Please teach me how to do a good job/get a good deal on car rental

[KBecks]

Hi Everyone, we will be in Orlando for a lot of fun December 8 - 17. I have next to zero experience renting cars and getting deals.

We have a family of 5 with 3 in carseats. I am hoping to rent as cheap as possible to save some money for nice meals, etc... but... we also need to be practical about what will work for our family and fit our luggage.

My husband wants an SUV. I would squeeze all of us into the most mini compact we can, but I also want my husband to be happy.

Please advise on any tips! Should I make a reservation now to start with and then try to get cheaper reservations as we go forward?

I guess I should look at my credit card provider for any rental car deals? Or look at frequent flyer program rental car deals?

Thank you so much!

 

[Geoff_M]

I'm not sure of your flight schedules, but one thing I just noticed in a big way was that if your arrival and departure times are close to the same time of day, be sure that your car drop-off time doesn't put you in a new 24 hour "day". An additional hour into a new "day" can cost you about 75% of a full day's rent. Case in point, I rented a minivan to get our daughter from college last weekend. The pickup was 8 AM Friday with an 8 AM Monday return. Eager to get an early start, I opted to pick the van up an hour early when I found the agency opened at 7 AM. The daily rate was about $100. When I got the cost estimate, I got concerned that the price quoted was about $75 more than I expected. I thought they had the rate wrong, but another worker at the counter pointed out that since I picked the van up an hour early, the estimated charge was for 3 days... plus 1 hour. That one hour would cost $75. They assured me that it I brought the van back and dropped the keys off Sunday night, I would only be charged for three days.

 

[smdigh]

I would make a reservation now. You can just cancel it if you find a better deal, but at least get to lock in the best offer right now. Keep checking the rates. I have had car rates go way down the week before departure and was able to rebook at a much later date.

 

[wdwrich]

As a PP stated, you can reserve now and keep checking for better deals. I find that the best deals/discounts/coupons can be had a month or so before your rental date. Also, check Mousesavers.com for discount codes and coupons.

 

[ccgirl]

Hi Everyone, we will be in Orlando for a lot of fun December 8 - 17. I have next to zero experience renting cars and getting deals.

We have a family of 5 with 3 in carseats. I am hoping to rent as cheap as possible to save some money for nice meals, etc... but... we also need to be practical about what will work for our family and fit our luggage.

My husband wants an SUV. I would squeeze all of us into the most mini compact we can, but I also want my husband to be happy.

Please advise on any tips! Should I make a reservation now to start with and then try to get cheaper reservations as we go forward?

I guess I should look at my credit card provider for any rental car deals? Or look at frequent flyer program rental car deals?

Thank you so much!

With 3 car seats, I don't know how you would all fit, plus luggage in a car. I would think you would need an SUV with a third row seat or, the best option, would be a minivan.

Keep in mind that now is too far out to get the best deals. My full size car rental for 10 days started at over $300 and is now down to $140 all taxes/fees included. I have always been able to get a minivan for under $275 for the week.

Good luck.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I'm not sure of your flight schedules, but one thing I just noticed in a big way was that if your arrival and departure times are close to the same time of day, be sure that your car drop-off time doesn't put you in a new 24 hour "day". An additional hour into a new "day" can cost you about 75% of a full day's rent. Case in point, I rented a minivan to get our daughter from college last weekend. The pickup was 8 AM Friday with an 8 AM Monday return. Eager to get an early start, I opted to pick the van up an hour early when I found the agency opened at 7 AM. The daily rate was about $100. When I got the cost estimate, I got concerned that the price quoted was about $75 more than I expected. I thought they had the rate wrong, but another worker at the counter pointed out that since I picked the van up an hour early, the estimated charge was for 3 days... plus 1 hour. That one hour would cost $75. They assured me that it I brought the van back and dropped the keys off Sunday night, I would only be charged for three days.

On the other hand, I once had a rate go DOWN by keeping the car an extra 6 hours or so: I think I moved from a daily rate to a weekly rate, and the total cost or the trip when down...plus I didn't have to wait around the airport on either end of my vacation. But be warned: the rental companies can charge you a more expensive rate if you book a weekly rate, but return the car earlier than that rate would allow.

I've also found that rates are cheapest within four weeks of your trip. Like the others have said, I usually book something I'm okay with, then keep watching to see if I can improve my rate or vehicle.

 

[Psychodisney]

I used this Budget code for my December trip: x474200. Got a pretty decent rate on a minivan.
Defintely shop for the best deal now. You can always change it.
Are you staying onsit? Do you definitely need a car?

 

[mommyrom]

I used the same code for Budget for June and got a minivan for $299 which includes all taxes and fees. (Base price started at $225).

 

[tms295psu]

Reserve NOW... and keep checking prices. Also look into any corporate discounts you or spouse may be eligible for... My company (small local office... but large all over the country company) offers us their discount/promo code for personal use. Saved me a fortune!!!

Then I kept randomly checking the rates, and about 3 weeks out from our trip the price (with code used originally) dropped over $150...

 

[GCM]

I used this Budget code for my December trip: x474200. Got a pretty decent rate on a minivan.
Defintely shop for the best deal now. You can always change it.
Are you staying onsit? Do you definitely need a car?

Using the code, I get a great deal on our trip in September, but in the fine print it states, "When using some offer codes, you must provide association, corporate, or government credentials to prove eligibility for the special rate/benefit."

So, I am wondering when I get there what do I use to show that I can use this code? AND can I use this code? Is this code specific for a corportation, club, etc., one of which I do not have the right to use?

Just don't want to show up to pick up my vehicle and end up paying a fortune for using a code I'm not allowed to use.

Thanks!!!

 

[backyardponder]

Some ideas:

Try Costco.com if you are a member. I got a good rate for an upcoming trip to Arizona.

Check with your insurance company to see if they have any good rates. My insurance company's web site has a car rental link which I use frequently.

Decline all the add on insurance coverage they will try to sell you. Before doing that, however, make sure you are covered for rental cars by your own insurance company. Most do provide the coverage.

Sometimes rental away from an airport is cheaper...sometimes it is more. If you are going to WDW, consider taking ME to WDW and renting from one of the on-site rental locations. Most major rental companies have locations in the hotels near DTD or other locations on site.

Avoid pre-paying for a rate unless it is really, really good. That way you can keep an eye on rates.

Finally, do you really need a rental car? If you are staying on site and not planning to leave WDW, then can you make do with the bus transportation?

 

[Chris2597]

Keep an eye on this thread. I agree that you should book a car if you find a great deal and cancel if you find something lower. I started out looking for a rental in January, finding rates 500-600 for a week. I have since found a car for 12 days from MCO to FLL for 147.00 total, with Alamo. I also had found a mini van for the week for 140.00 total but we ended up needing a rental for 12 days. I kept a list of the codes and checked daily. I felt like I hit the slots when the 147.00 deal popped up. I have checked a couple of times just to confirm that it wasnt too good to be true. Also, as your trip gets closer you will find better deals....substationally better.
Check out mousesavers for codes and discounts.

 

[Psychodisney]

Using the code, I get a great deal on our trip in September, but in the fine print it states, "When using some offer codes, you must provide association, corporate, or government credentials to prove eligibility for the special rate/benefit."

So, I am wondering when I get there what do I use to show that I can use this code? AND can I use this code? Is this code specific for a corportation, club, etc., one of which I do not have the right to use?

Just don't want to show up to pick up my vehicle and end up paying a fortune for using a code I'm not allowed to use.

Thanks!!!

According to several other threads, this is a Travelocity code that Budget has said OK to.

 

[GCM]

According to several other threads, this is a Travelocity code that Budget has said OK to.

Thanks! I went ahead and reserved and saved almost $100.00 over a smaller vehicle I had previously reserved . I am going to keep a watch on prices and maybe it will come down even more.

I just love this site!!!!!

 

[msr709]

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