weeks but I figured I couldn't beat the other deal I found...got a room at the Best Western 2 miles from the airport for $48 total for the night. It has good reviews and a hot breakfast buffet (thus saving us breakfast costs) so I figured even if picking up the next day lowered my car rental costs, it would never offset it enough to make up the difference. Then the next day after going to AK we will check into our actual hotel for the week, Wyndham Bonnet Creek

Oh thats good, so once you get the car you only have to go up the street

 

[ashleyrm]

All the women I know are experts at saying no...

Back to point, Enterprise has just dropped significantly for my April four-day. Two days ago they had dropped $100, so I reserved quickly. Then, this morning, down another $10.

Funny thing though, using my Emerald Corporate code with Enterprise boosted the rate by $90.

Does your Corporate Code add additional insurance? I know mine does, but it's still usually cheaper. However, I have had the same thing happen that you saw.

Car rental stuff makes absolutely no sense...

 

[Belle599]

I also see large drops today. 2/8 to 2/17 9 days

Budget 218 Economy - Costco
Alamo 217 Compact - Costco

 

[CassieF]

Glad you were able to get rid of the Firefly reservation! Are you a member of the Alamo insiders so you can pick up your car outside without going to the counter? Highly recommend it if you haven't signed up yet.

I did...I love a good time saver!

 

[Belle599]

I also see large drops today. 2/8 to 2/17 9 days

Budget 218 Economy - Costco
Alamo 217 Compact - Costco

Downward progress from yesterday to today:

Budget 207 Economy - Costco
Alamo 198 Economy - Costco

 

[stormrider]

I had been watching Alamo for 2/9 - 2/12. The Economy rate had been sitting at $145 for the last couple of days. Checked it this morning and it was still $145. Just hit the site again, $86!

 

[CassieF]

Just changed my alamo for 132 total ($86 base) for my 5 day rental! I'm thrilled with that rate! No codes, just through costco!

 

[summerrluvv]

Okay so I'm reading horrible reviews online for Thrifty, old cars, lots of damage on them, and long waits at the counter. Sigh....wish Alamo would drop their rates!

 

[ashleyrm]

Noticed some price drops on carrentalsavers.com this morning for my week (2/7 - 2/13). Budget has a full size for $226.70. My current national price of $210.09 is still lower, but getting ready to go check out individual car websites.

Some rates creeping down. Dollar had a city special today for a standard for my dates for $210.49

Get a full size (if not better) from my current National Emerald Club. Will keep looking...