HELP! - Renting a minivan to drive from Wichita to WDW at Christmas

[poohmom3]

My DS-18 is going to be in the WDW CareerStart program from 8/14/06-1/3/07. My other DS-16 and I are thinking of renting a Mini-van starting 12/22 and then drive him back on 1/3 with all his stuff. Just doing some preliminary checks it seems like it would be cheaper than flying. I've never rented a vehicle before and don't really know where to start to find the best company, the best discounts, what insurance I should get, etc. Am I crazy for thinking we can do this or should I just spend to EXTRA money to fly, rent a car while we are there and ship his stuff back. I guess I'm just needing some reassuarance
Thanks for you tips & advice!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

First off, you are a little early to catch the good deals, but thats not a problem because rental cars do not have a cancellation fee. I would suggest first looking on sites like Expedia or Travelocity to find the company with the best rates. Then I would head over to mousesavers.com and check under their discount codes page for coupons/codes to lower your price. Then, I would book directly with the company. Also, check with your insurance company to see if you have rental coverage. If you do, DONT buy the insurance because its relativly expensive. Hope this helps...

 

[mamacatnv]

I would start looking and keep looking for rates. If you find something decent, book it, make a copy of the itinerary and keep it. Then keep looking, if something better comes along car rentals are easy to book and to cancel.

I booked my Dec rental car with Thrifty in January and so far the rates have not come anywhere near the great rate I got on a mini-van for a week, they are $3-400 higher.

Check local places where you live, sometimes the rates to locals are better. Also the different airline sites, have car rates as does Costco.com. Last year I got a great rate with Thrifty thru Southwest.com

I totally agree to check with your insurance co. also depending on the type of credit card you use to rent the vehicle the credit card co. has some rental perks like additional insurance if needed.

Lastly, when you pick up the rental, read all the fine print. Make sure you have unlimited miles, are allowed to take it out of state, have added extra drivers according to the rental co's policies, that the rate listed is what you were quoted, etc...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Reiterating one of mamacatnv's comments: Be 100% SURE you check the rental agency's policies on taking a rental out of state. If there's an extra charge for that, pay it.

 

[RockyMtnMaria]

If you decide to consider flying, be sure to go to www.airtran.com and check out their rates there. I've been able to find lower prices there, than what they pop up at on the search sites. We are flying out of Wichita for $89 each way, and it is a direct flight. There are six of us, and I think it is costing us less to fly than drive, but we are not renting there either, and don't have extra vacation time off work. Sat. seems to have the cheapest prices. If Sat. doesn't work, then check into flying Airtran out of Kansas City. They had daily cheap flights, but I didn't see any direct flights.

 

[robinb]

First off, you are a little early to catch the good deals, but thats not a problem because rental cars do not have a cancellation fee. I would suggest first looking on sites like Expedia or Travelocity to find the company with the best rates. Then I would head over to mousesavers.com and check under their discount codes page for coupons/codes to lower your price. Then, I would book directly with the company. Also, check with your insurance company to see if you have rental coverage. If you do, DONT buy the insurance because its relativly expensive. Hope this helps...

Actually, she's late on the good deals. I booked a Full Size back in January and rental car rates in MCO are all now hundreds of dollars more expensive.

Other than that, your advise is dead-on. Rates might be better in the OP's home town v/s MCO. The only thing I might add is for the OP to look into renting for two full weeks and not just 10-12 days. It can be cheaper to pick up the car a day or two earlier.

 

[szymon]

Tip: Check off-airport pickups as well as airport rentals. For example, a 2 week minivan rental with Budget is $680 from the Wichita airport, but $40 less if you pick up at a local office.

Szymon