What Is Going On With Car Rentals?

[bunnymkc]

I must be really spoiled. last year we got great rates with National and this year the prices are out of the BALLPARK. we need a car in march of 2006 and I can't find any deals at all. using the pricless code from 3/7-3/22 it was $588. with my one free day. it is coming in at 61. a day. IS THERE ANY DEALS OUT THERE. Please help us. thanks marianne

 

[gazeborob]

How big of a car? Try alamo, and use 430710 as the corp id, and BY as the rate code,

Good luck,

 

[AllyBri]

If you have an AM. Ex. card, try code 5125601




Don't bother with the Am. Ex. code, I put your dates in, came back twice as much.

 

[Mac and Us]

I agree, the deals just aren't there for 2006. I have a full sized car reserved for 12/18 through 12/29 for $172.

My reservation for 3/26 through 4/6 is $303. for an intermediate.

I used the same code as the dec resie. I also have tried other codes/discounts, etc. etc. and can't seem to get the price down.

I realize that spring break is a busy time but you would think that my Christmas reservation would have been much higher than it is. I made the Christmas reservation and March reservation around the same time.

 

[dougsmom98]

I booked a minivan for 2/18-2/24 back in September for $260 after all fees... The other day, I just checked to see if the rate went down at all and the base rate was $559!! I am so glad I booked when I did, and I hope that people who didn't book can find some deal because that is ridiculous.

 

[deltachi8]

National, has been 2x the rate I am getting with Thrifty for 3/2-3/7. SOmetimes much more than twice. I have tried Carlson, AMEX< Priceless, etc. I prefer National, but Thrifty is fine with me.

Keep checking these things change frequently.

 

[Cameo]

I agree - a couple months ago National for a minvan in March was about $200 cheaper than it is now. Too bad I didn't reserve something then. Ah well, hopefully the prices will go down and there will be deals ahead or I'll just have to start looking somewhere else.

 

[PatsGirl]

Hi. I just now booked through Alamo for my brother going 3/1 - 3/18. Equinox with Id #430710/Code BY turns out to $20/day with a prepurchase discount of 15% and internet coupon for $15. Total $370 with taxes, etc. Great buy! Not sure where/how I got these codes but if anyone recognizes them as ones that need some id, please, please, please let me know. I'd hate for my brother to get embarrassed at the rental counter. Otherwise, good for us

 

[travelbug]

Yeah, it's definitely tougher to get a good deal for '06 so far.

What size car are you looking for? I plugged in your dates on the Dollar website and got $456 for intermediate and $482 for fullsize. No coupons or codes, that's just the straight rate. Not great, but better than $588 anyway.

Do you have an Entertainment Book? They have lots of car rental coupons you could try plugging in.

Good luck!

 

[goofyfordisney]

Having a hard time too! We went a few years ago to WDW during Thanksgiving week and paid $135 total for 9 days (full size)!!

Can't get anywhere near that! The best I've found for a week rental in Feb. is $176 total!

 

[manning]

What's going on??

57-70 dollars a barrel.

 

[justcruisin]

I don't understand how the price of gas affects the price of all the rental cars --- I'd understand it if only the smaller cars went up in price ...

 

[manning]

The price of oil affects EVERYTHING!!!!!

Energy, everything depends on energy. It takes energy to turn on the lights, run the computers, wash the cars, heat/cool the offices, build the cars and tires, maintain the cars.

Hotel and airline prices are going up too!!

 

[lsayd]

Try www.rentalcarmomma.com. I'm not sure if they have deals for 2006, but for our rental time from 12/16 - 21 they saved us around $450 on a minivan rental (the rental is through Dollar). Go to Florida for the region on the website and then a big link will come up in the middle of the page for Hot Deals in Florida. Put in your info and available rentals with prices will come up. Good Luck!

 

[EpcotBill]

Hi. I just now booked through Alamo for my brother going 3/1 - 3/18. Equinox with Id #430710/Code BY turns out to $20/day with a prepurchase discount of 15% and internet coupon for $15. Total $370 with taxes, etc. Great buy! Not sure where/how I got these codes but if anyone recognizes them as ones that need some id, please, please, please let me know. I'd hate for my brother to get embarrassed at the rental counter. Otherwise, good for us

PatsGirl, the code 430710 is a Wal-Mart customer code. Anyone can use it, no ID required.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We tried to book a minivan for January using BY 430710 code and the best deal I found was $459.!!!!!! We may just break down and go with a car service--even with tip--will be nowhere near that price--Does anyone know why the rates are so inflated?????

We might be using Magical Express after all--no matter what the wait, and I always like having a car, but at these rates it may be cheaper to get a cab!!!

 

[In a hurry]

How are you using code, rate, prepurchase and coupon? I can't figure it out! It would take mine down to a reasonable price, though!


Edited: I can figure out the code, rate and coupon, but do you call to prepay?

 

[EpcotBill]

How are you using code, rate, prepurchase and coupon? I can't figure it out! It would take mine down to a reasonable price, though!


Edited: I can figure out the code, rate and coupon, but do you call to prepay?

Where you would put the corp. ID you type PREPAY instead.

 

[In a hurry]

OK, so then I can't use the 430710 code too. Figures!

 

[PatsGirl]

Oh, I didn't know that either. I figured my brother would call and get the 15% discount for prepay on top of the other discounts. Could at least try anyways. If he can't get the prepay, total is $420 or $23/day -- still doable I think. Good luck. Brenda