October 2011 Car Rental Rates

[1tufgt]

Can someone reassure me that I'll be fine with Budget at MCO?

I've only ever done National Emerald Aisle which I love but the rates are just too high.

My Intermediate SUV for $213 total just can't be beat so far with any company.

Do I go to the counter or are there kiosks? Then do I head to the Budget area outside and pick a car from the Intermediate SUV aisle? Or do they assign me a car?

Thanks!

I know how you feel, I've been a Alamo renter for the past 2 trips and love selecting my car.

We have a mini-van with budget that my inlaws will probably use unless alamo gets cheaper on their vans.

I would like to know too - have the exact same car reserved for the exact same price! Haven't rented from Budget at the airport before, and if we don't get a Chevy/GM product, my DH will probably choose to walk!

LOL, well I'm a Ford guy so..............

 

[scoutsmom99]

Does Alamo have standard cars at MCO? If not do they automatically upgrade your car?

 

[1tufgt]

Does Alamo have standard cars at MCO? If not do they automatically upgrade your car?

I've been told they do not so you getna full size.

 

[tldslick]

For those of you seeing your prices comming down,
Do you edit your current res or start a new one to see the price diffrerence?

 

[1tufgt]

For those of you seeing your prices comming down,
Do you edit your current res or start a new one to see the price diffrerence?

It can be done either way. When editing it you still have to accept the price change for it to take effect.

 

[tldslick]

thank you

 

[n2mm]

Can someone reassure me that I'll be fine with Budget at MCO?

I've only ever done National Emerald Aisle which I love but the rates are just too high.

My Intermediate SUV for $213 total just can't be beat so far with any company.

Do I go to the counter or are there kiosks? Then do I head to the Budget area outside and pick a car from the Intermediate SUV aisle? Or do they assign me a car?

Thanks!

My DD used them in November. They were OK. You have to go to the counter and beware, there was some "hardsell" there. They asked my DD if she wanted to buy insurance and she declined, but right before she signed the contract the price was not right and she noticed they added the insurance even after she decline. The agent say, "don't know how that happened". He had to redo the info again, then she re-checked and signed when the quote was correct....so watch that. They are not what we are use to with National (or Alamo). She reserved a minivan. It was pretty well broken in. Alot of miles, no bells or whistles, and alot of dings in it. It was pretty basic. I don't remember if she was assigned or got to choose. She returned it to the Budget office at DTD. Service there was a little lacking. A one person office and it took awhile to find someone to return it to. The pricing was fine. She used the codes and coupon that was mentioned here on the boards. It got her from point A to point B. I wouldn't want to use them all of the time, but they had the best deal and she needed a minivan as they were a party of 7. Us folks who use National and Alamo are pretty spoiled, so you will notice the differences right away. If one of the other companies' prices were close, I would pay the extra, but that didn't happen in this case. She's an EA member, but could not chance not getting a minivan for that trip which included a cruise and lots of luggage.

 

[Rekenna]

I'm still a newbie at renting vehicles, but I am getting there...

Oct 22 (4pm)-Oct 29 (9am), 2 A, 3C (1 big kid, 2 little)

Started out with EA at $362. Now at Alamo, Full Size, with Free Day Rental Coupon and Insiders ID# now at $222.

Pretty happy with this for right now. I am learning from the car rental vets and I will practice "Constant Vigilance!" to see if I can get a better deal, but $222 isn't too bad.

Never Surrender!!!

 

[hurleysweety]

Well right now I have a Standard car for using Visa 7015504 and the AA coupon AD2359FDF for $218 for 10/22 - 10/30.

I also have a Standard SUV using the same codes for $358.

Would really like a Mini-Van through Alamo also but rates are very high so currently have one book through Budget with BCD X474200 and coupon MUWZ023 for $358.

Hope to the car can get under $200 and the SUV under $300.

I was looking at my SUV reservation does anyone know what rate code this is: AA8X, not sure how it got there because I didn't input it.

Well $218 doesn't seem too bad - but its still about $25/day, so we know it will come down!! (It has to, right?? ) So I would be confident in getting the car for under $200.

Is the AA8X a ID code or coupon code? Its definitley much shorter than any Alamo code I've seen. Maybe its a travel agent code or corporate code, or one specifically given to your account?

I'm still a newbie at renting vehicles, but I am getting there...

Oct 22 (4pm)-Oct 29 (9am), 2 A, 3C (1 big kid, 2 little)

Started out with EA at $362. Now at Alamo, Full Size, with Free Day Rental Coupon and Insiders ID# now at $222.

Pretty happy with this for right now. I am learning from the car rental vets and I will practice "Constant Vigilance!" to see if I can get a better deal, but $222 isn't too bad.

Never Surrender!!!

Never! Love it!

 

[1tufgt]

Well $218 doesn't seem too bad - but its still about $25/day, so we know it will come down!! (It has to, right?? ) So I would be confident in getting the car for under $200.

Is the AA8X a ID code or coupon code? Its definitley much shorter than any Alamo code I've seen. Maybe its a travel agent code or corporate code, or one specifically given to your account?

Yeah, it's not to bad for a Standard car, just hoping it goes below $200 and I will begin to get happier.

No that AA8X was in the Rate box when I looked at my reservation, don't ever remember putting that in there. Only remember using the Corp ID and Coupon.

 

[maciec]

My DD used them in November. They were OK. You have to go to the counter and beware, there was some "hardsell" there. They asked my DD if she wanted to buy insurance and she declined, but right before she signed the contract the price was not right and she noticed they added the insurance even after she decline. The agent say, "don't know how that happened". He had to redo the info again, then she re-checked and signed when the quote was correct....so watch that. They are not what we are use to with National (or Alamo). She reserved a minivan. It was pretty well broken in. Alot of miles, no bells or whistles, and alot of dings in it. It was pretty basic. I don't remember if she was assigned or got to choose. She returned it to the Budget office at DTD. Service there was a little lacking. A one person office and it took awhile to find someone to return it to. The pricing was fine. She used the codes and coupon that was mentioned here on the boards. It got her from point A to point B. I wouldn't want to use them all of the time, but they had the best deal and she needed a minivan as they were a party of 7. Us folks who use National and Alamo are pretty spoiled, so you will notice the differences right away. If one of the other companies' prices were close, I would pay the extra, but that didn't happen in this case. She's an EA member, but could not chance not getting a minivan for that trip which included a cruise and lots of luggage.

Hoping my experience is better than your daughter's. I am going to bypass the terminal counter and go to the counter in the garage (which I have been told on these boards that I can do). That way if I get a less than desirable van that I can change up real quick versus having to go back inside.

No other company has been able to come close to what I am paying for a mini van. Still holding out that Priceline will come through and get me an even lesser price!

 

[beattyfamily]

My DD used them in November. They were OK. You have to go to the counter and beware, there was some "hardsell" there. They asked my DD if she wanted to buy insurance and she declined, but right before she signed the contract the price was not right and she noticed they added the insurance even after she decline. The agent say, "don't know how that happened". He had to redo the info again, then she re-checked and signed when the quote was correct....so watch that. They are not what we are use to with National (or Alamo). She reserved a minivan. It was pretty well broken in. Alot of miles, no bells or whistles, and alot of dings in it. It was pretty basic. I don't remember if she was assigned or got to choose. She returned it to the Budget office at DTD. Service there was a little lacking. A one person office and it took awhile to find someone to return it to. The pricing was fine. She used the codes and coupon that was mentioned here on the boards. It got her from point A to point B. I wouldn't want to use them all of the time, but they had the best deal and she needed a minivan as they were a party of 7. Us folks who use National and Alamo are pretty spoiled, so you will notice the differences right away. If one of the other companies' prices were close, I would pay the extra, but that didn't happen in this case. She's an EA member, but could not chance not getting a minivan for that trip which included a cruise and lots of luggage.

Thank you! I figured it'd be an adjustment. I'm trying to prepare myself but the price is right. National/Alamo are just too much higher than Budget.

 

[keishashadow]

my national rate dropped $13 overnight, those holding might want to re-check rates, seems to be consistently $100 higher than alamo this time around for me.

 

[puffkin]

Dropped again overnight for me

Alamo standard size. Using VISA codes (7015504 and AD2338FDF) for 10/14-10/22. $168.32

My "I can live with that" price is $150 so we are getting closer Still holding out hope for a rate like my May rental. Same amount of days and we got a full size for $87.37. That was before I knew that when you book standard you automatically get a full size at MCO or it would have been even cheaper.

 

[bbwhos]

My rate dropped again this morning ... $94 out the door! Inoticed midsize would be $80 inc taxes.

Standard sz (which I understand MCO uses full sz)
Oct 6-13 + 2 hrs
7014667
AD2359FDF

What's with Alamo and their great rates right now (at least on cars)? Sorry for those of you who need minivans. Those rates are crazy high.

 

[FigmentChick]

Can someone reassure me that I'll be fine with Budget at MCO?

I've only ever done National Emerald Aisle which I love but the rates are just too high.

My Intermediate SUV for $213 total just can't be beat so far with any company.

Do I go to the counter or are there kiosks? Then do I head to the Budget area outside and pick a car from the Intermediate SUV aisle? Or do they assign me a car?

Thanks!

I've rented from them the last two trips. I've had no problems. The last time, in 2009, the minivan was fully loaded - exactly like what we have at home. It had the one-touch doors, CD player, etc. Yes, they do ask you if you want Insurance, but from my understanding, everyone asks that. I don't know if there is a by-pass, but I am considering looking in to it. I would LOVE it if I could just go and get my car, but I'm not going to pay $300 just to have that privilege.

Also, Alamo has a great last minute rate on minivans from now until the end of September ($175/week). I'm hoping something like that will pop up in 30 days. One can only hope!!!

BTW - love the Never Surrender!!!

 

[Zife]

I was looking at my SUV reservation does anyone know what rate code this is: AA8X, not sure how it got there because I didn't input it.

Rate codes are a bit of an oddity. They're assigned whether or not you put one there. I like to write down rate codes that I've gotten and try putting in different ones. Sometimes it makes a difference, sometimes is doesn't.

For example, for the National reservatino I'm currently holding, I had a rate code or NA8 with on contract code (more expensive), and NW8 (less expensive) with another. So I tried putting the NW8 in with the more expensive contract code, and it made the pricing the same.

I plugged your rate code into my Alamo rental, and it upped my rate a bit. Try AW11Z and see if that makes a difference. Also, always delete your rate code (write it down) when you modify to try to get a better price. Sometimes it will give you a different rate code with a better price. Then try again with your old rate code to see if it's any different.

Complicated, I know.

Anyway, my Alamo rate isn't budging. My National rate is also stuck at the same point (since Tuesday). I can make both go higher, but not lower

 

[IThas2Bme]

Hey all. Been lurking this board the past week but signed up today just to thank you all for all your research and updates. I've been playing this "game" for years but never discovered a forum of users doing the same thing!

Taking my 3 & 6 YO to Disney for the first time 10/6 thru 10/11.

Minivan with Travelocity code through Budget just dipped to $295. Probably should lock it in today but hoping one of those $175 (or better) might pop up later this month. How quickly do those last minute deals usually spring up once the current round expire?

 

[puffkin]

What's with Alamo and their great rates right now (at least on cars)? Sorry for those of you who need minivans. Those rates are crazy high.

I've been renting out of MCO regularly (2-3 times a year) for at least 7 years now...usually with Alamo and sometimes National. I have always been able to get at least a mid size (but usually higher) for around $150 but usually much less. I have NEVER EVER paid more than $165 for a weekly rental. May was crazy cheap this year....I saw someone get a weekend rental for $2 (plus taxes, she ended up around $20 for a compact). We got a full size for $87.37 for 8 days and every vehicle in the row was a minivan or SUV. I am so spoiled by the cheap car rentals (and hotels) in Orlando and it always is a HUGE shock when we go somewhere else.

 

[1tufgt]

Rate codes are a bit of an oddity. They're assigned whether or not you put one there. I like to write down rate codes that I've gotten and try putting in different ones. Sometimes it makes a difference, sometimes is doesn't.

For example, for the National reservatino I'm currently holding, I had a rate code or NA8 with on contract code (more expensive), and NW8 (less expensive) with another. So I tried putting the NW8 in with the more expensive contract code, and it made the pricing the same.

I plugged your rate code into my Alamo rental, and it upped my rate a bit. Try AW11Z and see if that makes a difference. Also, always delete your rate code (write it down) when you modify to try to get a better price. Sometimes it will give you a different rate code with a better price. Then try again with your old rate code to see if it's any different.

Complicated, I know.

Anyway, my Alamo rate isn't budging. My National rate is also stuck at the same point (since Tuesday). I can make both go higher, but not lower

Using the AW11Z rate code bumped up the cost $40 for me.