Help!I'm in tears over van rental!

[dutton]

I must be an idiot! I have been to Budget,National,Dollar and can't get a good rate!how does every one get good deals?I went to Mousesavers.com and used an LY code at Budget for a van for 199.00 but it gave me 314.99!I did use another code and got 275.34 (that's w/tax) at Budget. What am I doing wrong? I need a mini-van from Dec.7-Dec14 from Savannah,Ga. Does location matter?I am a DC member.I tried national a coule of mos ago and the rate was about 300.00.My van is old and my husband doesn't want to risk breaking down! It's getting new trans. as we speak!How does priceline work?I would like to spend around 200. Please,can anyone help?

 

[drusba]

Location can matter; for example you are likely to find more bargain rates in locations that are tourist attractions. Also, important is timing. Often you won't see the best rates until a month or two before you go.

 

[JandD Mom]

Every time I have rented a minivan I have done so through priceline. I have had luck getting the van in the $20-23 per day range in Fla. Don't know about GA but it's worth a try. Good luck.

 

[robinb]

Are you returning the car to GA or FL? That makes a big difference. Returning a car to a different state will make it a one-way rental.

Honestly, I don't think your $275 is all that bad if it includes all taxes. Taxes in Savanah are about 20% plus $8 for other fees, so you're base rate is around $225.

 

[mickeyinjune]

We used Dollar with the FVG code but I had o call because the online price was higher. We paid $209 for the week in Orlando ($262 inclluding taxes and surcharges).

 

[jel0511]

Unfortunatly, what you don't realize is that when you see a rate of $199 for a minivan, there are many taxes/surcharges that are added onn, usually to the tune of $40 - 50 for a $200 rental. It does really stink, but the rate you got of $275 seems reasonable. You are also not renting in Orlando, which is where these rates are based. We rented a car in Fort Lauderdale, and then drove up to Orlando, the car cost us $30 more for the week, just by renting it in Fort Lauderdale. There wasn't a one way charge, and if I'd picked up the car in Orlando and dropped it off in Fort Lauderdale, the price would have been cheaper, go figure. You can try priceline, since you just want the lowest price, not the best location. Just remember put in a daily rate that with taxes will get you to the rate you're want, not before.

 

[musical2]

I am curious about the code that got you the $275 rate with taxes from Budget. What is it? It sounds good to me.

Bart

 

[robinb]

jel0511,

Car companies usually do not charge a "one way" charge to drop off somewhere else in Florida. However, I've seen where it's more expensive to drop off at one location than the location you picked it up at. I've argued sucessfully that the price shoud be the same since the rental car company claimed no drop off fees. I think it was Alamo.

 

[dutton]

The code I used was either x251000 or x002808. You enter the code in the BCD code field. I got them from mousesavers.com. My DH just had a new transmission put in my van so now he is thinking that we'll just drive it. Who knows?! Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[wdwnutze]

I just had a mini-van(Budget) last week that I got through priceline. My total for 7 days was $210 and that included all taxes and everything. I made a bid of $23 a day. I'd try that for a good deal.

 

[Ms. Diz]

Priceline can get you some very good rates. But remember, you don't choose the agency so it could be off site, if that is important to you.