How to find the best deal on rental car?

[ctnurse]

Looking to rent a car onsite at MCO in January, and I am wondering how to find the best deal. Any suggestion would be helpful.

 

[richmo]

My advice would be to book something now, but don't prepay. I'd rent from one of the on-airport agencies: partial list is Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Avis, National, Dollar, Hertz, Firefly. I sometimes use some of the generic sites (like Kayak, carrentalsavers, Orbitz) to do research, but I prefer to do the actual booking at the agency site.

The good news is you're going in January, so crowds should be down, as well as car rental demand. You should find good rates.

But, here's the most important part. Car rental rates tend to be their lowest only as close as two days before departure up to about 3 weeks. You're not going to find the best rate now...but I would cover myself with a non-binding reservation now, just in case...and especially if you are renting an unusual car class.

Continue to check occasionally if rates have gone down (they may go up...car rates are more volatile than airlines), but especially check frequently as the trip gets closer. There is no harm in rebooking, but please remember to cancel any reservations that you aren't going to use.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You will find the rates closer to your trip will be the cheapest. Usually the Tue. before the your trip is when the last minute rates are released. I never book my car until the Tue before I leave. I use the discount codes and coupons I find on here or google to find them. I just booked a car in Sept for a week and paid $79 total for a mid size with Alamo.