Need updates on renting a car

[SL6827]

It has been a looooong time since we rented a car and I remember pretty much nothing about the ins and outs. But I would like to rent next Fall. My preferred agency is Enterprise. So can someone give me all the tips, tricks and such for a Full size or larger vehicle rental for next September?

Are the rates, coupons, discounts ect. better the closer to date or further out? Any advice on other agencies beside Enterprise? Are airports or neighboor locations cheaper? Around the Chattanooga, TN area or North West Georgia. Probably a 8-9 day rental.

 

[eticketplease]

airports are usually more expensive as they have added fees.

Try going to auto slash and they will compare rates for you.

 

[HeiHei2018]

If you are a Costco member, they almost always have the cheapest for us. Most reservations are refundable, so I usually book what I want and then rebook if the price drops. In our city, rates are consistently cheaper at the airport, which is annoying since that is 35 minutes in the opposite direction from WDW.

 

[eticketplease]

If you are a Costco member, they almost always have the cheapest for us. Most reservations are refundable, so I usually book what I want and then rebook if the price drops. In our city, rates are consistently cheaper at the airport, which is annoying since that is 35 minutes in the opposite direction from WDW.

You are certainly lucky to get good prices at the airport.

I just did a search on costco with Avis at: MCO, SeaWorld DoubleTree, Hilton at WDW and Signia Bonnet Creek.
The MCO prices were the highest by far being more than $100 then the next highest price.

FYI AutoSlash will check Costco and any other discounts that you may qualify for.

 

[BrianLa]

You are certainly lucky to get good prices at the airport.

I just did a search on costco with Avis at: MCO, SeaWorld DoubleTree, Hilton at WDW and Signia Bonnet Creek.
The MCO prices were the highest by far being more than $100 then the next highest price.

FYI AutoSlash will check Costco and any other discounts that you may qualify for.

I agree 100% with using Costco. Been using them for 10yrs now. We book as soon as we know when we are going (even before booking flights) and if dates or prices change we just rebook.
One thing to remember when comparing MCO vs On-Site options, you need to get to/from the airport to/from your hotel which has a cost. When Disney had the Disney Magical Express we would rent on-site at the Disney Car Care Center or the the Swan/Dolphin but without the DME we just rent at the airport for the convenience.

 

[jtopp]

last used autoslash and was able to rent with enterprise. I was able to check 30 days before the rental and reduce my rate.

 

[EACarlson]

It has been a looooong time since we rented a car and I remember pretty much nothing about the ins and outs. But I would like to rent next Fall. My preferred agency is Enterprise. So can someone give me all the tips, tricks and such for a Full size or larger vehicle rental for next September?

Are the rates, coupons, discounts ect. better the closer to date or further out? Any advice on other agencies beside Enterprise? Are airports or neighboor locations cheaper? Around the Chattanooga, TN area or North West Georgia. Probably a 8-9 day rental.

I'll rate the companies I would trust to rent from in order:
National
Hertz
Enterprise
Sixt
Avis
Budget
Alamo

That's it. Those are the only companies I trust to rent from. National's Emerald Aisle or Hertz Gold aisle if available will give you access to a wide variety of vehicles with any Mid Size or above booking. Those are generally airport locations that have those services, and not all of them. I would start by checking using Autoslash. They do a great job of checking all types of rates you're eligible for, with the exception of Private rates and Hertz AAA rates. If your employer has a contract, see if they have a personal use code. I've got a buddy that gets one from his employer, it usually saves about $10/day compared to what else we can find. I'd book as soon as I find something I'm willing to pay. Have Autoslash track it and rebook if they find something better. I've got a trip to Orlando next month. Started with an Avis booking for $375 for the week, I'm now at $248 for the week through Hertz, and I have status with Hertz so I'll get a choice of better vehicles.

 

[LAS2AMS]

At MCO, every onsite rental agency adds $15 to $20 per day in tax/ fee recovery, that they don’t charge at neighborhood locations. And it’s going to get worse - MCO is planning a consolidated car rental facility connected to the main terminal building via elevated train (and current rental facilities will be converted into parking garages). Guess who’s going to pay for it .

Several discount rental agencies are located offsite from MCO. They offer regularly scheduled shuttle busses to pick you up from the terminal. These can be great bargains since not only do they charge less than the big guys, but you’re also saving that $15 to $20. Do your research - all of these agencies are hard sells. If you plan to use your own insurance, make sure you have sufficient coverage and bring a paper copy of the policy or they will deny your rental without paying for their insurance (will be be something like $60/day).

 

[EACarlson]

At MCO, every onsite rental agency adds $15 to $20 per day in tax/ fee recovery, that they don’t charge at neighborhood locations. And it’s going to get worse - MCO is planning a consolidated car rental facility connected to the main terminal building via elevated train (and current rental facilities will be converted into parking garages). Guess who’s going to pay for it .

Several discount rental agencies are located offsite from MCO. They offer regularly scheduled shuttle busses to pick you up from the terminal. These can be great bargains since not only do they charge less than the big guys, but you’re also saving that $15 to $20. Do your research - all of these agencies are hard sells. If you plan to use your own insurance, make sure you have sufficient coverage and bring a paper copy of the policy or they will deny your rental without paying for their insurance (will be be something like $60/day).

I hate the off site consolidated rental places. One of the greatest advantages of MCO was that there were a number of reputable companies that had cars on site. I can be from the plane to driving out of the airport in less than 30 minutes. It's usually 90 minutes at least with any of the consolidated facilities.

The offsite can be a great deal, but there are lots of issues. Busy times it's not rare to have them tell you that you have to pay for an upgrade as they don't have your reserved car class, demand insane things to not use their insurance and by then, you don't really have a choice since you took a shuttle to get there. Can't just move down to the next counter.

 

[jimmymc]

I hate the off site consolidated rental places. One of the greatest advantages of MCO was that there were a number of reputable companies that had cars on site. I can be from the plane to driving out of the airport in less than 30 minutes. It's usually 90 minutes at least with any of the consolidated facilities.

The offsite can be a great deal, but there are lots of issues. Busy times it's not rare to have them tell you that you have to pay for an upgrade as they don't have your reserved car class, demand insane things to not use their insurance and by then, you don't really have a choice since you took a shuttle to get there. Can't just move down to the next counter.

This is my experience as well. I'll pay $15 to $20 a day for the convenience of walking straight from baggage claim to the garage, not dealing with an upsell, and having a lower chance of a damage scam. Now if a company like Alamo or Hertz has an offsite location with a shuttle and significant discount, I might go for them.

 

[MIChessGuy]

In respect to insurance, I have this Amex add-on where car rental insurance is provided at a much more competitive rate. I am not sure how to 'prove' I have it, though, if the counter person questions it. Guess I'll need to print something out from the Amex website that explains how it works.