January 2015 Car Rental Code Watch

[jensen]

Just rebooked my Alamo Standard (full size) at $174 total. We'll be there from Sat Jan 24 - Sat Jan 31. I used the Costco Code (7014627) and the Free Upgrade (AU5235ASJ).

Midsize are cheaper than the compact cars right now, so that upgrade coupon was even better than the $30 off I'd been using before!!

This is $30 less than the first reservation I booked, but I'm still hoping to drop another $50 off this before we arrive.

 

[jensen]

After reading about those who changed their times and got even deeper discounts, I decided to mess with our times a bit. I found that if I nudged my pick-up time by 1/2 hour (12:30P instead of Noon) I saved another $20!

So, now I'm paying $152 for the week!

 

[emmabelle]

After reading about those who changed their times and got even deeper discounts, I decided to mess with our times a bit. I found that if I nudged my pick-up time by 1/2 hour (12:30P instead of Noon) I saved another $20!

So, now I'm paying $152 for the week!

It's so stupid that it works.


I'm down to $114 this morning and yes I rebooked just to save $4.

 

[jensen]

It's so stupid that it works.


I'm down to $114 this morning and yes I rebooked just to save $4.

I would totally rebook for $4! That means I get to buy another Mickey bar!

 

[wannaheadsouth]

Just found this thread and thanks to all above. Used the COSTCO code and coupon and went from $249.00 to $114.00 for a Standard for my January trip!!

 

[emmabelle]

I would totally rebook for $4! That means I get to buy another Mickey bar!

I know, right?

Just found this thread and thanks to all above. Used the COSTCO code and coupon and went from $249.00 to $114.00 for a Standard for my January trip!!

That's great!

 

[jessic2422]

Dumb questions: we are flying into Sanford and cars seem much more expensive. Any tips? Do I have to be a Costco member to use the Costco
Codes? Thanks!

 

[buckeev]

Since the ongoing theme is "Dumb Questions"...Alamo Premier Pick ups...The ALAMO website sez "Dodge Quad Cab-(or similar)...but the seating only shows 4......
Quad cab pick up trucks seat a minimum of 5...
Question 1
Has anyone here rented a truck from ALAMO recently?

and

Question B
...Was it a four door "Quad Cab?"

(I called the incredibly short-staffed and equally incredibly difficult to understand customer service folks...we know how that turned out though.

 

[nacho113]

Dumb questions: we are flying into Sanford and cars seem much more expensive. Any tips? Do I have to be a Costco member to use the Costco
Codes? Thanks!

Rates go up and down at SFB just like they do at MCO. Book what you can live with and just keep checking back, cancel and re-book as the prices drop.
The last couple of times that we used SFB we found our best rate with Hertz using the AAA codes and discounts found right on the Hertz website. We usually try to rent Alamo or National so that we can pick our own vehicle, but will pick another company if I can save $50-$100.
As far as being a Costco member to use the code, officially you could be asked to show your card at the counter. If they ask and you aren't a member you will probably be stuck with whatever the rate is right at that moment (could end up costing you much more than the rate you had booked)
Now, that having been said, I'm a Costco member and always have my card in my wallet but have never been asked (but some have noted being asked and having there card scanned into the system).
I will say that we usually try to do Alamo's Online Check-in or at least use the Check-in Kiosk at the airport so that we avoid the counter and the inevitable up-sell pressure for the extra insurance, gas, upgrades etc. Very little interaction with a real person who could ask for the card. Generally we have very limited interaction with any of the Alamo people other than the lot attendant at the exit booth who usually just check our CC, DL and paperwork and scans the car out.

 

[geniegirl]

I am getting $120 for 8 days (early sat - late sat) - do you think this will go lower?

I am torn about getting a car. I love how easy and fast it is but this trip it is not necessary since its only me and the 7.5yo. we wont have a lot of bags to take to the park and no stroller this trip since the baby wont be there. we are staying at okw, generally there for rope drop and head back after dinner but this trip I am going to try to break from his schedule and do some late nights.

 

[Disney4nonah]

Hi all,

I am looking for a rental car from Mon an 12 to Thu Jan 15 (3 days) and would prefer one of the outlets on WDW Property (Which I believe is National/Alamo and Avis?).

Being a Kiwi I really have no idea about US hire car codes and what is available etc so any help, codes or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance....

HI, you could use Kayak.com to search many car rental sites at a time.

or just go to Avis, Alamo, or Budget websites themselves and enter your trip specifics to get a quote.

CarRentalSavers.com (and scroll down) has many links of coupon codes or specials you can take advantage of.

good luck and have a wonderful trip

 

[Disney4nonah]

Just a note to anyone booking an Economy car from Alamo. When we rented end of Sept this year, we had to wait for awhile for our vehicle to be brought over. We were quite amused at all the people who had Economy cars rented since almost the whole aisle was filled with Fiat 500's.
Some really big guys shoehorned into these little econoboxes.
There was a young couple from Europe with 2 large suitcases each and carry-ons, almost everything ended up in the back seat.
There was even a family of 5 with 3 smaller kids who ended up with one of these (don't know what they were thinking when they rented an Economy), they ended up going back to the desk and upgrading to a full size when they realized that almost none of there luggage would fit in the back.

I can speak to this, we are two people and fit nicely in a compact/economy. Yes, you have to sometimes use the back seat for luggage but it's really no imposition. they are not roomy cars, but it's nice to zip around, mostly if you are not used to driving a small car usually. Can't speak as to kids because we don't have any. But how small they are is always a good reminder. Thanks !

 

[MiaSRN62]

I am getting $120 for 8 days (early sat - late sat) - do you think this will go lower?

I am torn about getting a car. I love how easy and fast it is but this trip it is not necessary since its only me and the 7.5yo. we wont have a lot of bags to take to the park and no stroller this trip since the baby wont be there. we are staying at okw, generally there for rope drop and head back after dinner but this trip I am going to try to break from his schedule and do some late nights.

I think this is a very good rate. I am guessing you are later in January like me? Because the rates seemed REALLY high to me around MLK week and the first week in Jan too. I got $113 for 7 nights (mid size Alamo), so for 8 days I think your rate is good.

 

[CherylA]

I am getting $120 for 8 days (early sat - late sat) - do you think this will go lower?

I am torn about getting a car. I love how easy and fast it is but this trip it is not necessary since its only me and the 7.5yo. we wont have a lot of bags to take to the park and no stroller this trip since the baby wont be there. we are staying at okw, generally there for rope drop and head back after dinner but this trip I am going to try to break from his schedule and do some late nights.

That's really a good price and I do think it makes sense to get a car especially at OKW. You can park right in front of your unit. So convenient to drive to and from the parks plus even if you are just in a studio with a kitchenette its nice to have a vehicle to stop at the grocery store and pick up snack/drinks/breakfasts. Just in beverages alone you can probably save enough to pay for the car!

 

[dishguy1977]

Does booking a Standard size at MCO from Alamo still allow you pick from the Full Size aisle or is there now an actual Standard aisle?

 

[lilluv117]

Does booking a Standard size at MCO from Alamo still allow you pick from the Full Size aisle or is there now an actual Standard aisle?

I just rented a standard car on 12/2 and it was still just a full size aisle. There were quite a few minivans in that aisle too. We got a minivan from 12/2-12/8 for $106 by booking a standard car!

 

[laurabelle]

AP discount at Alamo is now less than Costco. For a Sunday-Saturday (no Saturday night stay, so no coupon savings) I'm down to $135 midsize.

 

[karenbaco]

AP discount at Alamo is now less than Costco. For a Sunday-Saturday (no Saturday night stay, so no coupon savings) I'm down to $135 midsize.

Can you share the code?

 

[millerjmls]

I happened to find my receipt from Alamo from our last visit to Disney. We had reserved a full size car for the price of $132.61, but I see that we actually paid $226.65 after the fees were added! It doesn't look like we agreed to any additional insurance, but there were a lot of additional fees. The one that stands out is the fuel service option. It looks like we were charged for a full tank of gas although I'm sure we didn't take it back empty. I think it would be cheaper to fill the car before returning it and only pay for what we use.

 

[DanenRox]

Bouncing around between the Jan and Feb reservation threads because my rental starts Jan 31 and extends through Feb 8. Was happy with my $140 price for 8 days in an Alamo compact...THEN....as a result of this thread, I changed my pick up time by 1/2 hour and BOOM, $112! LOVE THESE BOARDS! (used AP discount and AD2338FDF).