Newbie at car rentals

[alliebelle3]

Hi Everyone!

I'm working on planning our November 2011 trip, and my boyfriend's parents have enlisted my help with renting a car. In all of my trips to Disney, I have either driven or used Magical Express, so I'm not sure where to start!

What are the best companies to go through? Is it best to book online? How far in advance should I book?

I appreciate all of your help and suggestions! Thanks!

 

[robinb]

Hi Everyone!

I'm working on planning our November 2011 trip, and my boyfriend's parents have enlisted my help with renting a car. In all of my trips to Disney, I have either driven or used Magical Express, so I'm not sure where to start!

What are the best companies to go through? Is it best to book online? How far in advance should I book?

I appreciate all of your help and suggestions! Thanks!

You should book something today. It's never too early to book your car rental as there is no penalty to cancel I would start at Car Rental Savers first http://www.carrentalsavers.com/index.html and then also check discount codes over at Mousesavers http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html .

 

[Orlando Vic]

What are the best companies to go through? Is it best to book online? How far in advance should I book?

The best companies? I think everyone will have their favorites, but it really is a subjective decision and is up to you. Of course cost and proximity to the main terminal are factors, but it's entirely up to you. Even though I live here, I occasionally rent at the airport and have always had good luck with Thrifty using corporate #004M001010 (the Orlando Magicard rate) and picking the car up directly in the parking structure using the (free) Bluechip program.

IMO, it is best to book online, but do your research first.

You could book now if you want...or wait a little later. November is an excellent time to visit Central Florida and demand is not particularly high.

For starters, check out discounts at http://www.carrentalsavers.com

 

[Hoopfamily]

I usually rent a car for Disney and it ends up almost always being from Alamo, because of price. A few things though. If you have a BJ's membership, or a costco membership they usually have coupons that you can combine with Alamo, budget, hertz etc. Here is how you'll do it. First go to the website for MCO and see which places have a location and pickup at the airport, sometimes you can get a slightly better price taking a shuttle to an off site, but to me it's a waste of time on both ends. Then go to each companies individual website, and look for coupons on their site. Usually I book my deal and like a crazy person watch it every day because after I book, even with discounts it almost always (ALWAYS) goes down. Since you can cancel and rebook with out penalty that's how I get the best deals. Ex: Last trip car was for 8 days midsize 2 drivers unlilmited miles, started out at 249.99 plus tax, through diligence I got it down to 129.99 plus tax. Getting a deal takes time and patience. Also Alamo, Enterprise, National all the same company.

 

[meuseman]

I usually rent a car for Disney and it ends up almost always being from Alamo, because of price. A few things though. If you have a BJ's membership, or a costco membership they usually have coupons that you can combine with Alamo, budget, hertz etc. Here is how you'll do it. First go to the website for MCO and see which places have a location and pickup at the airport, sometimes you can get a slightly better price taking a shuttle to an off site, but to me it's a waste of time on both ends. Then go to each companies individual website, and look for coupons on their site. Usually I book my deal and like a crazy person watch it every day because after I book, even with discounts it almost always (ALWAYS) goes down. Since you can cancel and rebook with out penalty that's how I get the best deals. Ex: Last trip car was for 8 days midsize 2 drivers unlilmited miles, started out at 249.99 plus tax, through diligence I got it down to 129.99 plus tax. Getting a deal takes time and patience. Also Alamo, Enterprise, National all the same company.

However, that doesn't mean they have the same prices. For my trip next week, National is $50 more than Alamo. Enterprise is $200 more than National!

I second the call for diligence. I started on the individual sites looking at $400-$550 for a week in a minivan Carrentalsavers.com got me down to 300. Then alamo started dropping like a rock. 250 ->216->189->181->169->157 over the course of 2.5 weeks. I still check 2 or 3 times a day.

 

[mom2rm]

However, that doesn't mean they have the same prices. For my trip next week, National is $50 more than Alamo. Enterprise is $200 more than National!

I second the call for diligence. I started on the individual sites looking at $400-$550 for a week in a minivan Carrentalsavers.com got me down to 300. Then alamo started dropping like a rock. 250 ->216->189->181->169->157 over the course of 2.5 weeks. I still check 2 or 3 times a day.

May I ask when you are renting your van for that price? Is that price with carrentalsavers or with Alamo's website. We're going in May and even with carrentalsavers.com, the lowest I can find is $240/10days for a mid size car. I put in different coupon codes but it doesn't seem to adjust the price.

 

[meuseman]

May I ask when you are renting your van for that price? Is that price with carrentalsavers or with Alamo's website. We're going in May and even with carrentalsavers.com, the lowest I can find is $240/10days for a mid size car. I put in different coupon codes but it doesn't seem to adjust the price.

That's with alamo, using codes from mousesavers.

Remember, though, I am going during one of the three slowest weekends of the year. January, not MLK, no special events, etc.

Last year, I landed the after thanksgiving and stayed 7 nights. I paid 320 for a van.

 

[ebert]

I've had good luck with Alamo. I always get the economy cars and always fill them up myself. Don't opt to have them fill the tank if you're concerned about money. But I suppose it would be convenient if you're in a hurry to get to the airport.

 

[robinb]

I've had good luck with Alamo. I always get the economy cars and always fill them up myself. Don't opt to have them fill the tank if you're concerned about money. But I suppose it would be convenient if you're in a hurry to get to the airport.

Economy cars are fine if your family can fit in one. However, I want to caution against booking one and hoping for an upgrade. I have seen plenty of Economy sized cars in Florida.

 

[TedEbear]

I'd just like to alert you to a scam by Hertz, if you rent from them. I'm sure other rental companies have something similar but I'll tell you what we encountered when we rented from them at the airport in Orlando for a 4 day stay at Disney last month.

They have something called PlatePass, which you can use to drive right past any toll booths without stopping. You will encounter two toll booths between the airport and Disney. There is a $2.50/day service charge for using PlatePass, in addition to the toll charge. Your credit card will automatically be charged. If your credit card has expired you will get a bill in the mail from PlatePass several weeks after you get back home.

Here's the scam. If you use PlatePass even one time you will be charged $2.50/day for your ENTIRE rental period, up to a maximum of $10/month. To avoid the PlatePass charges be sure to always use the drive-up toll booths.

As far as what rental company to use, I got a pretty decent rate through hotwire.com. Search through the various planners such as expedia.com, travelocity.com, etc., several times per week. Rates change so know what the going rate is and be ready to jump on a really good deal when it pops up.

 

[alliebelle3]

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!

I'm going to do my research, but I'm shocked at how much the prices decrease over time...that's awesome.

THANKS AGAIN!

 

[robinb]

I'm going to do my research, but I'm shocked at how much the prices decrease over time...that's awesome.

Often they DO NOT decrease. It all depends on supply and demand. I have seen where the best available price more than doubles between when I booked my rental and when I actually go.

 

[meuseman]

Often they DO NOT decrease. It all depends on supply and demand. I have seen where the best available price more than doubles between when I booked my rental and when I actually go.

robinb makes a great point. I knew I needed a minivan, so I booked at whatever price was there. I am happy that the prices went down, but in no way did I expect it would go down.