Has anyone from Chicago ever rented a mini-van from National?

[tiggersgirl]

Hi!
This is my first time on the transportation board and I'm speechless over some of the rates you all are getting!

Last year we rented for 10 days from Enterprise and it cost us over $1000!!!
I thought we would be paying the same this year until I saw a thread about National on the Resort board.

Due to a thread on the resort board and Mousesavers, tonight I joined the Emerald Club and I went to Mousesavers to see how to maybe get some discounts and I really don't think I'm doing it correctly?

We're checking in at WDW on June 28 so we would be picking up the van on Jun 26 and we'll drop it off on July 7 (12 days)

We live in a suburb of Chicago so I think the only place we can pick up a van is at Midway or O'Hare, correct?
After plugging in the Emerald Club code and the Walmart code (my father and sister both work for Walmart) the lowest rate I could get for 12 days was $765.
Does this sound about right?

Compared to $1000+ it's great but I want to make sure I'm geting the lowest rate possible. Are there some steps I may be missing that could possibly get my rate lower? I just told my Dad about this and he can't believe it (he's still not up on this whole internet/discussion board thing!

Any help would very much be appreciated!

 

[Free4Life11]

Just to let you know, Chicago has an EXTREMELY HIGH rental car tax...I think it may be 18% or something like that. It's outrageous, so keep that in mind too!

I would wonder if maybe the tax is cheaper at rental agencies in the suburbs (if there are any that is)??

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The first thing you need to check is if it is ok to take that van out of state. Many agencies don't allow interstate rentals. Second, go to the National website and find out where they are located other than airports. Third, the fact that your brother and father work for Walmart is not important, anyone can use that code.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....And fourth, try and make it to the Gino's meet, hope to see you there. Check the link in my signature. Good luck on the van rental, the folks here on the DIS will help you get the VERY BEST rate.

Dan

 

[tiggersgirl]

Thanks for the replies!

Ok, before I start panicking, I thought that most rental agencies assumed that people would use rental vehicles to travel on vacation outside of the state, I'll call tomorrow to make sure National allows interstate rental. That goes to show you how much I know LOL!

I tried to check other locations National listed as pick up points and the message came back that EA was not available and no vehicles availiable at the other pick up station I tried which was North LaSalle, however ER was available for vans at the 2 airports, O'Hare and Midway. I'll try again to make sure I'm doing it correctly or I'll try all other points in Chicago to be sure.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by tiggersgirl
Thanks for the replies!

Ok, before I start panicking, I thought that most rental agencies assumed that people would use rental vehicles to travel on vacation outside of the state, I'll call tomorrow to make sure National allows interstate rental. That goes to show you how much I know LOL!

I tried to check other locations National listed as pick up points and the message came back that EA was not available and no vehicles availiable at the other pick up station I tried which was North LaSalle, however ER was available for vans at the 2 airports, O'Hare and Midway. I'll try again to make sure I'm doing it correctly or I'll try all other points in Chicago to be sure.

Thanks again for the help!

You don't need to use ER for a rental. If they don't offer it, just try a regular non EC rental.
I think you might want to call National reservations and see if they can help.
No, never make the assumption that most rental agencies assume that people will go out of state with the rental. Happily, they don't assume anything, God only knows what they would start to assume if they did. Best bet is to ask questions, tell the agent what you are going to do with the vehicle and go from there.

 

[anabelle]

OK this is what I get at South Halsted. Remember that this station is not open 24 hours. This is with the Entertainment rate and the 20 dollar off coupon.

Mini Van Auto A/C




Pick-up:
Harvey - South Halsted, IL
26-JUNE-2004 08:00 AM

Return:
Harvey - South Halsted, IL
07-JULY-2004 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 4 Day @ 77.49 309.96
Time & Distance 1 Hour @ 38.74 38.74
Time & Distance 1 Week @ 387.44 387.44
Unlimited Distance-time & Distance 0 Distance @ 0.00 0.00

Base Rate _____
736.14

Less Discounts:
Discount -184.04
Entertainment 2004 Book -20.00

SubTotal _____
532.10


Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Mepa Arot Tax (6.0%) 31.93
Auto Rntl And Occupation Tax 5pct (5.0%) 26.61
Auto Rntl And Occupation Tax 1pct (1.0%) 5.32

Total Estimate _____
595.96

 

[tiggersgirl]

Thank you all very much!

Anabelle, I hate to ask a stupid question but in your breakdown, where exactly was
the $184.04 discount from? Is that the National Emerald Club discount?

As for the Entertainment discount, I don't have an Entertainment book yet, should I wait to get it before I call or can I show the coupon at pickup?
Does National help you find the best rate or should I be armed with coupons, discount codes etc. ?

 

[anabelle]

that is using the WWEB Product rate code with the Entertainment code and $20 off coupon code. You will need the coupon to get the discount. I think Mousesavers has the link to get the orlando book for $10. I have not found National to be very helpful on the phone , so I would book on line using the Entertainment codes. Check Mousesavers, they have a lot of codes you can try, but I have found that combo to be the best in the Chicago area.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by tiggersgirl
Thanks for the replies!

Ok, before I start panicking, I thought that most rental agencies assumed that people would use rental vehicles to travel on vacation outside of the state, I'll call tomorrow to make sure National allows interstate rental. That goes to show you how much I know LOL!

I think the agencies assume people are renting the min-vans at the airport when the get to their destination. Frequently the unlimited mileage deals don't apply if you take a rental car out of state. Be sue you read the fine print. I've rented from Enterprise when my car was in the shop. They were willing to add an adjoining state or just drop the unlimited mileage BUT give me a daily allowance that was more than enough.