The Official October 2012 Car Rental Thread

[HoosierDaddy71]

Got a question on the Budget code MUGZ029, did I read it correctly that the discount for that coupon code is not taken off until you return the car(SUV)? I reserved the Intermediate SUV with a price $139 weekly rate and $209 final cost. Should I expect to pay $30 less than the $209?? I am happy with the $209 but still checking for lower rates, but it is will really be $179 for a Ford Escape, I don't think I will bother checking any more. TIA

 

[wgeo]

Got a question on the Budget code MUGZ029, did I read it correctly that the discount for that coupon code is not taken off until you return the car(SUV)? I reserved the Intermediate SUV with a price $139 weekly rate and $209 final cost. Should I expect to pay $30 less than the $209?? I am happy with the $209 but still checking for lower rates, but it is will really be $179 for a Ford Escape, I don't think I will bother checking any more. TIA

Yes, the coupon is applied when you return the car. I also have an SUV rented with this code, and I did the same thing last year. I pulled my receipts from last year (yes I save stuff like that ) and noticed that they took the $30 off of the 139 rate and then did taxes and fees. Soooo, actually when you return your vehicle your total will be closer to $175, because they are figuring taxes/fees off of a smaller amount.

 

[HoosierDaddy71]

Yes, the coupon is applied when you return the car. I also have an SUV rented with this code, and I did the same thing last year. I pulled my receipts from last year (yes I save stuff like that ) and noticed that they took the $30 off of the 139 rate and then did taxes and fees. Soooo, actually when you return your vehicle your total will be closer to $175, because they are figuring taxes/fees off of a smaller amount.

Sweet! Thanks

We are flying into Tampa so the prices for Dollar are significantly higher there than MCO. About twice the price for the same week even with the city specials. Unless I want to rent from Advantage, Fox, or Payless I am not finding anything else close.

 

[ppony]

Today I was able to change from the mid-size SUV with Budget at $275 (with codes) to same size with Dollar at $239 under the city special (no additional codes). I was happy before, but I'm even more so now. Additional driver wasn't an issue for us. My DH gets really CRABBY driving in unfamiliar territory, so I drive.

 

[jjj444]

If things don't change I will be paying more for our rental car than I will for 4 flights down!!! I used some miles to buy our airline tickets and they are running cheaper than a compact car!!! We are flying into Tampa and returning the car to Orlando-is this what is making the price so high?? I am an alamo insider and punched in a few codes and it is still over $400 with taxes. I know they change all the time, but there is someone on the Sept. car rental sight that leaves in a week and she is saying her price has not gone down. I am starting to panic!!!

 

[hurleysweety]

If things don't change I will be paying more for our rental car than I will for 4 flights down!!! I used some miles to buy our airline tickets and they are running cheaper than a compact car!!! We are flying into Tampa and returning the car to Orlando-is this what is making the price so high?? I am an alamo insider and punched in a few codes and it is still over $400 with taxes. I know they change all the time, but there is someone on the Sept. car rental sight that leaves in a week and she is saying her price has not gone down. I am starting to panic!!!

It is probably the one way drop fee. I was trying out different scenarios for our rental car (as we are going on a cruise in the middle of the trip), and saw that when I picked up at MCO and then dropped off at Port Canaveral, I was charged a $50 fee.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I know they change all the time, but there is someone on the Sept. car rental sight that leaves in a week and she is saying her price has not gone down. I am starting to panic!!!

I still think the big discounts for mid/late October are still to come.

If you look at postings from last week, you'll see that Enterprise dropped prices for mid-October....and played with those prices a bit day to day and hour to hour. Those prices are back up right now, but I'll bet that was just a test to see where they should price their discounts for Alamo (which I think is the main vacation rental brand at MCO) when they release their near-term rental pricing.

 

[HayGan]

If things don't change I will be paying more for our rental car than I will for 4 flights down!!! I used some miles to buy our airline tickets and they are running cheaper than a compact car!!! We are flying into Tampa and returning the car to Orlando-is this what is making the price so high?? I am an alamo insider and punched in a few codes and it is still over $400 with taxes. I know they change all the time, but there is someone on the Sept. car rental sight that leaves in a week and she is saying her price has not gone down. I am starting to panic!!!

Yes - renting from one location and returning to another is typically going to be more expensive because they will charge you a drop fee.

Sorry that you are running into this but this is a common mistake that people miscalculate when they decided to fly in/out of different airports. You may save on the flights but you will pay more in rental fees. Something you should always consider when pricing ut overall vacation costs. It often depends on how many people you have flying and what the difference is in airfare.

October rates are still likely to come down but you no one can guarantee it. I'm content with the rates I have but I certainly would liek to see it come down a bit more. Today none of the sites look that great. Although my national rate has remained constant for over a month now. It is probably my best chance for a lower rate. I do have a lower rate with Dollar but the more I think about it the more I think I would much rather stay for National. The additional charges at this point mean that I have full insurance coverage and Emerald Exec access. Worth it to me!

 

[brenda1966]

It really depends on where you are picking up and dropping as to whether you are charged a 'drop fee'. I am picking up at TPA and dropping at MCO and all the quotes I have looked at do not contain any drop fees.

The problem with one ways is they you often cannot use any coupon codes or 'specials', so you do end up paying a bit more for for your rental, most likely. But keep looking. Mine just dropped $10. Hey, every little bit helps!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I went in to switch car sizes with Dollar today, prices are back up. Even the city special is $75 more total than last week. We'll just keep what we have!

 

[skeeter31]

The best I've been able to get from Alamo at TPA is $201 for 10/3-10/7 for a compact (using Visa ID and coupon code). Prices have been steady for months now. I really hope they start dropping.

This is more than I paid in May when I was there for 8 nights and had a Full Size car from Alamo at MCO. It's craziness!!

 

[webworm]

The best I've been able to get from Alamo at TPA is $201 for 10/3-10/7 for a compact (using Visa ID and coupon code). Prices have been steady for months now. I really hope they start dropping.

This is more than I paid in May when I was there for 8 nights and had a Full Size car from Alamo at MCO. It's craziness!!

With Dollar a 4 day rental for a compact is $168 inc taxes. Just click on city specials. You might want to try bidding on priceline for a deal on a 4 day rental.

 

[mdsd8700]

The best I've been able to get from Alamo at TPA is $201 for 10/3-10/7 for a compact (using Visa ID and coupon code). Prices have been steady for months now. I really hope they start dropping.

This is more than I paid in May when I was there for 8 nights and had a Full Size car from Alamo at MCO. It's craziness!!

Soon is when the rates should be coming down and better deals to be had. Keep your fingers crossed. I agree that rates seem very high, more than I have paid in the past. Dollar does seem to be running some good deals lately. We have used them in the past with no problems.

I too have a 4 day rental for mid October and last week for about 24 hours Dollar had awesome rates going. Initally I got a compact for the 4 days for $90 with taxes and fees. Then less than 12 hours later I was able to get a mid size for $85 with taxes and fees. By the afternoon the rates had gone up past the original price I had reserved the compact for, which I think was $137 with taxes and fees. Rates change constantly I would check as often as you can.

 

[HoosierDaddy71]

The best I've been able to get from Alamo at TPA is $201 for 10/3-10/7 for a compact (using Visa ID and coupon code). Prices have been steady for months now. I really hope they start dropping.

This is more than I paid in May when I was there for 8 nights and had a Full Size car from Alamo at MCO. It's craziness!!

If you book through budget with BCD D454300 and coupon MUGZ029, I show $172 and change. And you get $30 off that price at the time of return. Final cost around $140-$142.

ETA - Looks like you have to book for 5 days instead of 4 to get that price

 

[tebookie]

I've noticed the rates at Alamo have gone up the past few days.

I have a full size rental booked for 9/28-10/9 using insider's code and BJ's $40 off 10 day rental coupon for $200. That is about $50-60 more than I usually pay for that time table.

I checked alamo today and they are up to $275. Wonder if they are increasing their rates before they bring them back down. Guess I will wait and see.

 

[TyRy]

The rates at Alamo and Enterprise have been going up this week. I've got a rate I can live with for ten days, as I was able to jump when Costco lowered their rates last week. So anything else will be pure extra spending money

 

[sargenca]

National has a coupon on their website (listed under Specials) for a “Free car-class upgrade”. It states that it is available for a reservation of a Compact through Standard-size car and valid for rentals through October 31, 2012.

A quote for a midsize – which is the Emerald Aisle – using the coupon...upgrades me to a standard-size car and says pickup is the “Aisle”. There isn't an aisle especially for standard-sized cars, right?

A quote for a compact - the coupon upgrades me to a midsize (which is usually Emerald Aisle) and says pickup is the airport. Doesn't mention the aisle or counter (?)

BTW – My current EA reservation is for Oct 8-Oct 13, using my work’s Contract ID = $232.71 (Using the coupon on a midsize upgraded to a standard would be the same; using the coupon on a compact upgraded to a midsize would be $221)

 

[mouselovr]

has anyone rented through advantage car rental. I booked back in July and finally found my reservation!! YEAH!! Just wondering if I should switch companies if I get a chance?

 

[Dziactor]

So far I'm planning to take Magical Express with these rates.

 

[HelenParr]

I agree, crazy high rates. But I still have hope it'll change.