July 2013 car rentals

[Mersmom98]

I bought my park tickets last week through Undercover Tourist and was able to get a minivan for a week through Alamo (on UT's website) for $360 for my dates July 13-20. That's the best price that I've seen except for the vroom vroom code but I'm scared to use that one.

 

[seetheworld]

Has anyone found anything lately that is reasonable? The prices are still sky high! Does anyone know if they will likely come down closer to July?

 

[bare necessities]

Have an offer for $25 a day for a full size rental (July 29-August 7th). Is this a good deal or should I expect better as we get closer?

 

[Indy Denise]

I just used BCDX474200 direct on Budget's site and it gave me a great rate for a minivan July 5-July 19 for $550.00 which includes taxes/fees.

Then I went to Travelocity and punched in the same code ( since this code is supposedly a Travelocity code ) and it brought up the same rate.

I still am keeping my Hertz reservation which was for $726.00 total using AAA just in case there is an issue with the code...if not, Budget it is. Even paying the $65.00 second driver fees at Budget it is a better deal.

 

[Our3ps]

Where did you find this??

Have an offer for $25 a day for a full size rental (July 29-August 7th). Is this a good deal or should I expect better as we get closer?

 

[bare necessities]

Where did you find this??

Priceline. I keep going low and getting rejected and this is the offer I get. Don't know if I can do better or not?

 

[TamaraQT]

I am hopeful rates will be dropping soon. Looks like I am going to have to do a last minute rental. I simulated my dates using June instead of July. If they hold true I will get a full size for 10 days at $226.53. That will be acceptable for me. I used dates 6/19/13 to 6/29/13. My true dates are 7/17/13 to 7/27/13. So we will see. Alamo is my preferred company since they allow free additional driver as an insiders member. But I am open to other companies too but the additional driver is important. If I have to pay a fee it may be the deal breaker. Enterprise operates the same as Alamo but I have to find out about the additional driver. Anyone familiar with Enterprise additional driver policy? Do they charge a fee ?

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I do not know about Enterprise but Budget has a free 2nd driver for anyone, member or not.

 

[Bluegarnet]

Try hotwire.com. I'm traveling to Orlando with my granddaughter 7/17-7/23. A week or so ago I booked a compact car for 7 days, for $263.

 

[richmo]

Try hotwire.com. I'm traveling to Orlando with my granddaughter 7/17-7/23. A week or so ago I booked a compact car for 7 days, for $263.

Sorry to say this, but probably not smart.

 

[bare necessities]

Sorry to say this, but probably not smart.

Why not? Just wondering because I was looking to go through priceline?

 

[richmo]

Why not? Just wondering because I was looking to go through priceline?

A compact for $263/week is not a bargain. I would expect a compact to eventually wind up at less than $150/week and possibly closer to $100. No guarantee, but that's what I would expect.

Please keep in mind that what I'm going to explain is generally true, but not in all circumstances.

I just checked undiscounted Alamo compact for 7/17-23. The price is $430. Makes Hotwire/Priceline look good, right? That is a Wednesday thru Tuesday. The rates tend to come down about 7-14 days out. So, change the dates to 6/19-6/25. Also a Wednesday thru Tuesday. The undiscounted Alamo rate is $220. (In fact, you can also get a Dollar city special for those dates at $145 total) Already well below Hotwire and its non-binding. That's 7 days out, which might be a little on the late side...usually around 10 is when you do best.

Does that mean that the Alamo rate will be $220 (or below) for the actual dates? No. Probably better? Yes.

When you quote Hotwire or Priceline this far out, yes, the rate will be less than the going non-binding rate. However, there are almost always discounts to be had on the normal car classes closer to the date, once the agencies see what inventory they have left. It may be true that the 7/17-23 dates may have more demand than the 6/19-25 dates I used as an example, but since we're already into the summer season, I doubt it would be significant.

My advice, as always, is book something non-binding in case rates go up instead of down. Then keep looking and really get vigilant inside the two week window, usually down to about a week. I almost guarantee the rates will go down. I can't remember a time, in my experience, that they haven't.

 

[WINTER]

We usually travel 3 - 4 people and do ok with economy car. however, this time we have 5 people (no kids, no heavy set) and am wondering if a full size would work? Mainly it is driving to Daytona from Disney.

 

[TamaraQT]

Sorry to say this, but probably not smart.

I agree. As you see above, I simulated my dates for a full-size for 10 days and got a quote for $226. I have always had something booked by now but it looks like this time I am going to go for a last minute deal at about 10 days or so before my travel dates. I plan to really start looking the week after 4th of July. HOWEVER, for the person that booked on hotwire/priceline I can agree if they want to be guaranteed they have something and have found a price they can live with, then GREAT!!! I hope the have a FABULOUS time. Because in the end, those of us who DO NOT have anything booked yet, keep in mind we ARE NOT guaranteed to beat that priceline/hotwire price. Just based on our past experiences that we know our chances are good but we are NOT guaranteed to find one.

 

[kimpossible]

I am 3 weeks away. If I want to book for my entire trip 7/5-7/13 I am getting a price of $417 for a Standard. If I drop it off at the CCC a day early it drops to $203. Not thrilled with this but it does save some $$$.


Edit: Just found a rate of $236.96 for my entire trip using Hertz through AAA with a $40 off coupon that they provided on their car rental site. This is for a full size car. Still would rather be with Alamo and pick my own car, but it works for now.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I just checked my dates with Dollar -$244 for a week (with taxes) for an intermediate. Prices have gone down, though I still have a better rate with Alamo.

 

[kimpossible]

I just checked my dates with Dollar -$244 for a week (with taxes) for an intermediate. Prices have gone down, though I still have a better rate with Alamo.

What codes with Alamo?

 

[PrincesCJM]

What codes with Alamo?

No code - their City Special

 

[kimpossible]

No code - their City Special

City Special is usually Dollar, I thougt.

 

[Indy Denise]

I just used BCDX474200 direct on Budget's site and it gave me a great rate for a minivan July 5-July 19 for $550.00 which includes taxes/fees.

Then I went to Travelocity and punched in the same code ( since this code is supposedly a Travelocity code ) and it brought up the same rate.

I still am keeping my Hertz reservation which was for $726.00 total using AAA just in case there is an issue with the code...if not, Budget it is. Even paying the $65.00 second driver fees at Budget it is a better deal.

Well , I just got my mini van for half of my Budget rental ... I work a lot with rental companies and did not want to ask for any favors. I did not want to put anyone in an awkward position and ruin a good working relationship. During a conversation with one of them I mentioned my trip and he said " you will Not be in my competitors rental. Why didn't you call me first?" So now my price is $300 total for two weeks with no second driver fee . Yeah!

Lesson learned ! Next time I will go to my source.