Prices going UP - rental cars

[remark44]

I'm traveling the first week in Sept. I checked the car rental sites last month (with coupon codes) but didn't book. I thought I read that people were getting better deals as it got closer. But checking today all of the rentals have increased in price. I'm mad I didn't reserve something last month. But I wasn't sure of my dates.

I know I am still 2 months away. Do you think that prices may go back down when it gets closer. I'm getting nervous.

 

[Moomduck1]

You never know what's going to happen. I would find the lowest rate now and book it. That way you are protected in case it goes higher. You can always cancel and rebook.

 

[sympatico]

From previous experiences renting cars the prices jump up and down like a yo yo and there's no rhyme nor reason for it. There's also last minute prices that come out for Alamo and National about two weeks before the dates you're going so you may get a better deal then. Even when I make a reservation I keep checking the rates and usually rebook a few times when I've seen the price drop. One night when I checked, the price had dropped by about $100 so I quickly made a new res and canceled the old one. About an hour later I checked again and the prices had gone through the roof, way higher than the original res. So just keep checking you never know when the price will drop.

 

[Vadersmum]

I booked my rental with Dollar in early June for our land/sea travel on July 15th and today, I checked our reservation and contemplated to change our pick-up time when I noticed that they increased the one-way drop off fee from $15 to $45!!! Needless to say, I didn't revise my reservation.

So, I'm glad I was able to book the rate that I got when I did. I'm just hoping that I will not run into any troubles when we get there.

 

[robinb]

First rule in car rentals. Book now and re-check later. I'm sorry that rates are now up. I hope you have a reservation now because they could still go up.

 

[buzz2400]

I have been checking for many, many months now. I arrive in orlando on 7/14. I have found that as we got closer the prices skyrocketed. I would highly recommend you finding the cheapest right now and reserving it. I would also like to point out that I have tried every code that I could possibly be qualified for and have spent many, many hours on this. The rate that I am going with right now is with Avis, AWD k199060 (florida tourism group for anyone to use) and coupon muwa003 for $35 (print this from avis website). I have also tried bidding on priceline.com and keep getting rejected for $12 for compact.

 

[Missy_Mouse]

I booked our car last year through Payless. The prices had dropped quite a lot a few weeks before our trip. I called and spoke with a rep, and she adjusted the price for me

 

[DebbieB]

I was there June 13 to 20. I wanted National Emerald Aisle. For a long time, the best I could do was $240, which is my company's corporate rate. Most codes were close to $300. About 2 weeks before, rates started dropping almost daily. My final charge was $150, which was the Emerald Club code, $35 off coupon, 8 days. I reserved and cancelled 5 or 6 times as it dropped.

 

[robinb]

I have been checking for many, many months now. I arrive in orlando on 7/14. I have found that as we got closer the prices skyrocketed. I would highly recommend you finding the cheapest right now and reserving it. I would also like to point out that I have tried every code that I could possibly be qualified for and have spent many, many hours on this. The rate that I am going with right now is with Avis, AWD k199060 (florida tourism group for anyone to use) and coupon muwa003 for $35 (print this from avis website). I have also tried bidding on priceline.com and keep getting rejected for $12 for compact.

Thank you! I have a reservation with the same AWD as you but I didn't know about the coupon . You saved me $35!

 

[Tara]

Thank you! I have a reservation with the same AWD as you but I didn't know about the coupon . You saved me $35!

Does Avis have kiosks like Alamo that I can use to avoid waiting in line? (assuming I'm not a member of their "club")

Do you pick your own car with Avis or is one assigned to you?

 

[Tjkane28]

Reserve a car as soon as you THINK you are going to need one. There is no penalty for canceling through most companies. Continue to check prices and codes. You will always wind up with the least expensive deal if you get in early and continue to check frequently.

There is no penalty for doing it this way.

 

[ParrotBill]

ABC News did a feature tonight on bargain prices for air and hotels for late summer and fall... but went out of their way to mention that car rental costs are staying high as they have all reduced inventory.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I rebooked ours last week when the weekly price went from over $300 down to $210. Now it's back up over $400.
What was jacking our rate up so high was that we really wanted 9 nts, Aug 29-Sept 7. It's much cheaper for 7 nts. Those 2 extra nights were way over $100 extra and we need 2 cars. (extended family) The last 2 nts we'll be staying onsite at Universal so no need for a car plus they charge for parking. It works out to same cost if we drop the car off at MCO at the end of 7 days and take a limo to the Hard Rock Hotel and back to MCO. The kids will get a kick out of it.

 

[byrd328]

I had been watching for the last month or so for rates mid Sept. They were well over $300+tax and for some strange reason they dropped to around $200 last week and now their back up.

I was able to book 9 days through Alamo(MCO) for 265, taxes included using the walmart code.

Thrify also had resonable rates, but I haven't rechecked them. Try also booking at night.

 

[byrd328]

I take that back, rates are over $400!!! WOW!!!

 

[nuzmom]

We are going Sept 10-22. We're executive service for National, so we get full size car at mid prices. I routinely book "whatever" and then check daily (sometimes twice a day) to see if rate dropped. Anytime it drops, I "modify" my reservation on National's website. If I'm not sure of the size or dates, book two options and then cancel one.

Anyway, I booked on Monday as soon as we had plane tickets. Used airtran frequent flyer code 6600422 and coupon ND2165OJK from Nationals web specials ($20 Q). Got full size for $471.72.

I checked today and that same rental is $928.07!!!! CRAZY!!!!!

 

[remark44]

I have been checking for many, many months now. I arrive in orlando on 7/14. I have found that as we got closer the prices skyrocketed. I would highly recommend you finding the cheapest right now and reserving it. I would also like to point out that I have tried every code that I could possibly be qualified for and have spent many, many hours on this. The rate that I am going with right now is with Avis, AWD k199060 (florida tourism group for anyone to use) and coupon muwa003 for $35 (print this from avis website). I have also tried bidding on priceline.com and keep getting rejected for $12 for compact.

Thanks for the info. I just reserved with Avis for 3 days in Sept for $145 (including fees). I could kick myself for not making a reservation a few months ago when it was about $50 less. But I'll keep checking.

I really wanted to rent with National or Alamo to go to the Car Care Center. This rental is at the Hilton in DTD. Does anyone know the best way to get there? Can I take the bus to DTD and then walk to the hotel?

Thanks

 

[robinb]

Thanks for the info. I just reserved with Avis for 3 days in Sept for $145 (including fees). I could kick myself for not making a reservation a few months ago when it was about $50 less. But I'll keep checking.

I really wanted to rent with National or Alamo to go to the Car Care Center. This rental is at the Hilton in DTD. Does anyone know the best way to get there? Can I take the bus to DTD and then walk to the hotel?

Thanks

Keep on trying for a better rate! Is it over a weekend? If so you might be able to get a good weekend deal.

If you end up keeping this reservation, the Hilton is right across the street from the DTD bus station. You should be at the desk in about 10 minutes after getting off the bus.

 

[WDW Traveler]

I booked my rate through Alamo back in January for August. I just did it on a whim and knew I could cancel/change if need be. Well boy am I GLAD I booked it then. I got $238 for a mid-sizd car for 10 days using a BJ's code and coupon. The price has sky rocketed since then and is currently over $500! I found a better coupon and was able to modify my original rental and get it down to $216, so I'm happy, happy! LOL I will keep checking to see if I can get it down any more, but will be happy if I can't.

Good luck finding a good rate. Hopefully they will come down as your date gets closer.

 

[blissventure]

We are going Sept 10-22. We're executive service for National, so we get full size car at mid prices. I routinely book "whatever" and then check daily (sometimes twice a day) to see if rate dropped. Anytime it drops, I "modify" my reservation on National's website. If I'm not sure of the size or dates, book two options and then cancel one.

Anyway, I booked on Monday as soon as we had plane tickets. Used airtran frequent flyer code 6600422 and coupon ND2165OJK from Nationals web specials ($20 Q). Got full size for $471.72.

I checked today and that same rental is $928.07!!!! CRAZY!!!!!

I used a similar code with a coupon, booked a couple of months ago. 11 days in Orlando, my reserved rate for an intermediate (executive status) is $413.00.
When I checked it a few minutes ago the rate has gone to $920.00!!

I'm glad I booked. The rate is higher than last year, but no complaints from me.
The rates they are currently quoting are just nuts.