October 2011 Car Rental Rates

[FigmentChick]

Yeah, we aren't leaving for another 25 days so hoping for the best. Got some decent rates now with alamo but would like it to be better.

Same here. 23 days and counting. I haven't checked the Alamo site yet, but will head over there later to see if there are any last minute deals. I have a pretty good rate with a minivan from Budget, but I would love that last minute deal for a minivan that Alamo had a couple of weeks ago. It's kinda hard justifying $415 when I had originally budgeted $225. lol

 

[keishashadow]

i'll join the wait

have a great rate but greedy piggie was surprised to see nada come up for MCO thru 10/4 last week, maybe this afternoon for both alamo & national

 

[1tufgt]

Same here. 23 days and counting. I haven't checked the Alamo site yet, but will head over there later to see if there are any last minute deals. I have a pretty good rate with a minivan from Budget, but I would love that last minute deal for a minivan that Alamo had a couple of weeks ago. It's kinda hard justifying $415 when I had originally budgeted $225. lol

They have updated their last minute deals valid from today to the 11th. Book by the 3rd. No Orlando last minute deals but like everyone said it could be due to Columbus day still in.

 

[meuseman]

I know there are no Alamo or National last minute deals, but even the numbers they are showing for the airports where they are available are high. 2 weeks ago, the late september last minute deals were 89-109 per week for full sizes. Now, they are $190-$252.

Fickle game, these rental cars....

 

[n2mm]

They have updated their last minute deals valid from today to the 11th. Book by the 3rd. No Orlando last minute deals but like everyone said it could be due to Columbus day still in.

I hate it when I'm right....Oh well, we'll try again next week. Of course I'll still be checking twice a day like I always do.

 

[lats118]

I wish I was as optimistic as you are. I think as long as the last minute dates have the Columbus Day holiday in it, we will not see any good rates. I leave a week before you, but for 2 weeks. I have 2 more Tuesdays after today to hope for a lower rate. I've got an OK rate with National for $500 for a 2 weeks rental-Executive Aisle, but would like to shave a little off that price. Right now the same rental is $200 higher.

I'd tend to agree with this because it makes sense for the rental company to not discount over a busy holiday, except... about 3 weeks ago I got fantastic rates for our trip. We're going from 10/2 - 14, so that covers the Columbus day weekend. I'm currently holding 2 reservations with Alamo. One is for a compact for $153 (including taxes and fees) and the other is for a standard size for $175!!!! Today both those cars would cost me well over $400.

My only dilemma now is deciding which reservation to keep!

 

[mousefanMI]

Hotwire just dropped their pay-in-advance rates to like $12/day for compacts and $14/day for fullsize -- for rentals for the early part of October.

Rates for the middle of October -- when I'll be there -- are stubbornly still in the $25-$35/day range. So... I'm still hopeful that those rates will also drop in a week or so...

 

[CaFeeney]

Okay can you please tell me...step by step instruction because I am so afraid to mess it up....how you are able to bid on Priceline and get Alamo at MCO? I am looking for Oct 8 (pick up 8:00pm) -October 13 (drop off at 6pm) and would be happy with an economy size since it is just two of us? I am so afraid I will end up getting a company that I have never heard of or something crazy. Right now the rate is around $206 so I booked picking up at Dolphin on Oct 9 in the am and dropping off Oct 13 in the am for a rate of $134. Would LOVE to not have to worry about using ME.

Ok - step by step
Go to Priceline, sign in if you have an account. Then check to see if you have any travel rewards/bonus cash. If so then follow the link to activate the deal.

Then put in your dates, pick the type of car, and place your bid.
Now- when trying to decide how much to bid you can do a few things: check on biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com to see other people's successful bids. And/or go to Hotwire, see what price they give you and bid about 40% less.

Priceline only uses the big car rental companies. You can't pick the rental company but in the past I have got Budget, Alamo, and Hertz. All companies are located onsite at MCO - no shuttle needed.

Once you bid is accepted you print out the confirmation and bring it with you to the airport counter. One drawback is that you can't bypass the lines using a preferred renter card (even if you are a member) as you have a Priceline reservation.

I never let them talk me into anything else- no extra insurance, no prepaid gas, no gps...NOTHING except what is on my confirmation.

With just the two people you could go with economy but wht not start with a compact or midsize and work down if needed? Some economy cars don't have electric windows or door locks - which is do-able but not preferable in my opinion.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[mieuxmew]

I have been watching car rentals for Tampa Intenational for over a month for 10/5-10/14 (9 day rental). Rates for full size have been $290-400! I had a Hertz for $238 with AAA and that was a lucky find. Last minute Alamo rentals yesterday were over $300. Rates were better with codes/coupons. Tampa seems like a harder market than Orlando!

I bid on a full size from Priceline for $15/day for a total of $203. It was accepted!!

 

[1tufgt]

I have been watching car rentals for Tampa Intenational for over a month for 10/5-10/14 (9 day rental). Rates for full size have been $290-400! I had a Hertz for $238 with AAA and that was a lucky find. Last minute Alamo rentals yesterday were over $300. Rates were better with codes/coupons. Tampa seems like a harder market than Orlando!

I bid on a full size from Priceline for $15/day for a total of $203. It was accepted!!

Congrats.

 

[Zife]

So, I'm going to try one last time tonight (or tomorrow morning while waiting for my flight at 3:00am), but reading some of the other rates, I'm happy with what I've got. I changed my coupon, since I had been using a BJs coupon that I'm not eligible for. I figured for the extra $5, I'd rather play it safe.

Alamo
Sept 29 - Oct 10 (12 days, dropping off on Columbus day)
Midsize
Contract: 7014667
Coupon: AD2724FZA ($35 Alamo Insiders)
Total, taxes in: $134.34

I wish you all luck in getting good rates for your visits. This thread has been invaluable in helping me find this rate. Thanks all!

 

[mzozzietj]

So, I'm going to try one last time tonight (or tomorrow morning while waiting for my flight at 3:00am), but reading some of the other rates, I'm happy with what I've got. I changed my coupon, since I had been using a BJs coupon that I'm not eligible for. I figured for the extra $5, I'd rather play it safe.

Alamo
Sept 29 - Oct 10 (12 days, dropping off on Columbus day)
Midsize
Contract: 7014667
Coupon: AD2724FZA ($35 Alamo Insiders)
Total, taxes in: $134.34

I wish you all luck in getting good rates for your visits. This thread has been invaluable in helping me find this rate. Thanks all!

I think you did darn well on that rate! It's been fun playing chase the best rates with you all, lol

We leave Monday so I'm going to keep checking but I'm not thinking i'll find anything better either. We have 5 days but no Saturday night keep so most coupons were no good for us. We have a compact booked right now for $136 inclusive.

 

[MyMuse]

So, I'm going to try one last time tonight (or tomorrow morning while waiting for my flight at 3:00am), but reading some of the other rates, I'm happy with what I've got. I changed my coupon, since I had been using a BJs coupon that I'm not eligible for. I figured for the extra $5, I'd rather play it safe.

Alamo
Sept 29 - Oct 10 (12 days, dropping off on Columbus day)
Midsize
Contract: 7014667
Coupon: AD2724FZA ($35 Alamo Insiders)
Total, taxes in: $134.34

I wish you all luck in getting good rates for your visits. This thread has been invaluable in helping me find this rate. Thanks all!

That's an awesome rate!!!

I got $150 at Dollar, using their City Special rates from 10/6-10/14, but my stickler was pick-up at MCO and drop-off at JAX. My fav Alamo just did not want me to book with them.

 

[maciec]

Started my Priceline bidding two days ago for a minivan and have struck out so far. I know it's still early, but you never know. Our trip isn't until 10/16.

 

[1tufgt]

Started my Priceline bidding two days ago for a minivan and have struck out so far. I know it's still early, but you never know. Our trip isn't until 10/16.

Yeah, for priceline I usually wait will about 2 weeks out.

 

[keishashadow]

Zife & mzozzietj - happy trails, thanx for all the helpful input

i'm not giving up yet, saturday is a long way offbut appears as though we will be jumping ship from national & giving alamo a whirl

Taking Zife's lead, perhaps it'd be helpful for folks to post their final/best offers for those still in the hunt? I'll go next...

Alamo
October 1 (8 days)
Standard=Fullsize
Contract: 7014667
Coupon: AD2724FZA ($35 Alamo Insiders) note: switched over from the American Airlines coupon i had initially used just to keep things simple
Total, taxes in: $103.29

 

[mzozzietj]

Zife & mzozzietj - happy trails, thanx for all the helpful input

i'm not giving up yet, saturday is a long way offbut appears as though we will be jumping ship from national & giving alamo a whirl

Taking Zife's lead, perhaps it'd be helpful for folks to post their final/best offers for those still in the hunt? I'll go next...

Alamo
October 1 (8 days)
Standard=Fullsize
Contract: 7014667
Coupon: AD2724FZA ($35 Alamo Insiders) note: switched over from the American Airlines coupon i had initially used just to keep things simple
Total, taxes in: $103.29

Yup, I'm still checking every day right up until we land in Orlando.. .I'll check them from my cell phone before we pick up the car lol

 

[mzozzietj]

Mine isn't great since I couldn't use any coupons with no Saturday night stay... but here goes...

October 3 (5 days) - no Saturday
Alamo
Compact weekly rate before discounts/taxes/fees $145.14
Contract: 7014667 for 20% savings of $29.03
Coupon: One time use emailed to us for a free day (worth $23.22 in our case)
Total with taxes/fees, etc: $136.93

 

[1tufgt]

Mine isn't great since I couldn't use any coupons with no Saturday night stay... but here goes...

October 3 (5 days) - no Saturday
Alamo
Compact weekly rate before discounts/taxes/fees $145.14
Contract: 7014667 for 20% savings of $29.03
Coupon: One time use emailed to us for a free day (worth $23.22 in our case)
Total with taxes/fees, etc: $136.93

Have u tried the $35 off coupon? I don't know the requirements of it though.

 

[1tufgt]

What is the best gas station to fill up at if your coming back to MCO via 417?

I think there is a Circle K south of 417 on Boggy Creek.