Monthly Car Rentals

[KevinM]

My in-laws are renting a house in Kissimmee from Jan 28 to Feb 28.

They need to rent a car for the month but they have yet to find a rate of less than $1100.00.

I have tried to locate different options or discounts for them with little success. One idea I had was for them to rent a car once a week for 4 weeks, which seems to drop the total by about $200.00 (but I don't even know if a rental company will allow that).

I know there is no better place to ask for advice than these boards. Please help! Any info or ideas will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Long-term rentals ARE expensive; no way around it. Your 4 one-week rentals probably is your best bet; or perhaps 3 of 10 days each. With careful couponing and rate checks, you might be able to get it down to about $700 or so for a small car.

Companies will allow it if you don't tell them you are doing it. One good way to avoid detection would be to alternate the name of the renter each week. (I'm not suggesting that they really lie; just don't volunteer the structure of the plan to anyone they speak to on the phone, etc.) Alternating companies would work, too.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

Here is the cheapest I could find using the Carlson code.

Intermediate...Grand Am type

Pick-up:
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
28-JANUARY-2005 09:00 AM

Return:
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
28-FEBRUARY-2005 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 1 Month @ 643.72 643.72
Unlimited Distance-time & Distance 0 Distance @ 0.00 0.00

Base Rate _____
643.72


Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 64.57
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 61.50
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 15.19
State Tax (6.50%) 51.02

Total Estimate _____
836.00

 

[Kitster]

Intermediate 2/4 Door Car Auto A/C
Pick-up:
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
28-JANUARY-2005 09:00 AM

Return:
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
28-FEBRUARY-2005 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 4 Week @ 162.67 650.68
Extra - Time & Distance 3 Day @ 27.11 81.33
Extra - Time & Distance 0 Hour @ 13.56 0.00
Unlimited Distance-time & Distance 0 Distance @ 0.00 0.00

Base Rate _____732.01

Less Discounts:
Discount -73.20

SubTotal _____658.81


Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 61.50
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 15.19
State Tax (6.50%) 47.81

Total Estimate _____783.31

They can knock off another $30 if they are happy with a compact car for the month.

 

[KevinM]

Thanks for all your help!

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to consider is the insurance provided through gold or platinum visa cards are only good for rentals of 15 days or less.

 

[Lewisc]

You don't want to pay the airport surcharge for a long rental. If necessary rent for a day and drive to a non-airport location. You might CALL the local rental agency (not the 800 number) and negotiate a rate. A friend of mine did that in AZ when he needed a 6 week rental. DOUBLE CHECK YOUR INSURANCE credit card and your own policy may not cover you even if you break it up as multiple rentals.

 

[BobH]

1 - If your in laws are over 50 years old and belong to AARP they might try renting with Avis using an AARP code. A35****. Try this on the Avis website. I have done better with this discount code than many of the other discounts. AARP membership only costs about $10-12 per year and you can regain the cost of membership easily with the first rental car savings.

2- Insurance. If they are planning on using a credit card to cover any of the liability make sure they check the fine print on the card. My master card covers me but only for up to 15 days.
Regular car insurance should cover them also but it won't cover "loss of use" charges" and deductibles. Always consult your insurance agent.

Good luck!

 

[BobH]

Not sure why the code in previous message got blocked. Here it is speeled out:

A three five nintey-eight hundred

Use with Avis