Love a CHALLENGE?

[paysensmom]

I have got a challenge for all you interested!!
I need a rental car from Charlottesville, Va pick up and drop off.
Pick up August 19th and drop off September 3rd.
I believe I need a full-size, because thats what my hubby is telling me anyhow!! I will be traveling with a three and a five year old. I will have at least two large suitcases and a big double stroller.
The best rate I have so far is $454.27 for a full-size through Avis. That is including tax and everything and it has unlimited miles.
So, if your up for it, please help me find a better rate for the same size car!!!
Thanks in advance,
Heather

 

[vasusan]

We are flying from Roanoke to Sanford, FL for $49 each way on Allegiant. For that rental price you can just about fly.

 

[paysensmom]

WHat a deal you found!! Would I still be able to find that price??
I think we may be better off doing just a rental though because we will need a rental while we are there anyhow. Because we are staying off site and want to go to the beach and do some site seeing while there. We are also gonna go to Sea World since they are letting military in free
There is a little story behind the whole need for this rental car!!

OK, bear with me!
My husband does not know if he gets to go with us to Disney or not. He will not know until 4 days before our trip He may get a promotion, if he does he has to stay and go through Chief initiation. (he is in the Navy)
So, if he doesnt go we need a rental becuase we have just ONE vehicle. If he does go, we will drive our gas guzzling truck.
Side note: It would not be better for hubby to get the rental because of the gas issue!
So, any advice or help is greatly needed and desired!! I will be ever greatful!
Heather

 

[vasusan]

I would try Enterprise for a rental then. Check mousesavers and fatwallet for rental codes to try.

 

[paysensmom]

I looked at fatwallet and the only thing I found was a link to Thrifty that said 5% of or something. It was reallly high, in the 600's YIKES!! Enterprise doesnt leave from Charlottesville
Got anymore ideas in ya!!
Thanks
Heather

 

[PlutoPony]

Trying to get a good rate out of Charlottesville is a problem - there's just not that much rental car activity there, compared to airports and bigger cities. Enterprise is probably your best bet, but they're not known to be inexpensive. Can you use another location? Maybe Richmond airport or even Dulles? You might also try a mid-sized vehicle to save a few bucks.

 

[Lewisc]

READ THE FINE PRINT, some agencies limit the states you're allowed to drive. Enterprise will generally limit your free mileage if you drive out of state.

 

[PlutoPony]

Couple of suggestions.... if you MUST use Charlottesville, go to the website for the airport and there will be a list there of rental car agencies that operate out of it. The airport there is TINY but there will be some choices (just don't think they'll be as competitively priced as you see in say Orlando). This is really a fairly small college town with a small (but growing) business community. Most people we know from there go to other airports to fly out... Don't know why you didn't think Enterprise is there but it is, just not for less than you already have.
Also consider Priceline, altho I don't know if that approach typically gives unlimited miles, etc.
Good luck!

 

[clkelley]

READ THE FINE PRINT, some agencies limit the states you're allowed to drive. Enterprise will generally limit your free mileage if you drive out of state.

Some rental companies will limit mileage if you are renting from your home city, because they don't want you to do what you are doing.

 

[Lewisc]

Again READ THE FINE PRINT, sometimes an airport location will only rent to customers that arriving via air.

Couple of suggestions.... if you MUST use Charlottesville, go to the website for the airport and there will be a list there of rental car agencies that operate out of it. The airport there is TINY but there will be some choices (just don't think they'll be as competitively priced as you see in say Orlando). This is really a fairly small college town with a small (but growing) business community. Most people we know from there go to other airports to fly out... Don't know why you didn't think Enterprise is there but it is, just not for less than you already have.
Also consider Priceline, altho I don't know if that approach typically gives unlimited miles, etc.
Good luck!

 

[paysensmom]

Hmmm... I have to drive through Roanoke, VA. I thinkthat is a bigger town than Charlottesville. My hubby could drive me there and then turn around and go back home after I get a rental. I checked Roanoke too and couldnt find any better than what I have for Charlottesville.Keep the tips coming though.
Thank you so much
Heather

 

[riaesq]

I looked at fatwallet and the only thing I found was a link to Thrifty that said 5% of or something. It was reallly high, in the 600's YIKES!! Enterprise doesnt leave from Charlottesville
Got anymore ideas in ya!!
Thanks
Heather

454 for over 2 weeks full size is actually a pretty good deal! Car rentals are generally much higher this year than last. Maybe you have an Entertainment or Costco coupon you can use to save a few more $.
You missed an ENORMOUS thread on the travel forum.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=63&threadid=521905&msgid=10973079&start=0

BUT truthfully I'd look into those $49 fares too, then PL your rental in FL.

 

[paysensmom]

Hey,
I looked up allegiant on the and it just came up with a bunch of different airline sites to try? I checked a few and $49 is nowhere to be found!! I found 200 per person. YIKES!! I couldnt afford that and a rental. PLease help!
Heather

 

[Lewisc]

You can also check local car dealers and places like Rent a Wreck. Figure out how many miles you'll be driving, getting an allowance of 100 miles per day and then paying for extra miles might come out OK.

$454 for 2 weeks, with taxes and fees isn't that high. Dirt cheap rental rates in Florida have given some people unrealistic expectations. Just make sure your Avis rate doesn't include extras that you don't need.

It looks like you're renting for 2 weeks and one day. You'll save some money if you can try to make due with 14 days (2 weeks).

 

[vasusan]

Try breaking up your rental with Enterprise as 2 weekly rentals using codes from fatwallet. That is actually what i have done with them before. Also check and see if they will give you the insurance rates- call the local office for this. Sometimes they will give you the insurance rates as a benefit of your ins company.

 

[canwegosoon]

Try breaking up your rental with Enterprise as 2 weekly rentals using codes from fatwallet. That is actually what i have done with them before. Also check and see if they will give you the insurance rates- call the local office for this. Sometimes they will give you the insurance rates as a benefit of your ins company.

I had looked into this for heather(on Avis and National)...but one way rentals were over 1,000 per week.