What Going On With National's Rates?

[Alexander]

I cannot believe how much the rates have gone up for rental cars with National. We have always used National for our April break and yes, it often falls during Easter week, so this year is no different.

Geesh, the rates are anywhere from $150 to $250 more than what we've paid in the past. We've paid as little as $116 total, and as much as $219 total for a week in a full-size car. I have tried 8 different contract codes, the only product rate available for our timeframe, and an entertainment coupon. The best rate I can come up with is $379. Yeah, okay! Like I'm going to pay that!

We have a reservation with Budget for a convertible for $260 total for the week, but I really like National's service and Emerald Club. We do have fastbreak with Budget, but I am just comfortable going with what we know so well.

 

[maps]

Just so you know, I used Budget last year and with the Fastbreak, I had no problems. Went to the garage, there's a little booth you go to (no line at the time), they give you the keys and you go get your car. No hard sells with insurance, gas, upgrades or whatever.

Then you drive to the exit booths, just like the other companies, give them your paperwork and off you go. Drop off was the same as the others, too.

So I wouldn't worry about not having National. I go with whatever is cheaper and so far this year that's Alamo (although I can't stand them, I'm still going with it since the rate is too good)

 

[NHLFAN]

Alexander,

We too have noticed the increases this year over last year but found a way to save a little more with our ressies with National.
For our 10 day rental...
Pick car up at MCO on friday morning and drop Monday morning at Disney Car Center (use Entertainment coupon for free weekend day).
Then we pick up another car the same time at the Disney Car Center and drop it off the following Sunday afternoon at MCO (use Entertainment coupon for $20 weekly ).

We saved appox. $60 by doing this compared to my reservation of 10 days with the $20 coupon.

Just hope it isn't a hassle doing the swap.

 

[kjs1976]

MAPS-
Just curious...why don't you like Alamo? We've only had one problem...this last time we waited in line for 1/2 hr. and we got "the guy" who purposely adds insurance to your bill and you get seconds away from signing and he's like "but you didn't say no" and we're like "but you just tried to scam us" and then he re did our bill and we didn't pay extra. So, just curious!

 

[Alexander]

Just so you know, I used Budget last year and with the Fastbreak, I had no problems. Went to the garage, there's a little booth you go to (no line at the time), they give you the keys and you go get your car. No hard sells with insurance, gas, upgrades or whatever.

Then you drive to the exit booths, just like the other companies, give them your paperwork and off you go. Drop off was the same as the others, too.

So I wouldn't worry about not having National. I go with whatever is cheaper and so far this year that's Alamo (although I can't stand them, I'm still going with it since the rate is too good)

Thanks! I'm sure it will be fine. I just am a need-to-know-exactly-what's-going-on person!

 

[maps]

kjs1976

we used Alamo last year and luckily I had Quiksilver so I could bypass the 1-2hr wait in line that was going on. Then at the counter, this woman was giving me this huge sell on insurance, gas, upgrades... She was awful about it
but I knew to expect it so that wasn't even the problem.

It was when she increased my rate from what I had originally booked that I lost it. i had a copy of the confirmation, all the codes/coupons were legit (i wasn't trying to scam them or anything) and she said that her computer was giving her a different rate today than what I had originally booked. (?!) Too bad! That's not what my confirmation said. So I ask to see a manager.

The manager tries to keep the increased rate and it wasn't until I stood there and refused to move (with my husband trying to hide at this point) that she "allowed" me to keep my original confirmed quoted price.

So if I can avoid Alamo, that's the reason. But if they are cheaper, which this year they are by a lot, then I will go with them.

 

[Alexander]

Good for you maps! So many people would have just caved-in and taken the higher rate. I hate it when companies take advantage of unsuspecting people!

 

[Licorice]

They seem to be the cheapest when we are going, July 2006.

 

[CarolA]

MAPS-
Just curious...why don't you like Alamo? We've only had one problem...this last time we waited in line for 1/2 hr. and we got "the guy" who purposely adds insurance to your bill and you get seconds away from signing and he's like "but you didn't say no" and we're like "but you just tried to scam us" and then he re did our bill and we didn't pay extra. So, just curious!

And that ALONE is enough reason not to use Alamo... I don't like companies who do that trick..... Alamo is run by sleezeballs.... I keep hoping National does not pick up these NASTY practices.

I will never give them another penny. I am willing to pay for service!!!!

 

[Licorice]

are actually the same company, I believe. So I would think, both are sleazeballs or not.

 

[CarolA]

So far... National has not used the sleezeball practices of Alamo so I assume that they have different management. When the sleezball practices show up at National I am gone from there too..

90% of the time I use Hertz... Good service, nice cars and far fewer sleezeballs.

 

[vellamint]

Sleezeballs!!! Oh NO - I booked with Alamo because not only were they the least expensive this coming August but because a second driver does not cost extra!!!

Hope I am not going to regret this!!!

 

[maps]

vellamint

don't worry, just take your printed out qouted price and be prepared to stand your ground if there are any problems. Most likely eveything will be fine

 

[LeslieG]

Alamo tried to up my rate too. I had the computer print-out with my confirmed rate. She said it was wrong. I said I want that rate and didn't budge. Finally she caved. Seems like a pattern. That's the first problem I've ever had with Alamo. Hope it's not a trend.

 

[Aneille]

I just booked with Alamo too. I hate the hassle at the desks.

Last May we rented from Budget and they tried to charge us for a lot of stuff too and the line was long.

I really dislike car rental companies in general.

 

[keishashadow]

We've always gotten the 2nd driver "free" using ***********/Alamo & using Emerald Aisle/NA (see free sign-up on MouseEars site).

Sleezeballs!!! Oh NO - I booked with Alamo because not only were they the least expensive this coming August but because a second driver does not cost extra!!!

Hope I am not going to regret this!!!

 

[BAST]

I have always used National in the past - the QuickRent feature was simply too good to pass up and I always got to pick my own car. Also, I got decent rates in the past (not quite as good as some other agencies, but good enough).

This year, Alamo now has the same check-in process. I can completely avoid the lines, no insurance sales nonsense, and pick my own car. AND, Alamo rates are about $200 cheaper than National (got a Standard SUV for $348 for thirteen days).

Since Alamo and National cars are the same, and since Alamo check in procedure is the same, I will use Alamo this trip. To those worried with the lines, use the on-line check in process.

 

[Shelby5514]

Just checked my National Ressie for a Midsize SUV for 2/11 - 2/18 and my rate dropped from $246 to $149!!! This was using the $25.00 National Online coupon link from mousesavers and our Emerald Club Number! Let's see that's approx. 32 Mickey Ice Cream Bars I can now buy!!!

 

[mousey]

Thank you very much for the information. Just saved me 72.14 for my rental 4/11 to 4/18 at MCO. Yippee!!!!!!!!! I went from 262.47 to 183.33--amazing!

 

[disnutt]

Alexander,

We too have noticed the increases this year over last year but found a way to save a little more with our ressies with National.
For our 10 day rental...
Pick car up at MCO on friday morning and drop Monday morning at Disney Car Center (use Entertainment coupon for free weekend day).
Then we pick up another car the same time at the Disney Car Center and drop it off the following Sunday afternoon at MCO (use Entertainment coupon for $20 weekly ).

We saved appox. $60 by doing this compared to my reservation of 10 days with the $20 coupon.

Just hope it isn't a hassle doing the swap.

Can you tell me about transportation to/from the Car Center? Do they run buses? Thanks!