Rental Car Deals????

[canadianjovigirl]

We are going to be in Florida and require a rental car for pick up and drop off at the Orlando Airport Oct. 31 - Nov 20th...

The best deal i found for a mini-van (there are 6 of us) is at dollar with a code for a price of $869.15 total cost including the fees.......does anyone think i could find a better deal???????? Sorry, but we have never done car rentals so unsure what price would be a good one and would like to save as much as i can...

Thanks

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

My suggestion would be to keep checking (at least once/week) with the different codes and coupons up until you leave - the rates may go down, or they may go up. No one knows. I'd also suggest checking the other rental agencies as well and signing up for their "deals" emails.

Recently, rates for rental cars have been much higher than in the past.

 

[pnclem]

Priceline will usually eventually have the best deals for one-stop-shopping if you know what you are willing to pay for a vehicle. However, you have to check on a regular basis(daily) until you get the price you want. If the price doesn't come down to your level, then you won't get the vehicle. For example, I was looking for a minivan at the end of August. Last year I got one for $25/day(plus taxes). I have been looking for a minivan with a similiar price this year. I checked every day until this price was accepted. You should have a backup reservation though just in case it doesn't come through.

 

[clc053103]

best deal I've found thus far is Avis AWD # K199060 (Orlando Convention and Visitors- per Mousesavers) and using coupon TUCA046 for a free day - coupon is taken off when you return the car.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

best deal I've found thus far is Avis AWD # K199060 (Orlando Convention and Visitors- per Mousesavers) and using coupon TUCA046 for a free day - coupon is taken off when you return the car.

Did you get that thru www.avis.com? as when i try they have no minivans available for those dates???

Thanks

 

[yasuern]

Priceline will usually eventually have the best deals for one-stop-shopping if you know what you are willing to pay for a vehicle. However, you have to check on a regular basis(daily) until you get the price you want. If the price doesn't come down to your level, then you won't get the vehicle. For example, I was looking for a minivan at the end of August. Last year I got one for $25/day(plus taxes). I have been looking for a minivan with a similiar price this year. I checked every day until this price was accepted. You should have a backup reservation though just in case it doesn't come through.

Agree w/ above poster - if you decide to use the Priceline name your own price and have time start around Oct 1st and bid LOW and every 24hours if your bid is not excepted try again - you can stick with your same price or you can increase it by $1/day -


Also try using promo/discount codes for the different rental companies - this site is updated regularly and I have in the past found deals - PLUS as long as you do not pay in advance - the car rental companies do not require a cr card # - so I would book the best deal I could find and continue to check at least weekly for new codes/better rates and since you would have a car reserved go ahead and attempt to get a cheaper rental through priceline - if it comes through just cancel any car you may have reserved.

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

Sue

 

[canadianjovigirl]

Agree w/ above poster - if you decide to use the Priceline name your own price and have time start around Oct 1st and bid LOW and every 24hours if your bid is not excepted try again - you can stick with your same price or you can increase it by $1/day -


Also try using promo/discount codes for the different rental companies - this site is updated regularly and I have in the past found deals - PLUS as long as you do not pay in advance - the car rental companies do not require a cr card # - so I would book the best deal I could find and continue to check at least weekly for new codes/better rates and since you would have a car reserved go ahead and attempt to get a cheaper rental through priceline - if it comes through just cancel any car you may have reserved.

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

Sue

Thanks

I do have the one i mentioned booked thru dollar, but having never rented a vehicle before i am unsure what a good rate is for a mini van?? Any suggestions as to what mini vans rent for in Florida? (I am in Western Canada and have never rented here either?

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Thanks

I do have the one i mentioned booked thru dollar, but having never rented a vehicle before i am unsure what a good rate is for a mini van?? Any suggestions as to what mini vans rent for in Florida? (I am in Western Canada and have never rented here either?

As mentioned previously, over the past year or so, all car rentals have been much more expensive than in previous years. Nevertheless, mini vans have always been more expensive than cars to rent. It seems right now mini vans are going for about $400-$500/week (whereas cars are about $150-$300/week depending on the class of car). Unfortunately the days of really cheap rentals is gone (at least for now).

Also keep in mind that with the economy the way it is, most of the car rental agencies are scaling back their fleet which means they will have less choice of vehicles, therefore can and will charge a premium for those vehicles they have less of. I read one thread where one of the car rental companies are calling those with reservations for a van, wanting to put them in a smaller vehicle.

Right now for our rental in early October we're paying $206/week for a midsize, compared to our previous trips in May 2009 ($167/week) and October 2008 ($154/week). I'm hoping that it'll go down a bit before our departure date, however, I'm not holding my breath.

All I can say is keep checking for better deals between now and your departure date.

 

[DVC-Don]

I just booked a minivan with Alamo through Priceline. 8 days: 8/17 - 8/24 for $278 (all fees and taxes).