How close to your vacation have you booked your rental car?

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
What's the longest you've waited? I usually get the best rate about 6 weeks out. I'm still not finding anything good for the last week of April for a minivan.

 

[dioxide45]

Don't wait, no need to. Book as far ahead as possible, keep checking and rebook and cancel if you find a better rate.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Don't wait, no need to. Book as far ahead as possible, keep checking and rebook and cancel if you find a better rate.

Really? You don't think that would be unethical of me? I've thought of doing it but I thought it might adversely affect a companies inventory. For example, if they think all their cars are promised, they might raise rates. Etc.

 

[airhead]

I booked my Budget rental for July last November. I used a code for a full size car,got a great rate of $269(tax and fees included!) for 11 days. Right now,that's the best I'm seeing
but I'm confident as my vacation nears I'll get an even better rate!!!

 

[tkldisney]

I book my car right after my flights are confirmed. I check for rate changes frequently, but once I get to about 45 days out, I check daily. The rates always go down and I just make a new reservation, then cancel the old one. I never have more than one car reserved at a time so I'm not taking up inventory.
I've only had once where the rates went up, so was glad I had my reservation. If a coupon code shows up, I just apply that to my existing reservation.

I use Alamo, National, or Avis to avoid the counter.