Renting a car-how much are we really talking about?

[StitchFan73]

Ok so I am kicking around a car rental for a week in Dec.-possibly even 10 days. I was wondering what I can really expect to pay. I know the last time I rented a car when mine was in shop, the quote was one thing the actual cost at the end was totally different. To which I got a lame response that the tax was not included in the original quote.

So I was wondering what you guys end up paying on average for your rentals.

TIA

 

[WizardLarz]

If you go to the Alamo Website and put in your Dates, you will get a full price. They list everything including taxes!

 

[francie57]

Also try mousesavers.com since they list discount codes for most of the rental car agencies. If you are a member of Costco or BJs warehouse clubs they offer discounts and additional coupons for rental cars. Alamo and National let you use a discount code and an additional coupon - some of the others won't let you. You just have to go to the websites and try your dates, codes, coupons, and see what comes up.

 

[DanenRox]

We rented a midsize for 12 days in September for about $180.00 total. We picked up at MCO and returned to TPA which drove the price up a bit. I watched Mousesavers like crazy for discount codes and coupons (plenty are posted now for December travel). The week before the trip I ended up throwing a low bid to Priceline ($8/day) and was happy with the end price. I probably could have done just as well if I waited a bit longer and watched the prices at the individual companies (with codes/coupons). You're right though, the base price is very different from the grand total... I think you're best prices will come closer to your trip (assuming you're not going Christmas week). Good luck.

 

[At World's End]

If you go to a booking site like expedia and plug in your dates, it will show you that the base rates vary widely among companies. Then go to each companies website and try using some of the codes mentioned above and see how much the rates change. Sometimes you get a better rate without using a code. If you sign up for a frequent renter program you generally get 10% off, and they email you about deal/coupons. There are always last minute deals from Alamo, Budget, National, probably others, too.

We generally book for 10 days and I always figure the total cost will be about $100 over the base rate. But we don't add ins., GPS, etc so it could go even higher if you add all that in.

 

[bumbershoot]

Right now I'm working on reservations from Nov 30 through Dec 17.

The lowest I've gotten so far, including taxes and fees, is $363 and change. That's officially a 12.95 per day rate. It's from Hotwire, and I don't know the agency it would be with if I booked it.

With a Costco coupon, I got an Alamo (I think) rate that's $10 more than that; hubby is in favor of that b/c we KNOW who it's with, but he's not the one booking it.

I'm still holding out, I think it can go down some more. Considering that it started at 17.95 or higher just a couple months ago, I think there's room for it to go down. Because with as long a rental as I have, what is a low rate for a few days becomes a very high total.

Anyway, hope that info helps a little bit.

 

[StitchFan73]

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. I am hesitant-we usually stay at Pop and have the buses down pat and have had no issues, but for our upcoming trip we were thinking about going off property *gasp*!!!-I know

Thanks again

 

[Ln42]

I make a reservation early and just modify. For our February trip I have a full size for 9 days for $228. Now the prices are crazy for President's week. If they drop somewhere down the line I will just modify the reservation. This way I know I have a car locked in at a decent price and if a steal comes along, I can grab it.

 

[AngieInOH]

Last time I rented (2 yrs ago) you could book and cancel at any time. So evertime I got a better rate I would just cancel my other reservation. Be sure to check on codes. Like someone said MouseSavers is a good place to start. I got my rental for cheap, cheap, cheap by cancelling a rebooking. Just keep checking.

 

[linzbear]

I've never had a problem with Alamo's quote (including taxes) not equaling the cost I was charged.

Currently using the Visa Code & Upgrade coupon linked from mousesavers.com I get $344 for 15 days. $97 of that is taxes. I haven't yet found anything cheaper and I look about 2-3x per month.

I am kinda biased toward Alamo because I can use the kiosk and choose my own car.