I can't win with rental car! - Just venting

[tarmand]

This stinks. Renting with National. I am arriving at 9:20am on Sept 27 and departing at 9:00pm on Sept 30. Since I am not renting for five days - no weekly rate! Since I need the car before Noon on Thursday - no weekend rate! I just can't win! My current ressie after Capital One discount and free day coupon is for $138 with tax. If I picked it up at Noon on Thursday it would be $100 with tax (and right now rates are higher than when I booked -$144 - so that rate could go down). If I kept it for five days it would be $120 (again, could go down).

I'm sure there is no way around this. It's not even a lot of money, but it just irritates me. Anyone else in my boat and want to vent?

 

[Lewisc]

Try different agencies, I don't think they all require a TH noon for a weekend rate.

 

[hercamore]

guess if this really bothers you, you could take Mears to your hotel and pick up a car at National LBV later in the day or another day and return it to the airport when you leave.

 

[lawgs]

do not know if it is still on

but what about the ranger truck with budget

they used to have a 20$ day rate

 

[Minybear]

I was in the same situation this morning with National. We are going to DL and only staying 5 days and they were quoting me $176 (without tax's and insurance) for the 5 days. I decided to try Alamo and they are charging me the weekly rate (even though I am using the car for 5 days) at $97 (with out taxes and insurance).

My suggestion try Alamo (www.alamo.com).

 

[lovepuzzles]

You're not on the boat alone!! LOL! I'm in pretty much the same situation and it's very irritating, isn't it!! I get to MCO on a Sept. 9(which is a Sunday) and leave on Thursday. No weekend rates for me either. It's frustrating that I will pay more for 4 days than I would for an entire week. I've even been checking on Hotwire and priceline. My first day trying about 2 months ago, Hotwire gave me a rate of $15/day for a compact thru fullsize. I didn't realize what a great it was being my first time to check and didn't take it. Now they are wanting a whopping $25/day for any car. I've reserved through Alamo because it's the only decent rate I've found...and that is only because I have a coupon for a free day. I'm hoping I will have better luck with Alamo than some of the other people do. Just keeping my fingers crossed!!

 

[Deb8821]

When I had the same situation last year I booked the car for one week at the weekly rate. then I returned it early and told them I had to return earlier than planned. they left my bill at the weekly rate which was cheaper than the 4 day rate!! I did the same thing a couple of years ago and it also worked. You might want to try that.

 

[tarmand]

I asked them what would happen if I rented it for a week and then brought it back early. They said they would then charge me the daily rate. I am worried that they will change it back and it will end up costing me more than what it is now. It's only thirty dollars more so it's not that big of a deal money wise. Like I said before, it just irritates me. It's like I'm being punished for keeping the car too long, but not long enough.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

This is really weird because I rented for 5 days from ZL and am getting the weekly rate! have you called them on the phone to ask them why you are not gettign the weekly rate? if its 5 days or more then they should give you the weekly rate....if all else fails try priceline for your car rental. the worst that could happen is you get an offsite one like hertz or alamo!

 

[tarmand]

Unfortunately, I'm only renting for four days. (3 1/2 actually)