How low have you got a car rental rate in early November...

[marshallandcartersmo]

Really tossing back and forth between driving and flying. Flying will cost us about $500 round trip plus rental car while we're there (no ME to Sanford). Looking at carrentalsavers now, it's looking like it's about $300 to rent a car for the Sat.-Thurs. we'll be there.

Driving from TN, it's about 11 hours, and we're estimating $250 round trip for gas.

11 hour drive would stink , but saving $550 would be nice.

If the rental rates historically go down that may help our decision. thanks

 

[Ed J]

16 bucks a day (full size Alamo) and that was 3 or 4 years ago. Last year we paid 18 per day same class and company, we drove off in a white mini van.

BJ's coupon through the insiders program also gave us a second free driver.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

If the rental rates historically go down that may help our decision. thanks

They usually go down quite a bit as you get closer to your dates....generally 21 days out.

The exception is if you absolutely need a van, minivan, or SUV. Sometimes those can stay up there.

My suggestion would be to price out your trip using the same days of the week as your trip in November.

I just priced out a Saturday-Thursday trip, starting on June 9th, and using Costco's codes you could get an 'Intermediate' for $115, including taxes & fees.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Would love a Costco or BJ's rate, but we're nowhere close to either of those stores, so not members.

I heard waiting a month out to get better rates, its just such a gamble though...would hate to go ahead and buy plane tickets and get stuck w/a high car rental rate.

thanks

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Would love a Costco or BJ's rate, but we're nowhere close to either of those stores, so not members.

I was quoting Costco rates because they have a nice tool on their website that compares across companies and automatically includes coupons. If you do a little research, you should be able to find some discount code you can utilize that will bring you within a few dollars.

 

[kylovebug]

What airport are you flying out of? Have you tried any discount codes for Budget? We are going (LORD WILLING!!!!!!!!) in November as well and live in KY but would be flying out of Bristol. We are going to just rent from Budget @ the airport and drive (as of right now, if DH does not change his mind

Good luck with what you choose!

 

[mjplantz]

We are going to be around $27/day with National at Thanksgiving using the KLM code and $35 coupon including all insurance. This is for Emerald Aisle.

 

[nacho113]

I was quoting Costco rates because they have a nice tool on their website that compares across companies and automatically includes coupons. If you do a little research, you should be able to find some discount code you can utilize that will bring you within a few dollars.

I have found that I can usually get a better rate if I use the Costco codes on the actual car rental companies website.
For example, I have a full size booked directly on the budget website (June 18-29) using the Costco code and $40 off coupon. Total with tax is $259 then less the $40 coupon at the counter = $219. When I use the Costco booking tool on the Costco travel site, the same rental comes to $326.
You might want to try plugging those Costco code/coupons in the Budget/Alamo/Avis/Enterprise rental cars website.
And yes you do need to be a Costco member to use these codes since they can and occasionally do ask for your Costco card at check-in or return.
http://www.costcotravel.com/?rc=7&ancillary=rentalCars&ancillaryCategory=alamo#11_rentalCars

 

[momto2inKC]

We are driving to Disney this November and renting a car (my SUV is a gas guzzler). Right now we are booked with Avis for a 12 day rental (pick up the day before Thanksgiving, return Dec 3) for $220. I used my Costco discount to get that rate. I know you mentioned you weren't Costco members, do you buy the Entertainment book? The discounts are very similar to Costco's.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

We are driving to Disney this November and renting a car (my SUV is a gas guzzler). Right now we are booked with Avis for a 12 day rental (pick up the day before Thanksgiving, return Dec 3) for $220. I used my Costco discount to get that rate. I know you mentioned you weren't Costco members, do you buy the Entertainment book? The discounts are very similar to Costco's.

I hadnt thought of the Entertainment Book! Thanks, I'll check there. I don't have one, surely someone I know does, lol.