How far out do you book your car rental?

[sullins5]

We're cruising in October, got our air booked, and precruise hotel booked. However, just how far out do you book your car rental? Does it really matter? I've found several codes I could use now, but it feels too early to me. We need a vehicle to seat 7 from MCO - PC arriving on the 7th and turning in the 8th, and then renting from PC on the 15th back to MCO.



Our 1st DCL Cruise in Oct, celebrating my 50th birthday, inlaws 50th anniversary, just celebrating!

 

[dudspizza]

We're cruising in October, got our air booked, and precruise hotel booked. However, just how far out do you book your car rental? Does it really matter? I've found several codes I could use now, but it feels too early to me. We need a vehicle to seat 7 from MCO - PC arriving on the 7th and turning in the 8th, and then renting from PC on the 15th back to MCO.



Our 1st DCL Cruise in Oct, celebrating my 50th birthday, inlaws 50th anniversary, just celebrating!

I book as soon as I find a decent rate. I then watch rates like a hawk and cancel and rebook when I find a lower rate. I have ALMOST ALWAYS found better rates as I get closer to my trip. The one exception is my trip in 2.5 weeks. I booked a 10 day rental with National back on August 29th. It has not gone lower since. In fact, the rates are double and even triple what I am booked for.

The only thing you don't want to do is pre-pay or use something like Priceline if you want to cancel and rebook.

Duds

 

[VWLMember]

I book immediately and check pricing every couple of days and cancel/rebook as it drops.

Sometimes, like this time, the prices have actually almost doubled since i booked. So I win.

Since you don't have to prepay you can cancel and rebook as many times as you like!

 

[robinb]

I already have a car reservation for December 2011 .

 

[sullins5]

Oh no! I didn't know you could cancel and rebook. And there are no fees?
I had heard about joining the Budget frequent renting program, and I wondered about giving my cc to book because I didn't want a cancelling fee.
If I book with a discount now, and find something cheaper, there's no penalty?

Believe I'll have to check my codes again...hope I haven't missed a good deal. Anyone know what a great price is for a minivan or suv that seats 7?
So far the code I got said 65., but with taxes and all about 80. Thanks!

 

[dudspizza]

Oh no! I didn't know you could cancel and rebook. And there are no fees?
I had heard about joining the Budget frequent renting program, and I wondered about giving my cc to book because I didn't want a cancelling fee.
If I book with a discount now, and find something cheaper, there's no penalty?

Believe I'll have to check my codes again...hope I haven't missed a good deal. Anyone know what a great price is for a minivan or suv that seats 7?
So far the code I got said 65., but with taxes and all about 80. Thanks!

Most have no cancel fee, as long as you don't pre-pay. I am a member of National's Emerald Club and LOVE it. You can join for free through the link at http://www.mousesavers.com/national.html

I have all of my info on file with them and have never had problems... I have booked, cancelled, and rebooked over 20 times for 1 trip....... that is what is nice compared to airfare.... airfare you are basically stuck with what you pay, unless you are on an airline that will give you a credit. Car Rentals can still be worked to your advantage.....

Duds

 

[sullins5]

Thanks everyone! I know there are about 4 rental agencies that work well with going from MCO to PC, and will shuttle you to the ship. So, I'll check them out tomorrow and book! The way gas prices are going up, I'm wondering if every kind of transportation is going to be adding surcharges, fuel charges, fees, or anything else they can...I know flights already have!

I'll get bookin' on my booking! Thanks...and here I thought I was being silly!
Y'all sold me!

 

[n2mm]

Also someone who books in advance if the price is right. Often booking far out coupons aren't available. I've managed to modify and add the coupon later and retaining the same rate. Sometimes the rate drops as the time gets closer, but not always. National and Alamo for sure let you book and rebook with no fees invovled. I don't know about the others though. Sometimes the rate is lower if your rental time is long. I've reserved for May 2-14 and am getting a weekly base rate of $159 before taxes and fees, but if I try to book one week instead of 12 days, the base rate is much higher than that. Good luck! And watch the trans. board as we like to keep everyone informed of any great deals we find!

BTW -- we always found it cheaper to rent a car at the airport and pay the parking at the Port than doing 2 rentals. The parking is $15 a day (at least it was in November 2010). Then when we get off the ship we go right back to our same car (which we store a few things we don't want to take onboard -- like strollers). So crunch both set of numbers.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I'd probably just book a van to take us back and forth:

http://www.happylimo.com/orlando_limousine_rates.html#10_passenger_van_rate_sheet

$240 round-trip, so let's say you tip $30 each way for a total of $300. That's about $20 per person each way.

I'd be mildly shocked if you could find a one-way rental that you could get for $150 for the day that will allow you to transport 7 people plus all their luggage. Also, if you rent, you'll likely use about 3 gallons of gas each way, which would tack on an additional $20 to the cost of the round-trip rental.

 

[visitingapril09]

Well I made our reservations about 10 months in advance. The price looked really good and I had some great discount codes to use. So my 2 week van rental is $500. Now I check prices for when we are going we are going and it is 3 times the price.

 

[crazik]

Try Hotwire.com
we got the best deal EVER on a rental car a few weeks ago in Orlando. It was much cheaper then any codes I could find...

 

[Luv2Diz]

I've already booked our rental car for September. Since we are flying SWA, I am fairly confident that our arrival and departure flight times won't change.
As a rule, I generally end up cancelling and rebooking rental cars 4 - 5 times as prices usually get cheaper closer to the departure date. This is not always the case, though. I am happy with the rate I currently have booked using Costco, but would be glad to see it drop even lower as our trip date nears.

 

[robinb]

Try Hotwire.com
we got the best deal EVER on a rental car a few weeks ago in Orlando. It was much cheaper then any codes I could find...

Hotwire and Priceline are only a good deal ONLY IF your plans are 100% set in stone. Reservations are paid in full and completely non-refundable.

 

[sullins5]

Wow you guys!! I had NO idea..guess I'll be looking at hotwire, at priceline, at joining memberships, at figuring which way to book...geesh!!

I thought I had a pretty good deal with a minivan that held 7, going from MCO to PC on the 7th arriving the 8th, and then a return on the 15 back to Mco.
I had gotten a quote of $65 plus applicable taxes (I think totalling 83 or so), so I figured for basically roundtrip...it was gonna cost me 170 or so. I'm soooo !

So thank you..lol, guess I'll be spending my weekend checking out all the deals...

and yep..I'll keep watching for more!

 

[robinb]

Book that deal right away and work on making it better!

 

[sullins5]

Book that deal right away and work on making it better!

Yes Ma'am!!!I'm on here now! And thanks..

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Yes Ma'am!!!I'm on here now! And thanks..

Just be sure that minivan you reserve will have enough storage for the luggage for seven people.

I know ours didn't have enough space for 7 people and 4 large bags and 4 carry-ons.

 

[grumpytx]

I have booked sometimes 6 months out but kept watching for better deals. In his second reply to you, DUDSPIZZA, gave you a good link to reference. I have had good experience with DOLLAR at MCO(Orlando), they usually run city pair specials that are a good deal.

 

[sullins5]

Thanks guys...been a busy weekend, but gonna book soon!

 

[sullins5]

Just be sure that minivan you reserve will have enough storage for the luggage for seven people.

I know ours didn't have enough space for 7 people and 4 large bags and 4 carry-ons.

So-o-o-o what'd you do?