National thru AAA or 800 #

[yooperfan]

Do you think it would be cheaper to get a minivan for the beginning of Oct. thru AAA or the 800 # for National? We went into AAA and got a rate of $187. 00 for a mini van from the airport, all taxes, etc. included. We will pick up the van at noon on a Friday and return it to Swan/Dolphin by 11:00 am Monday. Oh, and unlimited miles. Is this a good price? I asked her if she could combine any other discounts such as our AP, Frequent Flyer, sam's club, etc. to their discount and she said no. Would I get a better rate from the 800# for National?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by yooperfan
Do you think it would be cheaper to get a minivan for the beginning of Oct. thru AAA or the 800 # for National? We went into AAA and got a rate of $187. 00 for a mini van from the airport, all taxes, etc. included. We will pick up the van at noon on a Friday and return it to Swan/Dolphin by 11:00 am Monday. Oh, and unlimited miles. Is this a good price? I asked her if she could combine any other discounts such as our AP, Frequent Flyer, sam's club, etc. to their discount and she said no. Would I get a better rate from the 800# for National?

I never call the 800 number, I do everything online and often you can get internet specials, which are not available by calling.
First thing, go to www.mousesavers.com and check the codes there, then go to the national web site and play with the codes and coupons from Sam's or BJ's (you can obtain them from their websites) and see what you come up with. The down side, often these coupons do not work for mini vans. But, they will tell you what they are good for on the coupon.

 

[yooperfan]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[jl3614]

Not to be noisy - but is there a reason you need to go with National. We got quoted the best AAA rates with Hertz or Thrifty.

We got quoted the same rate as online and sometimes better by calling each companies 800 number and asking for the best AAA rate they had available.

I have never rented a minivan so don't know if $187 for 3 days is high or not. We got an intermediate for 7 days for $179, all taxes included from Hertz - this was for the standard AAA discount and a coupon out of the Home and Away magazine. We booked this car about 6 weeks ago it is for 3/30 - 4/06.