I can't find any affordable rental cars

[EsmeraldaX]

Hi all,

We still have not reserved a rental car (going Feb 21st). I know nothing about car rentals, as I have never rented before, but everywhere I look they seem to run about $500 for Feb 21st- March 1st.

I would need the car 2/21 (saturday) to 3/1 (Monday).

Does anyone know of a good, cheap car rental place?

I had planned on only needing about $300 for the car...now I'm going to have to likely cut the HDD and maybe a nice dinner or two out of our budget


We need a small- compact car that can be picked up easily from the airport.

If anyone knows of anyplace , please, please share...

Thanks!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Check out discount codes and tips on Mousesaver. http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

That seems like a lot for a rental. I have an Inter. for one week and it will be $133 inc taxes and fees. That is with National. Used an Ent book coupon and some other code.

T&B

 

[stinkerbelle]

I second national - the emerald aisle. My DH got us a car for a week for just around $120. (well - then add in a tank or 2 of gas!)

most recently - for our 6 day trip, we had a PT Cruiser for just around $100. (we only drove it twice - to/from the airport - didn't even bother putting gas in it - the needle never moved!)

definetly look into this...coupons on mousesavers.

 

[Eeyore1954]

You can also check www.rentalcodes.com for some possible deals. Another site that offers "last minute deals" is www.bnm.com/joe.htm -- sometimes they publish bargains from companies like Alamo, Hertz, and Avis that are fairly good.

However, keep in mind you are renting for 9 days -- slightly longer than the average rental period of 7 days. Adding on additional days usually results in higher rates, because the additional days are quoted at the daily not weekly rate. Hopefully, you can find a code that will bring the overall price down.

 

[jctwizzer]

Keep in mind that the beginning date for your rental falls within one of the busier times......folks in for President Week and for Spped week over at Daytona have lilkely rented cars including that period......try checking rental rates for 2/24 to 3/1, which is a calendar week, and I think you'll see some reasonable rates---Travelocity showed some good ones. If that looks o.k., then look at alternatives for the first few days of you stay...you might take a cab to your resort and rely on busses for the first few days..you might be able to find a reasonable sort term rental to get you to your hotel...........good luck

 

[stacieps]

L&M Car Rental (at MCO) has an economy car for your dates for $128 (turns into $195 with all taxes/fees). I haven't used them yet, but know people who have and were happy.

 

[inkkognito]

Personally, I would find the best rate I could find via codes, etc., and then bid lower than that on Priceline. All of the agencies they deal with are onsite except Hertz, which is a five-minute shuttle ride away. We usually get Alamo or Avis, but we've gotten Hertz twice. If Priceline won't accept your offer, just book with the cheapest code. When you are bidding, if a notice comes up that says you should bid higher, just ignore it. I get that all the time, and there have only been two or three occasions when my bid was not accepted (one was during the Christmas holiday, and I ended up going with Thrifty, which is right next door to Hertz).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[SB in KY]

You might want to try a pricelline bid. I would try using the codes from mousesavers first and then try a priceline bid... go lower than the best rate you found on line. You never know, sometimes it works and sometimes not.

 

[tn4mickey]

I just reserved a compact for May from Thrifty for $79 per week. I put in your just put in your dates and came up with:
2/21-3/1
1 week @ $79
2 days @ $19 each
w/ taxes and fees $170.55

I got the code from www.mousesavers.com it is AU02
HTH!

 

[castlegazer]

I used the AMEX code with National EA from Mousesavers and got $137 straight base rate - irrespective of days so the longer you are staying the better the deal. I also am using a Vacation Outlet coupon that takes an additional $15 off making my total cost $159.99 for a week rental. I can't seem to figure out how to get lower than this and others have for the same dates - its a matter of finessing the coupons and codes and I have not become a black belt in this yet.

Renting a car is a nightmare to deal with all the codes and different mixtures of codes and coupons. Follow the directions on Mousesavers and you will get the hang of it. Dedicate a significant portion of on-line time to searching out the best deal. I find that Orbitz has absolutely terrible rates every time I try. I go directly to the rental car sites.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

This is a dumb question....

do you need to have an Amex card to use that code?

 

[castlegazer]

Well - its not quite known, but I am an EA member (Mousesavers tought me how to become one) and so with that you don't go to the counter - you go straight out to the aisle and pick a car and then drive off - stopping at the gate to hand the person your ressie info and any coupons. I am using a different card than an AMEX card so they would have no reason to ask to see an AMEX card. I don't have a solid answer for you - however I don't see any reason why they would ask to see an AMEX card to verify the rate - my reservation confirmation only lists the coupon I am using which I will have with me. It does not list the rate code I am using. In many instances the rate code does appear on the confirmation and what company it is with. In this instance its not there so the person at the gate will have no reference as to how I got the rate I don't think.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by tn4mickey
I just reserved a compact for May from Thrifty for $79 per week. I put in your just put in your dates and came up with:
2/21-3/1
1 week @ $79
2 days @ $19 each
w/ taxes and fees $170.55

I got the code from www.mousesavers.com it is AU02
HTH!

Thanks all! We ended up using this ; it will be around $200 including all the fees for a small car.

Thank you ALL so much for your help!

 

[jaysue]

Excellent news!

Have a great trip