what's the best way to get a low price on a car rental?

[abmitch01]

I think we're staying on property but still want a car. What sites give the best rates?

 

[havaneselover]

I'm not sure this is helpful because I haven't rented a car at WDW but Costco has great rental rates if you're a member.

 

[Lisa71]

We have used Priceline and gotten great rates

 

[abmitch01]

there's no charge to park at the Disney resorts, right?

 

[WeLuvTink!]

there's no charge to park at the Disney resorts, right?

Correct, no charge for Disney Resort guests to park at their resort OR at the theme parks.

As for a low rate on a car, I have these suggestions:
1. Watch the Transportation Board (here on DIS) for tips on codes or specials that others are finding for your month of travel.
2. Review the Rental Cars pages on Mousesavers.com and try the codes on there.
3. Book a car then keep checking for lower rates. I often can get the rate down by 20-40% off what I first book at as the rates fluctuate and I snag a better deal. Seems like about 4-6 weeks before you travel the deals are at their best...but others may disagree.

 

[Pier60]

I like Priceline. Got some great deals.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Correct, no charge for Disney Resort guests to park at their resort OR at the theme parks.

As for a low rate on a car, I have these suggestions:
1. Watch the Transportation Board (here on DIS) for tips on codes or specials that others are finding for your month of travel.
2. Review the Rental Cars pages on Mousesavers.com and try the codes on there.
3. Book a car then keep checking for lower rates. I often can get the rate down by 20-40% off what I first book at as the rates fluctuate and I snag a better deal. Seems like about 4-6 weeks before you travel the deals are at their best...but others may disagree.

Great tips--thanks for sharing these!

(I'm also in central Illinois -- Quincy)

 

[3Phase]

I hate to prepay for any 2rd party site for car rental. I always check the discount sites out, and then refer back to the main co website. The prices are always the same if they offer prepay and low prices just to reserve. The prices constantly change and are often lower with a special close to your trip. I booked a car last Nov for an upcoming trip in June. Started out around $390 for 11 day Standard car, after changing 6-7 times I'm now at $217 out the door. I check every few days and make adjustments as needed. We also fly but have a car so as not to use the busses. And stay away from the off site shuttle bus car rental co's.

 

[maciec]

keep checking the TRANSPORTATION board! I got my best deal yet from other dis members posting on the TRANSPORTATION board. Priceline name your own price has been the 2nd best!

 

[disneylove69]

I always find Thrifty to be the best. I like to check all options and book a rate. Then I check the sites often looking for a better deal. Since there is no fee to book I cancel at anytime if I get a better deal.

 

[sk!mom]

My best deals have been through Hotwire or Priceline.

www.mousesavers.com does have a section with current discount codes that you could try.

 

[Plumeria9]

keep checking the TRANSPORTATION board! I got my best deal yet from other dis members posting on the TRANSPORTATION board. Priceline name your own price has been the 2nd best!

Ditto this advice. I am going to rent thru National for the first time because of the great advice received on the Transportation board. Signed up for National's Emerald Club (free) and am going to get free 2nd driver, chose a car off the "Emerald Aisle" for midsize price, used KLM coupon code and discount code and am saving vs the Budget reservation I had. I used to get good prices on rentals thru Costco and American Express, but not so much anymore. Good luck!

 

[abmitch01]

thank you!

 

[amaral]

.

 

[Carina]

I agree the transportation board on this site is your friend!

They have a car rental deal for each month, I always subscribe to the thread of the month I am traveling (even when I am going somewhere other than Disney) and I peek into the threads for the months before and after when I travel JUST IN CASE....lol

When you reserve a car, unless you click the 'pay now' option, you are not commited to keeping that reservation ( the can rental company is though - unless you cancel)

So start with getting the best deal you can for right now - just so you have SOMTHING locked in (just in case they go up)

But check back regularly on that site and others for better deals - when you find a better deal book it THEN go to your first reservation and cancel it.

Don't cancel first - those prices can change in the blink of an eye.

I have had luck checking LATE at night.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I think we're staying on property but still want a car. What sites give the best rates?

I agree the transportation board on this site is your friend!

They have a car rental deal for each month, I always subscribe to the thread of the month I am traveling (even when I am going somewhere other than Disney) and I peek into the threads for the months before and after when I travel JUST IN CASE....lol

abmitch01, here is the link to the August car rental thread. Come on over and join us :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3213804

 

[abmitch01]

thank you so much!

 

[hsmamato2]

Carrentalsavers.com rocks

 

[buzz2400]

Try national with code 8572130. This code is for jetblue. If you belong to bjs you can also use the coupon to get a free upgrade.

 

[tnd]

We used Costco to rent from one of the places in the Car Care Center at WDW. We still wanted to use Magical Express to get to and from the airport, so we rented with Alamo (I think, may have been National) and they picked my husband up at our hotel once we arrived at WDW. It was very convenient and the rate was comparable to other rates we found online.