May 2012 Car Rentals

[n2mm]

I have a full size with Alamo for 12 days (11 nights) that I booked over the weekend. My total is $180. The same rental now is double that price. THe prices change sometimes by the hour. I'm finding my best rates either very early in the morning (6AM) or late at night (10PM). Sometimes they change several time throughout the day. They have remained steady the past 2 days now. It's crazy, almost like playing the stock market. I've got such a strange combination of rentals right now that I need to sort through and decide what I'm keeping and what I'm cancelling. Since I need a minivan the first half, I have that for a pretty good price then switch mid-trip to a full size. I'm almost 2 weeks out and still National is not dropping. Normally late Tuesday is when we start to see some changes, so I'm watching that too. I would prefer part of my rental come from National, so I bounce back and fourth between Alamo and National, but early on I was holding a Budget reservation which has been cancelled now. My last trip in January this year, National did drop until 3 days before my trip!

 

[Missy29]

Our full size for 10 days is also over the first week of May. It's $225 which isn't too bad, but it's still higher than the rest of you are finding.

I wonder if that first week of May is higher because of the cheerleading/dance worlds at Disney that week

I thought I read that they were going to be there April27-29, could be wrong though.

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

I'm shocked and thrilled that the pattern held today and we are now at $79.29!

I don't know why mine won't come up any cheaper using these? I have the insider ID plus costco and when I put in these codes my cheapest rate with tax is $271? We are going from 5-24 until 6-1 so maybe that is it?

 

[pigletto]

I thought I read that they were going to be there April27-29, could be wrong though.

Sorry.. I should have put our dates in. We pick up the car just after midnight so technically the 28th and we keep it until the 7th. It's the only reason I could think that particular week is higher than the others. Either way, I can live with this rate. I just can't seem to stop checking.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I'm so glad we booked our rental when we did ... we have a premium booked from May 17th-28th for $175. Even the compact, economy and mid-size categories are around $330-$345 for our dates

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Our full size for 10 days is also over the first week of May. It's $225 which isn't too bad, but it's still higher than the rest of you are finding.

I wonder if that first week of May is higher because of the cheerleading/dance worlds at Disney that week

Really Cheerleaders again? What event is going on this time?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I have a full size with Alamo for 12 days (11 nights) that I booked over the weekend. My total is $180. The same rental now is double that price. THe prices change sometimes by the hour. I'm finding my best rates either very early in the morning (6AM) or late at night (10PM). Sometimes they change several time throughout the day. They have remained steady the past 2 days now. It's crazy, almost like playing the stock market. I've got such a strange combination of rentals right now that I need to sort through and decide what I'm keeping and what I'm cancelling. Since I need a minivan the first half, I have that for a pretty good price then switch mid-trip to a full size. I'm almost 2 weeks out and still National is not dropping. Normally late Tuesday is when we start to see some changes, so I'm watching that too. I would prefer part of my rental come from National, so I bounce back and fourth between Alamo and National, but early on I was holding a Budget reservation which has been cancelled now. My last trip in January this year, National did drop until 3 days before my trip!

Oh please feel free to play with my May 1-8 dates if you are looking. I am in the middle of packing for an international move and I want to keep checking but find myself painting bathroom drawers and shelves. What could be more fun than that?

 

[shoes99]

We only need a weekend rental picking up with National at the Car Car Center. With a Sat night stay, BJ's one free day, NF44Z5JDL and BJ's contract 5027379, we have a quote of $78.79 midsize for 2 days, 1 hour.
The FD online offer was for a 3 day rental, but it accepts it if I book 2 days, 1 hour.
I'll keep checking, but Alamo free day is with a 5 day rental, National's is with a 3 day rental. Our dates are May 26th to May 28th..

Update:
Alamo insider 7015135 and one weekend day free , 2 day rental, mid-size, $45.87. The birthday email gives a fd with 2 day minimum stay so I dropped the 1 hour and changed to Alamo.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I don't know why mine won't come up any cheaper using these? I have the insider ID plus costco and when I put in these codes my cheapest rate with tax is $271? We are going from 5-24 until 6-1 so maybe that is it?

I checked my rental dates and it's gone up to $204.20...my dates are 05-16 to 05-22, so maybe in a couple of days you will find your dates dropping...I sure hope so!

 

[TamieH]

Hi - Thanks for everyone's help and wonderful information! Based on info on this thread, I booked in January through Budget for our May 20-26 trip for a Minivan. I got $225 plus tax = $299.14 using BCD X474200. This isn't horrible compared to many van prices I've been seeing >$600, but would love to save more. I've been trying to find something even better, but am struggling.

Anyone have any coupons that would work for Budget? Every coupon I seem to try requires a Saturday night stayover which we wont have with a Sunday - Saturday rental. I don't have a Costco membership since we have a Sam's. I'm open to other agencies as long as in terminal. We have to have a minivan since we are cruising on the Fantasy the next week and need the luggage space. We totally crammed into a full-size last year, but it was too tight with 2 adults, 2 kids, 4 large bags and everyone's carryon tote/purse. One suitcase had to ride crammed in between the two kids in the backseat.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[APB513]

Hi - Thanks for everyone's help and wonderful information! Based on info on this thread, I booked in January through Budget for our May 20-26 trip for a Minivan. I got $225 plus tax = $299.14 using BCD X474200. This isn't horrible compared to many van prices I've been seeing >$600, but would love to save more. I've been trying to find something even better, but am struggling.

Anyone have any coupons that would work for Budget? Every coupon I seem to try requires a Saturday night stayover which we wont have with a Sunday - Saturday rental. I don't have a Costco membership since we have a Sam's. I'm open to other agencies as long as in terminal. We have to have a minivan since we are cruising on the Fantasy the next week and need the luggage space. We totally crammed into a full-size last year, but it was too tight with 2 adults, 2 kids, 4 large bags and everyone's carryon tote/purse. One suitcase had to ride crammed in between the two kids in the backseat.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I checked Budget using your dates and BCD code D454300 and got a mid sized SUV for $198.39 (taxes and fees included)

I'm not sure if a mid sized SUV would work for you compared to a mini van but I thought I would post just in case.

Here are the stats for comparison:

Minivan - 7 people, 3 large bags, 4 medium bags and 2 small bags
Mid sized SUV - 5 people, 1 large bags, 3 medium bags and 2 small bags

 

[momtotwins]

you guys are so good a finding deals so i thought i would post my dates and what i have so far and see if anyone knows a way to beat this.

our dates are may 18-26

we currently have a standard size for 155 after all taxes and fees. we are using thrifty through the magicard discount

we could change sizes though, we are 4 people with a medium amount of luggage

i thought my price was pretty good until seeing some of what you guys have accomplished

 

[springandmac]

Why are the rates so high?

I'm flying into Sanford from May 12 - May 17. Alamo and National are $312 for a midsize and I'm not paying that. I just rented a car from Sanford Alamo last week for $158 for 4 days. I thought that was ridiculous but this takes the cake! I don't want to buy the car, I just want to rent it....sheesh!

So far I have a SUV from budget for $198. I could do the compact for $168 but I don't really care for clown cars.

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

Well I got another $40 off at carrentals.com. It is now at $125 with taxes and fees. That is the cheapest out of every place I try so far even Costco. We shall see what it does over the next few weeks.

 

[gmeh1]

I don't know why mine won't come up any cheaper using these? I have the insider ID plus costco and when I put in these codes my cheapest rate with tax is $271? We are going from 5-24 until 6-1 so maybe that is it?

Think Memorial day holiday. That is why your rate is high.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Today, my Alamo midsize from 5/9-5/14 has gone up to $158. Something seems wrong with the booking engine, though, as the 10% discount for either the Visa ID code or Insider's ID code isn't showing up - and the "economy" category is listed as at least $20 higher than compact or mid-size! Weird.

Glad I was able to book with the very deep discounts, as they may be over for my time frame. Good luck to everyone still searching.

 

[n2mm]

Today, my midsize from 5/9-5/14 has gone up to $158. Something seems wrong with the booking engine, though, as the 10% discount for either the Visa ID code or Insider's ID code isn't showing up - and the "economy" category is listed as at least $20 higher than compact or mid-size! Weird.

Glad I was able to book with the very deep discounts, as they may be over for my time frame. Good luck to everyone still searching.

First thing this morning (6:00AM) the rates were alot lower. I was getting around $500 for a 3 week rental. I just checked again and it's back up to over $800 again. I swear the prices go up and down like crazy. I am finding the rates drop in the evening too. I check around 9:00PM est and the rates are often much lower than throughout the day. I did notice that National dropped a little today for mid-to late April -- though still much higher than my Alamo rentals.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

n2mm - I have found the same (early am/late pm), but was busy this morning. Maybe I'll check again this evening, just to see what happens with my rental period. I've kind of gotten addicted to checking now!

I thought about upgrading to full size, as mid-size isn't what it used to be and it was only $3-$4 difference yesterday. I dithered and it's gone now! lol I'm OK with the mid-size, though, as it will only be me and DD.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I would still like to find something cheaper for a rental May 1-8. Right now with taxes it is $177 at Budget booked through carrentalsavers.com.

Please if anyone can do better let me know. I have Visa, AMex, American Airlines, Sam's club. Also an Insider # with Alamo and I have a budget #, National, ect.

I keep checking and the price of the car, compact is good but the taxes add in so much. Making the total cost $26 a day with taxes.

 

[webworm]

I would still like to find something cheaper for a rental May 1-8. Right now with taxes it is $177 at Budget booked through carrentalsavers.com.

Please if anyone can do better let me know. I have Visa, AMex, American Airlines, Sam's club. Also an Insider # with Alamo and I have a budget #, National, ect.

I keep checking and the price of the car, compact is good but the taxes add in so much. Making the total cost $26 a day with taxes.

On expedia.ca you can get a compact with Budget for $129 inc taxes. US residents can book as well.