How far in advance to reserve rental car?

[stevemaxwellrn]

Hello,

My wife, kids, and I will be spending 8 days in Orlando (Disney, SeaWorld, Universal) during the first two weeks of December this year. I was wondering when would be the best time to reserve a car in order to get the best price?

I travel frequently for work and know that usually if you reserve a car the week before your trip you can get some good rates...as long as the company still has cars the size you are looking for...but don't know if this would work for the Orlando airport rental car facilities as well.

Thanks!

 

[NC Disney Fan]

Can't you start looking for deals in November for December (or earlier if they are offering them(and book just so you are assured something?). Then if you find a better deal the week before as you say there are, you could cancel the first one and go with the better deal? That's what I would do. Hey, doesn't one of the travel sites like Priceline offer a price guarantee so you get the lowest price regardless? I am in the same boat with a Sept trip. I found last year that at the beginning of the month, they dropped the rates so I booked then. Since I've only booked from NC to Disney and back, i don't know about local rates.

 

[rwdavis2]

Once we have the flights booked I book a car. It can always be changed.

 

[wdwrich]

I find the best deals on rental cars about a month or so out from my travel dates. However, unless you book a pre-paid reservation, there's no penalty to cancel and rebook, so go ahead and book the best deal you can find now and keep checking for better deals all the way up to your trip. Sometimes you can find great last-minute deals just days before you leave.

 

[Greysword]

I agree with Davis and Rich. Book immediately at the current price! Sometimes, it is the least expensive.

Then, keep an eye on the DIS and the rental companies of your choice and if there is a sale or better deal for your travel days, then book the new one and cancel the old.

In summary, book now and keep looking.

 

[richmo]

I agree with the earlier posts. Once you have your flight times, go ahead and book something non-binding. Then check back occasionally to see if the rates get better. My experience has been that the best rates are about 7-14 days before you depart. Since you're early December, I think you'll do very well.