Rental car - where start looking?

[luckyman_apd]

I am traveling in late June. Flying in and out of LAX. Total of 5 nights, driving to San Diego the day I arrive, up to Anaheim the next day, and back to LAX to fly out on Day 5. I got a rental for a standard (Ford Fusion) using the link on the BJ's Wholesale club website for Budget for just under $200. I have MULTIPLE CDP codes for Hertz through my Union, Hertz gold club, and through BJ's. They wanted $385, and Avis was $300.

Rates keep jumping around all the time, and keep scouring the web for discount codes. Anyone can use the BJ's codes and links, but they very well may ask to see your Membership card when you pick up the card, so beware if you are using it and not a member. A rental reservation requires no money up front, so make a reservation and keep searching for a better deal.

 

[Rhonna]

I usually start with BreezeNet to get an idea of what each company is offering price-wise, then go to each specific agency's website.

You can find some discounts for car rental agencies on Retail Me Not.

I have also heard, but have never tried, that you can go to the rental agents in the airport and ask if they need any cars moved down to the location where you are planning to drop off. If they have an overabundance at your pick up location, they may be happy to have you move one to your drop off location so they won't charge the fee for different pick-up & drop-off locations. Of course, in some airports, this would require taking their buses to each of the rental agencies and waiting in line, so I don't know how practical that would end up being in the end.

Never heard of BreezeNet and didn't think of Retail Me Not for car rentals. Will check them out. We made a reservation and are going to keep looking/hoping for some discount. We are getting a two car class upgrade but that doesn't work out to much savings really.

 

[traveljunkie]

New here, but I read somewhere that Budget has a promotion for small SUV's right now. $22 a day? Try code (BCD) D454300. It's a general code and not limited to a certain group of people so anyone can use it. Its valid until 06.15.12 and the best deal I have found for the area in my own searches. Good luck!

Edited to add: I think that code only works for a roundtrip rental so you would have to return the car to the airport. It still might be cheaper that way though!

FourEars: Thank you for posting this code. It worked for a discount on an economy for less than a week rental -- that's where most coupons/codes seem to be for or have to include a weekend. I 'planned' LOL a very last minute trip for next week and after being rejected with Priceline, I have a car reserved for Mon-very early Sat with Budget. I will still try on Priceline til the bitter end because I'm cheap, but you gave me an option for $150 for an economy for $23/day. Hope there's no issues at the counter. Thanks again!!

 

[Isatricia]

I booked a great deal for a car out of LAX through Priceline. I didn't do the name your own price but got a full size for $22/day.

It always costs more to drop off at a different location. You might try to name your own price and see if you can get a deal that way.

 

[FourEars]

FourEars: Thank you for posting this code. It worked for a discount on an economy for less than a week rental -- that's where most coupons/codes seem to be for or have to include a weekend. I 'planned' LOL a very last minute trip for next week and after being rejected with Priceline, I have a car reserved for Mon-very early Sat with Budget. I will still try on Priceline til the bitter end because I'm cheap, but you gave me an option for $150 for an economy for $23/day. Hope there's no issues at the counter. Thanks again!!

Sure, I'm glad it helped some people! There should be no issues at the counter as this is a national promotion and not an exclusive discount to any one group.

OP: I second retailmenot.com! Their codes stay fairly updated for all rental companies and I have found great deals there in the past too!

 

[rellinge]

Start by using a general site like orbitz or expedia to get a general idea on who has the lowest rates at the moment. Then, go directly to that rental car company's site. I find they often have specials that aren't advertised through the engines. Go ahead and book and then check back periodically to see if rates have gone down. Car rental rates change frequently and often dramatically. The great thing about car rentals is that they are easily and freely cancelable.

 

[MrsMears]

How about using a rental for your time around Northern California and then taking Amtrak down to Anaheim and picking up another rental car?

I've taken Amtrak many times down to SoCal. The Coast Starlight is one of the most scenic routes that Amtrak travels and you can get discounts a variety of ways, like AAA or Senior fares.

 

[Rhonna]

How about using a rental for your time around Northern California and then taking Amtrak down to Anaheim and picking up another rental car?

I've taken Amtrak many times down to SoCal. The Coast Starlight is one of the most scenic routes that Amtrak travels and you can get discounts a variety of ways, like AAA or Senior fares.

We aren't going to be in N. CA - more what I call central coast touring. We're flying into San Jose, renting a car and then starting our coastal driving tour over a week long. Monterey, Carmel, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Montecito and then over to Anaheim/DL. Don't really want to backtrack all that driving.

 

[suevr]

I don't know what USAA is. Haven't seen an entertainment book for years but there is a friend who used to get one all the time, we could ask him. We don't belong to Costco.

USAA is a bank for military service members and their families.