Got great rate on minivan!!

[shariskates]

Just have to share the great rate I got on a minivan - got it through Dollar, who I've dealt with before. I used a code from Mousesavers.com and Orlando Magic card, then when I went on again tonight to modify the ressie and add my fast lane number in, it gave me another 10% off!!! So, we're getting a van for $237 including taxes and fees for a week! The original quote without codes or anything was much higher!

shariskates

 

[ACrider]

Wow, that is a great price! I was just going to post asking for cheap and decent rental car companies. Can you share the discount information, I'd love to do the same!

 

[thelionqueen]

Sounds like a great rate, but I would suggest you look up alamo on the transportation boards.

Very recently a customer was saying that Dollar was turning away confirmed reservations to higher paying customers. (since they got a low rate, the Mgr. told them they had no cars avail. even though customer saw several mini-vans in garage. Dollar Mgr. told customer to go to Avis. Avis mgr. said that this customer was one of several being turned away from Dollar, all of whom had great rates on Mini-vans)

Just check it out. I've never rented from Dollar, but saw this and it is concerning. BTW, I got a 12 day SUV rental from Alamo (official rental car of Disney) and am paying $275.00 for 12 days everything included.

Hope it helps!

 

[shariskates]

ACrider - goto Mousesavers.com and click on transportation and then rental cars. I don't think Mary wants the info posted on other sites. Once you're at the dollar page, look at the codes - I tried them all until I got the best rate. Then, I went back the next day to modify.

LionQueen - thanks for the head's up - I will definitely check Alamo for their rates too. I've used Dollar b4 without problems, which is why I was using them again.

shariskates

 

[Stephieann]

I got a good deal for a mini van on hertz. i am not sure how much but i know it was less than 300.. 230 or 250 i believe and that was during the holidays!!

 

[Kramer]

Great Rate... I'm sure Dollar will work out fine for you.

But our experience with them was not so great... we rented one time from Dollar and it was a TERRIBLE experience. Long story short... they advertised as being on-site at the airport and we ended up having to take a shuttle to an off-site lot and then we had to wait over two hours on line because they were way understaffed at the counter.

For our trip in May I got a Toyota Sienna minivan from Alamo for $230 plus tax ($288) for 8 days. I know I might be able to do go cheaper, but I learned my lesson that saving a few bucks is not worth the stress of renting at Dollar.

 

[mrsboz]

We've rented from Dollar - also minivan's for the last five out of six years and have never had a problem. We are also planning on using them again this year for our trip and now I am kind of concerned. Have these unfortunate situations just been of late?

Kramer - What did they say to you when you said that you thought that they were an onsite agency? I can't imagine having to do that. You must have been p'od. I think that I will check around before I book.

 

[horsegirl]

Can anyone help explain how to put the mousesavers code in to get the discounts? I have been trying to plug in the walmart discount and just cannot get it to go through. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance. I am doing the last piece of trip planning and was shocked at how much it might cost us for 12 days.

 

[Kramer]

Kramer - What did they say to you when you said that you thought that they were an onsite agency? I can't imagine having to do that. You must have been p'od. I think that I will check around before I book.

They had a counter at the airport, but there was no one there. We waited around for about 15 minutes before I asked the woman at the Hertz counter if I was in the right place. She told me that tDollar was short staffed and that we had to go outside and get on the shuttle to go off-site. Dollar didn't even bother to put a sign or note at their counter advising us of this. I was pretty ticked at that point, but nothing compared to how I felt after standing in line for two plus hours to get a car. A lot of people ahead of me in line were ready to strangle the manager and he wisely decided to give everyone a free day on their rental to prevent a riot. A nice gesture, but it still didn't make up for all the aggrevation it caused. I'm sure the OP will be fine with Dollar, but I would never deal with them again. I have never had an issue with Hertz or Alamo and I will stick to them from now on.

BTW... I passed up on a great bargain at Alamo.com using the Walmart code from Mousesavers... it was a mid-sized SUV (Chevy Equinox) for $127 for the week (May 14-21). I would have normally snapped it up, but with the second baby I think it might be too small for 3 suitcases and the stroller. I reserved a full size SUV (Chevy Trailblazer) for $167 and the Toyota Sienna for $230. I am still trying to decide which one to go with.

 

[mrsboz]

Kramer - how long ago was this that this happened to you? Just wondering because we are going in March. I wonder if they are still short handed.

I always rent a minivan because there are five of us, one in a baby seat plus all of our luggage. I would think that an SUV would be big enough for four of you but I don't know what the trunk space is.

 

[ohiomom28]

I used the walmart code on Budget's website and got a rate of 199 taxes included for 9 days.

 

[ACrider]

Just got done at Alamo's site and using discounts mentioned at mousesavers (the casino link), and now have a reservation for 8 days for a midsize SUV for $176. I standard SUV would be $207 for the same time period.

I am not real familiar with SUVs and am a little concerned a midsize is going to cramp us (usually we rent cars and get a full size - like a Ford Taurus size). I called and they said the vehicle could be a Chevy Equinox, an Aztek, a Rav4, a Wrangler.

We are a family of 4, no strollers/care seats but luggage for a week. Anybody with experience with a mid size SUV - is that plenty o room or will it be tight?

Either way, the rates seem very reasonable and I am pleased with that at least!
Amanda

 

[Kramer]

Kramer - how long ago was this that this happened to you? Just wondering because we are going in March. I wonder if they are still short handed.

I always rent a minivan because there are five of us, one in a baby seat plus all of our luggage. I would think that an SUV would be big enough for four of you but I don't know what the trunk space is.

It was about a year and a half ago and it was at Ft. Lauderdale airport, not Orlando. I'm sure you will do fine with them and we probably caught them on a bad day, but on principle I just couldn't deal with them again. I have also had a few friends mention problems with Dollar. I've been really happy with Hertz and Alamo, especially Alamo lately and will be sticking with them.

We've flown down to Florida from NJ 1-2 times a year for the last 6 years and the biggest thing I've learned is that cheap is good, but not always the best thing for our trip. I love to do things economically... thats why I'm here on the budget board. But you have to consider the value your getting for your money too. So if it comes down to $50 or $100 between Dollar and Alamo, we will go with Alamo and not stress about it.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Kramer]

Just got done at Alamo's site and using discounts mentioned at mousesavers (the casino link), and now have a reservation for 8 days for a midsize SUV for $176. I standard SUV would be $207 for the same time period.

I am not real familiar with SUVs and am a little concerned a midsize is going to cramp us (usually we rent cars and get a full size - like a Ford Taurus size). I called and they said the vehicle could be a Chevy Equinox, an Aztek, a Rav4, a Wrangler.

We are a family of 4, no strollers/care seats but luggage for a week. Anybody with experience with a mid size SUV - is that plenty o room or will it be tight?

Either way, the rates seem very reasonable and I am pleased with that at least!
Amanda

The Alamo site gives a little icon when you select the car that illustrates how much luggage they think the vehicle will hold. Go to Alamo.com and click on the Cars tab at the top of the page... it will give you all the available types of cars.

Accoding to Alamo, the midsized SUV will hold 4 adults, 1 child, and two small suitcases. Which I assume translates to a driver, a front seat passenger, and two adults and a child in the back seat with 2 small suitcases in the cargo area. I would have loved to grab this one up... it was $127 for 8 days but its just too small for us and our luggage. I will probably go with the full size SUV or switch to the minivan if my in-laws decide to go with us.

 

[MCazer]

I got a great rate with my BJ's coupon and membership discount for 10 days in a Standard SUV for $265.13 (June 22 - July 2). I usually rent a minivan, but even with the BJ's discount with taxes it came to: $430.78 for the same dates.

Standard SUV
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
or similar

4 adults 1 child 4 large suitcases 3 smaller suitcases

If you have a BJ's that you belong to, go pick up the new Car Rental Coupon sheet, you will need the coupon. I used the $20 off of 5 days or more, plus the regular discount. Without coupons: $317.64

Total savings of $51.56 just for my BJ's membership!

 

[ACrider]

If you go to costco.com and through their Alamo link, there is a pretty good discount - I used the $25 off coupon and my total for an standard SUV came to $195 for 8 days. I'm pleased as punch with that and have the reservation made.

As soon my *********** membership number comes in, I'll go back and redo it with pre-pay and get another 15% off. whoopeee!

Checklist
Resort (timeshare ~free) CHECK
Airplane tickets for 5 Ohio<-->Florida ($700 total) CHECK
Car rental - SUV Alamo ($200ish) CHECK
Park tickets (7 day hopper for 4-$872) CHECK
total so far: $1800 ish

Excitement and anticipation (priceless!)

 

[thelionqueen]

If you go to costco.com and through their Alamo link, there is a pretty good discount - I used the $25 off coupon and my total for an standard SUV came to $195 for 8 days. I'm pleased as punch with that and have the reservation made.

As soon my *********** membership number comes in, I'll go back and redo it with pre-pay and get another 15% off. whoopeee!

Checklist
Resort (timeshare ~free) CHECK
Airplane tickets for 5 Ohio<-->Florida ($700 total) CHECK
Car rental - SUV Alamo ($200ish) CHECK
Park tickets (7 day hopper for 4-$872) CHECK
total so far: $1800 ish

Excitement and anticipation (priceless!)

Do you have to use a Costco membership to get the additional 15% off? I noticed that you can do it without it too. Just wondering because my membership will expire shortly and don't know if I want to renew.

 

[graygables]

BTW, in early Dec, I had reserved a mid-size SUV w/ Alamo for $185 for 12 days. When I got there, they were out, so I was upgraded to a full size SUV for no extra charge. The counter person told me that was not uncommon, so something to keep in mind!

 

[ACrider]

lionqueen:

Nope, I do not have a membership with Costco. I just went to their website and clinked on the travel link and the rental car link and then the Alamo link and three "deals" came up - clicked on the one that suited me best and the right codes and what not just popped in when it sent me to the Alamo site.


Amanda

 

[wekhogan]

I couldn't find a minivan rental for 10 days in January for anything under $350 so I tried Priceline and got a minivan from National for $226 total. Very happy!!