Minivan for REASONABLE cost? UPDATE - SUV Cheaper!

[DisneyMom]

Driving from Charlotte to Port Canaveral to Orlando then back to Charlotte 7/21 - 7/31 - rather than squish all of us (3 teens, one 6'2", one 6'5"!) into my Cavelier or worry about son's Camaro having problems far from home (recently put in rebuilt engine - actually finishing it today) and can't see driving 74 VW bug all that way - I decided this weekend to bite the bullet and rent a minivan - that way teens can stretch out - we can pack a cooler and everything else that teens need (especially 16 y/o DD who packs EVERYTHING!)

But looking at straight rentals (no discounts or anything) on the net - coming up with price of $329/week plus $80/day for 4 extra days for that period of time - pick up and drop off same place. Wonder if there are any codes or specials that anyone might know of. I don't belong to any of the "clubs" for any of the rental companies - would it be worth joining one of them? I do belong to AAA but their rate was only a few dollars cheaper at $310 (that's the per week rate - plus $78 per day for the 4 extra days - OUCH!)

Any help greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[robinb]

You'll probably get a better response over on the Transportation board.

Does the $329 for 10 days include tax? If so, that's probably not a bad rate. I can suggest a couple of things ... try Dollar Rental Car (www.dollarcar.com). One of these codes might get you a good discount ($199 - $219 per week plus taxes):

DAILY
DWEB
FVG
GLOBE
KISS
MCC
MAG
NEW
SPORT
TRIP

Also, since you live in Charlotte you will want to look at rentals away from the airport. Most airport locations add a 10% "concession fee".

You can check www.mousesavers.com under "Ground Transportation" for more codes.

 

[DisneyMom]

Actually, that was $329 for the week PLUS $78 per day for the 4 extra days!!! That's even worse! But I found one quote on a Standard SUV (like a Ford Explorer) for $384.88 for the entire trip, including unlimited mileage, and I think I'm going to jump on that!

We should be just as comfortable in a Ford Explorer I think - any input???

 

[robinb]

I think a minivan has a lot more room for passengers than an SUV. In a minivan you have 3 rows of seating for your teens to spread out. In an SUV they'll be crammed into the back seat and it won't be a whole lot better than your existing car.

You might also want to try Avis. Here's a link for a code that'll get you a minivan for $256/week and $50 per extra day.

http://www.space-coast.com/avis.cfm

 

[DisneyMom]

Thanks but I'm in NC and need to pick up/drop off in Charlotte - which apparently has some of the highest rental rates in this part of the country - big surprise - we have the 3rd highest air fares int he country with a monopoly held by US Air (which is why we're driving in the first place!!)

Even though the SUV is smaller than the minivan, it will be alot better than the Cavelier - my back seat doesn't give that much leg room and the trunk wouldn't hold all our luggage and cooler which an SUV would - still not as nice as a minivan, but might be a compromise we can all live with - ended up with a Hertz quote for the entire trip, including tax for $349 - not bad!

 

[Lissete]

I got a minivan from Dollar using the FVG Code for $209.99 per week with unlimited mileage. This a Miami p/u & d/o for July 23 for 2 weeks..

 

[unctigger]

Would trying one of these alternate airports work?

Southwest has some great fares now--maybe you could fly for about the same as the minivan rental + gas, food, etc on the way down.

Just a thought

 

[2boys'mom]

an SUV. Most car insurance that covers rental cars also doesn;t cover 4WD vehicles or trucks but does usually cover minivans. You may need to buy a CDW with the SUV. Check your insurance closely. Also AMerican Express may not cover an SUV either.

 

[Roxie A]

I know what you mean Disneymom, I'm from Charlotte also. The rate you ended up is the same as what I got for a friend but thru Alamo, it's only for the first of July though. I have to agree about the air from here, I'm looking for tickets to Miami and from Charlotte its $209 but from RDU its $98 with a layover in Charlotte. That is just disgusting.

 

[Mic]

Hi, Disneymom!
I live in Lexington, a little more than an hour away. My 1-year-old van's transmission went out last weekend, and it is going to cost over $3000 to repair, and I will be without a vehicle while it is in the shop. Since I have 4 kids with various committments(band camp, cheerleading camp, etc.) and my husband works in Greensboro 12 hours a day, I am renting a full-size car for a week, and you will never believe where my pick-up is...Charlotte airport! CLT had a cheaper base rate than Greenboro or Raleigh(by more than $50) through National. I joined their EA club a month ago when it was free, and they sent me a $20-off coupon for a rental of 7 days or more, plus my DC coupon(came in the sampler when they discontinued MKC) gives me a total of $125.84 for the week, declining all insurance, of course. I am more than covered through my own policy, as I owe ALOT on the van that is in the shop! The next thing I purchase for the van after the transmission is a big "FOR SALE" sign!

 

[DisneyMom]

Thanks - I just called my insurance company and for $2 (yes - TWO dollars), I can add the rental car rider so I'm covered without adding the rental company insurance (which is like $25 a DAY!)

We thought about flying out of Greensboro or even Columbia or Spartanburg, SC - but we're going to Port Canaveral first for our RC cruise, then spending 1/2 day at Kennedy Space Center, then driving to WDW - so we'd either need to rent a car down there or take lots of large taxis carting all our luggage and cooler so would be better to drive - drive is only about 9-1/2 hours - not too bad.

Think we'll be fine with the Ford Explorer, but was told there's a chance I might get an upgrade so might end up with a minivan anyway - either way will be better than cramming 4 adults and lots of luggage into a Cavelier!

Only 18 more days till I'm in FLORIDA (Can you tell I'm soooo ready!!!)