The Official December 2009 Car Rental Thread

[robinb]

It is a compact (it's only for me) and all taxes included.

I'm thinking I'm not going to do better than that.

I don't either! that's a really great rate for 11 days.

 

[jandbmom]

Has anyone had luck with Priceline for December?

 

[robinb]

So I do this same thing for 12/28-1/5 and get $813 for a total for a mid-size? What the heck? Help?

I need a car.. 2 adults and a baby (car seat)... 12/28 4:30 pick-up and return it 4:30/5:00AM on 1/5/10. ANY help would be great!!!

If you have Costco you can go here: http://www.costcotravel.com/#15_rentalCars_alamo_ALA09AD5411JDH20081112 and book a midsize with Alamo for $137 with taxes for your last 4 days (1/1 - 1/5) at MCO. The first few days are the killer days. There are NO good rates left AFAIK. The good Avis rate is no longer working .

 

[andrews_dad]

Darn it.. no costco. I am a Sam's Club member.

 

[robinb]

Darn it.. no costco. I am a Sam's Club member.

Vacation Outlet will give you the same base rate, but not the $20 off coupon: http://www.vacationoutlet.com/car/default.asp

 

[andrews_dad]

I am not sure I can make the trip if the rental car will cost me $700-1200 total, and I am really wanting to get down there on my tight budget. Wife is pregnant with kiddo #2, so if we don't get there now it will be a quite a while with travel restrictions in 3rd trimester and then having an infant. Dates are not flexible. These are the days she and I can get off work, and we can't do unpaid time off. I have flights that I can handle for cost, have a free place to stay at my buddy's house, will cook on our own and eat on the cheap, and have valid season tickets to the World. Just need something to drive when we get to MCO! 2 adults and one toddler in a car seat (that I will provide, not renting the car seat). Would prefer something bigger than the super compact car with the pregnant wife and a car seat, and probably 2 suitcases.

Landing Monday Dec 28th at MCO at about 1:30 PM. Departing Tuesday Jan 5th from MCO at about 7 AM. I am looking at sub-$500 for the whole time including taxes and fees. Ideally even cheaper! Willing to cab (or catch a ride from my local buddy) to an off-site location if that helps.

 

[robinb]

Look at Enterprise off-airport locations if you're willing to cab it. Just start your search at MCO and the select the change location link. An intermediate at the Hoffner location is $500. You may be able to sniff out a discount that will work ... Maybe the Entertainment book. You may also want to Priceline a hotel Near the airport for 1/4 and take a shuttle to the airport and not have to worry getting to MCO at the crack of dawn with a car rental.

Good luck! I have been sitting on my annual Dec/Jan reservations for months!

 

[andrews_dad]

Look at Enterprise off-airport locations if you're willing to cab it. Just start your search at MCO and the select the change location link. An intermediate at the Hoffner location is $500. You may be able to sniff out a discount that will work ... Maybe the Entertainment book. You may also want to Priceline a hotel Near the airport for 1/4 and take a shuttle to the airport and not have to worry getting to MCO at the crack of dawn with a car rental.

Good luck! I have been sitting on my annual Dec/Jan reservations for months!

Thanls for the starting point. I'll update if I find a combo that works, but I like the $477 starting with no coupon code vs the $1000 starting point at the MCO locations.

 

[keishashadow]

re national, may want to re-check ur ressies

mine (details in previous posts) dropped approx $10, not earth shattering, yet i'll take it, now in area of $155 for 8 days, full size (ExAisle)

again, wasn't able to modify existing, had to re-book then cancel 1st one

still no go on the $40 coupon

 

[n2mm]

re national, may want to re-check ur ressies

mine (details in previous posts) dropped approx $10, not earth shattering, yet i'll take it, now in area of $155 for 8 days, full size (ExAisle)

again, wasn't able to modify existing, had to re-book then cancel 1st one

still no go on the $40 coupon

Me too, I just stopped by to repost. I'm at $166 total now for a full size (ExAisle) rental. 8 days (Dec. 4 to Dec. 12). Used the 5007160 code and the $35 coupon (ND1276FDT) -- still no go for the $40 coupon.

Looks like we'll be there the same time. Not sure why your rate is lower than mine. Are you 1 week only? Using the same codes?

 

[aimlyles]

Thanls for the starting point. I'll update if I find a combo that works, but I like the $477 starting with no coupon code vs the $1000 starting point at the MCO locations.

If you go to this site
wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-transportation.htm and scroll down a bit there is a budget car ad on the right. Click on the ad and it gives you a discount code (enters it for you, the code is Y937800).

With your dates I get (with taxes and fees included renting at MCO)
$381.61 for intermediate
$414.35 for a full size

It also has a spot to enter a coupon so if you can find one that would work as well you might be able to save a litte more.

 

[FoggyToad]

Me too, I just stopped by to repost. I'm at $166 total now for a full size (ExAisle) rental. 8 days (Dec. 4 to Dec. 12). Used the 5007160 code and the $35 coupon (ND1276FDT) -- still no go for the $40 coupon.

Looks like we'll be there the same time. Not sure why your rate is lower than mine. Are you 1 week only? Using the same codes?

I just got a good rate using your code and coupon. Any idea where the 5007160 code is from? Will I need to print a coupon to use it?

 

[n2mm]

I just got a good rate using your code and coupon. Any idea where the 5007160 code is from? Will I need to print a coupon to use it?

According to mousesavers and (fatwallet) that is the ff code for continental airlines, so I just registered to get a card just to be on the safe side. I've used this code at least 20 times now and it's never been a problem. Unlike other codes that give you 10%, this one is 15%. Glad it worked for you. BTW -- the coupon code is an e-coupon, so there is no hard copy of that.

 

[carwel]

I have an Alamo reservation for my trip in December (that I'm happy with). I was thinking of also keeping a back-up reservation with another company just in case anything went wrong with my first choice. Does anybody else do that too, or am I being over-cautious?

 

[robinb]

I have an Alamo reservation for my trip in December (that I'm happy with). I was thinking of also keeping a back-up reservation with another company just in case anything went wrong with my first choice. Does anybody else do that too, or am I being over-cautious?

If you are using one of the "questionable" codes, then having a back-up is a really good idea.

 

[SilverMickey]

Several times I have used promo code KISS2 for Dollar. I found this on the floridakiss. com web site. They have a ad box on the right side a little ways down on the home page that will open dollars website for you and add the code. I just checked and the code still works. We use this code for tpa as well as mco.

I hope this helps someone!

 

[robinb]

If you go to this site
wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-transportation.htm and scroll down a bit there is a budget car ad on the right. Click on the ad and it gives you a discount code (enters it for you, the code is Y917800).

With your dates I get (with taxes and fees included renting at MCO)
$381.61 for intermediate
$414.35 for a full size

It also has a spot to enter a coupon so if you can find one that would work as well you might be able to save a litte more.

Hmmm ... I get $984 for his dates of 12/28 - 1/5 using that code at MCO.

 

[carwel]

Thanks for the reply. So there's no problem if you just don't show up for a reservation that you haven't cancelled. I don't think I'll have any issues with my Alamo code - I'm using the Walmart code from Mousesavers, along with an online coupon. But Mousesavers did say someone in August had an issue with the Walmart code (despite the fact that many many people have had no problem), and I'm kind of a nervous person, so I'll just keep a back-up for my peace of mind.

 

[robinb]

Thanks for the reply. So there's no problem if you just don't show up for a reservation that you haven't cancelled. I don't think I'll have any issues with my Alamo code - I'm using the Walmart code from Mousesavers, along with an online coupon. But Mousesavers did say someone in August had an issue with the Walmart code (despite the fact that many many people have had no problem), and I'm kind of a nervous person, so I'll just keep a back-up for my peace of mind.

As long as you don't put a credit card on the reservation (or through the frequent renter program) you'll be fine. I don't think there will be a problem with the Wal*Mart code.

 

[lovesmurfs]

As long as you don't put a credit card on the reservation (or through the frequent renter program) you'll be fine. I don't think there will be a problem with the Wal*Mart code.

I have had car rental places call my cell phone number when I was a no-show, so just be ready for it.