September 2014 car rental watch

[auger]

We had something similar to this happen with Alamo. We were about 20 mins early and asked if we could pick up early. We were told since we got a low rate with a coupon, we would have to pay the difference. Thinking 20 mins wouldn't matter much, I asked the cost. It was originally around $75 and the price was going to go up $50 !!! We waited till it was time for our original reservation as we were not about to pay almost double for 20 mins! And they also made us wait to the minute (actually, a few past) before they would process us.

YIKES!!!!
That's what I don't want to have happen.
Think I'll just reserve from 9:30 and pay the few extra dollars per car, rather than chancing it and getting stuck waiting or paying the exorbitant extra fee!
Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[AliceinMaryland]

So glad I found this thread!! Thanks to everyone participating

I've seen a few of you mention EZ Rent A Car. I saw their really low rates on carrentals and went ahead and reserved a minivan for $402 for 10 days. But then I got to thinkin I should read some of their reviews because I've heard of them, but I don't know about y'all but I trust the bigger name companies more. So I found that it didn't really have that great of reviews on Yelp. Lots of people said they try to charge you for stuff afterwards, dings, accessories, extras that you didn't agree to, etc, shady business practices. Alot of people leave silly reviews that are really their own fault for not double checking what they are signing or not checking the car over really well when they first get it. After weeding out the ones I thought were bad on the fault of the person renting, I decided those bad reviews left a bad taste in my mouth so I cancelled my ressie.

I read one lady says she takes detailed pics of the dents that are on the van when they immediately get it and make sure the pic has the date and time stamped on it. That way you can always prove that the dent was already there. I don't know if that would hold up in a court of law or not.

Please check into reviews on any of the rental places that you have to take the shuttle to(not in the terminal). I think those are the more low budget rentals. I also checked out Firefly and Sixt on Yelp. Didn't much care for what was said about them either.

P.S. And now after writing all that, just for shi*s and giggles, I looked up reviews for Budget on Yelp(to make sure they were getting good reviews, being a well known brand and all I would expect them to have better reviews), they don't have good reviews either!!! So I don't know, I give up for a few days because my head is overwhelmed with trying to find the best deal on car rental and airfare. I'm tired LOL

 

[andigomeep]

I'm a bit late to the party in searching for a car, we only decided to go in September a few days ago. We prefer Alamo, can someone remind me what class car I can book that bumps me up to the next class? Is it standard and that bumps me to full size or is it midsize and that bumps me to standard? Can't remember which class they're missing to get the 'free' upgrade.

 

[houseofduck]

At MCO, there is no standard aisle for Alamo. So, if you book standard, you get full size.

 

[kg66]

So I just went back on carrentalsavers.com and checked my rate and it went down again....$127/wk with Fox this time, last drop it was Payless...anyone have any issues with Fox? As for what they charge to your CC when you pick up, it's just the cost of the rental plus a deposit ($150 it says in the fine print)....just want to be sure...sometimes on vacation it gets used a bit more than usual...want to make sure it's available

 

[kg66]

OK, so I too like the OP went on Yelp and started reading reviews, every company had bad reviews! Anyone have definite companies that YOU have dealt with to stay away from...I agree OP, very overwhelming

 

[BadgerGirl84]

UGH--Prices are sky high for a 8/30-9/9 rental. I should have booked with the KLM national code when I had the chance...now they are showing "unavailable" with that code even though there are cars available when booking without the code.

We want a full size or higher and rates are $400+ on Costco. Interestingly enough, rates are about 75 bucks cheaper if I would return the first car on 9/6 and pick up a new car from 9/6-9/9. This would be a possibility for us since we are going to drop my mom and sister off at the airport and stay a few extra days, but it sounds like a hassle.

 

[izzy]

Woo hoo!! I just had a BIG price drop!! I needed a standard/full size car for 9/27 - 10/12, and the best I had been able to get was $412 with National using the KLM code.

I've been going out to Costco every few days to see if I can get Alamo any cheaper, and it was always more expensive than what I already had.

Today when I checked I was able to book a full-size for $293 which includes all of the taxes!!

If anyone is traveling around the same time I am, be sure to go out and check your price!

 

[tristyp]

I also got a 13 day rate today nfrom Enterprise for 293 for a 13 day +1 hour rental(was $2.00 cheaper then a 13 day rental). It is from September 27th to october 10th for a full-size. Alamo was within a couple dollars but I like that i can add my wife for free with Enterprise. Still hoping for a big reduction as the time draws closer.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

I just check costco again and ours dropped @$70. woot! Woot!

 

[jpessa]

I just check costco again and ours dropped @$70. woot! Woot!

$70/week? Did you use a code? Was this directly on costco.com? Thanks

 

[jsgrand0]

sub..going beginning of October...

 

[Precmom1967]

Dollar and Thifty have dropped their rates to less than $100 a week using their city special rates. Rates using MCO or Sanford airports. No other codes. Just booked for 15 days for $297 including taxes.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

$70/week? Did you use a code? Was this directly on costco.com? Thanks

We had a premium car for $290 for 7 days 21 hours but now it is $218. I used costco travel website. I have been checking it periodically. It started at around $368 with a couple drops but the @$70 drop was the biggest thus far.

 

[jpessa]

We had a premium car for $290 for 7 days 21 hours but now it is $218. I used costco travel website. I have been checking it periodically. It started at around $368 with a couple drops but the @$70 drop was the biggest thus far.

Oh ok thanks. That $70 was before taxes. Makes sense.

I'm currently holding at total $217, all taxes in, for 15 days through AAA for an intermediate with Thrifty. I'm happy at that price but keep checking, you never know!

Edited to add: I decided to upgrade to a full size for only $1/day, so I'm sitting at $231 for a full size for 15 days... it's my chance to drive my dream car!!!

 

[n2mm]

Just booked for 9/6 to 9/13 one week + 2 hours. I got a price of $149 total for standard car. I used the passholder discount and one free day. That was the only coupon I could find. Most expired before my dates. I did find the passholder code gave me the same price as the Costco one. Would love to find a better coupon.

 

[lilluv117]

I booked a standard car from Alamo from 9/10-9/18 for $171. Does this seem reasonable? I used 2 of the coupons from the first page. I am so bad at finding the best deals with these rental cars.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Alamo Midsize 9/26-10/1 $125.68

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Down from $170.

 

[PatMcDuck]

My Alamo just went from $228 to $189, for one week, Mid size SUV. September 24-30, Costco, (I am a member.)

This is a good rate for an SUV, will keep watching it. I prefer National/Alamo rentals, because choosing the vehicle myself is part of the fun. (I drive an 11 year old VW Beetle).

 

[jpessa]

My Alamo just went from $228 to $189, for one week, Mid size SUV. September 24-30, Costco, (I am a member.)

This is a good rate for an SUV, will keep watching it. I prefer National/Alamo rentals, because choosing the vehicle myself is part of the fun. (I drive an 11 year old VW Beetle).

With Thrifty and Dollar you also choose your car at MCO. I love that part too