National Rates

[KerriMc]

Do you think National rates will go down b/w now and March 8th? We are renting from the 9th to the 19th and right now have a rate of $460. That seems high to me, but I figured it would gradually fall. Well so far it has fallen a whopping fifteen bucks!!!

I checked Alamo's site and a rental there would cost $315 using the codes and coupons I entered. I had a BAD experience with Alamo a couple of years ago (LONG LONG LONG line, crying baby wanting to nurse, grandparents chasing the bored cranky children around while dh and I stood in line, dinging us for insurance, overcharging us, ETC) ... never really want to use them again. Every time I walk by that HUGE Alamo line it is a relief!!!

Should I chance it and take the better code? Should I hold out for National to come through? I have Emerald Reserve, so we go right to the Minivan Aisle and leave ... easy stuff ...

hmmm .... what to do

Kerri

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Not sure about National, but have you tried Dollar? They seem to have the best rates so far. Try the KISS2 code.

 

[Mainebound]

Do you think National rates will go down b/w now and March 8th? We are renting from the 9th to the 19th and right now have a rate of $460. That seems high to me, but I figured it would gradually fall. Well so far it has fallen a whopping fifteen bucks!!!

I checked Alamo's site and a rental there would cost $315 using the codes and coupons I entered. I had a BAD experience with Alamo a couple of years ago (LONG LONG LONG line, crying baby wanting to nurse, grandparents chasing the bored cranky children around while dh and I stood in line, dinging us for insurance, overcharging us, ETC) ... never really want to use them again. Every time I walk by that HUGE Alamo line it is a relief!!!

Should I chance it and take the better code? Should I hold out for National to come through? I have Emerald Reserve, so we go right to the Minivan Aisle and leave ... easy stuff ...

hmmm .... what to do

Kerri

We paid $450 for a minivan for the same number of days from National in May 2006. We are paying $250 for 10 days in March, but that's an intermediate. To get that rate, we used the Amex promotion, so we get a $25 gad card too.

Good luck!

 

[jennib5426]

I have been checking National for March every day and the rates have not dropped. It is holding at $171 for a week on emerald isle.
Alamo has been dropping and now is down to $147 for an intermediate.
Using a Free day coupon and the Entertainment book code for both companies.

I am torn, I also hate Alamo but they are cheeper.

Even the last minute National specials aren't that great.

I would stick with National if I knew that there would be convertibles on EI like there were in October. But the recent posts have not listed convertables on EI.

Oh what to do ??

 

[n2mm]

My late April rates recently dropped. I'm paying $343 for 2 weeks -- Exec. Aisle.

I'm using code 5042947 and the $25 coupon.

However, my August trip is a stuggle as I can't find any coupons that extend that long. Has anyone seen any coupons that run until the end of August yet?

 

[canwegosoon]

my rates for intermediates are
3/10-3/17=181(using wweb/$30 coupon)
3/10-3/18=202(I forget, but one is the $30)

 

[canwegosoon]

Do you think National rates will go down b/w now and March 8th? We are renting from the 9th to the 19th and right now have a rate of $460. That seems high to me, but I figured it would gradually fall. Well so far it has fallen a whopping fifteen bucks!!!

Should I chance it and take the better code? Should I hold out for National to come through? I have Emerald Reserve, so we go right to the Minivan Aisle and leave ... easy stuff ...

Kerri

Are you in need of a mini van the whole time? Are you staying onsite? I checked...you are right Alamo is a little cheaper...but...could you use ME and get at MV for 1 week?

 

[Emily'sDad]

Rate I received for full size 3/6-3/13, $206. Used $30.00 wedb coupon and AAA contract code.

 

[n2mm]

Do you think National rates will go down b/w now and March 8th? We are renting from the 9th to the 19th and right now have a rate of $460. That seems high to me, but I figured it would gradually fall. Well so far it has fallen a whopping fifteen bucks!!!

I checked Alamo's site and a rental there would cost $315 using the codes and coupons I entered. I had a BAD experience with Alamo a couple of years ago (LONG LONG LONG line, crying baby wanting to nurse, grandparents chasing the bored cranky children around while dh and I stood in line, dinging us for insurance, overcharging us, ETC) ... never really want to use them again. Every time I walk by that HUGE Alamo line it is a relief!!!

Should I chance it and take the better code? Should I hold out for National to come through? I have Emerald Reserve, so we go right to the Minivan Aisle and leave ... easy stuff ...

hmmm .... what to do

Kerri

While checking my rates for dollar, I punched in your dates too and came up with $401. The code is 72COM. You still have a line with dollar, like you do with Alamo. Personally I have used Alamo many times (but use National more as we are Executive Aisle). I would use Alamo with no hesitation if the price was a big difference. Nothing beats National's convenience, but their rates are not as great as they were years past.

 

[mareed]

Alamo & National actually share cars, so you'll be getting the exact same vehicle. It sure would hard for me to justify paying more for exactly the same thing. Are you a member at Alamo's program? (Qu*cksilver - can't type it out here). If so, then that should take care of the problem with the long line. I have a mid-size SUV from Alamo for almost your exact date (Mar. 8-19) for $265 using a Sam's Club coupon. I think you can get the same price with an Entertainment book coupon. It would be $236 for your dates. Perhaps one person from your group could go down to Alamo and get in line while the other waits for baggage if you're not a member there. Good luck with finding a deal!

Edited to add: Just noticed that you're needing a minivan, so forget about the prices I gave - I assume a mid-size SUV would not be big enough.

 

[KerriMc]

Yes ... we need a minivan as there are four adults and two children in booster seats. We are lucky to cram in a van for the commute from the airport to the where we are staying. We are also off-site, so we need a vehicle.

I REALLY do NOT want to rent with Alamo ... I did read about their "quick" program, but it isn't exactly like National's Emerald Reserve is it?

I hate that this is creating so much stress and worry over something like the car!!! No one else in my party is worrying about it ... just me . Maybe I'll make a ressie with Alamo as a back up ... hmmm ...

Right now I am using ... 5007125 Emerald contract number
NF1982JDD Coupon code ($30 off)
WWEB Product Rate Code (base rate or 339)

I do not have AAA (CAA up here in Canada). We don't have American Express. Not a Costco member either.

So ... I guess I will wait and see ... I can actually rent a Toyota Sienna for cheaper through Alamo, then for the regular minivan with National ... oh how I LONG to own a Sienna .... but it says "or similar" ... I worry about what we'd get ...

Anyways ... I'll keep checking ...
Kerri

 

[canwegosoon]

Yes ... we need a minivan as there are four adults and two children in booster seats.
So ... I guess I will wait and see ... I can actually rent a Toyota Sienna for cheaper through Alamo, then for the regular minivan with National ... oh how I LONG to own a Sienna .... but it says "or similar" ... I worry about what we'd get ...

Anyways ... I'll keep checking ...
Kerri

Yep...keep checking, keep 2 ressies(1 with National and one with Alamo), You never know what will happen, just cancel one before you leave for the airport, even if it means calling and verifying what they have available that day.

Also check from time to time using no codes...I just found that I could do better on some daily rates by doing that.

 

[KerriMc]

So I retried National and took the Product Rate code off of my ressie as it gave a base rate for the week at $329 ... without the WWEB code the base rate for the week is actually $304 ... and with the other prices altered as well, I got the total down to $401 from $460 ... it is a start!!! Lets hope it keeps going down a little bit more

KErri

 

[jaysue]

Make sure you register for the Alamo QSilver plan - if you avoid using most coupons you can checkin in advance and bypass the counter and go right to the aisle to pick up your Alamo car - we are going to try it this way or our next trip and we have been EA customers in the past. Same car, Alamo is about $100 cheaper for us on a 16 day rental

Cheers
jaysue