September 2014 car rental watch

[ktate82]

My Alamo rate with Costco dropped today.
Down to $147 for a 7day + 2hr rental Sep 10-17 for a full sized car.

Check your rates if you're booking with Alamo.
Hopefully some of you see a reduction!!!

Woot Woot! We had a 7 passanger minivan (Dodge Caravan) through Costco for enterprise for $287 for Sept 11-21. I ran Alamo's numbers with the Costco discount and got an 8 passanger minivan (Toyota Sienna) for $280! Only dropped $8, but we get to do Alamo now so skipping the counter, get a bigger van (slightly bigger, I know), plus we get to pick what we want (not as big of a deal since we know we are getting a minivan but still...). Super excited!

 

[amies]

Woot Woot! We had a 7 passanger minivan (Dodge Caravan) through Costco for enterprise for $287 for Sept 11-21. I ran Alamo's numbers with the Costco discount and got an 8 passanger minivan (Toyota Sienna) for $280! Only dropped $8, but we get to do Alamo now so skipping the counter, get a bigger van (slightly bigger, I know), plus we get to pick what we want (not as big of a deal since we know we are getting a minivan but still...). Super excited!

I can't do Costco discounts because I don't have a membership but my Alamo rate dropped to $344 for a week rental 9-27-10/4.

 

[nifferearly]

I can't do Costco discounts because I don't have a membership but my Alamo rate dropped to $344 for a week rental 9-27-10/4.

You might want to consider a membership ($55/year, I think) just for the car rental savings. I save hundreds per year on rentals alone with my Costco membership. And even if you don't have a Costco near you, they offer free shipping for most things on their website so you still might get some use out of it.

 

[ktate82]

You might want to consider a membership ($55/year, I think) just for the car rental savings. I save hundreds per year on rentals alone with my Costco membership. And even if you don't have a Costco near you, they offer free shipping for most things on their website so you still might get some use out of it.

I was going to say this! Our rental is for a little over 10 days. You can go on costco's website and check the rate without having a membership to check rates. One thing I do is take the codes (you can find them if you hover over the rental car tab at the top then selecting the company) and go to the company's site. I did that for my rental and got it for $280 on the site vs $314 it was saying on Costco's site. Enterprise is the only one I can't get it to work this way.

 

[auger]

Woot Woot! We had a 7 passanger minivan (Dodge Caravan) through Costco for enterprise for $287 for Sept 11-21. I ran Alamo's numbers with the Costco discount and got an 8 passanger minivan (Toyota Sienna) for $280! Only dropped $8, but we get to do Alamo now so skipping the counter, get a bigger van (slightly bigger, I know), plus we get to pick what we want (not as big of a deal since we know we are getting a minivan but still...). Super excited!

Congratulations!!! Glad it worked out for you!

How do you know you will get an 8-passenger sienna with Alamo?

 

[ktate82]

Congratulations!!! Glad it worked out for you!

How do you know you will get an 8-passenger sienna with Alamo?

Under the options, there was minivan and standard van as options. They were the same price (usually the standard is more) and the standard says it fits up to 8 people and is a "Toyota Sienna or similar".

 

[auger]

Hmm, I never see that on Alamo's site.
Wonder what I'm doing wrong to be missing it.

The only thing I ever see is dodge caravan or similar.

Ok, I found the sienna listed under cars, but I never get that as an option when putting in Costco code and coupons.
I tried using the Costco code specifically for the sienna, and it said my selection was unavailable.

 

[dioxide45]

Hmm, I never see that on Alamo's site.
Wonder what I'm doing wrong to be missing it.

The only thing I ever see is dodge caravan or similar.

Ok, I found the sienna listed under cars, but I never get that as an option when putting in Costco code and coupons.
I tried using the Costco code specifically for the sienna, and it said my selection was unavailable.

I am getting the same error message when trying to book a Standard Mini Van at MCO. The price is the same for a 7 passenger van on the Alamo site with the Costco codes as it is through the Costco site. I think Alamo at MCO only has one mini van isle.

 

[auger]

I starting to think they only have one 8-passenger Sienna, and ktate82 already snagged it!

 

[ktate82]

I starting to think they only have one 8-passenger Sienna, and ktate82 already snagged it!

Lol sorry!

I still find it when I go through both Costco's site and Alamo. It is now the same price ($314) since the other Costco coupon for Alamo (I think it was $30 off) expired yesterday. I didn't search just for the standard van, I just put in the code, and it was in the list of vehicles to rent. On Costco's site, it is right under the minivan (and listed as a standard van) and on Alamo, it is listed as an 8 passenger minivan and is right above the 7 passenger minivan.

 

[dioxide45]

Lol sorry!

I still find it when I go through both Costco's site and Alamo. It is now the same price ($314) since the other Costco coupon for Alamo (I think it was $30 off) expired yesterday. I didn't search just for the standard van, I just put in the code, and it was in the list of vehicles to rent. On Costco's site, it is right under the minivan (and listed as a standard van) and on Alamo, it is listed as an 8 passenger minivan and is right above the 7 passenger minivan.

The $30 coupon expiring yesterday explains the higher mini van prices I am seeing. Haven't seen anything lower than our current $352 in several days.

You will probably have to hunt one of those 8 passenger vans when you are picking up the vehicle. I don't think Alamo at MCO has a regular vs standard mini van isle. So if you need the larger seating capacity, then you will need to make sure they have one in the isle.

I think the only difference is that the center row of seats is a full bench instead of two buckets. This may also make it difficult for people to get to the last row of seats. So getting a regular mini van may be the best option given the size of your party.

It seems though that the standard van was priced cheaper than the regular mini van when you searched them?

 

[ktate82]

The $30 coupon expiring yesterday explains the higher mini van prices I am seeing. Haven't seen anything lower than our current $352 in several days.

You will probably have to hunt one of those 8 passenger vans when you are picking up the vehicle. I don't think Alamo at MCO has a regular vs standard mini van isle. So if you need the larger seating capacity, then you will need to make sure they have one in the isle.

I think the only difference is that the center row of seats is a full bench instead of two buckets. This may also make it difficult for people to get to the last row of seats. So getting a regular mini van may be the best option given the size of your party.

It seems though that the standard van was priced cheaper than the regular mini van when you searched them?

I'll be looking just because the 8 passenger is larger (ie more leg room and room for luggage). I looked up photos and it seems it is two chairs and a bench in the back. There is an "8th seat" in the back that can be placed in between the two middle seats.

When I searched them, both the minivan and standard were the same price on both Costco's and Alamo's site. They were cheaper when I went through Alamo's site directly ($314 vs $279.xx). I don't know why, but I'm ok with cheaper!

 

[auger]

I still don't understand why I am not seeing the two separate choices on either site.
I have tried with codes, without codes, with my Alamo insider acct, and without.
No matter what I do, I can't get the two choices of van.
I have to go to the top bar and click on cars, which takes me to the page listing all of the choices of vehicles Alamo has as a company.
Then I click on the 8-passenger van and it gives me the boxes to put in my dates and times.
But if I do a regular search on the main page, I don't get the standard van option.
Costco's site doesn't give me the option anywhere.

 

[dioxide45]

I still don't understand why I am not seeing the two separate choices on either site.
I have tried with codes, without codes, with my Alamo insider acct, and without.
No matter what I do, I can't get the two choices of van.
I have to go to the top bar and click on cars, which takes me to the page listing all of the choices of vehicles Alamo has as a company.
Then I click on the 8-passenger van and it gives me the boxes to put in my dates and times.
But if I do a regular search on the main page, I don't get the standard van option.
Costco's site doesn't give me the option anywhere.

Even when searching specifically by car type "8 passenger mini van" on Alamo.com, I get the message "Your previous vehicle selection is not available. Please select one of the available vehicles below" when trying to actually search for availability at MCO.

Unless there is a price difference between the 7 and 8 passenger vans at MCO, I don't think it will matter. Perhaps someone can confirm, but I suspect both Toyota Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravans are both in the same isle at MCO. If they have the Sienna at all.

 

[MScott1851]

I just got a full size SUV (Tahoe) or similar on Priceline for a bid of $16/day, for a total of $226. The lowest I had found a minivan for my dates was $296 using a Visa discount and $30 off coupon at Alamo. We are going 9/13 -9/22.

 

[dioxide45]

I just got a full size SUV (Tahoe) or similar on Priceline for a bid of $16/day, for a total of $226. The lowest I had found a minivan for my dates was $296 using a Visa discount and $30 off coupon at Alamo. We are going 9/13 -9/22.

What car company did it end up booking you through on Priceline reservation? I notice when I search tonight on Costco at MCO, that Avis and Budget show as sold out. Though it could perhaps just be because they are doing site maintenance.

 

[MScott1851]

What car company did it end up booking you through on Priceline reservation? I notice when I search tonight on Costco at MCO, that Avis and Budget show as sold out. Though it could perhaps just be because they are doing site maintenance.

Hertz. I have never gotten a large SUV for that low of a price, anywhere. I drive one in real life, and always hate having to 'downgrade' on vacation to a minivan. Usually I book a refundable rental I can live with, and lowball Priceline every now and then to see if I can get a price accepted. I did tonight, so I'm done. One less thing to worry about and one more thing prepaid. Woohoo!

 

[erinmarie2224]

I just got a full size SUV (Tahoe) or similar on Priceline for a bid of $16/day, for a total of $226.

I'm going similar dates and just got a similar deal on priceline. $17/day for Chevy Tahoe through Hertz. $215 for 8 days - $75 cheaper then a minivan I had booked.

 

[Shannon G]

I usually prefer to rent with Alamo, but I have a great deal through budget for a late September trip. Picking up at 5 pm on 9/24, dropping off at 8:30 am on 9/30, intermediate car for $45 plus taxes & fees = $88.41 total. Used BCD code U072700 (Southwest) and coupon code MUGZ165 ($35 off. USAA - join for free).

 

[erinmarie2224]

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