Teach me how to get a better rental car rate

[Gumbo4x4]

Specifically for a 15-passenger van on a Saturday. They always want to ding me for Sat/Sun since they're closed Sunday (local Enterprise which is my only reasonable option). Sometimes, I get around that. Last time they were sticklers. It ends up being gobs of rental money for something that honestly doesn't cost that much more than a Camry.

 

[Disney Dynamite]

Since the local Enterprise is your best option, have you tried negotiating with someone in person? I've had some success with doing that, but they're typically more cooperative when they're trying to compete with other car rental companies.

You also mentioned that they want to ding you for Sunday, even though they're closed. Do you know if they over a key drop box for after hours returns? If nothing else, it will save you the charge for the extra day.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Mousesavers has all the codes listed.
http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation-for-disney-vacations/rental-car-discounts/

It's not just for Disney vacations.

 

[Vernie822]

Try cheap car rentals . com. We had great luck there before our trip. I had booked with Alamo at $180 for a 4 door sedan for a week and 3 days, then a few days before our trip I was able to get a better rate at $147.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Since the local Enterprise is your best option, have you tried negotiating with someone in person? I've had some success with doing that, but they're typically more cooperative when they're trying to compete with other car rental companies.

You also mentioned that they want to ding you for Sunday, even though they're closed. Do you know if they over a key drop box for after hours returns? If nothing else, it will save you the charge for the extra day.

Yes, they have a drop slot. But since nobody is there Sunday, I can't prove I didn't use it both days :facepalm:

Thanks for the links (everyone).

 

[pjlla]

Is this for local to you or in Orlando?

I rented a 15 passenger van (local to home) a few years ago for DD's 16th birthday party. I was really struggling to find a place that didn't charge me $300+ dollars for one day! I called all of the local car rental places, including at the nearest airport. I had resigned myself to paying a LOT for that day when a friend mentioned that his college debate team had rented a large passenger van several times from a local car dealership. I called them and it turns out that they did rent vans and it cost me about HALF of what the local Enterprise and Alamo type places were charging!

Try calling some other types of places OTHER than traditional car rental agencies.... you might be in luck

Other than that, I've always found my best car rental deals (when traveling) by using Costco Travel (although you must have a membership). Hands down that is ALWAYS the cheapest.....................P