Need car rental in Dec/14

[SFailla]

We are renting a car for the first time in December & we will need it for just under 2 weeks. We are also a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids). When is the best time to book & which company do you recommend?

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Get a reservation as soon as you can from any of the major companies. Monitor it frequently as prices close to the XMas holiday can be pretty high.

 

[SFailla]

Ok thanks! I will start comparing prices!

 

[formill]

I always book one as soon as we know we are going. Budget is the one we have used the most the past few years- includes a spouse extra driver at no extra charge-we both have to be able to drive-also if you are a Costco member renting through them seems to give the extra spouse driver included too. I am still hoping our December one will come down- it is the most we have paid-$511 for mini van for 9 days via Costco website(with Avis). I just cancel and rebook as the prices change. I would never prepay as some of them give you a price if you pay in full now. I like the car rental savers site for comparing several companies all at once and have booked through them several times too.
http://www.carrentalsavers.com/florida-car-rental.html

 

[BecBennett]

So it shouldn't cost you to cancel and rebook to get a cheaper price?

 

[formill]

No- I have cancelled and rebooked several times. There was only one company one time that asked for my credit card for a mini van over Christmas and said there would be a cancellation fee- but that was only if I did not cancel within 24 hours of the reservation.....the only ones you can't cancel are the paid in advance ones which I have never done.