How soon should I start book a rental?

[toystoryduo]

We will be traveling to WDW in December from Ohio with a group of 15 family members. We may try to get a passenger van, but most likely will end up renting a couple of mini-vans. When should I book a reservation for the car rental? I know that discounts will most likely come out between now and then that we can use, but since this is our first family vacation, and I am the one planning it, I don't want to goof up..... Thanks!

 

[WCMouse]

I would book now... I have already booked for our August trip and most if not all of the Rental Car companies are fairly good with cancellations or applying a new discount code to an existing reservation. Actually this past December I booked a car, thinking it was very early, then when I went back to make a slight change thinking I would still be fine they told me all was sold out! Luckily I still had the original

 

[ncbyrne]

The earlier the better. I found a great rate 8 months out from our trip and booked it. Every week thereafter I checked and never came close to that price again. There are no penalties for cancellations, so when you see a good rate jump on it. Continue to check rates with the various discount codes and if you find something better you can just cancel your original ressie.

 

[castlegazer]

I usually reserve a rental car as soon as I know the dates I am traveling for several reasons. Rental companies are known to spike rates due to undersupply in a particularly high demand period and the earlier you get your ressie set the less you will experience this. The second reason is that you can so easily play with your reservation with most large companies that from that moment on you can check and recheck for better rates.

 

[off2disney]

I agree, go ahead and make your reservation. Most companies will let you modify your reservation if you get a discount or rate code (or you can make a new reservation and cancel the old one). I booked with Alamo in February for my December trip to WDW for $170 for 6 days, all taxes and fees with one additional driver included. A few months later I checked again (and the cheapest I could find was $235). I kept checking and about a month before my trip, I used the same code and coupon code and got it for $138. So I just rebooked at the new rate and cancelled the original booking. Got a mid-size (cherry red Grand Am) for $138.