How early do you book your rental car?

[StitchGirl]

Hi everyone--

I'm wondering how early all of you book your rental car? I'm traveling in August, and the rates now seem to be rather high (although I suppose it is the dates I am traveling). However, it seems like a lot of the potential discounts are only good until the end of June or July.

Do you find that the rates get better if you wait a little while??

Thanks!!

 

[betterlatethannever]

There is no penalty for booking now. If the rates do drop, you can make a new one and cancel the old one. And if they drop some more, do the same thing. I have made about 8 reservations (canceling 7) for our trip. I probably did four of the ressies in one day as I tried different contract and coupon combinations.

Ed

 

[beattyfamily]

I book as soon as I know when I need it and then if it goes down, I cancel and re-book.

So far pretty much every time I book early it's the best rate I get with maybe going down once or twice but still pretty far out from when my trip is.

The earlier the better is what I've expereinced but many report the rate going down right before their trip.

My rates are high this year. My end of August trip is $184 total for 7 days and my end of October trip is $214 for 8 days total.

Last year I paid $110 for 7 days, the year before $205 for 8 days and the year before $179 for 10 days....just to give you an idea. They were all with National and all booked as early as possible but if it went down, I canceled and rebooked.

 

[patster734]

I agree with betterlatethannever. Book now and when/if lower rates appear, cancel and rebook. For my trip beginning May 13 for 5 days, I had a midsize rental for $165.73 from Alamo that I booked back on March 26. A few hours ago, I checked Alamo's last minute rates and was able to get a compact car for $89.74 for the same dates. Both rates include all applicable fees and taxes.