What is up with Alamo Car Rental prices??

[jwcollin]

We have a decent rate with Alamo for our trip August 25-Sep 6, full-size for $270 all in. But I like to keep looking, maybe I could get a better deal??

Well, using the same Costco ID and a double upgrade coupon I get $620!!!

I'm looking for a rental for our trip to Vegas and the same thing, their rates jumped! They are usually one of the cheaper rental companies...

 

[francie57]

Not sure if it is true or not but I had read an article that said rental car prices are high because the auto maker that supplies their cars are not giving them the deals/benefits that they used to. So because they are paying more for the cars they are passing that along to the renters. Also, with the economy being so bad last year most of the rental car companies reduced their inventory drastically so that makes the demand go up and thus the prices.

 

[jwcollin]

I'm just glad I have one booked! Budget seems to be the least expensive of all of the rental companies now, so that is what have booked for Vegas but I am using a $50 certificate to bring the price down. It would almost be cheaper to get a cab everywhere!

 

[mmmgood]

You might check again or try checking your dates/codes. I'm getting just over $300. Or, it may have been a pricing error they have fixed. Which double upgrade coupon are you using?

Your current rate is really good - around $100 per week base. I doubt you will beat it.

 

[jwcollin]

The Entertainment Book has the double upgrade coupon. I am thinking that I have a pretty good rate, I just tried again on Alamo for my dates and I am still coming up with over $600.

 

[frannn]

My dates are mid Sept for 11-12 days, and I am still getting the same 259 rate for a standard with the Ent double upgrade coupon (bought the book thanks to one of your earlier posts, thanks!). If you want to post your dates, I would be happy to check to see what I come up with.

 

[jwcollin]

My dates are August 25 to Sept 6 picking up at MCO and dropping off at TPA.

I've gone on every car rental search engine online, and keep coming up with the same amount?

 

[frannn]

You are right about your rates- I'm getting quoted even higher than what you had. I would keep checking periodically- looks higher than what most people (at least DIS'ers) would pay. I think the discount you got months ago is really good compared to what others have been reporting so far this year. Sept is not a high travel month, so hopefully there are future discounts on the way.

 

[jwcollin]

Maybe they are tacking on hurricane insurance

 

[famsen]

We arrive at MCO tomorrow and I reserved a car at a really great discounted rate from Alamo about a month ago. I checked again with new coupons and offers and last minute deals for the same time period and now I am getting even the cheapest rate about $50 more. I don't know what's happening either?

 

[Tara]

13 days for $270 with tax? That's a pretty freaking good rate for a full size. I don't think you'll do much better than that, if at all. I've noticed that rates tend to drop a little between 6 to 8 weeks prior to the rental, and then there are often good rates with the last minute "hot deals" in the last 2 weeks.

 

[skiingfast]

I agree, that sounds good for two weeks. I wouldn't count on getting a better deal if you wait. It may go down $60 or up $250. That's a lot more to go up than down.

 

[dioxide45]

We have a 15 day rate for the end of May first of June for $325 through Alamo (FLL to MCO). We initially booked it at $390, then the rates skyrocketed to over $800, then they dropped to the $325, then way back up again just over $700.

 

[jwcollin]

Yup, think I have a good rate! Looks like the "new cheapest" rental for August is Budget for anyone that is looking right now.

 

[madge]

rates are HIGH for mid-late June. $500/week, no matter what combination of codes I use. yuck.

 

[Sophie's Mom]

We are going August 6th through the 17th and I got what I thought was a decent deal with National Emerald Club - $309 with all fees. I booked this in late March. I'm still hoping a coupon will come along as well. My sister and her family are joining us from the 9th through the 17th - so we started checking rental prices. We can't find anything for less than $650 - so I feel your pain I would drive to Florida before I would pay that kind of money for a rental. Of course if you live too far away or can't take the time away from work driving is not an option.

 

[disney 4 5]

rates are HIGH for mid-late June. $500/week, no matter what combination of codes I use. yuck.

For us too. June 9 - 16th. Right now I have a good rate but we changed our flight back to a later flight because Airtran kept changing our flight times. So now I need to add 5 more hours and the price is over $100 more. I have tried every code out there or at least it feels like I have. Crossing my fingers that they go back down in the next 4 1/2 weeks.

 

[kristinlynn]

If you have an amex, the car rental group codes they list on their american express selects page always seem to work the best for me: http://offers.amexnetwork.com/selec...egory/Travel&issuerName=us_amexnetworkdefault

Even if you don't qualify for the listed coupon, you can still use the group code to get the better rate.