Rental Car Help Needed

[tchrrx]

I have read online that people are getting cars for around $50 a day. I am trying to rent one for 5 days that I'll pick up at MCO and return to Port Canaveral. Everything I check is coming up about $135 per day. Is it just because I am returning it to a different location or what? Can you help me figure out how to get the best deal? Thanks!

BTW- This price is even after I've applied online codes!


ETA: What 'extra' things should I choose? Do I need the extra car protection insurance thing? What about the gas refueling charge? We'll be driving from MCO to Vero Beach, then to PC. I don't know how much gas that will take, so I don't know if we should refuel ourselves or choose for them to do it. Thanks!

 

[jrw118]

Try budget using X474200. I just used this picking up at MCO and dropping of at FLL. You can also use MUPZ044. It was a total of $244 for 5 days including all fees. It was a standard SUV others are cheaper

 

[tchrrx]

Thank you! That's a lot better than the $600+ I kept coming up with!

Do you use the fuel service option? I can't decide if that's a good thing or not.

 

[jrw118]

Thank you! That's a lot better than the $600+ I kept coming up with!

Do you use the fuel service option? I can't decide if that's a good thing or not.

I didn't do any extras. You can also join the fast break club and skip the counter. Let me know how it works out

 

[hpriamson]

The prepay for a tank of fuel option will generally only save you money if you return the car nearly empty. You pay for a whole tank, and don't get any refund if you return it 1/2 or 1/4 or 3/4 full. It does mean you've got to plan things so you fill up on the way to the airport, since if it's not at Full when you return, they charge you some exorbitant rate to refill.

 

[tchrrx]

The prepay for a tank of fuel option will generally only save you money if you return the car nearly empty. You pay for a whole tank, and don't get any refund if you return it 1/2 or 1/4 or 3/4 full. It does mean you've got to plan things so you fill up on the way to the airport, since if it's not at Full when you return, they charge you some exorbitant rate to refill.

Do you think I'd use close to a full tank (looking at getting a Ford Escape or other small SUV) from MCO to Vero Beach, around VB for a few days, and then to Port Canaveral? I have no idea of distances. Thanks!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You are trying to book to early and that is why you are seeing the high rates. The best time to book is 7-10 before the trip that is because the rental car companies will have released their last minute rates for your travel period. I never book my trip until the Tues before we leave thats the day the last minute rates come out. In my last 5 trips to WDW I have NEVER paid more that $100 for a mid size car for a week with Alamo.

So keep looking on here for discount codes. and be patient


Never take the refuel options because you have no other chose but to pay for an entire tank of gas no matter how much is left in the tank when you turn the car in. So if the tank is a 17 gallon tank you pay the price for the entire 17 gallons even though you may have only used 7 gallons of gas. They won't refund the 10 gallons that you never used. Plus the cost per gallon is always inflated compared to what you can get at a gas station. You could be adding an extra $40 too your rental all because you don't want to stop for gas.

 

[IamErica]

When I booked with Alamo the price was 170.00 for 4 days. Then I checked the prices almost daily and it kept going DOWN!!! A few days before my trip I ended up paying 85.00 for the same car I also joined the Alamo Insider (for free and you get certain perks. I ended up with a free upgrade)
I did end up returning to the same place. I think there is an increase in price if you return to a different location.
Also I agree with the others to NOT go with the fuel add on... I just filled the tank at a gas station close to the airport.

 

[bostonberry]

Try budget using X474200. I just used this picking up at MCO and dropping of at FLL. You can also use MUPZ044. It was a total of $244 for 5 days including all fees. It was a standard SUV others are cheaper

Thanks for sharing the "X474+" code. Best price I've found thus far! We're booking a car for our trip in May; cancel if we get a better price shortly beforehand. Do I need to produce a coupon to correspond to the "X" coupon code?

 

[jrw118]

As far as I know (I have called budget). It is a Travelocity code and you do not need anything

 

[NC State]

I got a better price with Budget using code Y937800.

 

[njmom47]

I joined the National Emerald Aisle and used an AARP discount, and about 8 days before we left, it went from $245 to $108.
We picked up the car at FLL and dropped it off at RSW so different pickup and dropoff should not factor in.

 

[mjmyers10]

I use costcotravel.com to check their lowest fare rate. They compare all the different companies and coupon codes to get the best deal. Also check picking up at a non airport location. Saved my in laws $300 on a 4 day trip this way.