January 2011 car rental

[jimmyc0000]

Thanks for the update ! Rates are starting to come down.. We just saved with National, Jan. 25th thru Feb. 8th went from $371.72 to $342.09.
Waiting for the coupon..
Thanks again..

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the update about the rates dropping. I just rebooked my National rental reservation for Jan. 16-28 (12 days) for a rate of $288.70 without a coupon currently. I have a $40 entertainment coupon I may add if National doesn't offer a better one (the coupon brings my total to around $240). THis is at an intermediate rental rate, but guaranteed full size or better aka Executive Aisle. I used code 5007160 to get this rate. Pickup @ noon and drop off at 1:00PM. I agree that generally January has low rates, so hopefully we'll see more drops and better coupons.

 

[OTRGal]

Anybody finding any good rates yet? I'm interested in trying the National Emerald Aisle this trip, but the prices are still HIGH! I know I should be patient, but I'd really like to see some downward movement on the prices.

 

[kat3668]

I booked with Priceline for the 28th through the 5th of Feb and got a economy for $8 a day with Avis... I love Priceline! My flght gets in after 7pm and you have a pretty good chance for a free upgrade as economy cars usually go first. I'm thrilled anyways even if I get and economy thats all I need. My last trip I got Hertz.

 

[ZellyB]

I just reserved using the car rental savers link from the first page of the thread. I followed the directions and put in a coupon code from mousesavers for the Budget minivan we wanted. It didn't alter the price any, but I did see this on the main page

Note: When you add coupons they are included in total price not weekly rate. Avis and Budget coupons are added at the counter.


So, does that mean that we'll get the additional discount for the code I entered when we actually pick up the minivan? I was confused by that. Even without the code, that's the best rate I've been able to find and maybe it will drop more before our trip in March. Thanks for the link.

 

[OTRGal]

A little movement on the National prices...I just reserved a midsize for Jan. 22-29 for $208 with a BJ's coupon code. Still hoping for better, but this is a start! How's everyone else doing?

 

[n2mm]

No change for me yet. Jan. 16-29 (2 week rental). Mid-size Executive Aisle. Still at $288 using code 5007160 and the $40 entertainment coupon.

 

[DanenRox]

So I thought it was a good idea to use some of my Amex reward points towards a national car rental coupon. Except now it seems by applying the Amex coupon codes, it disallows (is that a word?) any other coupons. I was under the impression I could combine coupons with National. Thought I was a genius. Hmmm.

 

[n2mm]

There's a new Alamo coupon out for $50 off

Save $50 on weekly rates by acting fast.
Book by December 7, 2010, and rent for a minimum of five days between January 3 and February 6, 2011. Valid at participating US locations.

The code is AD3978JDT

you must book by Dec. 7th to get this coupon discount.

 

[LuvLDM]

Just used the new Alamo code, I am paying $170.89 for a standard, Jan. 17th-23rd.

 

[emmabelle]

I booked with Priceline for the 28th through the 5th of Feb and got a economy for $8 a day with Avis... I love Priceline! My flght gets in after 7pm and you have a pretty good chance for a free upgrade as economy cars usually go first. I'm thrilled anyways even if I get and economy thats all I need. My last trip I got Hertz.

I ended up using Priceline too. We only need the rental for 4 days and a couple of hours, I couldn't find a good rate the conventional way, so I tried Priceline. I got National for $12 a day, for an economy. I wish I had tried $10 first. It wouldn't have been that big of a difference, but it's like the thrill of the hunt.

 

[At World's End]

I received the Alamo coupon, too, but I have different codes (maybe because I'm a member of their Insider program?) The codes I have are ID # 7015135 Coupon code AD4004JDK. Those codes give me 10% off base rate, then $50 off. Weekly rate for midsize is $129.82. Total price for 10 days incl. fees is $178.85.

I just saw that Alamo has online check in at MCO so you can avoid the kiosk and go straight out to your car then check out at the booth, just like National's Emerald Aisle service.

 

[OTRGal]

I just reserved a midsize through Alamo with the $50 off coupon plus a BJ's code for $147.27 (Jan. 22-29). I was hoping for National's Emerald Aisle this trip, but so far Alamo's price is much better. Still lots of time left for prices to keep dropping...

 

[princessmorgan]

I ended up booking with Priceline, too. My dates are Jan 23-28 and I got National. $9 for a compact and $11 for a fullsize.

 

[emmabelle]

I ended up booking with Priceline, too. My dates are Jan 23-28 and I got National. $9 for a compact and $11 for a fullsize.

I had tried $9 and it didn't work for my dates. oh well...

 

[princessmorgan]

I had tried $9 and it didn't work for my dates. oh well...

That stinks! I know about the thrill of the hunt. I bid $9 for two compacts, but then they offered a bunch of cars for $2 more a day and I just had to accept

 

[At World's End]

For those booking on priceline, could you tell me what your winning bid per day was along with the total cost per day including the taxes/fees? Right now I have Alamo at $11.69/day before taxes and $17.89/day after taxes. I've never done priceline so I'm trying to decide if it's worth it. We really like to have an extra driver, and I don't think that's included in priceline bids, so I don't know if it will work for us. Also, with priceline do you have to go to the counter or can you bypass it somehow?

 

[jimmyc0000]

Rates are starting to move now ! Still waiting for my National coupon for Jan. 25th thru Feb. 8th. Rate now is $340 for midsize Emerald Aisle. I really would prefer to use National, but I went ahead and booked Alamo with the $50 coupon. $290 for midsize and the same time. Thanks for the updates !

 

[emmabelle]

For those booking on priceline, could you tell me what your winning bid per day was along with the total cost per day including the taxes/fees? Right now I have Alamo at $18.55/day before taxes and $25.55/day after taxes. I've never done priceline so I'm trying to decide if it's worth it. We really like to have an extra driver, and I don't think that's included in priceline bids, so I don't know if it will work for us. Also, with priceline do you have to go to the counter or can you bypass it somehow?

This is what I got with National for an economy, it's just me and my husband this trip.

Your Offer Price: $12.00 (per day)
Total Rental Days: 5 days(4 days and 5 hours)
Subtotal: $60.00
Taxes and Fees: $45.57
Total Charges: $105.57
Lowest Published Price: $272.52
Total Savings:* $166.95 (You saved 61%)


I was having problems getting PL to accept my bids, I think it was because at first, I was bidding for exactly four days, once I added in the extra 5 hours, it accepted my bid right away. I think with the four day bids I was doing, that it was being based on a daily rate, it seems once I went to four days and a couple of hours, it was being based on a weekly rate? JMHO I wish I had started lower once I added on the extra couple of hours, I think they would have accepted a lower bid. The best I could do with the Alamo coupon for $50 off is around $160 for my time frame, so I'm happy with my $105.

I've only done PL on a car rental once and got Hertz and we went to the counter. I'm not sure how it works if you have a PL rental and Emerald Isle?

 

[At World's End]

Thanks, emmabelle. I always wondered if priceline adds a ton of extra fees, but it looks pretty reasonable.

I looked at my prices again and realized I made a math error (big surprise) and based my daily rate on a week instead of 10 days. Once I refigured it, I feel alot better about the Alamo rate. I'm still hoping for the National coupon because DH is hoping for a minivan on Emerald Aisle. Hopefully that coupon will come soon so I can stop messing with rental car ressies!