National Car Rental Discounts?

[Wes]

Does National have discounts for long stays at WDW?

 

[Bren's Mom]

What are the dates you're looking for? Yes, National does have discounts but as with all codes the dates, lengths, types of cars all factor in. Give us a little more info!

 

[simpilotswife]

You might also want to ask this question on the Transportation Board. There are a lot of people there who can give you great information.

 

[Wes]

What are the dates you're looking for? Yes, National does have discounts but as with all codes the dates, lengths, types of cars all factor in. Give us a little more info!

We will be arriving at MCO November 18 and leaving December 5.

 

[speedyf]

Scroll down the page to "National Contract IDs"....not the area with NATIONAL in bold with "Contract ID" below it...scroll further down.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-deals/788985

We sometimes fly into Tampa for alot less than Orlando. When we do this, we rent a car for one day from Tampa and return it to the Dolphin Resort (no additional fee, by the way). It usually runs me between $20 and $30 for a full size sedan. It also gives us the ability to hit Wal-Mart on that first day for water and snacks for the week.

We return the car the next morning and catch a bus from the Dolphin to our park for that day. Returning the car is very easy at the Dolphin as you just drive up to valet and they write out a receipt....no counters or anything.

We do the opposite on the way back....pick up at Dolphin and return in Tampa.

ETA: Also...the key is to continue checking. We were locked into a reservation for around $34 using the one of the codes. National released some "last minute" specials that ended up dropping us down to $22 AFTER TAX for a full size car for the one day...it was something like $17 for the rental. Of course, this was in early February during the "slow" season. Make sure to sign up on their site to get the e-mail about last minute specials. I think I get one every 2 or 3 weeks.

Speed

 

[Wes]

Scroll down the page to "National Contract IDs"....not the area with NATIONAL in bold with "Contract ID" below it...scroll further down.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-deals/788985

ETA: Also...the key is to continue checking. We were locked into a reservation for around $34 using the one of the codes. National released some "last minute" specials that ended up dropping us down to $22 AFTER TAX for a full size car for the one day...

I went to the Fat Wallet site and then to the National site and plugged in several of the Fat Wallet listed codes there.

Bottom Line:

1 - NONE of the codes that I tried reduced anything larger than a full-sized price. Vans and SUVs using the discount contract codes were the same price as for the default contract # that National applies.

2 - The Walmart, United, and American contracts did give a 20% discount on mid-sized and full-sized.

3 - The Car & Driver code that was shown at Fat Wallet as 30% discount got no discount at all.

The time period of the rental for this comparison was nov 18 - Dec 5, 2008.

 

[Bren's Mom]

So you need a van or SUV? Or is a car ok? I just was able to get significant amounts off of a compact-full size for your dates but the same codes won't necessarily work for a van or SUV.

Also, National has various grades of minivans and SUVs. Let us know how many passengers and which classes specifically you need. And, just curious, what price were you able to get so we know what the price is you want to beat.

 

[Wes]

Let us know how many passengers and which classes specifically you need. And, just curious, what price were you able to get so we know what the price is you want to beat.

I opted to risk the Emerald Aisle and booked a mid-size. There are two adults, and one 14, one 12, and one 3 who will eventually be in the car. But one adult and the 3 year old will be arriving 8 days later, so that we will add the extra driver and the car seat when they arrive.

The problem is not so much the people as it will be the luggage. Once we do get all 5 of us together, we will have 5 medium/large suitcases plus carry on bags.

For Nov 15 (10 PM) - Dec 5 (6AM), I booked a mid-size at a base price of $374.33.

For the contract code, I used United Airlines. For the coupon, I used National's $30 weekly discount coupon, which is at http://www.nationalcar.com/index.do?action=/hotDealsTemplate&msg=ZL_30Off_weekly_coupon

 

[Bren's Mom]

That's not a bad price.

Here's a printable coupon good until the end of the year. National allows multiple discounts so you can attempt to get an upgraded vehicle with this for no more money:

http://www.nationalcar.com/index.do...msg=National_carrentalupgrade_upgrade_ecoupon

 

[Wes]

That's not a bad price.

Here's a printable coupon good until the end of the year. National allows multiple discounts so you can attempt to get an upgraded vehicle with this for no more money:

http://www.nationalcar.com/index.do...msg=National_carrentalupgrade_upgrade_ecoupon

I have not really figured out what a 2-class upgrade from a mid-size would be. Surely, a full-size must be a 1-class upgrade. But what is the next class?

 

[Bren's Mom]

National's lineup is midsize, standard and then full-size. So that coupon should get you to full-size. I'd totally try to get them to give me an SUV, though. Be really sweet, talk up the clerk and ask if they want to get any of those gas guzzling SUVs that no one wants off their hands. Tell them it will make your whole vacation. Might not work, but can't hurt to try!