National Car rental experts??

[minster22]

I just booked a convertible for next April/May and got a great rate of $550 for 19 days including all taxes and fees. I used the QuikRent option they offer. I tried many different contract numbers and got the best discount with my Disney Club card which expires on Dec.2003.Now I know many people were in this situation last year with expiration dates of Dec 2002 and they booked into 2003 . Do you think I will have a problem with this or will they honor it?

 

[sgtdisney]

That is a good question. In the past, the contract id officially 'expired' but it was still coming up valid in the National system. The Disney Club did not expire, though. In the case you mentioned it is The Disney Club itself which is expiring. It will be interesting to see how they handle this. I suspect if the contract code works when you book the reservation, they will honor the price.

On a side note, I just used National the past two weeks using the DC contract ID from last year and it worked fine, absolutely no questions or comments.

 

[minster22]

sgtdisney, thanks for the quick reply. Did they ask to see your DC card to confirm you are a member? I am thinking that using the QuikRent and picking the car up directly in the garage the attendants out there just want to get everyone in and out and really are not concerned with any club membership cards.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I will be very surprised if they continue to honor a discount for a card that will no longer exist. And, yes, they do check the cards and have every time I have used mine. They may want to get you out fast, but, they do take the time to check.

 

[beattyfamily]

fyi...they have always asked for my Disney Club card too!

IMHO, you are taking a big chance. The Disney Club will not be in existance when your renting a car. I wouldn't take that chance.

 

[minster22]

Well I respect your opinions and certainly do not want to chance the rate not being valid so I will just be right upfront and give National a call and ask them what they will be doing since the internet is accepting the contract number into 2004. Thanks.

 

[mazzarafe]

I too have the same sticker shock with national for end of March '04. $251 for 8 days for a full size and that is with a discount from Mousesavers and a coupon. I have to say that this was the biggest DC discount and would always more than pay for the membership for me. I'm so sad it is going away.

We just love the convience of National at the airport not having to wait in any lines. Unfortunately for the convience I'm gonna have to pay the price. And now we are trying to plan a trip during spring break for my DH who just took on a teaching job so vacation time is very limited. Just looking forward to be able to go at all and will have to swallow the expense.

Please let us know what you were told from National.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mazzarafe
I too have the same sticker shock with national for end of March '04. $251 for 8 days for a full size and that is with a discount from Mousesavers and a coupon. I have to say that this was the biggest DC discount and would always more than pay for the membership for me. I'm so sad it is going away.

We just love the convience of National at the airport not having to wait in any lines. Unfortunately for the convience I'm gonna have to pay the price. And now we are trying to plan a trip during spring break for my DH who just took on a teaching job so vacation time is very limited. Just looking forward to be able to go at all and will have to swallow the expense.

Please let us know what you were told from National.

Gina,
Keep on looking for rates, they often fall, you are booking really early for March.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by mazzarafe
I too have the same sticker shock with national for end of March '04. $251 for 8 days for a full size and that is with a discount from Mousesavers and a coupon. I have to say that this was the biggest DC discount and would always more than pay for the membership for me. I'm so sad it is going away.

We just love the convience of National at the airport not having to wait in any lines. Unfortunately for the convience I'm gonna have to pay the price. And now we are trying to plan a trip during spring break for my DH who just took on a teaching job so vacation time is very limited. Just looking forward to be able to go at all and will have to swallow the expense.

Please let us know what you were told from National.

When I started looking in January for Nov/Dec, the rates were SO high and well over $200! I was all set to use Alamo because with my DC discounts it was much lower than National. But then in March, the rates at National went down, down, and down! I rebooked about 5 times until it bottomed out at $120.89 for full size for a week, and with my DC discounts the Grand Total for a week for me was $111. including all fees and taxes!!

The moral of my story, keep checking and rebooking when the rates comes down and then cancel the older, more expensive one. There's still hope for you!

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by minster22
sgtdisney, thanks for the quick reply. Did they ask to see your DC card to confirm you are a member? I am thinking that using the QuikRent and picking the car up directly in the garage the attendants out there just want to get everyone in and out and really are not concerned with any club membership cards.

Yes, they do ask for the card.. Actually this last trip, I just handed them the card along with my Driver's licence and credit card to save them asking for it... What everyone else is suggesting is very true. Keep checking the prices. The rates tend to fluctuate a lot.. When you get closer they may lower the rates as well. As you mentioned too, calling National is a very good idea. As the others have mentioned, I would be surprised if National would accept a membership discount on a program which was cancelled, but who knows with them.

 

[mazzarafe]

GAIL & beattyfamily,

I know I've booked far ahead for my March trip, but I'm going the last week of March/beginning of April which is peak time. I know I have a good chance that prices will go down, but I'm not sure if they will much for my time frame. I know others who have booked far in advance have been glad they did in the end so I'd rather be safe than sorry. I've cancelled and rebooked several times before but we have not gone during this time of year before so I do not know what I should expect.

I'm all for seeing those prices drop.

I also looked into airfare today for that time frame...let me tell you I will happily be awaiting for my dates to open up later this year with Southwest.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
When I started looking in January for Nov/Dec, the rates were SO high and well over $200! I was all set to use Alamo because with my DC discounts it was much lower than National. But then in March, the rates at National went down, down, and down! I rebooked about 5 times until it bottomed out at $120.89 for full size for a week, and with my DC discounts the Grand Total for a week for me was $111. including all fees and taxes!!

The moral of my story, keep checking and rebooking when the rates comes down and then cancel the older, more expensive one. There's still hope for you!

I am still checking!!!! They are just going up, up, up!!!!

 

[DebbieB]

The same thing happened to me. When I first starting checking National rates for my trip last month (May 9 to 16), it was over $300! It dropped and settled around $180 about a month before. I kept checking and it went down slowly, I ended up paying $110, including tax! That was with Disney Club, $20 Entertainment Coupon, Emerald Aisle, Full Size.

 

[minster22]

I called customer service @ National and asked if they would honor the DC discount next year. She said she truly did not know and I should call DC and ask them. Of course they said that National "should" honor the rate but did not know if they would. This was the best discount when applied but I will keep trying different ones thru this next year...AARP was also very good discount. Believe me, I am Happy with the price, Budget was the same price for a mid-size and with this we have a convertible for 19 days!!

 

[pokeysmom]

I don't have a disney club card so what other contract id should I use for end of July? also what product and coupon code has given you the best rate, any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by pokeysmom
I don't have a disney club card so what other contract id should I use for end of July? also what product and coupon code has given you the best rate, any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

BJ's 20.00 coupon plus AARP. for National.
BJ's free day coupon plus the applicable code from Alamo.
Kiss3 code for Dollar.

Other codes can be found at www.mousesavers.com

 

[minster22]

There are a number of coupons and contract numbers on mousesavers.com. I just go there and try them all and see what comes up best with your dates. There are other companies also which are also onsite. Budget has traditionally been cheapest for me but I have also used National and Dollar at MCO. Not only do I try different companies, all the codes but also check back periodically because prices do change lots as you have seen on this thread.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by minster22
There are a number of coupons and contract numbers on mousesavers.com. I just go there and try them all and see what comes up best with your dates. There are other companies also which are also onsite. Budget has traditionally been cheapest for me but I have also used National and Dollar at MCO. Not only do I try different companies, all the codes but also check back periodically because prices do change lots as you have seen on this thread.

This checking has become a full time job (almost). I find it interesting that you get better rates with Budget. I keep trying and it just seems so much higher. Wonder what I am doing wrong.

 

[minster22]

We took a trip to the Florida Keys in April and used Budget's midsize car/suv code which was $153 with all fees. I have gotten this size as low as $100 at MCO. I prefer Dollars' cars though, much newer and cleaner than any other company. Last year we had a brand new Sebring convertible from Dollar with about 1500 miles on it, leather interior, nice nice car for $199 a week, pretty sure it was with the fvg code. I just try them all....the planning and checking is a fun part of the anticipation for me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by minster22
We took a trip to the Florida Keys in April and used Budget's midsize car/suv code which was $153 with all fees. I have gotten this size as low as $100 at MCO. I prefer Dollars' cars though, much newer and cleaner than any other company. Last year we had a brand new Sebring convertible from Dollar with about 1500 miles on it, leather interior, nice nice car for $199 a week, pretty sure it was with the fvg code. I just try them all....the planning and checking is a fun part of the anticipation for me.

Thanks for the info. Right now I am holding a reservation at National for a full size, 1 week, all taxes with AARP and 20.00 off coupon from BJs for 159.04 and one from Alamo with bj's code and free day coupon at 165.00. I have cancelled then Dollar one for the convertable using KISS for 229.00 per week(base rate).
I cannot make up my mind about the two in reserve. Alamo's includes an extra driver at no charge. National's verbage for EC members is confusing, I guess I will call them and hopefully, get it straight.

Again, thanks for the info.