July/August Minivan Rental Discrimination???

[LSUmom4kids]

In trying to find good rates for our early August 10-day minivan rental, I'm noticing several rental car companies do NOT have any valid coupons for July and most of August! I'm also noticing the big rental car companies don't have any coupons or good deals for minivan rentals. Why is that? Is it because rental companies DON'T NEED to entice customers to rent in July and August because they will just do it anyway? Is it because people will rent Minivans WITHOUT coupons anyway? Is it because they know families who need Minivans in July and August will pay WHATEVER because that's their only time for vacation? I haven't found a legitimite UPGRADE coupon that applies to minivans! I feel a little discrimination...

I know I'm not "entitled" to a coupon, and that coupons are ways for rental car companies to lure customers when they are slow for business. Perhaps July and August and comparable to holidays and therefore they can be excluded from coupons. ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE???

I found a rate of $385 for 10 days with Dollar through Samsclub back in May (I did reserve it - thank goodness!), but I was hoping to get a better rate and can't seem to find any coupons or codes for our vacation dates.

My vacation dates are 8/3 - 8/13 - Minivan rental from MSY (New Orleans) with unlimited miles. I am a member of AAA and Samsclub and joined National Emerald club in hopes of getting a deal - but nothing good so far - I keep checking every day.

Does anyone have a "secret" minivan rental code that would get me a better 10-day rate? My kids see the commercials of the minivans with the dvd screens and are "drooling" because they think we are renting one of those for our 10-hour drive straight-thru to Disney! Unfortunately, we don't have $900 in our vacation budget to one of these "guaranteed" fancy minivans from National or Hertz - UNLESS SOMEONE CAN FIND US A COUPON CODE OR GOOD DISCOUNT!!!!!! ANY WIZARD'S OUT THERE??

 

[LSUmom4kids]

bumping up for the weekend/morning Disboard regulars....

 

[DJNOWICK]

I know I'm not "entitled" to a coupon, and that coupons are ways for rental car companies to lure customers when they are slow for business.

I think you just answered your own question.

jackie

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree it's not discrimination. VERY seldom are coupons valid for subcompact cars, but that's all I need. Instead, by offering a coupon on say a mid-size/standard/full-size car that brings the price within a few dollars of what I was going to pay anyway, the rental agencies are enticing me to upgrade to a more comfortable - and probably more available - vehicle.

 

[msmayor]

Even at nearly $400 to rent, its still probably much cheaper than flying...so you're still saving money.

Let's face it...these companies are in business to make money...supply and demand. Unless and until they have vans sitting on their lots NOT bringing $$ in, they'll charge as much as the market is willing to pay.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Even at nearly $400 to rent, its still probably much cheaper than flying...so you're still saving money.

Let's face it...these companies are in business to make money...supply and demand. Unless and until they have vans sitting on their lots NOT bringing $$ in, they'll charge as much as the market is willing to pay.

Well stated. I would say that 90% of travelers today have NO clue that rental car discounts are even avaliable. I know someone who paid $500 for a 7 day rental on an SUV and they thought they were getting a steal! Until I told them I found one with a discount code and coupon for $205....

Back to the subject, if at all possible, why not take a look at getting 2 compacts if Mini's are that much $$$$.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

Back to the subject, if at all possible, why not take a look at getting 2 compacts if Mini's are that much $$$$.

I don't think renting 2 compacts would work either. Twice the gas; plus we will be driving 10 hrs. straight thru to Orlando and we were planning to take turns driving. That won't work if we EACH have to drive a car - that would mean neither of us gets a rest from driving!

One other thing - the Swan charges $8/day for parking per vehicle! One vehicle will cost us $64 + tax; two vehicles would be double that. Not economically feasible in our case.

 

[owtrbnks]

"Discrimination?" Call Rev. Al, he's an expert!

 

[maxsmom]

Even at nearly $400 to rent, its still probably much cheaper than flying...so you're still saving money.

Let's face it...these companies are in business to make money...supply and demand. Unless and until they have vans sitting on their lots NOT bringing $$ in, they'll charge as much as the market is willing to pay.

Same boat here. Only add the price of airline tickets to that total. We need a minivan or suv since there will be 5 of us. We're also members of AAA and Sam's.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

"Discrimination?" Call Rev. Al, he's an expert!

lol, nice