OCTOBER 2016 Car Rental Rate Watch Thread

[sueg]

I usually don't wait so long to book a rental car for October. But I FORGOT! I'm an Alamo Insider so I just booked for 10/16 to 10/23:
Visit Orlando contract
Insider coupon
Product Code AS1
Got a midsize for $141
Not the best October rate that I've gotten (Go to F&W every year) but I'm pretty happy. Better than my first try which was Drive Happy (Vision of 4 of us in a compact & not so happy) which was $261.

 

[sueg]

Wasn't going to tinker, but sometimes I can't help myself. Used Annual Passholder K, Insider coupon & AS1 product code. Got a rate of $127 for a midsize but then the site wouldn't let the reservation got thru saying I needed to remove a value. Went back and took out AS1 & it went thru for $203 for "drive happy". A little worried about my original reservation w/ AS1 product code. Any one have a problem with this product code. I hate starting a trip with a tussle at the counter. I prefer to pre-check-in &/or kiosk

 

[ktate82]

We are at 48 days out and rates still aren't dropping either. They have went up but only about $20. We have a full size from Alamo for $335 for 15 days as well as a minivan for $445. We aren't sure which one we "need". I would like to save the money and get by with a full size, but don't know if everyone plus luggage will fit. Hoping minivan prices drop, but aren't we all hoping for price drops lol.

 

[mickey1968]

I usually don't wait so long to book a rental car for October. But I FORGOT! I'm an Alamo Insider so I just booked for 10/16 to 10/23:
Visit Orlando contract
Insider coupon
Product Code AS1
Got a midsize for $141
Not the best October rate that I've gotten (Go to F&W every year) but I'm pretty happy. Better than my first try which was Drive Happy (Vision of 4 of us in a compact & not so happy) which was $261.

Thanks for mentioning the AS1 rate. I had forgotten about that code and it just saved me $140 on an economy/compact rental. I'm not a 100% sure I need the rental but at least it is on hold and not a budget-buster.

 

[marsh0013]

My brother used the AS1 on his rental in May and had no issues. We have it booked for October as well.

 

[schoen]

I just booked a 15 passenger van using the passholder code, AS1, and the $25 off coupon. For one week, it was $514. This seems like a very low price, I am a little concerned it won't be honored.

 

[cmarsh31]

I've got a similar $80 4 day rental with the A1 code. I actually want to return the car a day earlier, but I can't seem to modify my rental. It's so cheap, though, that I don't really care. We'll just pay the extra day. Originally had planned Universal - Disney but dropped the Disney piece. Still stuck switching from RPR to Sapphire so figured the car will make it easier. With 4 of us, I think the rental is probably cheaper than most airport transport options anyway. If there is a problem (I have the confirmations printed out etc), we'll just taxi or whatever. It'll be fine.

 

[lvdis]

I've got a similar $80 4 day rental with the A1 code. I actually want to return the car a day earlier, but I can't seem to modify my rental. It's so cheap, though, that I don't really care. We'll just pay the extra day. Originally had planned Universal - Disney but dropped the Disney piece. Still stuck switching from RPR to Sapphire so figured the car will make it easier. With 4 of us, I think the rental is probably cheaper than most airport transport options anyway. If there is a problem (I have the confirmations printed out etc), we'll just taxi or whatever. It'll be fine.

Don't forget to figure in the cost of parking at your Universal hotel. I think it's something like $22 a night.

 

[jenhelgren]

Slightly off topic for this thread but since you mentioned it-is there any way to discount the parking at Universal? We will also be renting a van and staying onsite at Universal and paying the parking fees kills me!! I know with an upgraded pass you can park at the parks for free but I haven't heard of any discounts for parking at the hotels

 

[keishashadow]

You would think so, but I leave this afternoon and our rate never got lower, and actually the current rate is $150 higher. Take a peak at the August rental thread. We were all very shocked and surprised. I ended up with $304 for 9 days full size. Last year was $100 cheaper. I hope this trend doesn't continue into my October trip.

Haha you beat me to punch. Gave up and Priceline'd August sigh.

This was definitely not the case for our late April/early May rental. We have certainly experienced that trend in the past, but not so far this year.

Of course, I will be watching daily from now until October, just in case .

Yes, always did book as soon as a trip was planned. So many would post they got best rates over the years last minute but I can count on one hand when I found a lower rate a month & on in out. Always thought they just didn't work it at the beginning, rates rose, then leveled back out. Now, you could throw a dart and have as likely of a chance of finding a good rate.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Where do I find the WDW passholder discount code. I am a WDW passholder and I checked the AP website and I could not find it.

 

[JKMastalski]

So glad I double checked this thread. I've had an Alamo reservation booked for months for our upcoming trip this Oct/Nov. Used code AD4004JDK ($50 off) and it took it fine. When I just went to double check on the reservation, it had taken the coupon off and will not let me access the reservation. I called twice and had the most difficult time trying to get someone to understand. (Calls must be outsourced to India?). Finally they told me there wasn't anything they could do to help me and that the disney car care center will honor the price since its in my email. Not sure if I believe them, so I am thinking about just rebooking with the $25 code. So frusterating.

 

[keishashadow]

So glad I double checked this thread. I've had an Alamo reservation booked for months for our upcoming trip this Oct/Nov. Used code AD4004JDK ($50 off) and it took it fine. When I just went to double check on the reservation, it had taken the coupon off and will not let me access the reservation. I called twice and had the most difficult time trying to get someone to understand. (Calls must be outsourced to India?). Finally they told me there wasn't anything they could do to help me and that the disney car care center will honor the price since its in my email. Not sure if I believe them, so I am thinking about just rebooking with the $25 code. So frusterating.

Yes, it is.

You could always email Alamo, contact info on the website. They are very prompt. I've had them change reservation dates/times in the past to allow me to keep good rates.

Jmho but what you see now on the website supersedes your original email. Naturally, you can hope for the best and be prepared to argue your case. I did once in May in MCO. In June @ MYR, desk never questioned my reservation.

Have you tried calling the Car Care Center directly with your concerns?

 

[keishashadow]

Where do I find the WDW passholder discount code. I am a WDW passholder and I checked the AP website and I could not find it.

See post #1. Older ones out there too - Google

 

[cathicool]

trying to follow...
we have a minivan rented thru Alamo 10/1-10/12 for over $400. I used a $35 coupon and now my reservation is coming up with a weird error. I called Alamo and they said the reservation is fine, even told me the price.

is there going to be an issue when I get the car? we're renting from TPA (tampa) not Orlando.

I tried to use the AS1 product code on a reservation, but all I get is "please enter a valid product code". anyone else having this issue?

 

[awalker1015]

trying to follow...
we have a minivan rented thru Alamo 10/1-10/12 for over $400. I used a $35 coupon and now my reservation is coming up with a weird error. I called Alamo and they said the reservation is fine, even told me the price.

is there going to be an issue when I get the car? we're renting from TPA (tampa) not Orlando.

I tried to use the AS1 product code on a reservation, but all I get is "please enter a valid product code". anyone else having this issue?

I did just now. I was able to pull up my reservation that still shows the rate with the code, but if I try to book a new one I get an error message. ???

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

With all the weird things that have been happening I decided to do online check in yesterday for out Oct 11 pick up. I used the AS1 code, 7014926 code, and the double upgrade coupon and everything went fine for the check in. Out the door I have a standard for $156 for Oct 11- Oct 19. I and pretty happy with that rate.

 

[kermitman18]

With all the weird things that have been happening I decided to do online check in yesterday for out Oct 11 pick up. I used the AS1 code, 7014926 code, and the double upgrade coupon and everything went fine for the check in. Out the door I have a standard for $156 for Oct 11- Oct 19. I and pretty happy with that rate.

What is the double upgrade coupon?

 

[cmarsh31]

I told DH I was worried that our $80 rate was too good to be true - and that I can't modify the reservation to take off the last day (because we're only doing US now, not both DW & US - Feb trip was extended bc of people we were traveling with) but we're just going to take our chances (and return the rental a day early). Worst case, we have everything printed out and proof and they say it's not ok - then we either pay a different rate or just take a cab to the hotel and not worry about it More a convenience for the day we have to switch from RPR to SF. When I obsessively over-think things, DH is always there to remind me that most of it doesn't matter that much

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

The double upgrade coupon is a Latin American special. It is AU4368BJZ. It is not as good as a deal without the AS1 code. You can book a full size with the costco code for the same price.