Rental Car Prices - Can I do better?

[StupidJdyStupidEnrgy]

Hi Guys! I want to start off by saying thank you for all the great info and ideas I've gotten just by reading this message board.

I'm renting an intermediate sized SUV for 11 days. Driving from Baton Rouge to WDW. After tax and fees the cost comes to $491 or around $45 a day. I have six months until our trip so there is time to shop around for a better deal. Is this a good deal or can I do better? TIA!

 

[jmmess]

Definitely keep checking the rates as you get closer as they usually go down. Make sure you are using any promotional codes that you can find. Costco usually has some good ones or AAA.

 

[tvguy]

Always keep an eye on rates.

I'm not familiar with rates in Florida, but $45 a day for ANY car sounds like a bargain.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I do not even start looking at rates until 30 days out unless during Christmas week.

If you go to the transportation board you will probably see a thread for people renting the same month you are. People are awesome and will post any discount codes they know of. I use those threads even if not going out of Florida as rates usually apply anywhere. However, discounts are rarely released more than 30 days out. You can put a hold on a car and just be prepared to reshop when it gets closer. DO NOT prepay the car now.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Have you try booking with BJ's or Costco discount? I usually find the best price with BJ's price plus its coupon. You can prepaid for extra discount.

 

[StupidJdyStupidEnrgy]

I haven't pre paid but I did make a reservation. Also priced costco and I found the same vehicle for $50 less. I plan to keep checking. Thanks y'all!

 

[MikeP22]

I tend to make a reservation when I find a price I like but is the most I'm willing to pay, and then check back every day until the day before. As the price gets better I cancel and rebook (or change category, ymmv).

I tend to be able to get the price of the rental car down to about just over $100 a week for an Intermediate/Full Size.

This time around we're renting a mini-van.. Regretfully I didn't jump on the price last week when it was $250 for the week, but I've already gotten it down to $314 from $331. I'm sure in a few weeks I'll be able to get it back around $200 - 250 between Costco and AAA.

 

[tamarag]

I tend to make a reservation when I find a price I like but is the most I'm willing to pay, and then check back every day until the day before. As the price gets better I cancel and rebook (or change category, ymmv).

I tend to be able to get the price of the rental car down to about just over $100 a week for an Intermediate/Full Size.

This time around we're renting a mini-van.. Regretfully I didn't jump on the price last week when it was $250 for the week, but I've already gotten it down to $314 from $331. I'm sure in a few weeks I'll be able to get it back around $200 - 250 between Costco and AAA.

Can you stack a costco and AAA code? I need a mini-van for 2 weeks (there is 7 of us) We leave July 18th-August 1st

 

[MikeP22]

Can you stack a costco and AAA code? I need a mini-van for 2 weeks (there is 7 of us) We leave July 18th-August 1st

I haven't tried, so I couldn't say (I only meant that I bounce between the two to check).

 

[ShiPooOwner]

I haven't pre paid but I did make a reservation. Also priced costco and I found the same vehicle for $50 less. I plan to keep checking. Thanks y'all!

Costco has been giving me the best rate for the last six months or so. I make the initial reservation and then keep checking back. The rates usually drop at least a couple times prior to departure date. I just cancel the reservation I had as soon as I rebook it at the lesser rate. I usually get the best rates with Alamo but you can check out several companies (side by side comparisons) on the Costco Car Rental site. Keep checking back!