May 2013 Car Rental - Best deals?

[K9pal]

what is the insider? Where are you picking/dropping? I am looking for 11 days and getting MUCH higher

Alamo Insider - free registration on their website. You get notifications of coupon codes, etc. Plus, you can bypass the counter, which IMO is the best perk of all!

You can't use more than one discount code, but you CAN combine a discount code and a coupon code. A great resource is Mousesavers.com - look on their Alamo rental car page and they explain everything.

Finally, check rates multiple times each day. Mine for MCO (Orlando airport) was $500+ yesterday, then dropped to $151 this morning, then just a while later it's back up to $600+. If you find a rate you can live with, book it! Very easy to re-book and cancel if it drops.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

thanks. I do check mousesavers a lot. My issue is that I come into amtrak station and not the airport BUT I could taxi over. I also got the only rental place at amtrak, hertz, to do a price match last time

 

[nhmommy]

If you're willing to add extra time most companies will do pickup.

 

[bengalfreak]

Got a tip from the April thread that saved me $68 so I thought I'd pay it forward. For April 30-May 9, got a mid-size with Alamo for $226 using the Southwest Rapid Rewards corporate code: 7016105 and the Visa coupon: AD2338FDF. The best rate I found before this was $294 for a compact with National using the KLM code. Hoping rates continue to go down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just got a full size out the door for nine days for $177.94 using southwest code and via coupon listed above. Previously, I was at $320.00.

 

[hollerfolk5]

Wow!!! I can't get my rate to come down using Visa & Southwest codes in Alamo. Still over $400 for May 4-11 (((((

 

[n2mm]

Wow!!! I can't get my rate to come down using Visa & Southwest codes in Alamo. Still over $400 for May 4-11 (((((

Did you try changing your times by 30 minutes? If I put in pick up at 4:00PM and drop off at 4:00PM, I get an very high price, but if I change the time to pick up at 4:00PM and drop off at 4:30PM, I get a cheap flight. I've seen this happen before with the times. Once I changed the time by 30 minutes, I now get a full size for 8 days for a total of $157. Now sure if it will work, but worth a try.

 

[hollerfolk5]

n2mm:

Did you use any codes? I did changes the times & it says the same. Don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I used may 4-11 pick up at 4 and drop off at 4:30 using my insiders #, visa $30 off coupon & southwest contract I'd. Thanks!!!!

 

[K9pal]

n2mm:

Did you use any codes? I did changes the times & it says the same. Don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I used may 4-11 pick up at 4 and drop off at 4:30 using my insiders #, visa $30 off coupon & southwest contract I'd. Thanks!!!!

That's another good tip that I forgot - always use a time that's on the hour. I found that using half hours almost always results in a higher price.

 

[n2mm]

n2mm:

Did you use any codes? I did changes the times & it says the same. Don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I used may 4-11 pick up at 4 and drop off at 4:30 using my insiders #, visa $30 off coupon & southwest contract I'd. Thanks!!!!

I used the same codes as you. I did crunch your numbers and not sure why it's so much higher. It must have something to do with your arrival day. I pick up on a Tuesday. Just keep trying. My last trip (in January) I didn't see any drops until 1 week prior. I'm still hoping for a drop with National.

 

[kat3668]

I got an 8 day rental this morning using www.carrentalsavers.com with enterprise (economy) for $158 with all fees and taxes. If I remember correctly MCO does not have economy so I with automatically be upgraded to a compact! I'm hoping to get it down a little lower but will be sastisfied with this if I cant find anything else.

 

[DisneyDreamMaker]

Alamo

Full size
May 10th 10 am
To
May 18th 7pm
Total = $169.64
Costco Code & Visa Code used

Hoping to get it down a little more like we did last year but if not we are okay with this.

 

[kat3668]

Alamo

Full size
May 10th 10 am
To
May 18th 7pm
Total = $169.64
Costco Code & Visa Code used

Hoping to get it down a little more like we did last year but if not we are okay with this.

Is this including taxes?

 

[aubriee]

I usually keep an eye out for discount codes, but wait until at least a month out to actually book and then usually rebook that last week before I leave, when prices start really dropping. However, it looks like prices are dropping early this year. I just used my Alamo insider, Southwest 7016105, and the VISA AD2338FDF discounts and got a midsize car for eleven days for $218.47 all fees/drive out price. That's less than $20.00 a day (all fees included). I can live with that.

I just checked again using the same codes and the price dropped another eight bucks to $210.16. Every little bit helps. In just the last two days using the various codes, Alamo prices have dropped $247.59, $230.02, $220.63, and $218.30, to $210.16. This is for a midsize for eleven days May 10th-20th 10am-3:00pm..

 

[aubriee]

Alamo

Full size
May 10th 10 am
To
May 18th 7pm
Total = $169.64
Costco Code & Visa Code used

Hoping to get it down a little more like we did last year but if not we are okay with this.

What is the Costco code? I'm a member, but not sure of the code to use. Thanks!

 

[K9pal]

What is the Costco code? I'm a member, but not sure of the code to use. Thanks!

Alamo Costco - try code 7014627 or 7015309 (must be Costco member)

Alamo Visa code - 7015504 (must pay w/Visa card)

 

[Kassidysdad]

I am getting some decent rates from ALAMO for April 20-May 4th for a standard (no need to book full size @ MCO for they do not have a Standard row - You choose from the Full size aisle). I have noticed the price is the same whether I just use my insider login or any code (and trust me, I am the King of codes ) as well as a coupon code I use.

 

[aubriee]

Alamo Costco - try code 7014627 or 7015309 (must be Costco member)

Alamo Visa code - 7015504 (must pay w/Visa card)

Thanks! I'm a Costco member, just wasn't sure what code to use. I also have a Visa and knew about that code.

 

[DisneyDreamMaker]

Is this including taxes?

Yes this is with tax!

Costco code is 7014627
Visa code AD2338FDF

Full size and standard reservations were both $169.64 in total so it did not matter which we booked.

 

[DisneyDreamMaker]

Thanks! I'm a Costco member, just wasn't sure what code to use. I also have a Visa and knew about that code.

The Visa code 7015504 did not work for me. I used Visa code AD2338FDF along with Costco code 7014627.
Bring your Costco card when picking up. Although they did not ask us for ours last year, others have stated they requested card.

We had a great experience with Alamo last year that I didn't even bother checking other companies. I'm hoping we have the same experience this year!

 

[Familytradition]

I just booked May 3-May 18th on the Dollar web site. I have a full size car (Taurus) and I'm paying $312.67 taxes incl. No code, just pick your dates and then click city specials. Hoping it drops even more as we get closer.