October 2011 Car Rental Rates

[beattyfamily]

I read this thread every time someone posts but still can't get my rate down.

I got the Budget special that someone posted awhile back...

an Intermediate SUV for $213. total from Oct 11 thru Oct 17 (7 days).

I did have an intermediate car for the same money at Alamo but rather have an SUV at that price.

I'm a diehard National (Emerald aisle) customer so this will be a new adventure for me but I've got to go where the lowest rate is.

I'm a bit nervous though.

 

[meuseman]

What codes??????

KS and I are using the same codes:

ID: 7014667 (Alamo Insiders, but it's not working for dates after 10/5)
Coupon: AD2359FDF ($35 Off weekly rental, incl. sat stay, American Airlines promo, but you can sign up for AAdvantage for free)

 

[Pixiedustspreader]

So I just checked again today and for Visa cardholders I was able to get a GREAT price...I just did the economy car but it looked like all models were a good deal, and much less than my original reservation!
I used ID: 7015504
Coupon Code: AD2338FDF

So we have the car from October 7th to October 14th and after taxes and everything it was only $141!!!

I used this Visa coupon code as well.
Combined it with HiltonHonors ID: 7015876

Alamo: Oct7th-16th - Standard - $143.49 all in!

 

[keishashadow]

24 hrs before you arrive, go online and fill out a form. Then you print out a page with a bar code, zap it at the kiosk in the MCO terminal and walk to the garage and select your car from the row. There is never a line at the kiosk, because people don't use them.

Having done both, the kiosk route is 3-5 minutes more than EA, but you can still skip the counter.

or notice them Probably because we always just head straight to National aisle. Can I assume they're on the terminal's rental car level near Alamo counter?

 

[meuseman]

or notice them Probably because we always just head straight to National aisle. Can I assume they're on the terminal's rental car level near Alamo counter?

Correct. We are Southwest Flyers, so I know it's down the elevator from Bag Claim and then down down down the hall. Last time, the kiosk were on the right side of the walkway, with the counters on the left (based on the direction I was walking).

 

[mzozzietj]

We use the alamo self-service kiosks as well and I loved it... long lines for those humans but no lines for the machines, lol! We scanned our confirmation, swiped our CC and were off to pick our car. I doubt it took more than a minute total. But don't tell too many people or the machines will be in demand, LOL

 

[puffkin]

I have never really gotten the big deal about the kiosks...they are kind of clustered around the poles in front of the national/alamo counters. You basically have to walk right by them to go out the doors to the garage anyway. It literally takes 2 minutes to check in using them. It is so fast and NEVER have had a problem using them.

 

[bbwhos]

24 hrs before you arrive, go online and fill out a form. Then you print out a page with a bar code, zap it at the kiosk in the MCO terminal and walk to the garage and select your car from the row. There is never a line at the kiosk, because people don't use them.

Having done both, the kiosk route is 3-5 minutes more than EA, but you can still skip the counter.

We've used the kiosks before but never with the barcode scan thing. Plus haven't used kiosks since Alamo no longer holds onto your credit card info. Can you print this out ahead of time even if you use coupons?

 

[Zife]

or notice them Probably because we always just head straight to National aisle. Can I assume they're on the terminal's rental car level near Alamo counter?

Is this your first time going from National to Alamo too Keisha?

So I've signed up for Alamo Insiders, I've used the (I think) Visa codes/coupons (these gave me the best rate) and I'm at $134.36 for Midsize, Sept 29-Oct 10 (12 days). That's compared to $172.85 through National.

I do hope National goes down, since I love the EA service, but I'd rather save $40, so I may have to stick with Alamo. I'll definitely use the kiosks though, and as long as I get to pick my car, I'm happy.

 

[meuseman]

We've used the kiosks before but never with the barcode scan thing. Plus haven't used kiosks since Alamo no longer holds onto your credit card info. Can you print this out ahead of time even if you use coupons?

You are correct. You don't scan the bar code, you swipe a credit card. I was thinking of a different system.

 

[mzozzietj]

You are correct. You don't scan the bar code, you swipe a credit card. I was thinking of a different system.

I know I used one that did scan the bar code... but I'm not brand loyal so maybe it was another car rental companies kiosk? I really though it was Alamo though since I swear it was on our Feb trip... eh I dunno lol

 

[doublea211]

After sitting somewhere near $300 for quite a while, we had a lot of movement on our rental today! Now we've got a fullsize from 10/8 to 10/15 from Alamo for $187. I used the 7014667 contract id and the insiders double upgrade coupon AU2852SDA (picked midsize, which was surprisingly cheaper than the economy rate).

I was sure it wasn't going to come down at all since it's the holiday weekend, but I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully it'll come down a bit more!

 

[kaytieedid]

After sitting somewhere near $300 for quite a while, we had a lot of movement on our rental today! Now we've got a fullsize from 10/8 to 10/15 from Alamo for $187. I used the 7014667 contract id and the insiders double upgrade coupon AU2852SDA (picked midsize, which was surprisingly cheaper than the economy rate).

I was sure it wasn't going to come down at all since it's the holiday weekend, but I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully it'll come down a bit more!

That's great!! I have the same dates and when I tried those codes it was $488.84!!

 

[1tufgt]

I know I used one that did scan the bar code... but I'm not brand loyal so maybe it was another car rental companies kiosk? I really though it was Alamo though since I swear it was on our Feb trip... eh I dunno lol

I believe you can scan at the kiosk because your confirmation has a barcode on it.

 

[doublea211]

That's great!! I have the same dates and when I tried those codes it was $488.84!!

Are you picking up/dropping off on the half hour by chance? We were initially picking up at 1:30 and dropping off at 12:30 and the rates were much higher. We switched to 1:00 and 12:00 and they dropped. If you're flexible with your times, it may help.

 

[meuseman]

Saved another $1.50 this morning! Using alamo insiders code and AA $35 off coupon, my rate is $124.23 for 1 week and 1 extra hour, 10/4-10/11 in a standard size.

And now tonight down to $114. I think I should chart out my progress. I think my rental might be free by the time I leave

 

[mzozzietj]

And now tonight down to $114. I think I should chart out my progress. I think my rental might be free by the time I leave

You know it would be really cool if a site did chart out statistical data for us so we had a better idea of what the norm is and when on average you can get the best rates, etc...but then the car rental companies might mix it up on us so we can't figure it out, lol

 

[kaytieedid]

Are you picking up/dropping off on the half hour by chance? We were initially picking up at 1:30 and dropping off at 12:30 and the rates were much higher. We switched to 1:00 and 12:00 and they dropped. If you're flexible with your times, it may help.

thanks!! I tried again and it's sooooo much cheaper MCO - MCO. I forgot to mention we were MCO - Dolphin.

 

[FozzieFan]

I'm down to $111.86 for a midsize for 10/9-10/16 (one week one day rental)!

Using the insider code (7014667) and AA $35 coupon AD2359FDF.

I just want to get below $100 but it would be great to get near my $66 rate that I had in May!

 

[Waseller77]

I just got a mid-size through Alamo using the Insider's code 7014667 and the $35 coupon AD2359FDF for Oct. 7 - Oct. 12. My total after taxes/fees was $109.