Rental Car Discount?

[JonHM]

Hi Guys-

Is there any sort of DVC member discount on rental cars? Our first trip home is in January, but I'm actually asking for now - we need to rent an SUV this weekend, so if we do get a discount as DVC members, wanted to take advantage of it.

If not, we are also thinking of becoming Disney Club members - if there is not a DVC discount for a national rental car chain, is there a DC discount?

Has anyone had any particularly good or bad car rental experiences? We haven't rented much lately, and are sort of shooting in the dark here.

Thanks for all of your help (in advance)!

 

[drusba]

No DVC discount. There are DC discounts with National which can be very good but can vary from time to time(for example we got close to 25% off the last time we rented).

 

[JonHM]

I'll check into it. Have people generally had pretty positive experiences with National?

 

[Granny]

If you are an National Car Rental Emerald Club member, it makes the rental process a lot easier.

You don't have to go to the counter....just get on a shuttle, pick out your car and do the quick paperwork at the guard booth on the way out. Here's a link to their web site with more information on the Club. http://www.nationalcar.com/servlet/DocHandler/

If you're not an Emerald Club member, it is pretty much the same routine as Hertz, Avis, etc. I haven't had any problems with National and I rent from them about 10 times per year on business.

 

[sgtpet]

The Disney Club has a discount for National Rental Car. I used my EC and got a large van from the lot. It was great with the baby gear. Have a great trip John.

 

[lawgs]

sometimes MS can get good rates for National.....but mostly i find we can get better rates looking ourselves...

 

[DebbieB]

I got a 20% DC discount for my December 1-7 rental. Plus there is a coupon for a free weekend day so that took off another $14. Disney Club members can also get a free Emerald Club Card (worth $50). Emerald Club allows you to skip the counter and head straight to the garage. You get to pick a car out of the Emerald Aisle, which usually has upgrades. The 3 times I've used it I got a full size for intermediate price. I have also seen vans, convertibles & SUV's on the aisle. There is no guarantee you will get an upgrade, but if an upgraded car is on the aisle you can take it and you just pay intermediate price. Details on the Disney Club discounts are on the Disney Club site, do a search for National Car. There is also a coupon for a free weekend night at this site: http://disney.go.com/vacations/travel/national_pop.html

 

[Lynne M]

I usually rent from National; the rates are pretty good with the DC discount. I like the fact that they're right at the terminal at MCO, just pick up your luggage, walk over to the National desk, then it's right out the door and across the street to pick up your car in the parking garage.

I tried Alamo on my last trip (9/01) because a friend recommended them, and didn't have the best experience. The bus ride to their location is about 7 miles. The printed directions they gave me for returning the car were incorrect, and got me thoroughly lost for about 45 minutes (not appreciated at 6AM). And I discovered on my last night, when I went for gas to fill the tank, that there was no gas cap on the car!

All in all, you're better off with National.

 

[Caskbill]

For what it's worth, saw on the news today that the parent company for National and Alamo rental cars filed for bankrupcy today. Huge financial problems with nobody traveling.

Don't know how that might affect any future plans. Just so you know if you haven't heard.

 

[baileybrad]

I suppose that I should make a back-up reservation on Avis for our January trip.

 

[ripleysmom]

If you belong to any of the warehouse clubs ie Costco, Sam's, BJ's you should get a discount from the rental car companies. You might want to check that out.

 

[CrazyBoutDisney]

I have found checking different car rental web sites and then try a slightly lower rate than published at a web site on priceline works pretty well. Have a car from Hertz for next trip for a few dollars less than web site when I bokked.