OCTOBER 2016 Car Rental Rate Watch Thread

[Mom2Madi]

Just logged into my Alamo account and the reservation that included the now expired $50 coupon code was not there. As was stated before, looks like Alamo went through and canceled the whole reservation if you were using that code. I'm so glad I checked this thread again!

 

[PatMcDuck]

OMG, thank goodness I looked at this thread. My October reservation also gone. "Could not validate coupon, continued without coupon". It says it continued without coupon, but that is not true, it is gone. I wish they had at least sent me an email, I am an Insider, they know where to find me.

Time to start over.

 

[keishashadow]

Just logged into my Alamo account and the reservation that included the now expired $50 coupon code was not there. As was stated before, looks like Alamo went through and canceled the whole reservation if you were using that code. I'm so glad I checked this thread again!

Not quite...See my previous post (I emailed them, then called the general reservation number). Will rephrase it again.

You do not have to 'start over'.

When I emailed & called them, told my reservation was still in place, but the $50 coupon would've been manually removed at time of pickup...end result would have to have paid $50 more than stated on original confirmation.

If you want to cancel outright, you can call & ask them to do so.

If you want to keep the reservation and all other terms (including your weekly rate/corporate code, etc. ) all you have to do is call them & ask to substitute another coupon (plenty of $25 ones out there) and you will preserve it. They will send you a revised confirmation to print out.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina!

please pull the $50 coupon information from post #1

any reservations with it are now being locked. You cannot modify or checkin online.

Removed .

 

[PatMcDuck]

I just re-booked (Vegas Brazil)and got the same price, except about $25 more using the $25 coupon vs. the $50 one. I emailed them to cancel the other one, hopefully that will work. or I will call sometime. Now $207 for a mid-SUV, Oct 26-Nov. 1.

I will keep stalking the Costco rates, though, because the free 2nd driver is a nice bonus.

 

[keishashadow]

I just re-booked (Vegas Brazil)and got the same price, except about $25 more using the $25 coupon vs. the $50 one. I emailed them to cancel the other one, hopefully that will work. or I will call sometime. Now $207 for a mid-SUV, Oct 26-Nov. 1.

I will keep stalking the Costco rates, though, because the free 2nd driver is a nice bonus.

That's a nice rate on a SUV. Hopefully, CDW isn't included

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I just snagged a rate drop this afternoon for my dates.

October 14th to 28th (15 day rental), full size car with Dollar, $282.30 with tax.

Booked through carrentalsavers.com . No special codes or coupons, I just popped in my pickup and drop off dates and times.

My current reservation through Dollar (also booked through carrentalsavers.com ) was $295, so this is a savings of about $13.

 

[PatMcDuck]

That's a nice rate on a SUV. Hopefully, CDW isn't included

I did not see it, will look again.

 

[Santiago Mol]

I just snagged a rate drop this afternoon for my dates.

October 14th to 28th (15 day rental), full size car with Dollar, $282.30 with tax.

Booked through carrentalsavers.com . No special codes or coupons, I just popped in my pickup and drop off dates and times.

My current reservation through Dollar (also booked through carrentalsavers.com ) was $295, so this is a savings of about $13.

Does this rate includes insurance and additional driver?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Does this rate includes insurance and additional driver?

No to both.

I actually went to the Dollar website directly, and was able to book the same rate AND have our Rapid Rewards number added (so we can go straight to the garage). I have since cancelled the booking through carrentalsavers.com .

We don't need the insurance (we have rental car insurance through our personal auto policy) and only DH drives while we are in Orlando, so the additional driver is not a necessity either.

 

[keishashadow]

No to both.

I actually went to the Dollar website directly, and was able to book the same rate AND have our Rapid Rewards number added (so we can go straight to the garage). I have since cancelled the booking through carrentalsavers.com .

We don't need the insurance (we have rental car insurance through our personal auto policy) and only DH drives while we are in Orlando, so the additional driver is not a necessity either.

For US residents

As for rental car insurance, most full coverage polices provide a level of coverage (not necessarily the CDW gap). Was surprised when my agent indicated that some insurers/policies have a max length of rental they will cover, but often will offer a rider for purchase to cover extended rentals.

Many CCs provide primary coverage up to varying maximums. if you use them to rent the vehicle. I've noticed in fine print you MUST decline the rental car company's CDW. Another reason for me to skip the VB code if it includes it.

Majority of CC coverage does seem to be of secondary nature, need to check w/CC providers to verify which cards offer primary. Ones that I believe still offer: USSA AMEX, Chase Sapphire and one of the Discover products.

It's such a mess to navigate the in's & outs, always a good idea to check with your insurance agent each year @ policy renewal to see if anything has changed IMO.

 

[connie1042]

What does AS1 do for a reservation? Have Alamo Full Size Oct. 1 - 8 155.00 Free extra driver with Cosco.

 

[Keacc]

AS1 is the Alamo Insider discount. Without it my mini van was $350, with it my mini van was $209.

Join Alamo Insider!

 

[CamperMomma]

Sorry, fairly new here. Costco codes, do you have to be a member? It's dropping my price almost $70 from what I have booked with National (Emerald Aisle, through my employers contract)

October 27 - 7:30 PM Pickup
November 6 - 6:00 AM DropOff

National - Emerald Aisle - $378
Alamo - Costco code, $25 coupon, AS1 - $310

 

[CamperMomma]

Sorry, fairly new here. Costco codes, do you have to be a member? It's dropping my price almost $70 from what I have booked with National (Emerald Aisle, through my employers contract)

October 27 - 7:30 PM Pickup
November 6 - 6:00 AM DropOff

National - Emerald Aisle - $378
Alamo - Costco code, $25 coupon, AS1 - $310

Nevermind, I think I'll use the "VisitOrlando" instead (found on mousesavers). Same pricing, just have to download the offer. Good through 12/31/16.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Sorry, fairly new here. Costco codes, do you have to be a member? It's dropping my price almost $70 from what I have booked with National (Emerald Aisle, through my employers contract)

Even though you have chosen to book with another code, I will answer your question just in case anyone else is wondering as well.

Rental car companies have every right to ask for proof of your eligibility for discounts under any special code. If you are booking with a Costco discount code, they can (and may) ask to see your membership card. If you can't produce it, they have the right to deny the rate under that discount.

You may never be asked for proof of membership, but its a roll of the dice. Kicking off your vacation with the denial of your awesome car rental rate would really stink. Current prices as the counter could be substantially more.

My advice to all is DON'T book a rate unless you qualify to use the discount code you are applying. There are lots of codes open to the general public.

I hope that helps!

 

[Roxyfire]

ental car companies have every right to ask for proof of your eligibility for discounts under any special code. If you are booking with a Costco discount code, they can (and may) ask to see your membership card. If you can't produce it, they have the right to deny the rate under that discount.

Correct, additionally when I booked using the costco discount, it asked for my member number in order to complete the reservation.

 

[ktate82]

Correct, additionally when I booked using the costco discount, it asked for my member number in order to complete the reservation.

We are Costco members and have found their discounts to be the best for when we rented a car for the past several years. This year is the first time when making the reservation, it has asked for my membership number so I believe they are starting to verify that more (at least online). We have never been asked for our card, but always had it ready. I will be interested to see if they start asking to see it since they are asking for the number.

 

[brandylouwho]

Love the DIS Boards. This thread just saved me about $80 over the prices I was finding elsewhere.
Alamo
10/26-11/5 (10 days)
full size $220
AD3868JST ($25 off)
7014627 (Costco incl free 2nd driver)
AS1

 

[awalker1015]

We are Costco members and have found their discounts to be the best for when we rented a car for the past several years. This year is the first time when making the reservation, it has asked for my membership number so I believe they are starting to verify that more (at least online). We have never been asked for our card, but always had it ready. I will be interested to see if they start asking to see it since they are asking for the number.

I was expecting it and it never asked me for our member number when we booked online with Alamo.