The Official December 2009 Car Rental Thread

[ShiPooOwner]

Can you tell me what codes you are using? Our rental period is 12/1-12/8 and I can't get the rate to drop from $237 for a compact. It has been at that rate for weeks. I am using Costco and the $20 Alamo coupon.

Thanks!

Sure, I'm using 430710 (Walmart and you get an extra driver free using that code) and coupon AD1336ADK which was for $20. I checked again this morning and I'm getting a little higher rate at $186.62.

Perhaps it's the time of day you are entering. I have always heard that if you put in the time on the half hour vs on the hour, your rate is higher. I have p/u at 1 P.M. and return at 10 A.M. My flight arrives at noon so I figure allowing an hour should be safe. It's always worked that way in the past w/o a problem. In all likelihood, we will return the car before 10 A.M., but I figured that's the latest we would return it on 12/9.

Good luck~hope you can get your numbers below $200. I think there's still plenty of time left for it to drop more.

 

[antmaril]

Sure, I'm using 430710 (Walmart and you get an extra driver free using that code) and coupon AD1336ADK which was for $20. I checked again this morning and I'm getting a little higher rate at $186.62.

Perhaps it's the time of day you are entering. I have always heard that if you put in the time on the half hour vs on the hour, your rate is higher. I have p/u at 1 P.M. and return at 10 A.M. My flight arrives at noon so I figure allowing an hour should be safe. It's always worked that way in the past w/o a problem. In all likelihood, we will return the car before 10 A.M., but I figured that's the latest we would return it on 12/9.

Good luck~hope you can get your numbers below $200. I think there's still plenty of time left for it to drop more.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the rate doesn't change with those codes either. I am picking up at Noon on December 1st and returning the car at 9:00 a.m. on December 8th. The rate is $237 (including all fees and taxes) - exactly the same as my Costco rate. I don't get it. I will keep trying, of course. I am hopeful the rate will go down as we get closer to our travel date.

Thanks again.

 

[antmaril]

Sure, I'm using 430710 (Walmart and you get an extra driver free using that code) and coupon AD1336ADK which was for $20. I checked again this morning and I'm getting a little higher rate at $186.62.

Perhaps it's the time of day you are entering. I have always heard that if you put in the time on the half hour vs on the hour, your rate is higher. I have p/u at 1 P.M. and return at 10 A.M. My flight arrives at noon so I figure allowing an hour should be safe. It's always worked that way in the past w/o a problem. In all likelihood, we will return the car before 10 A.M., but I figured that's the latest we would return it on 12/9.

Good luck~hope you can get your numbers below $200. I think there's still plenty of time left for it to drop more.

It is just so weird. I put in my pickup time and change the return date to December 9th, which would be an eight day rental (like yours) rather than a one week rental and the base rate goes down from $195 to $149, making it almost $50 cheaper to keep the car one day longer. Doesn't make any sense at all, does it?

I'll keep trying.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

It is just so weird. I put in my pickup time and change the return date to December 9th, which would be an eight day rental (like yours) rather than a one week rental and the base rate goes down from $195 to $149, making it almost $50 cheaper to keep the car one day longer. Doesn't make any sense at all, does it?

I'll keep trying.

You are so right! It doesn't make any sense at all. If I were you, I would just keep trying on different days of the week and different times of day because I've heard that also can make a difference. Just don't give up because we still have time for it to drop.

 

[keishashadow]

My Alamo rates hadn't dropped for a few weeks, but I decided to check again tonight. They dropped over $100 for my rental period of 12/1-12/9. I cancelled my previous reservation for $275 and now have one for $168 for a compact.

thanks for the reiminder

alamo only dropped $6 for me.
i checked national & it's down almost $50, 8 days, full size, ExAisle $210 out the door (only $10 more than alamo for intermediate size)

ding, ding i am done...until the next, best rate comes along

 

[tkldisney]

I used mousesavers code k199060 and e-coupon MUWA003 and got rate of 193.51 for Avis compact car. The 35.00 coupon will be applied from the 193. 51 at the time of rental. This is for Dec. 10 - 15 (4 days 19 hours).

I also used same code and coupon for Oct. 23 -28 and got 196.57 (5 days 4 hours). Same 35.00 will be applied at time of rental. DH is preferred so we can go to right to the garage. This rate is the best I've found so far.
I had Thrifty for 178.00 for both rentals and cancelled.

I'll keep trying for better price but, happy with these.

 

[Donald is #1]

thanks for the reiminder

alamo only dropped $6 for me.
i checked national & it's down almost $50, 8 days, full size, ExAisle $210 out the door (only $10 more than alamo for intermediate size)

ding, ding i am done...until the next, best rate comes along

Wow, I tried my dates again and the rates are actually higher.

 

[portsofcall]

We used Hertz AAA special. Rented 4 days and got $40 off. We picked up at MCO, left at cruise terminal for 3 days and then brought back to Hertz location near Animal Kingdom. When we arrived at Hertz at the airport location, they only took off $20, but we showed them the special on our confirmation and they honored it. She said she was really sorry for using the wrong code or something. The roundtrip shuttle would have been $200 and we spent $80 for 4 days and $15 at the terminal. We had the freedom to get what we needed and then turn the car in. On the way to WDW, we passed the main post office and shipped 3 boxes home by flat rate.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Wow, I tried my dates again and the rates are actually higher.

Me, too! Over $700 for a week using the Orlando MagicCard!

 

[keishashadow]

Wow, I tried my dates again and the rates are actually higher.

being curious, i checked national & alamo, both r now same rate as current res for my dates

aside from factoring in the ID code/coupon, along with availability/season, it really must depend on what date/time ur picking up

 

[rangerxenos]

Still can't get our rental to drop below $265 for a Full Size for our dates in December (2 - 10).

I'm hoping they'll drop closer to the dates we're traveling. Our airfare is $50 or so each higher than last year, the only thing that hasn't gone up is hotel!

 

[Shannon G]

Still can't get our rental to drop below $265 for a Full Size for our dates in December (2 - 10).

I'm hoping they'll drop closer to the dates we're traveling. Our airfare is $50 or so each higher than last year, the only thing that hasn't gone up is hotel!

Do you have an entertainment book? Using the double upgrade coupon on their website I was coming up with a total rate in the $222 range for a full size for your dates (select intermediate and the double upgrade gets you a full size).

 

[robinb]

Still can't get our rental to drop below $265 for a Full Size for our dates in December (2 - 10).

I'm hoping they'll drop closer to the dates we're traveling. Our airfare is $50 or so each higher than last year, the only thing that hasn't gone up is hotel!

Do you really need a full sized car? Dollar's "Lock N Go" rates using KISS2 code are very cheap. They will pick an Intermediate or larger for you.

 

[MyMuse]

Still can't get our rental to drop below $265 for a Full Size for our dates in December (2 - 10).

I'm hoping they'll drop closer to the dates we're traveling. Our airfare is $50 or so each higher than last year, the only thing that hasn't gone up is hotel!

My dates are 12/4-12/15 and mine came out to $182 using a compact with Alamo. My codes were from Costco. I placed noon for pickup and dropff.

I hope this helps.

 

[keishashadow]

Check your Alamo Rates

A nice price drop ($43) for my dates (8 days)

used 430710 & $20 off coupon, wound up with $157.54 est total for intermediate size

note: i wasn't able to utilize the coupon code (ad1336adk) on a new reservation, so i just modified the old one. Checked National too, didn't change from prior quote.

 

[Donald is #1]

Check your Alamo Rates

A nice price drop ($43) for my dates (8 days)

used 430710 & $20 off coupon, wound up with $157.54 est total for intermediate size

note: i wasn't able to utilize the coupon code (ad1336adk) on a new reservation, so i just modified the old one. Checked National too, didn't change from prior quote.

Very interesting.. I guess that the codes don't like me. I am still getting higer quote ($500 for a full size car) for my 12/3-15 trip. My current reservation with Alamo is less than $400. (note even my old code isn't helping)

 

[keishashadow]

Very interesting.. I guess that the codes don't like me. I am still getting higer quote ($500 for a full size car) for my 12/3-15 trip. My current reservation with Alamo is less than $400. (note even my old code isn't helping)

that's twice for u! i just noticed ur pricing out fullsize, the big difference in the equation im afraid.

just priced out ur dates (using 10 am & pickup & dropoff) intermediate & price was $238.34 vs full size $459.13

are u signed up for QS? unless u need the room for 5 adults, perhaps u can take a chance of finding something bigger on the aisle?

good luck

 

[rangerxenos]

Do you have an entertainment book? Using the double upgrade coupon on their website I was coming up with a total rate in the $222 range for a full size for your dates (select intermediate and the double upgrade gets you a full size).

We do, but when I log on I don't see a Double Upgrade for Alamo.

 

[Donald is #1]

that's twice for u! i just noticed ur pricing out fullsize, the big difference in the equation im afraid.

just priced out ur dates (using 10 am & pickup & dropoff) intermediate & price was $238.34 vs full size $459.13

are u signed up for QS? unless u need the room for 5 adults, perhaps u can take a chance of finding something bigger on the aisle?

good luck

Hmm, I thought about it, but to be honest when I made my reservation, the difference wasn't that much. Unless I am on business when I have to book intermediate (though with Hertz #1, I almost always get upgraded), I tend to book a large car or mid-size SUV because depending upon the intermediate size, pooh sized me can some times be really cramped in the smaller car. Though for that price difference, I may change my mind.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Maybe check this thread for early Dec....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2311930