Need a rental car next week - yikes (let's try this again)

[melanie18]

For some reason, my first post didn't take...

So we booked a quick 3-night trip about a month ago. Up until this point, I had myself convinced that we didn't need a rental car. We're staying at SSR, we have AP's and go to disney 2 or 3 times a year so we don't have to go crazy trying to get anywhere. We would save so much $$ if we just use Magical Express.

Now I'm in a last minute panic. I want a rental car. We always have a rental car. What was I thinking not getting a rental car?!? It's August, it's sweltering, do I want to be standing around waiting for a bus if I don't feel like it? I don't want to have to leave for the airport 3 hrs before my flight and then drive from resort to resort picking up more people. I'm impatient like that.

Then I looked at rental car rates. Pretty much every rental company within a 5 mile radius of MCO. OMG. Rates are not pretty last minute.

Anybody have any luck with last minute deals? We're looking at 8/3 to 8/6.

 

[michelle1]

My Dh and I did a last minute trip (booked 2 weeks before trip) for 3 nights and got a car for $126. It was through EZ so it was in the terminal. That price didn't thrill me since we had a 4 night this past Jan for $97 but based on the prices this summer I figured it was okay. Even the last minute specials seem to be horrible or non-existent...maybe you could get something off of Hotwire or Priceline?

 

[seashoreCM]

Keep checking back. Rates can change every day.

Make a Magical Express reservation now in case you need it. You can always cancel.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[katallo]

Could you try Priceline (name your own bid) or Hotwire?

 

[VAN]

Yes, things seem to be crazy. I believe that with the economy a lot of the rental companies have cut their inventories and that is helping to keep the price up.

Have you tried the on-site WDW locations? In March we picked up our rental car from the Dolphin (used DME) and then were able to drop it off (no extra charge) at the airport.

Check Mousesavers.com for codes.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Checkout Southwest Airlines website. They have Rapid Rewards discounts on car rentals- you don't even have to fly Southwest to take advantage of. Take the pin and go directly to the car rental company's website.

I have used thier PINs in the last few weeks to save hundreds on 4 upcoming business trips in September and October.

I also used one of the PINs for a nearby by vacation in May.....the price dropped 3 times before we departed saving over $100


Now the biggie is.....if this is a busy time for that car rental agency in that city....you will find it more challenging to get a discount at the last minute and NO PIN can help when "yeild management" is working against you.

Good lucky - fingers crossed for you here.

 

[melanie18]

I have already reserved Magical Express, just in case.

Last night, I did find a code for Thrifty thru carrentalsavers.com (thanks whoever posted this website in another thread). I also found a code using the Orlando Magicard (which I just printed off of their website) that got me a compact car for $129.96.

I normally wouldn't be thrilled with this price for 3 nights because I usually pay that for an entire week, but compared to Alamo's price for almost $400 - I love it!

I also have Hotwire tracking prices for my rental dates just in case something better comes up. I checked Priceline too. I've got this phobia about booking through a third party. I like booking directly with the provider. I'm weird like that.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[melanie18]

mouseaholic,

thanks for the suggestions for Southwest. I did check them last week, but I'll look again. You never know!