October 2015 Car Rental Watch

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks. It didn't work for me when I tried your method. Does anyone know if I check in online with Alamo and go directly to the garage to pickup my vehicle, when do I pay for it? Do I pay when I return it or before? And if its before is there a way to pay for it in the garage? I would rather just avoid the checkout counter.

We checked in at the kiosk in the terminal (not the counter), then went to the garage. At the kiosk, you swipe your license and your credit card, but the charges aren't applied until you drop off the car (because otherwise, they don't have the opportunity to nail you for late drop off, fuel, etc.). The only time we have paid in advance for an Alamo rental is when we have booked through Hotwire.

With Dollar and Budget we have gone straight to the garage, but I'm not sure that's an option with Alamo. I thought you had to either check in at the kiosk or counter.....but maybe I've just been doing it wrong all this time!!

 

[mkgal]

What is the best way to book a car to be picked up at the Disney Car Care Center and dropped off and the airport? Should I go straight to the Alamo/National website or go through Travelocity, expedia or something like that? Any October codes for these car rental companies or savings tips. Sorry in advance if this message has already been answered. I didn't have time to read all 17 pages.

 

[kbwright]

mkgal, I usually go through the vendor site or Car Rental Savers I have never had any luck with any of the Travelocity or Priceline type services for car rental. Since you are looking to rent on property, check out the Swan/Dolphin location too. I have gotten good rates playing with codes and picking up there vs. the CCC. For a list of codes that might work for you (some require membership - BJs or Costco) others have a payment type (Visa or Mastercard) - check out CRS that I mentioned before since they have them all listed by rental company and you can plug them in through your preferred vendors site! Good luck!!!

 

[archdandy]

We checked in at the kiosk in the terminal (not the counter), then went to the garage. At the kiosk, you swipe your license and your credit card, but the charges aren't applied until you drop off the car (because otherwise, they don't have the opportunity to nail you for late drop off, fuel, etc.). The only time we have paid in advance for an Alamo rental is when we have booked through Hotwire.

With Dollar and Budget we have gone straight to the garage, but I'm not sure that's an option with Alamo. I thought you had to either check in at the kiosk or counter.....but maybe I've just been doing it wrong all this time!!

From what I understand with what I've read online is that if you are an Alamo Insider you can check in online before picking up the car and you should be able to go straight to the garage to pick up the car. As long as the airport you are in participates in that, I checked their website and MCO is listed as one that allows that.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

From what I understand with what I've read online is that if you are an Alamo Insider you can check in online before picking up the car and you should be able to go straight to the garage to pick up the car. As long as the airport you are in participates in that, I checked their website and MCO is listed as one that allows that.

It might be because we always have a coupon of some sort attached to the reservation. Something in the cobwebs of my mind says that the coupon is why we needed to first visit the kiosk. Of course, we haven't rented with Alamo in over a year (our most recent trip was with Dollar) so maybe they have updated their systems since then.

Or, maybe, I'm just remembering wrong .

 

[cel_disney]

Just got an email from Dollar - use code EDSUV for midsize and standard suv discounts in October (129-149/week!)...hope it helps someone here! My trip is not until 11/3 so no luck!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just got an email from Dollar - use code EDSUV for midsize and standard suv discounts in October (129-149/week!)...hope it helps someone here! My trip is not until 11/3 so no luck!

Just tried for my dates (October 10th to 17th), and rec'd a message saying "No Rates Qualify due to Pick Up or Return Restrictions". Same with code FIX09 . Apparently Dollar really doesn't want us to rent an SUV on this trip .

 

[akl432]

Does anyone have any good Alamo discount codes? I have a reservation using the Brazil LLC code (7016427) but would like to use a different code if possible. Thanks!

 

[hollypoast]

Does anyone have any good Alamo discount codes? I have a reservation using the Brazil LLC code (7016427) but would like to use a different code if possible. Thanks!

Contract ID codes:
Delta 7014133
American Airlines 7014133
Costco (must be a member) 7014627
Save with Alamo 7014926
Visit Orlando 7016220

Visa coupon code for $30 off a qualifying rental- AD2338FDF (this can be used in conjunction with any contract ID, I believe)

I'm sure there are more. Check the Mouse Savers website- http://www.mousesavers.com/alamo-rental-car-discounts/

I have also found codes on Flyertalk.com

I am currently at $207 for a minivan for 5 days with Alamo using the Costco code and the Visa coupon code. Still hoping to do better but I can live with this.

Good luck!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Is anyone getting any good discounts now that October is literally just days away?

I am currently holding two reservations, one for Alamo at $161 and one for Budget at $130. Both 8 day rentals (October 10th to 17th), full size car, all taxes included. DH wants to spend the extra $$ and go with Alamo since we get to pick our vehicle (we had a bad, BAD Budget experience in December 2012 and haven't used them since). Still up in the air on what to do.....

 

[Lynne G]

No better rates so far, and I am still holding tight to my ressie that was back in June with Alamo. I'm more comfortable with Alamo, as I have rented from them several times. Have not ever from Budget, but mostly because National and Alamo have been the best rates for me. Hmm, money saving is always at the top of my travel expenses, but Gina, 30 dollars for a most likely better experience with rental cars, and put that over the week you are renting for, and I probably would use Alamo. But, as always that's just me.

 

[kbwright]

I have a ressie with Alamo (using Vegas Brazil and VISA coupon) for $160 (in FLL) but I can't get into the Alamo site for it - it is saying there is an error with the coupon. (I can't even get in to cancel it!!) I emailed Alamo and they said it is fine but, my gut instinct is that it is a sign...so I booked through Hertz, Gold Rewards member with AAA (Fiance is a free driver since on my AAA account -that's a plus), bigger car for $203 all in and I am feeling better about that since I used Hertz when I traveled with a previous job and had no issues.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'm sticking with my reservation with Enterprise that I got via Costco back in June, too.

 

[YodasMom]

I have a ressie with Alamo (using Vegas Brazil and VISA coupon) for $160 (in FLL) but I can't get into the Alamo site for it - it is saying there is an error with the coupon. (I can't even get in to cancel it!!) I emailed Alamo and they said it is fine but, my gut instinct is that it is a sign...so I booked through Hertz, Gold Rewards member with AAA (Fiance is a free driver since on my AAA account -that's a plus), bigger car for $203 all in and I am feeling better about that since I used Hertz when I traveled with a previous job and had no issues.

I had a reservation with that Vegas Brazil promo and canceled mine a couple weeks ago too. I just don't feel comfortable with it since I don't even know where the promotion is from. I'm just using the regular Costco code and a Visa coupon since I know those are legitimate for sure.

 

[archdandy]

Just tried for my dates (October 10th to 17th), and rec'd a message saying "No Rates Qualify due to Pick Up or Return Restrictions". Same with code FIX09 . Apparently Dollar really doesn't want us to rent an SUV on this trip .

It does the same thing for me Gina.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

No better rates so far, and I am still holding tight to my ressie that was back in June with Alamo. I'm more comfortable with Alamo, as I have rented from them several times. Have not ever from Budget, but mostly because National and Alamo have been the best rates for me. Hmm, money saving is always at the top of my travel expenses, but Gina, 30 dollars for a most likely better experience with rental cars, and put that over the week you are renting for, and I probably would use Alamo. But, as always that's just me.

I think that's what we're leaning toward, too. What's that old saying? "Go with what you know" ?

It does the same thing for me Gina.

I was wondering if the promo was restricted because I am travelling over Columbus Day week. Just a thought.

 

[yxe dad]

After following this thread I decided to try priceline name your own price. The following was accepted by Avis for 11:30am Oct 14 to 9:30pm Oct 22nd Standard Size Car.

I attempted $11 first and was declined, but was given an offer stating $14 would be accepted. Instead of going with $14, I tried $12 and it was accepted.

Your Offer Price
$108.00 (9 x $12.00)

Taxes and Fees
$76.63

Total Charges
$184.63

If your price is too high, give it a try, I saved about a $100 off the lowest price I could find.

 

[keishashadow]

No better rates so far, and I am still holding tight to my ressie that was back in June with Alamo. I'm more comfortable with Alamo, as I have rented from them several times. Have not ever from Budget, but mostly because National and Alamo have been the best rates for me. Hmm, money saving is always at the top of my travel expenses, but Gina, 30 dollars for a most likely better experience with rental cars, and put that over the week you are renting for, and I probably would use Alamo. But, as always that's just me.

my rental begins on 10/7 for 1 week

I am still sitting on Alamo brazil code w/coupon for a compact @ $116. Can't get the midsize to book without the CDW. Hoping another code will produce a decent rate

Last week, for reasons I cannot explain, carrentalsavers had Budget using USAA but significantly less than what I could replicate on the official budget sitea full size for $119.

In 2013 we rented from budget once @ MCO, they ran out of our size of cars. We had to bump down, received a small credit after I complained upon return home.

In 2014, we rented from budget twice @ MCO. The first time we were eligible to request a complimentary upgrade booking thru AARP, again the size of car wasn't available. The 2nd time, the assigned car was adequate, not memorable.

I will admit that we'll miss running thru the Alamo aisle looking for a hidden gem this go-around. However, we haven't found anything special in the last few years anyway, so I will soldier on with budget

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

In 2013 we rented from budget once @ MCO, they ran out of our size of cars. We had to bump down, received a small credit after I complained upon return home.

In 2014, we rented from budget twice @ MCO. The first time we were eligible to request a complimentary upgrade booking thru AARP, again the size of car wasn't available. The 2nd time, the assigned car was adequate, not memorable.

Our sole Budget experience was memorable, but for all the wrong reasons. We had an SUV booked for Christmas 2012, and were assigned a Ford Edge by the garage agent (fully loaded.....a nice vehicle, had it been better maintained). It was noticeably beat up on the exterior (marks ALL over it) and it had more than 50,000 miles on the odometer. It also had a smell.....we couldnt put our finger on it, but the odor was prevalent and not at all pleasant. Turns out, we think someone must have been smoking in it at some point, and that odor was a chemical used to mask the stench. Every single time we rode in that vehicle, Jake had an asthma attack.....one was bad enough, I thought we were going to have to put our out of country medical insurance to good use. He isnt allergic to cigarette smoke, so I can only guess that the chemical smell was the culprit.

I was so annoyed by the condition of that vehicle, I emailed the MCO Budget terminal upon our return home to tell them about our less-than-stellar experience. The manager of that location personally responded to me, letting me know that he had identified the vehicle in question and had pulled it from their fleet. He apologized profusely for letting us down (and admitted that that SUV should have long been pulled from circulation), and assured us that no other customer would be subject to that cruddy vehicle.

First impressions last a long time. Whenever we mention renting from Budget, one of my guys always remarks.....oh yeah, that was the one with the stinky, asthma-inducing SUV .

 

[keishashadow]

Our sole Budget experience was memorable, but for all the wrong reasons. We had an SUV booked for Christmas 2012, and were assigned a Ford Edge by the garage agent (fully loaded.....a nice vehicle, had it been better maintained). It was noticeably beat up on the exterior (marks ALL over it) and it had more than 50,000 miles on the odometer. It also had a smell.....we couldnt put our finger on it, but the odor was prevalent and not at all pleasant. Turns out, we think someone must have been smoking in it at some point, and that odor was a chemical used to mask the stench. Every single time we rode in that vehicle, Jake had an asthma attack.....one was bad enough, I thought we were going to have to put our out of country medical insurance to good use. He isnt allergic to cigarette smoke, so I can only guess that the chemical smell was the culprit.

I was so annoyed by the condition of that vehicle, I emailed the MCO Budget terminal upon our return home to tell them about our less-than-stellar experience. The manager of that location personally responded to me, letting me know that he had identified the vehicle in question and had pulled it from their fleet. He apologized profusely for letting us down (and admitted that that SUV should have long been pulled from circulation), and assured us that no other customer would be subject to that cruddy vehicle.

First impressions last a long time. Whenever we mention renting from Budget, one of my guys always remarks.....oh yeah, that was the one with the stinky, asthma-inducing SUV .

I'd have been impressed if you stated the mgr extended a refund or even partial credit. That is unacceptable.

I will throw it out there that during holidays the providers' normal matrix of overselling vehicles due to no shows can run askew.

Our 'worst' was over President's weekend, needed a mini van and found several PT Cruisers on National's van aisle. We had extra luggage since going on a land/sea trip. Nothing was else available at the airport on either side. We could barely get 2 bags in trunk, stuffed kids & bags in back seat. My DH was Executive with them at the time and was basically told "so sad, too bad". Haven't priced National since, even though I realize Alamo is same ownership, just can't bring myself to do it. Sometimes all it takes is 1 really bad experience to clinch it.