Has anyone ever rented a car from SFB?

[CJK]

We're flying into this airport for the first time this year and want to rent a car. I haven't looked into all the coupons and codes out there yet, but regular prices for an ECONOMY car with all the car rental companies for 2 weeks is between $600 and $800 (depending on the company). This is WAY more expensive than what we've ever paid at St. Petersburg airport or MCO. We've always managed to pay less than $400 for 2 weeks, often with priceline but sometimes just through codes found online or through the entertainment book. I've bid up to $15 for an economy car and haven't gotten anything. Admittedly we are still about 4 months out from our trip, but this is when I've usually booked our cars before. What do you think? Should I wait and try again in a few weeks?

 

[goofy4tink]

We're flying into this airport for the first time this year and want to rent a car. I haven't looked into all the coupons and codes out there yet, but regular prices for an ECONOMY car with all the car rental companies for 2 weeks is between $600 and $800 (depending on the company). This is WAY more expensive than what we've ever paid at St. Petersburg airport or MCO. We've always managed to pay less than $400 for 2 weeks, often with priceline but sometimes just through codes found online or through the entertainment book. I've bid up to $15 for an economy car and haven't gotten anything. Admittedly we are still about 4 months out from our trip, but this is when I've usually booked our cars before. What do you think? Should I wait and try again in a few weeks?

I have rented at SFD multiple times. Keep watching the rental sites. Prices do fluctuate. People are reporting that car rental costs are higher than usual lately..not sure why. I doubt you'll get anything for close to $15 in a bid though. Things have changed..not sure when the last time you rented was, but like I said, it has gotten expensive lately. Keep looking and book when you get a rate you can live with.

 

[CJK]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like I may have to pay more this time. Our last rental was this past February and then August of last year. I'll keep my eyes open in the meantime. Thanks again!

 

[greenclan67]

I rented a car through Alamo, and coupons found on carrentalsavers.com, and checked almost daily!I ended up getting a midsize for March Break from March 10th to 23rd. Checking daily, I ended up getting it for $243. all taxes and fees in. You just have to keep checking. I got a friend of mine that was travelling with us for a week, out of SFB as well, for $111 for the week in a full size!

 

[nacho113]

We're flying into this airport for the first time this year and want to rent a car. I haven't looked into all the coupons and codes out there yet, but regular prices for an ECONOMY car with all the car rental companies for 2 weeks is between $600 and $800 (depending on the company). This is WAY more expensive than what we've ever paid at St. Petersburg airport or MCO. We've always managed to pay less than $400 for 2 weeks, often with priceline but sometimes just through codes found online or through the entertainment book. I've bid up to $15 for an economy car and haven't gotten anything. Admittedly we are still about 4 months out from our trip, but this is when I've usually booked our cars before. What do you think? Should I wait and try again in a few weeks?

We have flown into Sanford 5 times in the past 4 years, MCO twice and TPA once. Never paid more than $80-100 per week (taxes in) at MCO or TPA, but best I've ever managed at SFB was $160/week (taxes in) except this last trip April 2012 when I managed to snag a last minute deal from National for $84 taxes in (got this price the day before our flight, had been almost $200 up until that point).
Generally SFB's rates have been 50-100% more expensive than MCO or TPA on our last 8 trips into Florida, but we've been flying Allegiantair so we've been saving tons on the flights. More than makes up for the extra $50 or $60 for the rental car and I love the small quiet airport.
Best advise is to book the best deal you can find now (don't book a non refundable rental) and then watch the prices closely especially when you get down to the last week or 2 before your departure. Rebook if any better deals become available. Monday of the week of/before departure date seems to be when any of the super deals show up. Check the "last minute deals" link on the car company's website for the best deals in that 1-2 week before departure range. As I mentioned earlier, the super deal we got this year was when I was having one last look for deals, the day defore we flew.