Lousy National rates!!

[sweetp267]

I have a trip planned for Jan 14-22 04 and I have been religiously checking National's website for the specials to change. Up until yesterday the special rates were only valid until Dec 13 or so. Now they have a new set of rates until Feb 10 04 and as soon as I saw it I jumped on it. I put in all of my numbers and wouldn't you know it, the same lousy rate that I have been getting for the last month or so was still there! I tried different things but no go. I then emailed customer service to see if maybe the computers weren't updated yet since I kind of caught it early. Well they got back to me quick enough and I got the standard "we only have limited quantities of vehicles at that rate and your rental isn't valid during your time period" spew. The only possibility is that I am there during MLK day. Well WDW doesn't think it is of any consequence since their park hours don't show any extended hours for that entire weekend plus Monday itself.

I like National since I don't even have to go near the counter to get my car. Ever since I have heard horror stories about Alamo waits up to an hour!

This keeps up I think I'll walk to WDW, it will be cheaper!

 

[beachdreams]

Have you tried Dollar? I have been searching forever for a cheaper deal for 12/25-12/31 and could not find it anywhere. I tried all my membership codes (Amex, Costco etc) and nothing worked. I finally found a code for a cheaper rate for Dollar at www.rentalcars.com. Try plugging in fltvl in the rate code section and see if that helps. I got a intermediate car for those days for about $200 when every other agency was quoting me $450 and higher for a subcompact car.

Good luck!

 

[Steve Hurley]

Try these three combinations. I got a great rate with them.

Contract ID - 5760339
Coupon ID - 10008199
Product Rate Code - WWEB

Got these from mousesavers.com. You will have to print out the Vacation Outlet Coupon.

Good Luck

 

[n2mm]

The rates were much cheaper this weekend for national, but now are up again. We bounce between National and Dollar, but did use National for 4 trips last year. We haven't made our ressies for our late January trip yet. The rates change quickly, so be prepared to make your ressie and have the codes and coupon codes ready too. I should've made mine this weekend, but didn't.

 

[DebbieB]

Your dates are over MLK weekend, that's probably why it's high.

 

[sweetp267]

I don't think that is 100% true Debbieb. I played around with the dates so that MLK wasn't in the field and I still get nothing. I tried the first week of Feb and still nothing. I'm no expert but if the rates don't show up at all then don't you think something might be wrong on their end? The SAY that the vehicles are limited at those rates but how can they sell out THAT fast? The dates were only extended two days ago. Something should be available. Seems to me it borders on false advertising. IMHO that is.

 

[dls25]

I just checked your dates and if you go with Thrifty:

Full Size
Base Rate: 8 days $155.58
10% Sams Club Discount (Promotion: SAMS): 140.02
$15 Sams Club Coupon (http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/coup-win-thrifty.gif): 125.02

Intermediate is $91 with all the discounts


Worth waiting in line for me!!!

 

[sweetp267]

Thanks dls25 but I need a minivan and I checked Thrifty but their base rate is higher than what National is supposedly advertising. I guess I'll keep looking.

Thanks again

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Alamo would cost you, for that 8 day rental, 313.22 total.

 

[sweetp267]

Thanks guys, but you fail to notice that even though my dates add up to a 8 day rental, I am getting charged for 2 extra days since I pick up at 2pm on the 14th and return the 22nd at 630 pm. Those times were unavoidable due to the flight schedules. Right now I scored a rental at Alamo at least a month and a half ago for $349 total. I'm still looking though. I know, I just know I can get a better deal before I leave.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sweetp267
Thanks guys, but you fail to notice that even though my dates add up to a 8 day rental, I am getting charged for 2 extra days since I pick up at 2pm on the 14th and return the 22nd at 630 pm. Those times were unavoidable due to the flight schedules. Right now I scored a rental at Alamo at least a month and a half ago for $349 total. I'm still looking though. I know, I just know I can get a better deal before I leave.

we did not fail to notice, you did not tell us. That rate with Alamo is not bad at all for 9 days.

 

[roelongo]

You don't nedd to rent for that length of time. You should split the difference in time- you have a two hour window of time to return your car. I found this out when I rented my flight times changed and I inquired at the counter and the person said I have two hours from the time I picked up the car.

So if I pick the car up at 10:30am I have until 12:30 on the day I return

Hope it makes sense and helps

 

[sweetp267]

Well unfortunately I do need the car for that length of time. My flight gets in at around 1-130 pm and my flight home doesn't leave until 8pm or so. Obviously I can't wait around that long to take advantage of that 2 hour window with a 6 yr old, a 9 yr old, my DW and MIL. I think you get the picture.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[lawgs]

not all rental companies have a two hour grace period....

national we know allows a 59 minute grace period....

so checkwith the rental company to find out what the policy is...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by roelongo
You don't nedd to rent for that length of time. You should split the difference in time- you have a two hour window of time to return your car. I found this out when I rented my flight times changed and I inquired at the counter and the person said I have two hours from the time I picked up the car.

So if I pick the car up at 10:30am I have until 12:30 on the day I return

Hope it makes sense and helps

Not all companies have a two hour grace period. National and Alamo are 59 minutes.