HELP, where are all the cheap rental cars?

[Merilyn]

I am arriving on May 1 PM and I can't find anything reasonable for rent. We are traveling from SFB airport as that is where our airline lands. We have been coming to WDW for years and have never seen such high prices. We usually get a minivan but they are just too high. I even thought about 2 cars but again, very high. Does anyone know where to get a good price on a rental car? Thanks

 

[MFMont]

I am arriving on May 1 PM and I can't find anything reasonable for rent. We are traveling from SFB airport as that is where our airline lands. We have been coming to WDW for years and have never seen such high prices. We usually get a minivan but they are just too high. I even thought about 2 cars but again, very high. Does anyone know where to get a good price on a rental car? Thanks

In the past, i have found that the best way to rent a car is through the "priceline.com website" where you name your own price. I generally look at the prices of Avis, Hertz ect. and start by taking off 50+% retail. My family is small so i start with the smallest size that we could comfortably fit in. If i get denied, i increase the size of the car and the amount per day that i will pay. So it goes something like, I offer $19 per day for a mid sized, if i dont get it, I offer $22 for standard, then $25 for a full sized, and so on until i either get a car or run out of options. Remember, you only get one shot per vehicle size for your required dates. I typically wont do this until 3 or 4 weeks before my trip as there are no rufunds.

If the car you wind up with is somewhat small, they almost always offer size upgrades at the counter for a few $'s more. Like with anything though you may have to play some hardball to keep your good deal intact.

Also one indication that you are in the right direction on price is that you will get a warning before submiting the price that it is very low

Funny thing is that i have actually been turned down on all my prices during a very busy time slot, only to be contacted by price line at a later date with ver good offers. Its almost like the rental car companies shift a bunch of cars to an area until they have a surplus.

Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[MFMont]

I also just noticed that you are flying into Sanford? You may find it cheaper to get ground transport to DW area and make your rental car ressie in orlando airpot or disney area and pick up the car after you get to your hotel.

 

[Atotty]

After several days of researching prices, codes, low bidding, etc....

I did name your own price at Priceline and got
Apr 28-May 4 Full Size Car Hertz MCO $143.88 total car and fees

 

[seashoreCM]

Prices go up and down a lot. Keep checking back.

You may find a spread of everyday low prices on Travelocity dot com but it is better to book directly with the rental company. For coupon specials you have to go to each individual site and plug them in.

 

[Sandisw]

WE have found that it is much cheaper to rent from Alamo/National at the Dolphin then from the airport.

This summer, we are taking ME to BWV and picking up a van the next day. We are then returning it the day before we leave and taking ME back to the airport.

For the minivan we rented, it was $400 cheaper doing it this way. Good luck!

 

[mmmgood]

You can try here:

http://www.carrentalsavers.com/florida-car-rental.html

They have some reasonable rates for SFB on your date. Car rental prices seem to have been high recently. I would also keep looking as they have been coming down closer to rental dates.

 

[jekjones1558]

We are flying into Tampa on May 3 and renting a full size SUV from Budget (Ford Explorer). I got this code: U102800 in an email from Budget and anyone can use it. For my dates it is $199/week plus taxes. I also used a Costco coupon that I entered when making the reservation but will be applied when I return the car, so you might want to check for coupons online or if you belong to SAMS, Costco, or other association.
This code was better than anything else I have found for a big vehicle for our dates. Good luck!

 

[WINTER]

thanks for the tip on carrentalsavers.com. I saved a few more dollars on my intermediate car. I have it for 1 week plus 1 day for $195. Not too bad considering the prices of car rates right now! And that includes the taxes.

 

[Tony NY]

the trick to finding a good rate it to use a member ship discount code ...
examples Master card AAA Costco BJ's and even some car insurce compay like all state has discount codes for renting a car .. I got a good deal with my Costco code a full size Suv for $ 250 total ...

 

[JennSaint]

www.mousesavers.com list alot of codes and coupons for savings on car rentals. I often use FFlyer airline discount and also a coupon.

 

[dishguy1977]

the trick to finding a good rate it to use a member ship discount code ...
examples Master card AAA Costco BJ's and even some car insurce compay like all state has discount codes for renting a car .. I got a good deal with my Costco code a full size Suv for $ 250 total ...

Which company did you use the Costco code through to get the full size SUV? How many days was the $250 for??

 

[Tony NY]

Which company did you use the Costco code through to get the full size SUV? How many days was the $250 for??

I used this one form Costco because I did not use the overnight saturday

ID# Customer #
7014627 AD63637RM because I did not use the overnight saturday

but is you are using an overnight saturday you might want to use this one
ID# Customer #
7015309 AD8221SDF

 

[Merilyn]

I finally got my car. I used priceline and got a minivan for 210 plus fees for a week. It came to about 290 total. That is the same as our last trip so I am happy. The only thing was I had to prepay and can't cancel but that should be fine this close to the trip. Thanks for all your great ideas. I had never used priceline before but certainly will in the future!

 

[kittyk15]

I'm having a hard time too. 5/1 - 5/7 One way rental on a Minivan from Tampa to Orlando. Cheapest I found was $487 through Dollar- booking with the link from Vacation Outlet. Most of what I found was $600-$800!

 

[jnadelman]

You can try here:

http://www.carrentalsavers.com/florida-car-rental.html

They have some reasonable rates for SFB on your date. Car rental prices seem to have been high recently. I would also keep looking as they have been coming down closer to rental dates.

I just checked this and they have a great rate for our trip. Is it easy to cancel the reservation if things change? Is it actually "booked" through the agency or is it only via car rental savers?

 

[mmmgood]

I just checked this and they have a great rate for our trip. Is it easy to cancel the reservation if things change? Is it actually "booked" through the agency or is it only via car rental savers?

It is easy to cancel and it is booked through the agency.

 

[jacdolfin]

I dont know if you found a good rate for your rental car or not but try this. I to am flying into SFB. Go to www.budget.com use BCD code X474200 and coupon code MUGZ029 for $30 off at the time you return the car. I got a minivan for $298 with taxes and you get $30 back if you return the van in good condition. That rate makes me smile cant beat it. Another option is to check out www.carrentalsavers.com Hope this helps.