Sept 2012 car rental......

[keliblue]

Alamo rate has dropped for me.

Just booked a minivan from 9/6 - 9/15:

Alamo
$273.25 (priced on 8/13/12)
Costco code of 7015309
AA coupon AD2359FDF
Alamo Insiders Member

I have an existing reservation through Enterprise for a few dollars more and am trying to decide which one to keep. Any reason to pick one over the other? Alamo does specifically state I get an additional driver free but I thought I read you get one free through Enterprise if you use Costco's corporate code (although I can not find that in writing).

Both are good, I prefer Alamo so I can us the kiosk and skip the line at the counter

 

[GCM]

Yes--the people who just post with their car type and rate are renting from MCO. Other people typically will write where they are renting from if it's not MCO. MCO has a huge rental car supply and I have typically gotten really cheap rentals there compared to other airports and cities.

wish I could help but I have traveled every year for the past 6 years to MCO in Sept. and have it dialed as to when the prices start to creep down. I'm not sure if the same applies to other rental locations like it does at MCO.. Last 3 weeks of Sept are low season at WDW so prices go down usually the closer you get

Thank you both and that is what I was afraid of. I am still getting a pretty good deal through Budget through a code I found on here, and I will also keep checking, but I would love to drop $100 or so off like I see happening at MCO, but completely understand how much larger MCO is and also the slowing of the season. Oh, well, I'm still going to DW in 25 days!!!!!!!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Thank you both and that is what I was afraid of. I am still getting a pretty good deal through Budget through a code I found on here, and I will also keep checking, but I would love to drop $100 or so off like I see happening at MCO, but completely understand how much larger MCO is and also the slowing of the season. Oh, well, I'm still going to DW in 25 days!!!!!!!

The rate you got actually looks pretty good! I plugged your dates and location in the Costco Traveler website and the minivan rates were all in the $400s. I can usually do a bit cheaper than the Costco site using codes on the actual rental company site, but it is usually in the same ballpark.

 

[poppypetal]

Thank you both and that is what I was afraid of. I am still getting a pretty good deal through Budget through a code I found on here, and I will also keep checking, but I would love to drop $100 or so off like I see happening at MCO, but completely understand how much larger MCO is and also the slowing of the season. Oh, well, I'm still going to DW in 25 days!!!!!!!

whats the budget code?
Alamo is down to 242 for the week of 17-24th - enterprise is up to almost 400.

 

[gmeh1]

Both are good, I prefer Alamo so I can us the kiosk and skip the line at the counter

Enterprise has kiosks also.

 

[gmeh1]

We are looking for a mid size car. But can possibly squeeze into a compact. Its only three of us. But we will have a lot of luggage and a stroller

I'll check dollar. Thanks !
Has anyone rented they dollar ?!

Anyone with the Priceline name your own price rental ?

It is unlikely with all that that you will even fit into a midsize. Look at the descriptions of the cars. Compacts and midsize rate at 2 pieces of luggage. Some standards and full size rate at 4 pieces of luggage.

 

[xAshleyx]

It is unlikely with all that that you will even fit into a midsize. Look at the descriptions of the cars. Compacts and midsize rate at 2 pieces of luggage. Some standards and full size rate at 4 pieces of luggage.

Hmm we should be able to squeeze. A mid size is like a corolla. We will have three medium sized luggage. And one carry on. I can put some luggage in the back seat just until we get to the hotel.

I'm starting to get nervous. The rates are all going up. Dammit ! I need a Cosco card

 

[keliblue]

Enterprise has kiosks also.

really ?? I can't seem to find any information saying that they have a self serve kiosk.. can you point me in the right direction ?

 

[staceyeid]

Both are good, I prefer Alamo so I can us the kiosk and skip the line at the counter

Thank you Keliblue!

 

[julirina]

I feel like SUCH an idiot. I've never rented a car before and I'm completely lost. I can't even figure out where to put in coupon codes on the Alamo website! This is way harder than booking plane tickets.

I need a minivan from 9/29 to 10/9, pickup and dropoff at MCO. Unlimited mileage is a must as we'll be spending several of those days in St Augustine. The rack rates are insane but I'm seeing that others are getting good deals, so I know they must be out there -- but if I can't get the price down, I will rent two midsize cars instead of the minivan and DH and I will both drive.

Can someone school me in the very most basics of working this discount system? I looked for a "car rental basics" thread but no luck. I signed up for AAdvantage, Alamo Insiders and National's Emerald Club based on what I read at Mousesavers and in the last few pages of this thread (we have no Costco nearby so that's not an option). So now where do I start? I see the Alamo "deals" on the website but they all expire at the end of August -- where does one put in the coupon codes that I'm seeing on the boards? Are there any penalties for cancelling/changing between now and our trip? And should I be checking for lower rates once I have something booked? How often?

I would love it if someone could price this out for me, find me a good deal with a reputable rental company, and then let me know how it's done so I can book it. Are there any sweet, kind, generous DIS'ers with time to spare who might want to help me out? PM me if this is not the place for car rental morons to hang out. DME is so much easier!

 

[jnkrim]

I feel like SUCH an idiot. I've never rented a car before and I'm completely lost. I can't even figure out where to put in coupon codes on the Alamo website! This is way harder than booking plane tickets.

I need a minivan from 9/29 to 10/9, pickup and dropoff at MCO. Unlimited mileage is a must as we'll be spending several of those days in St Augustine. The rack rates are insane but I'm seeing that others are getting good deals, so I know they must be out there -- but if I can't get the price down, I will rent two midsize cars instead of the minivan and DH and I will both drive.

Can someone school me in the very most basics of working this discount system? I looked for a "car rental basics" thread but no luck. I signed up for AAdvantage, Alamo Insiders and National's Emerald Club based on what I read at Mousesavers and in the last few pages of this thread (we have no Costco nearby so that's not an option). So now where do I start? I see the Alamo "deals" on the website but they all expire at the end of August -- where does one put in the coupon codes that I'm seeing on the boards? Are there any penalties for cancelling/changing between now and our trip? And should I be checking for lower rates once I have something booked? How often?

I would love it if someone could price this out for me, find me a good deal with a reputable rental company, and then let me know how it's done so I can book it. Are there any sweet, kind, generous DIS'ers with time to spare who might want to help me out? PM me if this is not the place for car rental morons to hang out. DME is so much easier!

I just checked Dollar's site for your dates and got $323.53. Enter your information, then click city specials when you get to the page with the car options.

 

[keliblue]

I just checked Dollar's site for your dates and got $323.53. Enter your information, then click city specials when you get to the page with the car options.

Ditto ! best price out there at the moment.. Make sure you do "city Special" then just book it... you can cancel or rebook if you find something lower. I have 3 different ones booked at the moment

 

[poppypetal]

alamo is 357 so not as good as dollar for you. but just keep checking...
do you have a costco card?

 

[gmeh1]

Hmm we should be able to squeeze. A mid size is like a corolla. We will have three medium sized luggage. And one carry on. I can put some luggage in the back seat just until we get to the hotel.

I'm starting to get nervous. The rates are all going up. Dammit ! I need a Cosco card

If you have not done so already, join the Alamo Insiders Club. You get an auto discount when you sign in and you can find good coupons on Mousesavers.com or via your email from Alamo.

 

[gmeh1]

I feel like SUCH an idiot. I've never rented a car before and I'm completely lost. I can't even figure out where to put in coupon codes on the Alamo website! This is way harder than booking plane tickets.

I need a minivan from 9/29 to 10/9, pickup and dropoff at MCO. Unlimited mileage is a must as we'll be spending several of those days in St Augustine. The rack rates are insane but I'm seeing that others are getting good deals, so I know they must be out there -- but if I can't get the price down, I will rent two midsize cars instead of the minivan and DH and I will both drive.

Can someone school me in the very most basics of working this discount system? I looked for a "car rental basics" thread but no luck. I signed up for AAdvantage, Alamo Insiders and National's Emerald Club based on what I read at Mousesavers and in the last few pages of this thread (we have no Costco nearby so that's not an option). So now where do I start? I see the Alamo "deals" on the website but they all expire at the end of August -- where does one put in the coupon codes that I'm seeing on the boards? Are there any penalties for cancelling/changing between now and our trip? And should I be checking for lower rates once I have something booked? How often?

I would love it if someone could price this out for me, find me a good deal with a reputable rental company, and then let me know how it's done so I can book it. Are there any sweet, kind, generous DIS'ers with time to spare who might want to help me out? PM me if this is not the place for car rental morons to hang out. DME is so much easier!

You put the coupon code in the box for coupon code. No penalties at all for changing or cancelling. Check as often as you wish. Check daily as your trip gets to be one or two weeks out. You are NOT an idiot, you are aksing legit questions. Pretty soon you will be a veteran and it will be really easy. Let me know if you need more help.

 

[katallo]

We use Alamo as much as possible. But, we do check constantly. Rates can change even if you alter times a bit.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm renting with Delta through the Lake Buena Vista (at DTD) location and I'm now paying $261 for 12 days from Sept 29-Oct 10th. When I first booked it $313.

 

[CJK]

When you are all giving your car rental costs, are you listing your costs before or after taxes?? I'm giving my after taxes cost and I'm still at over $400 for a 2 week rental, compact car, out of SFB airport. There has been no movement for multiple weeks on prices. This is for the first couple weeks of October.

 

[SarahWeasley]

Can someone school me in the very most basics of working this discount system? I looked for a "car rental basics" thread but no luck. I signed up for AAdvantage, Alamo Insiders and National's Emerald Club based on what I read at Mousesavers and in the last few pages of this thread (we have no Costco nearby so that's not an option). So now where do I start? I see the Alamo "deals" on the website but they all expire at the end of August -- where does one put in the coupon codes that I'm seeing on the boards? Are there any penalties for cancelling/changing between now and our trip? And should I be checking for lower rates once I have something booked? How often?

For Alamo, in the box where you put in your reservation info on the front page, click "More options." OR click "New" in the Reservations line at the top of the page.

Then on the screen that opens, there's a box to enter your Insiders number and a box for Coupon Code.

Rates can change from morning to afternoon on any given day, so it doesn't hurt to check for new rates as often you want to make the effort. If you see a better rate, just make the new reservation and cancel the old one. (Be careful though to make sure you're cancelling the right one.) There's no penalty for cancelling.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

When you are all giving your car rental costs, are you listing your costs before or after taxes?? I'm giving my after taxes cost and I'm still at over $400 for a 2 week rental, compact car, out of SFB airport. There has been no movement for multiple weeks on prices. This is for the first couple weeks of October.

What are your dates?