Help! Can't find decent car rental rate for 12/21 - 1/5

[Dagny]

Yikes! I about had a heart attack when checking rental car prices today. I usually travel for two weeks when going to Orlando and have never paid more than $300-$400 for the two weeks with a Intermediate/Standard sized car. When I checked rates today, the price was about $800 for two weeks. I know Christmas falls into this time period, but jeeezzzzzzz. Has anyone found a decent rate at any rental car company for this time frame? Please let me know who you used and what code, if applicable.


Thanks in advance!

 

[dvc guy]

Christmas is SUPER HIGH season . We travel to MCO and Florida over christmas all the time. Very few if any companies honor coupons and prices are always high. I usually book my car 8 months in advance if possible. At this point in time I don't thnk you will get a full size for a lot less the 400. Maybe you can try priceline.

 

[Dagny]

I would happy with $400, LOL. Right now I am in the $800 range - I just can't afford it. I haven't tried priceline... yet. I got as far as to put in my price and they came back and said to try $52 per day! NOT

 

[Minnietta]

Do you have a Disney visa card? I just reserved a minivan yesterday for Dec 30-Jan 5 for $192 (includes taxes) from Alamo. You have to use the Disney Visa Card ID and they had sent a coupon in the mail. The coupon also gives you a free day at the time of rental so it will be even cheaper! I looked up your dates and it came to $476 for a minivan without the free day! This is for pickup at the Dolphin or Car Care Center. We figured we are still saving money taking Tiffanys to WDW and picking up the minivan there. They weren't available at the airport. Love the Disney Visa Card!!!

 

[drp4video]

About a month ago I got THrifty (not my first choice as not on site) for $185 from Dec 23 to Jan 2. IT is an economy car tho. IT is just me and DD so we don't need anything larger. Went to mousesavers and used a code.

 

[jiminy14]

Just booked a minivan through Thrifty for our Christmas vacation 12/24-1/3/05. Cost for 11 days was $344 with all taxes. Last year I paid over $450 with National for a full-size for the same amount of time. You can use code AU02 but it is only good on minivans and economy class cars. HTH

 

[Minnietta]

Jiminy14......is the AU02 code available to anyone? Under the terms and conditions, it talks about Wal-Mart card qualifications. Don't know if it is a general statement or meant for that code. Do you know? Got a fantastic rate with them!

 

[mareed]

I've run into the same problem as you with our trip over XMAS. I'm using the AU02 code from Mousesavers.com from Thrifty for other family members, but we're staying longer, like you are, and the code doesn't seem to work for longer stays. What I found was that I could make 2 back to back reservations. In your case, I checked on Dec. 21 - Dec. 28 and the total for a minivan was $215. Then I checked Dec. 28 - Jan. 5 & the total was $258.23.

This gives a grand total of $473.33, and I'm guessing you'd probably have to make a trip back to the airport to return it and either get the same vehicle back or possibly another vehicle.

 

[Dagny]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have gotten it down a bit by splitting it into two reservations (using National and dropping off and picking up at the Dolphin). For some reason, I couldn't use the AU02 code from Thrifty, although I didn't try to split the reservation. I have a very early flight on the 5th (7:00 am) and I don't want to use an offisite rental car agency anyway.... I am definitely not a morning person.

 

[jiminy14]

Minnietta...I used the code on my last vacation (August) and had no problems. The clerk did not ask for any Walmart ID. Just handed him the confirmation and picked up the minivan. No pressure for added insurance either!
The code is also listed on Mousesavers under Thrifty.