Holy Cow! What am I doing wrong?

[disneydani1]

I just called alamo to make an advanced reservation for Dec. 23 - Dec. 29, 2006 FOR A BASIC CAR. They quoted me $620!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus that's with a BJ'S Wholesale member discount. I planned on picking up the car at the Dolphin Resort.

Doesn't that seem way over the top! I could see if I was renting a Hummer or something !

Is it because of the Christmas holiday? If so, that's pretty rude and a total rip off!!!

 

[ducklite]

Your going during the busiest week of the year. Why is it rude or a rip-off? It's a free market economy--they will charge the highest price that the market will bear, they have no reason not to.

Try another company.

Anne

 

[disneydani1]

Well I'm sorry. I don't operate that way. I will try another company. Would you pay that? I think it's totally wrong the way society operates sometimes.

 

[ducklite]

If it was a competitive rate compared to other companies, then yes, I'd pay it. I would expect that any travel expenses during peak seasons would be much higher. If I didn't want to pay higher costs I'd limit my travel to off-peak seasons.

Anne

 

[disneydani1]

Well we love to visit Disney during Christmas, and no I won't limit my precious vacation time to off peak seasons because of this. Thanks for the advice anyway. By the way, if we all started standing up for the values and things we believe in maybe, just maybe we could make a small positive change somewhere...

 

[ducklite]

Well we love to visit Disney during Christmas, and no I won't limit my precious vacation time to off peak seasons because of this. Thanks for the advice anyway. By the way, if we all started standing up for the values and things we believe in maybe, just maybe we could make a small positive change somewhere...

You always have the option of DME.

BTW--My values and beliefs are in a free market economy. While I don't believe in price gouging during the time of crisis, a vacation during peak time isn't a crisis. It's a lot different than jacking up the price of bottled water because of a flood, or plywood before a hurricane--it's a want as opposed to a need. The flip side is socialism. No thanks. The former Soviet Union proved that doesn't work.

Anne

 

[disneydani1]

DME? Please elaborate, do you mean Mears?

 

[grimley1968]

DME = Disney's Magical Express

 

[disneydani1]

Oh, I see. Let me explain, we are staying at the Boardwalk for almost 2 weeks but part of that time we planned a sidetrip for my girls as part of their Christmas gift. So I was looking to do the daytrips but return to the Boardwalk at night.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

My friend and I stayed off property without a car and used the resort shuttles, taxi's and limo's all week. Even all that was cheaper than the $600 you were quoted. My friend called around the local transp companies & used coupon rates to bring the cost of those down even further.

~Yes, I think it's a rip off for them to jack the prices up like that, holiday or not~

 

[mamacatnv]

I got a mini van thru Thrifty.com for 12/25/06-1/1/07 for $220.00 plus tax, will come in right around $280.00. Part of the problem is the Dolphin/Swan pick-up location, I have found that to be really expensive. I would also check SW airlines web site, I got a similar deal for the same time frame last year thru SouthWest Airlines web site.

I know from experience that you just need to keep looking. The nice thing about rental cars is you have a lot of flexibility, it is not like once you reserve it you are stuck.

Last year we didn't even decide to go to FL until the very end of August and I still got the great rate thru SW/Thrifty.

I have also read that there are some great rates thru COSTCO travel co.

I would just keep looking and when you find something reasonable, book it and if you find a better deal, then cancel and re-book. The rental cars in Fl, especially the family size go quickly and can be spendy due to the high demand. If you search the transportation forum you may see some more hints about current specials.

Good Luck
MamaCatNV

 

[disneydani1]

Thank you very much for agreeing! Some people just don't get it and I'll leave it at that. Have a nice weekend.

 

[ducklite]

You can probably get a lower rate by changing your dates--either earlier or later than where you are now.

Anne

 

[snickerboo]

Are you using their internet site? They (Alamo) have great 'intenet' specials with unlimited miles. We've booked an SUV for less than $200 for the week.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Try National, but first join the Emerald Club (currently it's a free membership). Using your dates and pickup/dropoff location, through Emerald Club I can get a full size car for $216.98 (I didn't add in any extras like insurance).