The Official December 2009 Car Rental Thread

[MyMuse]

I just used that code with Avis and was quoted $319.92 for a subcompact for November 30-December 10. Sure hope I can find something better but it's $120 less than Alamo so maybe I shouldn't complain!

That seems pretty good for 11 days! I reserved at Dollar for $233 (if my $30 coupon is honored) for 9 days.

I needed an in-terminal at both Orlando and Tampa, so it limited my choices quite a bit.

 

[jandbmom]

That seems pretty good for 11 days! I reserved at Dollar for $233 (if my $30 coupon is honored) for 9 days.

I needed an in-terminal at both Orlando and Tampa, so it limited my choices quite a bit.

That is a great reate. I got 282 for a week. Where did you find a $30 coupon?

 

[hopeis]

We are having a heck of a time finding a "deal" for a one day rental for January 2nd 2010!! We want to pick up at the WDW Car Care Center in the am and return it early the next day. Just want to go see the ocean for a day!

 

[formill]

We arrive in Florida (MCO) December 18 and leave January 4 We have a mini van reserved with Thrifty but booked through car rental savers. This was the cheapest I have found so far. It uses the Orlando Magic Card to get this rate which I printed.

Weekly Rate2 Week(s) @ $268.00 $536.00
3 Extra Day(s) @ $54.00 $162.00
Subtotal: $698.00
Taxes and Fees: $182.89 Total: $880.89

 

[MyMuse]

That is a great reate. I got 282 for a week. Where did you find a $30 coupon?

Oops! It was Budget, not Dollar. The coupon is from Amtrak; you need to be a member with them.

 

[mommy2jack]

I'm going in December too and almost choked when I saw how expensive it is to rent a car! DH and I have never had to rent one before but this year we're traveling with our 13 month old so I thought it would be best to rent a car. I found thru Orbitz.com a midsize under $200 for the week from Advantage Rent A Car. Is this a good price? Are they an ok company? They're located off terminal and have shuttles from MCO but I'm worried because our return flight is at 8 in the morning so we'll be dropping the car off pretty early in the AM, will they still have a shuttle for us available that early in the morning? I'm new at renting cars so I can use any help/ advice you have to offer!

 

[MFLetou]

You know, I would make every effort to use a company that keeps it operation onsite in the MCO garages. Trying to lug all your luggage + a kid to a courtesy shuttle is going to be a real pain...it probably would make the most sense to just have you or your husband go get the car, and then drive back. But it can take a while and you'll sort of be stuck, stationary with a bunch of luggage and a little one.

The situation for the "onsite" companies is particularly good at MCO--it truly is a very quick and easy walk to the centrally-located garage, and all of the cars are literally right there. You'll save a ton of aggraviation and probably a fair amount of time, too.

Just something to consider, especially if you're able to find a rate that's relatively close to Advantage.

I'm personally have a hard time finding a decent rate on a minivan for 10 days during December. I've currently got one with Avis for $616 (including taxes and fees, minus a coupon). Hopefully I'll be able to beat that closer in.

God, in Jan '08, I had an intermediate through Alamo for 5 days that I literally paid $60 for TOTAL. Those were the days.

 

[zulaya]

I'm just looking for the weekend of Dec 4-6 and whew! The prices are high.

 

[jandbmom]

Oops! It was Budget, not Dollar. The coupon is from Amtrak; you need to be a member with them.

Thanks for the response!

 

[CoriCW]

I've been spending the last couple hours researching. Here is the best I found (for a company within MCO).

Thrifty with code from Orlando MagicCard. You can get one for free at orlandoinfo.com. Corp Code is 004m001010.

For 10 days - midsize - $285.69

NOTE: The Orlando MagicCard promotion says free additional driver - but I don't see on my ressie so can't confirm.

I just used this code and got a mini-van from 12/23 - 12/30, including different pick-up and drop-off locations, for about $414. I went ahead and booked it as everything else I had looked at was over $600!

Thanks, OP!!

 

[MFLetou]

I just used this code and got a mini-van from 12/23 - 12/30, including different pick-up and drop-off locations, for about $414. I went ahead and booked it as everything else I had looked at was over $600!

Thanks, OP!!

I get a "no rates at this location" error code with this code. Huh.

 

[MyMuse]

The rates are incredible!

Sometimes I wished I booked on-site and not have to deal with a car. *sigh*

I'm going to re-research and see whther I can get a better deal as the times get closer. I miss the days in 2007 at the same times, I paid $180 for 10 days!!

 

[EMom]

How inconvenient is it to take the airport shuttle to the shuttle rental car places? How long does it take, etc.? We've only rented in-terminal before? Someone told me it takes about as long as Magical Express, but since we've never done ME, that didn't help me....

The rental rates are a lot cheaper at the shuttle places, which is why I ask.

 

[robinb]

How inconvenient is it to take the airport shuttle to the shuttle rental car places? How long does it take, etc.? We've only rented in-terminal before? Someone told me it takes about as long as Magical Express, but since we've never done ME, that didn't help me....

The rental rates are a lot cheaper at the shuttle places, which is why I ask.

It does not take as lo g as ME! It takes maybe 15 minues tops to take a shuttle to a car agency. For instAnce, Thrifty's shuttle is almost always waiting when we leave the terminal. Like the other agencies you will want to join their renter's clubs so you don't have to stand in line when you get there.

 

[MyMuse]

How inconvenient is it to take the airport shuttle to the shuttle rental car places? How long does it take, etc.? We've only rented in-terminal before? Someone told me it takes about as long as Magical Express, but since we've never done ME, that didn't help me....

The rental rates are a lot cheaper at the shuttle places, which is why I ask.

I have to admit that I will not book shuttle sites. I've done before and it is not for me. I like going straight to the airport and get everything I need done.

That said, I did book National (before I cancelled it) because they had a good rate since I will be landing in MCO but leaving out of Tampa. At Tampa, they are a shuttle. And I wish there were no drop-off fees for different airports! Ugh.

 

[robinb]

I guess I don't see the big deal about taking a shuttle if I can save some money. When prices are about the same I'll pick a company in the terminal but when prices are a lot different I'll pick which ever one is cheaper. One of us will stay and get baggage while the other gets the car.

 

[mdurette]

How inconvenient is it to take the airport shuttle to the shuttle rental car places? How long does it take, etc.? We've only rented in-terminal before? Someone told me it takes about as long as Magical Express, but since we've never done ME, that didn't help me....

The rental rates are a lot cheaper at the shuttle places, which is why I ask.

I don't think it is a matter of how long it takes - more the aggrivation of getting your luggage, putting it all into the shuttle, then getting the car. We do this all the time in Philly and I find it a pain. Especially if you are traveling with kids and have strollers and car seats on top of the luggage.

 

[BobH]

RobinB - I thought Thrifty was now located right at the airport?
http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/rac.htm

They used to have a shuttle bus to Narcosee Rd in Orlando when they were offsite. If you know information to the contrary please post it. Thanks

 

[mommy2jack]

Ok, so last night I broke down and booked us a midsize through Thirfty. I booked it online from http://www.carrentalsavers.com/florida-car-rental.html. I got it for around $209 total for the week, Nov. 28-Dec. 5. I checked every website available and this is the best price I could find, other then from Advantage, but we didn't want to have to worry about the shuttle. No fee to cancel, so I figured if we find a better rate somewhere later we'll just cancel it.

 

[Donald is #1]

Well I just booked Dollar for my 12/4-15 trip. I ended up using the Orlando Magic card code and downgraded to an intermediate since that is all I really need and I was able to get the cost down to under $400. Hopefully the rates will come down as we get closer, but at least I have something booked now.

I had booked National from the Dolphin for 4 days of the trip but this rate allows me to extend for the entire trip and avoid ME (which is OK, but I prefer a car on my own.) for less than twice the cost. (I did downgrade from a large to intermediate car.)