Some ideas on renting in February...

[janets]

We're heading to the World for a birthday weekend visit for my son. We're arriving on Saturday morning, leaving on Tuesday afternoon.

Weekend rental rates require the car to be returned by Monday (I think a certain time). With out car pickup at around 10:30 AM or so and our Tuesday dropoff at around 2:15, we end up with that dreaded extra time charges.

How would you all suggest I do my reservation to get the best rate? I have the ability to use either a free weekend day coupon or redeem a free day from National's recent promotion. I guess the reason my quotes are so high is that the rates are just high at this point.

Anyone with suggestions?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Janet, weekend rates do typically require you to rent before noon Saturday and return the vehicle by midnight Monday night. Because you can't meet the return deadline you're probably not getting a weekend rate at all in the quotes you're receiving and instead are into regular daily rates.....which are high. If you've not already done so, input your rental parameters into something like Oribtz or Travelocity and see which company has the best rates and then book it. Make sure it's not a prepaid/non-cancellable booking and then continue to shop it about once a week. If something better comes up, book it and cancel the original booking. I don't see any way around the weekend rate issue unless you return the car on Monday (on or before the time you rented the car on Saturday) and then rent another car for 1 day at the daily rate. That's only worthwhile to do, IMO, if it saves you a LOT of money versus the time and hassle involved.

BobK/Orlando

 

[janets]

I really prefer to use National as we are Emerald Club members and since we're travelling w/ my mom, I don't want to stand at any counters in order to rent.

I guess by using the free weekend day coupon or redeeming my free day on the National website, I can knock off at least 1 day's rate, but it's so funny to see a 3 or 4 day rental that's more than what I have paid for a weekly one.

 

[TammyC]

Rates in general are high right now. I have, in the past, been able to use WE3DY which is the National 3 day weekend rate for rentals of more than 3 days - it just started with that rate and added on one day at a different rate. Try some of the codes and they may work. Good luck!