Rental car rant! Help with mini-van codes!

[Samar]

ARGHHH!!! DH rented a full size car thinking that we could fit 3 car seats (2 boosters and one 5pt harness) across the back with no problem We have a 2 door Honda Civic at home along with our Odyssey so I KNOW (as does he) that 3 car seats in the back of a little car just do not fly.

So what did he book? Another little car! My sis has a "luxury" Mitsubishi Lancer and she test installed the seats in her car to let me know how it'd fit and she said it was a no-go even in her car.

Does anyone know of any good mini van codes floating around for on-site pick-up at MCO for July 17th thru the 25th? TIA!

 

[Trinity524]

We always do name your price with Priceline. We have had fantastic luck! Only thing to remember is that it does not include insurance, but you will be offered it at the counter.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

We always do name your price with Priceline. We have had fantastic luck! Only thing to remember is that it does not include insurance, but you will be offered it at the counter.

What rental companies participate in Priceline? What kind of minivans can you get? I really like the Grand Caravans or Town & Countries. I would think that Priceline would not use Budget or Hertz....

What kind of minivans have you rented through Priceline?

 

[Samar]

We always do name your price with Priceline. We have had fantastic luck! Only thing to remember is that it does not include insurance, but you will be offered it at the counter.

Thank you I'm going to check things out now!

Can I use my regular insurance from home instead of buying insurance through their company?

 

[wmharley]

I know 3 boosters fit in a Camry... I know folks who have done it. I was amazed, but I wouldn't do it personally...

Be careful of the Siennas (the last body, not the new 2011)... IF youahve the seats in the 2nd row outside seats, you CANNOT tilt the seats up to reach the 3rd row.. We can do it on our quest, and was upset the Sienna couldn't do it.

 

[kjs1976]

We got a mini-van from Dollar for Aug. for $305 for 5 days using the Mousesavers Southwest Airlines code. Actually, I will need to cancel it now because of this thread...found that getting 2 mid-sized would be cheaper than all of us in one van when
I checked on Princeline! That way the three of us have one car and mom, and bros have their own.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you need a wide back seat but do not want to pay the ridiculous premium for a van, your best bet would be to rent a Premium car. These are land-yachts; often Lincolns and Buick Lucernes. They actually have more interior room than most minivans, and you could easily hide a couple of adult bodies in the trunk space. The rear seat in a Lucerne is about 6 inches wider than in a Camry or a Lancer; it is by no means a "little" car.

 

[wmharley]

Consider the fillup upon return.

Also, I personally like the vans. When someone parks close to you and you need to get in, a minivan is best. plus if it rains, everyone can jump in then deal with the seats for the kids...

 

[Trinity524]

They are mostly National and Avis. I have gotten Town and Country both times. Sorry I posted this so late. Hope everyone got what they needed!

 

[r&kmommy]

If your kids are in booster seats, then you may want to consider using low back boosters (just the bum part)... they are no less safe than the high back boosters and will likely fit better 3-across.

 

[quentina]

What rental companies participate in Priceline? What kind of minivans can you get? I really like the Grand Caravans or Town & Countries. I would think that Priceline would not use Budget or Hertz....

What kind of minivans have you rented through Priceline?

I use Priceline and Hotwire alot. I always get National or Alamo (same company, on site). I bid $22 for a minivan on priceline...usually...2-5 days prior to leaving.
Always get it.

 

[At World's End]

You might want to consider a full size crossover. I booked one with National for $199/wk for January. It is listed as a Dodge Journey, and it looks like most of them have a 3rd row. It is much wider than my Saturn VUE, and I can get two convertible car seats and a booster in there.

 

[luvmy3]

Our van is in the shop and we needed to rent a car for vacation so we went with a full size (for trunk space) and it ended up being a Grand Marquis. It was huge, 3 seats would have definitely fit in the back.