How far out should I look for rental car (National)?

[Beca]

I just got on National's website, and using the Priceless code and the Entertainment coupon, I got a quote of almost $400 for an intermediate for one week!!

I know this price will drop, but I don't know when I should start looking. Does anyone have advice for this based on previous years' experience?

TIA,



Beca

 

[DonnaL]

what are the dates you're looking at? I booked with National a few weeks ago for 12/10 thru 12/17 for an intermediate .......did use a discount code, but, don't have the printout in front of me and don't remember what it was
and my price is $118.00 total. I do remember a few years back we rented for
part of Christmas week (I think we were there 12/30 thru 1/5) and it was a
LOT more expensive than when we travel during off weeks. DH and I were just there mid May and our intermediate was $125.00 total for six days.

 

[Beca]

We were doing Nov 26th thru Dec 3rd. I wonder if us going down the Sat afther Thanksgiving is messing us up?



Beca

 

[dudspizza]

If you see a rate you like, book it. There is no cancellation charges for car rental agencies, so you can cancel and rebook any time you find it cheaper. I did this a dozen times for me recent trip.

Duds

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with Dudspizza......if you can get a decent price, book it ....you can always cancel and rebook at lower price. However, I do believe the higher price is due the Thanksgiving weekend. As I said in my earlier post, the only time we've paid a higher price for a rental was when some of the dates fell during the Christmas week. At other times I've never paid more than $125.00
for an intermediate for a week.......I believe once we even got a minivan for
about $190.00 total. We've always used Alamo since we get the AP discount, but, after last trip DH wants to use National (booked for December) since the Alamo line just gets longer and longer every time.......in May he waited for
55 minutes in line at Alamo counter.

 

[beattyfamily]

I book my rental ASAP after I've booked my airfare and hotel.

I booked in January for November 25 - December 2. At first it was just over $200, it then came down to $179 which I booked and then it BRIEFLY came down in March to $149 and I JUMPED on it. Now it's over $400. I'm so glad I did.

Book as soon as you know your dates and then check the rates periodically to see if it's come down. If it does, make the new reservation with the lower price and then cancel the higher reservation.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I'm already booked for National Dec. 8-13th. I haven't even booked airfare yet, but wanted the $96.00 rate I found. Like others said, keep checking, and rebook if you find it cheaper, and then cancel the old one. I must have done that 12 times last trip.

 

[pjupton]

Wonder what is so special about October 1-9? I've used the Priceless code + entertainment book coupon for EA and can't seem to get it under $240.

 

[erikthewise]

Weekend after Thanksgiving is expensive. We did that a couple years ago and I ended up paying twice the usual rate. But the rate got even worse as the date approached (I kept checking.) Book now and check daily to see if it comes down.

 

[Beca]

Thanks everyone!!

I guess I alread "missed the boat" on cheap prices for that week!! I did, however, book to pick up the car on our arrival day at the Dolphin and return it to the airport. I will have to use ME to get to the resort, but that shouldn't be too bad (I hope). Instead of it being $387, it was $169. For $200....WDW can transport me for free!!!

I will keep checking though...maybe something will come up.

Thanks again,

Beca

 

[puggymom]

I know I booked for spring break the August or September before via EA, and paid under $200 for 8 days. I wanted to apply a new discount a few months later and couldn't because the price had nearly doubled.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm going Nov 26 to Dec 2, I originally booked it at around $180 in late January, it came down to $132 in March (full size). I've been watching it to see if it comes down and it has been high. I noticed that the American Express code is much cheaper than Priceless. I just checked it - got $183 for an intermediate with American Express (5125601) plus $20 Entertainment Coupon (10009123), Priceless is $383! Do you have an American Express Card?

 

[Tinkaroo]

I just booked for 11/29-12/4 using the AmEx contract ID on Mousesavers (5125601) and the coupon printable straight from National (found on Mousesavers - 10009123), and I got an intermediate for $124.24 total with all the taxes. Pretty amazing deal! I plan on using EA, so we're going to try the intermediate thing, and will feel like we've won the lottery if there ends up being something better.

Good luck!!!

 

[riu girl]

I booked National EA back in March for Dec 17-31 (14 days) for $210 including taxes and fees. I have checked every few days and the price has not changed AT ALL (up or down). I am happy with this rate but will keep checking to see if it goes down. I used the priceless code and ent. coupon code.

TO ANYONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT CAR RENTALS (I don't): This is a good rate isn't it?????
Thanks
Suzy V.

 

[DebbieB]

For 14 days around Christmas that is really good!

 

[Mac and Us]

I booked in late winter for our Christmas trip (12/18 - 12/29) and it was over $300 for an intermediate. I kept checking and was able to get a lower rate $172. for a full sized.

I've been watching and the price has been going up. I'm glad I booked when I did!

 

[j's m]

I just started looking for our Nov 9-15 trip. I don't usually book this early, I wait until September. But last week the price was 225 for full size, just now I tried the AMEX and it was cheaper than the Priceless. So I did book for 216.03. I just have to remember to keep checking back. Last year I probably saved $ 50 off my original reservation.

 

[beattyfamily]

For my dates: November 25 - December 2 the rates have finally come down!!!

I just checked and it was under $200 total with #6600330 and a $20 coupon!

Hopefully the OP can get her rate under $200 now!!

 

[janets]

and after a couple of changes, got the rate for a full size down to $109.32 with all taxes included using Ent. coupon and Priceless code.

Now I've already booked the airfare for our Spring Break trip, but because the new Entertainment coupons are not out yet (the current ones expire 12/31/05) I can't insert a coupon code in yet so the price is really high. I might just reserve something so I have it and then keep checking and when the new Ent. coupons come out (I think some time in October) I'll check and hopefully rebook for lower.

I figure that time of year will be like Christmas and Thanksgiving, always a bit higher. I might try to talk DH out of getting a car, since we'll be on site, but he doesn't like to rely on Disney transport.