June 2013 Car Rental When Best Deals

[TCups4Me]

I booked June 8-15 through Costco yesterday for a Budget intermediate car for $100. There were also deals on the Southwest sight for around $150 for the week.

 

[Barbi]

Does anyone have the BJ's coupon code for Dollar? Thanks in advance!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Hey all! My Alamo ressie went down from $289 to $251 using the insiders code 7015135 and the VISA AD2338FDF for $30 off for a standard rental June 21-July 1. Just thought I'd let everyone know to check theirs this am.

Also, I cannot find the AD2338FDF code anywhere on the VISA site or the Alamo site so not sure about using that? Does anyone know where to find it online?

Thank you and good luck!

 

[wdw&sonny]

I know you are asking about Alamo, but I was hoping to get your opinion on Dollar as you mentioned you use them normally. I have a ressie for a minivan from Dollar for June 17 to 26th for $411 (I still have my fingers crossed the City Specials will get better before our departure). Did you find Dollar good to deal with? The vehicles in good condition? I signed up for Dollar Express but was wondering if that was more of a marketing thing than actually something to speed up the process.

I will try to address your questions, as well as a couple of others in the above posts.

My experiences with Dollar have always been good. No problems. Nice vehicles, clean, never any problems. I am not at all picky about the cars, though. As long as they run and don't smell of smoke. Also, we have often been upgraded (free of charge) from full-size to mini-van. But, of course, you can't plan on that. For us, the full-size is fine, so I reserve that, but I believe 3 out of 4 MCO rentals, we were upgraded to mini-van.

The first time I used them (2005), I didn't know about Dollar Express and we waited in line in the terminal at the counter for about 30-45 (precious WDW) minutes. I was having an anxiety attack. I kept watching as person after person cruised through the Dollar Express line. When we returned from that vacation, I read on these boards that anyone could join Dollar Express (free and easy).

Since then, have used Dollar Express many times. In Orland, summer, weekend, Dollar Express line was always shorter than regular. Usually takes me less than 5 minutes.

Counter vs. Kiosk:
Within the airport terminal, below baggage claim are several rental car company's rental counters. For Dollar, there are two entrances (lines): one for regular and one for Express. The Dollar Express line is (usually) shorter and faster b/c they already have some of your pertinent information. Either way, after waiting in that line at the counter and completing all paperwork, showing ID, signing forms...you then take your paperwork across the street and into the garage and find the appropriate rental company "kiosk" (small hut within the garage near their cars). You present your paperwork to the person at the kiosk who checks it over then assigns you with your car and your off...

BUT, if you are a Dollar Express customer, you can complete much of the 'paperwork' on-line ahead of time (things like driver's license info) and you can skip going to the counter and go straight to the kiosk. It's a time saver (maybe only 5' but can be more).

I am not sure about the Alamo (vs Alamo Insider) process, though.

 

[FiveofusNL]

Thank you so much wdw&sonny for this great information. It is a huge help and makes me feels so much better about the whole process. This is our first time renting a vehicle out of Orlando and our first time with Dollar. I am already signed up for Dollar express but will definitely make sure I have filled in all of the "paperwork" before arrival so we can go straight to the garage kiosk. I love the fact that we do not have to line up in the airport Express line and then line up at the kiosk line as well. After traveling all day, I just want to get everyone out of the airport and into the magic.

 

[Swimmergirl]

Hey all! My Alamo ressie went down from $289 to $251 using the insiders code 7015135 and the VISA AD2338FDF for $30 off for a standard rental June 21-July 1. Just thought I'd let everyone know to check theirs this am.

Also, I cannot find the AD2338FDF code anywhere on the VISA site or the Alamo site so not sure about using that? Does anyone know where to find it online?

Thank you and good luck!

Mermaid Wannabe - I plugged in those codes and was able to lower my midsize car for June 4th-11th to $113.

That code isn't currently listed on the Visa discount site (it has AD7394SDJ instead which gives you $15 off). However, I do remember seeing AD2338FDF on there before, and it was for $30 off. I was thinking that maybe that rate had expired, but according to The Mouse for Less it is valid until the end of the year (see here: http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwsavings/Alamo.shtml ) Since the webiste is accepting the code, I think it will work fine. Especially if you use the Kiosk instead of the counter.

 

[Madzac]

We rented from Dollar in Oct and had a Kia minivan. It was clean and nice. I had signed up for dollar express. So long as your express number is on your ressie and you have the paperwork filled out you can go right out to the garage and they will have your name on a board and you go right to the car. It was so so easy and fast! We are doing dollar again this trip because of the ease!

 

[S'sMom]

I got the rate the other day with Budget through Costco for $179 for a compact car. Checked this AM, and it was the same price. Checked again at 3:30 and the price dropped to $149!!!! Same car class, same company. Of course I jumped on it and cancelled the other one. Still on the hunt. At this rate I'm sure to get a better deal!

 

[thereitis]

I'm looking for a car that will fit three car seats - whatever is cheapest and a 2nd regular size car for two weeks in August in Orlando.

Prices seem v. high - where is a good place to start looking. I've haven't had much luck with some of the coupons posted here.

thanks for any help!

 

[MEK]

I booked June 8-15 through Costco yesterday for a Budget intermediate car for $100. There were also deals on the Southwest sight for around $150 for the week.

Did you use a code for this? Checked today and the prices are higher unless you are not factoring taxes and fees into your $100.

Just rebooked Enterprise intermediate through car rental savers for just under $150, same dates, all taxes and fees.

 

[TCups4Me]

Did you use a code for this? Checked today and the prices are higher unless you are not factoring taxes and fees into your $100.

Just rebooked Enterprise intermediate through car rental savers for just under $150, same dates, all taxes and fees.

I didn't use a code for this. Taxes and fees are included ($52.44 base rate plus $48.25 taxes and fees). I did not add any options. I've heard the rates fluctuate often so hopefully you'll get a better deal if you keep checking back. Good luck!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Mermaid Wannabe - I plugged in those codes and was able to lower my midsize car for June 4th-11th to $113.

That code isn't currently listed on the Visa discount site (it has AD7394SDJ instead which gives you $15 off). However, I do remember seeing AD2338FDF on there before, and it was for $30 off. I was thinking that maybe that rate had expired, but according to The Mouse for Less it is valid until the end of the year (see here: http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwsavings/Alamo.shtml ) Since the webiste is accepting the code, I think it will work fine. Especially if you use the Kiosk instead of the counter.

Thank you, Swimmergirl. I'm going to use the kiosk and I thought it was originally on the site too so I'll just keep it. Good job on your rate! I'm going to keep checking every week to see if mine goes down.

 

[C & L Shaw]

Just purchased a minivan rental on H**wir* for 8 days for a grand total of $250, taxes included. Vendor is Hertz. Have used this same company in previous years and have never had any issues my rentals. Beat my best reserved price by $120

 

[rlduvall]

Just purchased a minivan rental on H**wir* for 8 days for a grand total of $250, taxes included. Vendor is Hertz. Have used this same company in previous years and have never had any issues my rentals. Beat my best reserved price by $120

That's great. I noticed that Alamo has gone up significantly this morning, at least for early June. It's running about $100. higher for the week. We never did see some of the fabulous deals the May visitors got. I didn't do bad; sitting at $181. for fullsize 10 day rental from Orlando Airport or $151. for Grand Cherokee 9 day rental through SOG. Still deciding which to cancel.

 

[FiveofusNL]

We rented from Dollar in Oct and had a Kia minivan. It was clean and nice. I had signed up for dollar express. So long as your express number is on your ressie and you have the paperwork filled out you can go right out to the garage and they will have your name on a board and you go right to the car. It was so so easy and fast! We are doing dollar again this trip because of the ease!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I have received some great info and feedback regarding Dollar so I feel great about the decision to use them and to join Dollar Express.

 

[Tdubswife]

Just purchased a minivan rental on H**wir* for 8 days for a grand total of $250, taxes included. Vendor is Hertz. Have used this same company in previous years and have never had any issues my rentals. Beat my best reserved price by $120

I am also thinking about Hotwire for a minivan. I never rented through them, so I am a little nervous about booking since it is non-refundable. Do you know if you can skip the counters when you get your vehicle?

 

[MEK]

I didn't use a code for this. Taxes and fees are included ($52.44 base rate plus $48.25 taxes and fees). I did not add any options. I've heard the rates fluctuate often so hopefully you'll get a better deal if you keep checking back. Good luck!

That's awesome. I will keep checking. Advantage was that cheap but they have some terrible reviews on yelp. Not worth it to me.

 

[Patsfan7]

Hey all! My Alamo ressie went down from $289 to $251 using the insiders code 7015135 and the VISA AD2338FDF for $30 off for a standard rental June 21-July 1. Just thought I'd let everyone know to check theirs this am.

Also, I cannot find the AD2338FDF code anywhere on the VISA site or the Alamo site so not sure about using that? Does anyone know where to find it online?

Thank you and good luck!

I just put those in and it told me that that insider code is limited to select insiders

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I just put those in and it told me that that insider code is limited to select insiders

Oh, I don't know? I just have "Alamo Insiders Rate" on my ressie at the top. Maybe clear your cookies and try again? I don't think it's a special code. I'll try to find the thread I found it in, but it may have been this one.

 

[mazoo77]

I just put those in and it told me that that insider code is limited to select insiders

You need to be logged in as an Alamo Insider before you can get the rate using this code(7015135). Sign up if you are currently not an Alamo Insider, it's free on their website. It should work fine once you register.

I got a good rate using this code as well and check it daily waiting for it to drop.