The Official April 2012 Car Rental Thread

[LorieR]

Yes - our rate for 4/19 (Tampa) to 4/29 (Orlando) was down another $25 this morning!!

I used the $40 BJs coupon/code. We are BJs members & I printed the coupon, just in case. ​

When you say you printed the coupon just in case, did you print the whole page with all the codes for Alamo or was there a coupon somewhere I don't see?

I want to use the $20 off but it says I might need to present a coupon but I don't see a "real" coupon (like Dollar has on the BJ's page where they say "click here to print coupon.)"

Thanks for your help!

 

[gmeh1]

When you say you printed the coupon just in case, did you print the whole page with all the codes for Alamo or was there a coupon somewhere I don't see?

I want to use the $20 off but it says I might need to present a coupon but I don't see a "real" coupon (like Dollar has on the BJ's page where they say "click here to print coupon.)"

Thanks for your help!

It is probably an electronic coupon in which case you won't need to present it. But, if it makes you feel better, print the page and bring it with you.

 

[LorieR]

It is probably an electronic coupon in which case you won't need to present it. But, if it makes you feel better, print the page and bring it with you.

Thanks for the reply! I will print out the page just to be safe

 

[DisMomAmy]

When you say you printed the coupon just in case, did you print the whole page with all the codes for Alamo or was there a coupon somewhere I don't see?

I want to use the $20 off but it says I might need to present a coupon but I don't see a "real" coupon (like Dollar has on the BJ's page where they say "click here to print coupon.)"

Thanks for your help!

They've never asked to see the coupon, but when you click on "Book Online" it takes you to the Alamo site and the very first screen shows what the coupon is. That's the screen I usually print.

 

[LorieR]

They've never asked to see the coupon, but when you click on "Book Online" it takes you to the Alamo site and the very first screen shows what the coupon is. That's the screen I usually print.

Thank you! Just got mine down to $114.01 for 4/17-4/24 (7 days + extra hours) for a midsize car! Printed a couple of copies of it out just in case!! Thank you!

 

[JenSinMA]

I'm so happy to see the rates coming down!
But this leads to questions: If I book with Alamo using an AMEX contract id, do I have to pay with an AMEX card, or will anyone ask to see it?
Also, could I get away with using a Costco code if I'm not a Costco member? Someone else in my party is, but she won't be there yet when I pick up our rental car. I joined the Insider's Club and plan to use the kiosk.

 

[jujube]

I'm so happy to see the rates coming down!
But this leads to questions: If I book with Alamo using an AMEX contract id, do I have to pay with an AMEX card, or will anyone ask to see it?
Also, could I get away with using a Costco code if I'm not a Costco member? Someone else in my party is, but she won't be there yet when I pick up our rental car. I joined the Insider's Club and plan to use the kiosk.

If you book using the AMEX, then yes you do need to use it to pay.
Even if you use the kiosk, you will have to go through a checkpoint where the guards will go through your paperwork. This is where i have been asked for ids for Sams when I used a discount from them. If your friend will not be with you, I don't know that I'd risk using the Costco code.

 

[SilverMickey]

I have My Alamo 10 day standard rental down to $192.00 using insiders and my BJ's $40.00 coupon.

I also have National Emerald Aisle down to $260.00 using Emerald's 35.00 off e-mail coupon and BJ's code.

If I can get the Emerald Aisle down to with in 25 dollars of Alamo we will go with the Aisle....

(This is out of Tampa) April 20 - 30!

 

[JenSinMA]

If you book using the AMEX, then yes you do need to use it to pay.
Even if you use the kiosk, you will have to go through a checkpoint where the guards will go through your paperwork. This is where i have been asked for ids for Sams when I used a discount from them. If your friend will not be with you, I don't know that I'd risk using the Costco code.

Thanks. That's pretty much what I figured. I'm sticking with the Alamo ressie I have for now, using the TI1 code (which I think I got from you, thanks!) because it includes gas. Using TI1 and the American Airlines $35 coupon, I have $256 for a minivan for 6 days, 4/14-4/20. If I can get it under $200 with another code that I actually qualify for, I'll switch it. I'm estimating we'll drive about 200 miles and use about $50 worth of gas.

 

[jujube]

Thanks. That's pretty much what I figured. I'm sticking with the Alamo ressie I have for now, using the TI1 code (which I think I got from you, thanks!) because it includes gas. Using TI1 and the American Airlines $35 coupon, I have $256 for a minivan for 6 days, 4/14-4/20. If I can get it under $200 with another code that I actually qualify for, I'll switch it. I'm estimating we'll drive about 200 miles and use about $50 worth of gas.

You're welcome. I keep trying other codes to bring down my rate but so far, I have not found anything better. I will keep trying too.

 

[n2mm]

My minivan rental dropped too. I didn't think it would go lower, but it did.

I'm paying a total of $200 after taxes/fees for 1 week plus 1 hour.

April 19 @ 8:00PM to April 26 @ 8:30PM.

My base rate is $189. Used the insider code discount and the $35 coupon AD2359FDF

When I did 8:00PM pickup and a 8:00PM drop off the rate was over $300. When I added the extra 30 minutes to my drop off time, the rate dropped. So keep that in mind when playing with your times.

If I needed only a midsize, I could've gotten a super low price, but we have to have a minivan the first week, then switch to a full size car the second half of the trip....mostly because I can't afford a minivan for 3 weeks and don't need it for the last 2 weeks.

While I'm OK with Alamo, I sure wish National would start to move. Their high rates have been holding steady. I want to keep my minivan through Alamo at that price, and then switch to National, when size doesn't matter.

UPDATE: I must have just gotten in before a change because now the same reservation is triple what it was at 6:30AM today. Wow, I guess getting up early really pays off.

 

[Wengino]

Wow. Rates for a minivan mid april (4/13-4/22) back up to $700 base rate this afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled, it's a moving target!

 

[nascargirl]

Our rental car just dropped again from $92.32 to $86.00 with taxes for a full size car 4/26-30th. I didn't think it could go much lower.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

We only wanted to book for 2 days (4/15-4/16) from Alamo at Dolphin to go to USIOA for WWOHP. Got $79.56 with ENT code and double upgrade (from compact to midsize).

Just today, was able to book 4 days starting with our arrival at MCO (4/13) and returning to Dolphin (4/17) for $68.50--a full $11.06 LESS than renting it for only 2 days. Oh, and it's now a fullsize, too. Go figure!

 

[robin19871]

My rates have dropped again. April 8th through 17th for $173.00.. It is 7 days out so I wonder if that is when they start dropping..(After going higher from a month ago when I had it booked for $190.00.) I went with Thrifty however, I know that Alamo has dropped greatly today too..

 

[ssnelle]

My first try with Alamo for 11 days, 10 nights was $397 for a compact or economy. With the Insiders Club, it stayed the same. When I added the Visa Alamo coupon codes, I got it down to $277.

Then 2 weeks ago, same codes and all, it dropped down to $188.

Then 4 days ago, it dropped again, same codes to $135 and that included an upgrade to a standard. UNBELIEVABLE. In vain, I still check every day but would be shocked if it went down further. $133 for pickup 4/17, drop off 4/27, and that includes ALL taxes and fees.

The key is to check everyday. For instance I checked last night, with same coupon codes and it is back to $380+ which is for a compact or economy. No method to this madness but check daily, I suggest!!!

Good luck!

 

[n2mm]

My first try with Alamo for 11 days, 10 nights was $397 for a compact or economy. With the Insiders Club, it stayed the same. When I added the Visa Alamo coupon codes, I got it down to $277.

Then 2 weeks ago, same codes and all, it dropped down to $188.

Then 4 days ago, it dropped again, same codes to $135 and that included an upgrade to a standard. UNBELIEVABLE. In vain, I still check every day but would be shocked if it went down further. $133 for pickup 4/17, drop off 4/27, and that includes ALL taxes and fees.

The key is to check everyday. For instance I checked last night, with same coupon codes and it is back to $380+ which is for a compact or economy. No method to this madness but check daily, I suggest!!!

Good luck!

That's great!! I actually check twice a day. I find often late in the evening sometimes there's a second drop.

 

[DCbride]

I can not get our rate under $302 for April 6 through 12!! I know I should be happy with that rate, but I have never paid more than $200. If anyone finds something less please let me know

All the specials I find begin April 9. I am a member of Alamo, National and Budget. (My current rate is through Budget) have Costco, AAA, AP and can join just about anything else (that is free) to get my rate down!

 

[connorlevismom]

My first try with Alamo for 11 days, 10 nights was $397 for a compact or economy. With the Insiders Club, it stayed the same. When I added the Visa Alamo coupon codes, I got it down to $277.

Then 2 weeks ago, same codes and all, it dropped down to $188.

Then 4 days ago, it dropped again, same codes to $135 and that included an upgrade to a standard. UNBELIEVABLE. In vain, I still check every day but would be shocked if it went down further. $133 for pickup 4/17, drop off 4/27, and that includes ALL taxes and fees.

The key is to check everyday. For instance I checked last night, with same coupon codes and it is back to $380+ which is for a compact or economy. No method to this madness but check daily, I suggest!!!

Good luck!

Can you tell me which codes?

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

We are 10 days until our vacation. I have a great deal that I jumped on about a month ago. That deal was available for one day and one day only after that the rate jumped and has not gone down since. I have never seen this before, usually it drops a few times before departure and I can cancel and rebook, not this time. I am thrilled I checked rates that one day.