Rental Van is just too much!

[Free4Life11]

We have our dates set:

January 18th 2003 - Arrive 10:15
January 26th 2002 - Leave 11:46

We will need a mini-van.

The cheapsest I could get was:
$356.20 for Dollar &
$343.43 for National

Do you think I could go cheaper? I always see banners for $199 a week Minivan, yet I can never seem to get that good deal....

Should I use an online bidding service??

Please help. The other areas are already so much $$$ and I want to keep this cheap if possible.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[tink2dw]

Check Mini van prices and SUV prices.

 

[jcanary]

One suggestion I would have would be to be careful with your return time. Most rental places will give you 45-55 minutes leeway for returning before charging an hourly fee, which is usually high. when you make your reservation, does it say for one week or one week, one day and one hour? the 199 is for up to a 7 day period. Have you tried the code of KISS at dollar? that usually brings up a good price. I have a Mini van reserved for next June for 249/week. You may have the good price just there are extra hour or days being charged. Good luck

 

[LSchrow]

i agree with JC.........check dollar using mousesavers codes. we use them every year for a minivan (WAY too much luggage ), with rates of $200 to $210 a week, plus $36 to $40 day ~ the lowest i've found (& i do recheck EVERY time) in airport.
hth,
laurie s

 

[3kidsdisney]

when are you traveling???? I have a mini van reserved for oct-1 week at $219. I have seen other codes you can use for a deal but we used FVG code, no coupon needed, just tell then the code. Hope this helps.

 

[Free4Life11]

Weekly Rate $249.99 per week (x1 Week)
with unlimited mileage

Extra Daily Rate $39.99 per day (x1 Extra Day)
with unlimited mileage

Base Rate $289.98

But then just like airline tickets, there are crapload of taxes.

Could I just book this now and then see if there is a new deal that comes out (like $199.99 a week) and cancel this reservation and re-book???

-Matt

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Free4Life11
...(snip)....Could I just book this now and then see if there is a new deal that comes out (like $199.99 a week) and cancel this reservation and re-book???

-Matt

Yes. Most of us do that very thing. I rebook to be sure I can actually get the less expensive rate first, and then if it works, I cancel the old one. Good luck!

 

[Tigger7570]

I booked with Dollar and keep checking mousesavers. When they give a new code I just go in and check it out like CarolMN said and then if it is good, I go to modify and click on, put in the new code, double check everything and get the new rate. I just did this yesterday with a new code and got the mini-van for $199 a week and $39.99 a day. I originally booked this van at a much higher rate and have modified it at least twice for better rates. We go again in April and I'll do the same thing. Good luck

 

[poohsdoodle]

free4life11....

I'm going in first week of March '03 and I am seeing the same or higher rates (Spring break, worst possible time!!).

All of the $199 rates seem to end by mid to late December.

 

[smart cookie]

Most of the Dollar codes do not reflect a savings in 2003, with the exceptions of some of the ongoing ones like FVG. See: http://www.travelcouponsonline.com which list expiration dates for most of the one's that expire.

 

[perd]

The rate I'm getting for Dec 20 to 30 for a minivan is over $800 - closer to $900! Not much more than that to fly!

 

[jer1997]

I was just searching for a good rate on a rental car for our trip 12/25 - 1/1/03. I went to Dollar and searched for SUV (4 adults and plenty of luggage) The cost without a code is 1,299 for the week. I went back on tonight with the KISS code and it is ONLY 299 plus taxes (less than 400). What a big difference. I already got limo service so I don't know if I will go through the trouble to cancel and rebook car rental. There were no minivans available at the time of my post for above dates at Dollar using code.

Enjoy the weekend


Jerry

 

[chip1]

We have a van reserved for dec w/dollar; when you find a better rate do you need to cancel and re-book or is there an easier way?

 

[jer1997]

It is easier to cancel and make new reservation when you find a better price for a car rental. Search the codes. I heard that the rates dropped for some places!!! Good luck getting the best price!!!

 

[Tigger7570]

What I always do is just go to the "modify reservation" and put in the code, check the new lower rate and then confirm. Then I print out the new confirmation and they will also e-mail you a new confirmation which I also print out. I don't cancel and rebook. It is very easy to modify. It definitely pays to keep checking the codes on Mousesavers, you can get some great deals.

 

[chrisn]

you could try calling Dollar MCO location at 800-423-4704 and use the rate code of GMF10. If the code is good during these dates, it should give you a rate of $209 per week for a mini van but then if your over a week you get charged the per day rate plus like you said boat loads of fees and taxes. $356 seems like a pretty good rate to me but if that's at $250 I know you can get it cheaper. Keep trying!