Official MINIVAN Car Rental Thread*****

[mfgs7]

I had a van booked through Budget for April 24 to May 1 for $230 taxes incl with Budget. Which I was quite happy with, but we decided to try priceline and named our own price 2 days before and got it for 180 taxes incl with Avis. Remember though that you can only bid once per day so if you leave it to late you may not get it if they keep refuse your offers. By the way they took our first offer... wish we had tried lower!

 

[GoofyFairie]

I am subbing. I am trying to find a rental out of sanford beginning June 6 for a descent rate. I also am trying to learn about this whole rental process since it is my first time. Can anyone tell me how long i can safely wait to rent and not end up stranded at the airport? I am nervous that I don't have anything yet.

 

[Ranger111]

I am subbing. I am trying to find a rental out of sanford beginning June 6 for a descent rate. I also am trying to learn about this whole rental process since it is my first time. Can anyone tell me how long i can safely wait to rent and not end up stranded at the airport? I am nervous that I don't have anything yet.

I honestly have no idea what you are asking,,,,but on the off-chance you are saying you have not reserved a car yet....

Well, normally, you can walk up to the counter at the airport after getting off the plane and rent a car. With no advance reservations. HOWEVER -- and this is extremely rare -- all agencies COULD be sold-out (very, very, very, very, very rare).

Will you get a great rate, probably not. Will you get a good rate, probably not. Will you get a better rate than if you had made reservations today -- well -- maybe, but probably not.

Again, and I have NO idea what your question really was, but if it is close to what I think it might be:

1) Make the best reservation you can right now (DO NOT PRE-PAY) through one of the REAL rental agencies such as HERTZ -- NOT AN INTERNET TRAVEL AGENCY.

2) Those reservations can be cancelled without penalty up until --- well that's debatable, but at least up until the day before you arrive anyway.

3) Keep checking rates. If you find a cheaper one, book it and then cancel the earlier one.

IF I DID NOT understand you correctly, sorry to waste your time and mine...

 

[GoofyFairie]

Ranger111 you nailed it exactly! Thank you so much! I will reserve and keep checking.

 

[bigfish32]

Just went on Pricrline today. Bid 15 per day and got it! (Even though it's for ft myers). We leave Saturday. Total $161 with Avis. Hope it all is as good as it sounds! You have to pay up front but for that price who cares!

 

[doclegler]

**oops! Put this on the June board** Wanted it here!!

Just a heads-up....looks like Thrifty and Dollar dropped mini-van prices a bit today.

 

[AK_Christina]

So this is my first time ever renting a mini van. Dollar has the best rate I have found so far. $522 for 10/16 - 10/27. Is this a good price? Realistically should I expect it to get much lower? Everyone else seems to be $600+.

Thanks!

 

[ajluze]

I've had good success renting a minivan for much cheaper. I paid less than $400 for a two week rental last year through Alamo. My strategy is to book the cheapest rate you can find, then keep checking every week or so. If you find it cheaper, book it and cancel the first reservation. Be sure to sign up for newsletters and rewards programs for different companies. Also search online for coupons or discounts.

 

[poop1]

I got a minivan for june 10-16 from priceline for $232.

 

[3angelsmom]

Great thread. We can get by with a full size but need a minivan for the first time driving between San Diego and LAX this July. I had sticker shock until I found this thread. Going to check out Priceline for sure.

 

[bigfish32]

Priceline or Hotwire is the way to go. I did it a few days before and got it for $167. Rates everywhere else will drop closer to your date so grab a plan b. From what I understand Hotwire may be easier to cancel. Priceline gave us Avis/budget (same thing) and it went off without a hitch!

 

[redmomof4]

I'm still striking out finding anything under $500 for 7/13-22 from MCO. Any suggestions, good codes, etc...?

 

[doclegler]

I'm still striking out finding anything under $500 for 7/13-22 from MCO. Any suggestions, good codes, etc...?

Try Priceline...just got a minivan for 2 weeks in Tampa for $333.

 

[redmomof4]

Try Priceline...just got a minivan for 2 weeks in Tampa for $333.

I've been looking but haven't bid yet, just doing my research. Was that total?

 

[doclegler]

I've been looking but haven't bid yet, just doing my research. Was that total?

Yes, that's the total we will owe at pickup.

 

[djmeredith]

No one has posted here for a while, but I learned something today that may benefit other minivan renters.

I am renting a minivan in Anaheim for 8 nights later this month. I found a government employee leisure travel discount rate about a month ago and booked it for $485 (total). I am very glad I did because the best rates I can find today, 3 weeks out, is $800+! Apparently, there is a shortage of minivans in Anaheim during my stay. So just be aware that the strategy of prices dropping closer to your dates does not always work for the minivan category (I am assuming because there is just less inventory of minivans compared to cars).

 

[pixleyyy]

No one has posted here for a while, but I learned something today that may benefit other minivan renters.

I am renting a minivan in Anaheim for 8 nights later this month. I found a government employee leisure travel discount rate about a month ago and booked it for $485 (total). I am very glad I did because the best rates I can find today, 3 weeks out, is $800+! Apparently, there is a shortage of minivans in Anaheim during my stay. So just be aware that the strategy of prices dropping closer to your dates does not always work for the minivan category (I am assuming because there is just less inventory of minivans compared to cars).

Good info!

As another government employee, I would love to hear about the government employee leisure discount you found. Maybe it would help us out too.

 

[djmeredith]

Good info! As another government employee, I would love to hear about the government employee leisure discount you found. Maybe it would help us out too.

I just Googled government employee rental car discounts and found a link for an Alamo discount.

 

[matdamom]

My best rate so far is $318 ($411 with taxes/fees) for 9 days, July 26-Aug 4. That is renting through our local airport with unlimited mileage. I'm wondering if I can do better with Priceline...

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Just got a minivan $301 all-in on Priceline by bidding $19/day. 10 Day trip 8/30-9/9. Minivan rates for these dates have been through the roof using all other booking sites (other than hotwire)....in the $575-800 range.