Rental Car Riot

[lonegirl]

Does anyone have any budget advice for rental cars? I have checked through Costco Travel and our credit card points/privileges, and the discounts are helpful, but not substantial. We are a family of 5 so we need at least a regular sized SUV or minivan (car seats, strollers, luggage, etc) Any tips to save some decent cash? I have a hard time paying $400-$600 for 5 days rental, when our own car payment was never that high

 

[Marionnette]

Does anyone have any budget advice for rental cars? I have checked through Costco Travel and our credit card points/privileges, and the discounts are helpful, but not substantial. We are a family of 5 so we need at least a regular sized SUV or minivan (car seats, strollers, luggage, etc) Any tips to save some decent cash? I have a hard time paying $400-$600 for 5 days rental, when our own car payment was never that high

You will get a better rate if you extend the rental to a week. With a 5-day rental, you are paying a daily rate. You will also be eligible for $-off/week coupons. If you rent for 6 days, you usually qualify for the weekly rate. Play around with your pick up and drop off times to see if you can get the website to flip you over to the weekly rate by picking up an hour or two early and dropping off and hour or two later.

Just keep in mind that SUVs and minvans are more expensive rentals anyway because they are the most popular vehicles in family vacation spots.

 

[e6bflyer]

We were in the same situation and found the Orlando magic card discount over at wdwinfo. I think we got the minivan for around 180 a week. Just get the weekly rate and turn it in early.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally you cannot turn in a car early without having your rate refigured for a rental period comparable to what you had the car out for.

If you booked 7 days but the weekly rate also applies to 5 days, then you can bring the car back after 5 days and still have the weekly rate. But if the weekly rate does not apply to 4 days, your rate will be refigured at daily rates if you bring the car back after 4 days.

Keep checking back before booking. Rates bounce up and down all the time.

 

[speedyf]

Last year, I used one of the codes I found in this FatWallet forum post:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/788985/

I booked through National.

What we actually do is fly into Tampa (cheaper and more available flights than Orlando). We then rent a National or Alamo car for just 1 day (we always stay onsite at Disney). On the way in, we make our grocery stop.

The next morning, we return the car to the Dolphin hotel and catch a bus to the park we are visiting that morning.

We do the same thing on the way out...rent from Dolphin hotel...return at the airport.

Anyway...try some of the National Contract ID's a little ways down the page.

Also...keep trying to get a better price as you get closer to your travel date. Most of the time, the price gets better as you get closer (unless it's a holiday). You may also want to visit the Transportation board for more tips or advice.

Speed

 

[nunzia]

Last year, I used one of the codes I found in this FatWallet forum post:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/788985/

I booked through National.

What we actually do is fly into Tampa (cheaper and more available flights than Orlando). We then rent a National or Alamo car for just 1 day (we always stay onsite at Disney). On the way in, we make our grocery stop.

The next morning, we return the car to the Dolphin hotel and catch a bus to the park we are visiting that morning.

We do the same thing on the way out...rent from Dolphin hotel...return at the airport.

Anyway...try some of the National Contract ID's a little ways down the page.

Also...keep trying to get a better price as you get closer to your travel date. Most of the time, the price gets better as you get closer (unless it's a holiday). You may also want to visit the Transportation board for more tips or advice.

Speed

I wonder if this kind of thing might work for us but on a much bigger level. I'm thinking of going back to WDW and since I really hate to fly and the stupid train doesn't go through anymore since Katrina, I've thought of taking the train to New Orleans, renting a car there and then driving to Orlando and then doing it in reverse on the way back. It's such a long distance though, I don't know how it would work. As for driving all the way, well, we did that once and I just can't bear those 2 days through Texas again..

 

[Mom2m&k]

Use priceline. If you have a few days you can put in one offer every 24hrs. They don't charge your credit card until the offer is accepted. I have been able to get some great prices doing that!

 

[beansmom]

Use priceline. If you have a few days you can put in one offer every 24hrs. They don't charge your credit card until the offer is accepted. I have been able to get some great prices doing that!

my experience has been tht if you wait til the day before or the day you want to rent, they will generally accept a low-ball offer. Good luck.