OMG Where's my rental car deal!

[Debbie6221]

I have ALWAYS patted myself on the back for the great deals I get on rental cars. Of course this is LARGELY in part to this forum where I always come for coupon codes or advice on what avenue to go through. Now none of my tricks are working! Anyone else out there getting lucking?

There are 6 of us so we can't do a car and we are traveling to Florida October 6th - 13th.
Thank you!
Debbie from Chicago

 

[DanenRox]

Dear Debbie from Chicago....
I echo your every sentiment. I used to boast about the deals I found! We're flying into MCO 9/18 for 12 days....I ended up using Priceline for the first time ever and am happy (I think) with $228 for a midsize auto/Alamo/pick-up MCO drop off TPA. I've seen a couple of references to deals at about $180 dollars but I wasn't able to find them. I bid $10 a day and $228 is my total cost....I'm going to recommend you look at Priceline. The site does disclose what your final price would be before you enter any credit card info....and they only use the top companies....Alamo, Budget, National, etc. Good luck.
Roxane from Rhode Island

 

[TooBoyz4us]

Rental rates seem to be CRAZY this year!

I booked our van 6 months ago at a rate of $383 with Hertz for 8 days. (That one extra day hurts us, but it can' be helped)
By watching for codes and such,I now have our rate down to $331

I just checked the rates again and see that they are now over $750 for the same timeframe.

I think I will be happy I have my $331

 

[minster22]

This year is very different pricing for rental cars than previous years. Last year I got a week long rental, midsize with Alamo for $60.42 all taxes and fees included. This year I am hanging onto an Alamo fullsize for a week @ $246 and hoping that when the last minute deals come out 2 weeks prior to our trip I can get a better price. The best option for a minivan if that is what you are going to need is usually with Dollar. Give Mousesavers a try and just keep trying diifferent companies, codes etc until you get something you can live with. I wish you luck....keep trying even after you book something....many times that is how I have gotten the good deals.

 

[DSTPDISNEY]

i have never used priceline, so even though they disclose the price when do you know what company it will be with? Do people have good experiences with priceline? I am of the belief if it sounds to good it is too good, I am looking for car pick up at mco 1/23 drop off 1/31 thanks

 

[dioxide45]

The price level where you pat yourself on the back has moved up. While last year you would pat yourself on the back at $75 for a week, that pat price bas moved to $185-$225. This is the new price level where the deals are. The week rental for >$100 is a thing of the past, at least for the next few years.

 

[minster22]

At this point if I can get it below $200.00 I will be ecstatic!!

 

[mousemom11]

I have ALWAYS patted myself on the back for the great deals I get on rental cars. Of course this is LARGELY in part to this forum where I always come for coupon codes or advice on what avenue to go through. Now none of my tricks are working! Anyone else out there getting lucking?

There are 6 of us so we can't do a car and we are traveling to Florida October 6th - 13th.
Thank you!
Debbie from Chicago

Debbie, I just checked and if you use the Orlando Magicard code of 004M001010 with Thrifty, you can get a minivan for a 7-day base rate of $228. Adding in all taxes and fees brings you to $302.60 for the week. I'm also looking for a minivan in November and this is one of the best deals that I've seen for minivans out there.

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks Gang! I will keep trying! Thrifty does seem to be the cheapest right now. Remember the "magic codes" LOL ahhh..... the good old days!

 

[DANSHA]

I have two minivans booked with Dollar for November 7th through the 17th at $415.21 each with all included taxes and fees using Code OOAG through Dollar. This was the best deal I could find back in June when we booked and happens to be almost the same price as the last several years. Airfare...that's another story. With 14 people I could buy a rental car with the airfare rates.!!!

 

[DVC-Don]

I used to get great deals too. But, this past year I've been booking the best online deal I can find and then keep checking every few weeks. I've been able to drop the booking most times, but in addition I then try Priceline a couple of weeks before each trip (4 trips per year) and have always gotten a great deal (sometime half my original booking). I seem to always get Alamo.

 

[sympatico]

I've got a minivan booked for 16 days starting Oct. 26 with Dollar and it works out to $301.ish per week tax and fees included. Used the KISS2 promo code. That's the best I can do so far. Hoping that Alamo / National's last minute rates will be better when the time comes.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Hi Debbie....just this morning we got a GREAT rate with Dollar. Granted, our dates are different (we're traveling to WDW Feb 17- March 2nd), but I was pulling my hair out trying to get a good rate. Head to Mousesavers and try Dollar for some codes....good luck!

 

[viluvsdisney]

Hi Debbie....just this morning we got a GREAT rate with Dollar. Granted, our dates are different (we're traveling to WDW Feb 17- March 2nd), but I was pulling my hair out trying to get a good rate. Head to Mousesavers and try Dollar for some codes....good luck!

 

[jobie61]

I've got a minivan booked for 16 days starting Oct. 26 with Dollar and it works out to $301.ish per week tax and fees included. Used the KISS2 promo code. That's the best I can do so far. Hoping that Alamo / National's last minute rates will be better when the time comes.

I'm hoping for the same thing, Alamo is releasing some last minute deals that look great. But they are only for the next two weeks. Check out some of the hot deals by plugging in a date for the next two weeks.

 

[katallo]

i have never used priceline, so even though they disclose the price when do you know what company it will be with? Do people have good experiences with priceline? I am of the belief if it sounds to good it is too good, I am looking for car pick up at mco 1/23 drop off 1/31 thanks

We have used Priceline many times and price has always remained the quoted price. We wait until a week or two before we leave to explore Priceline.

 

[DSTPDISNEY]

katallo - thanks for the advice, is it okay to wait that long? whats the best price you have gotten doing that. i will probably wait a bit closer to january

 

[DebbieB]

When I went in June, rates dropped like a rock about 2 or 3 weeks before. Went from almost $300 to $150 incl tax for 8 days, National Emerald Aisle.

 

[kleubanks]

Hi Debbie....just this morning we got a GREAT rate with Dollar. Granted, our dates are different (we're traveling to WDW Feb 17- March 2nd), but I was pulling my hair out trying to get a good rate. Head to Mousesavers and try Dollar for some codes....good luck!

Can you tell us what your "great" rate is. January is a ways off but I want to rent a car; not buy one!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We have a minivan booked thru Dollar for Oct. 31 - Nov 21 and the grand total including all taxes etc. is $869.15 which is the best i have been able to get...i still keep checking hoping for something lower to come up....