When do I get best car rental discounts?

[libertygirl]

Okay,please bear with me, I'm new to all of this. We're set for our trip in Late october and I am searching for rental car rates- full size car, maybe intermediate car for a week. I've been to mouseavers and most of their codes and stuff will expire before oct so they don't work. do I need to wait till we get closer to date? I'm looking for National or Dollar since they seem to be the most recommended, but right now the rates are so dismal.

P.s. I've also tried wholesale clubs codes, travel sites etc...just about everything and rates are still in $200's . I'm a planner so the sooner I get a car reservation the better!

Please help!

 

[minnieandmickey]

I got 186.00 on hotels.com for a minivan for Oct 25-Nov 2, this was for Alamo. It has been the cheapest I have found, I think I booked it last month.

 

[DisneyBoodawg]

Not sure if you are a member of Sam's Club but they have a good offer thru Alamo. Stop by and pick up their latest travel brochure. This offer is good thru July 31, 2004. On top of their reduced rate (I believe 20 - 25%), they are offering one complimentary day. For a week, I got a full size car for $155 which includes taxes and fees. It could be better, ala Priceline, but I like the fact that I know I am on the airport (no hauling luggage to shuttle) and cancel at anytime without losing my money.

 

[safetymom]

If you are a member of AAA they offer great rates with Hertz. The shuttle ride is very short and you are driving away in 10 mins or less.

I did this the other day and only waited less than a minute for the shuttle to pull out of MCO.

 

[EdDome]

Try mousesavers.com for codes, promotions, etc. You may be a little early for October. I usuallyreserve early and watch for better deals. It's relatively easy using their web pages.

 

[BostonMouse]

Make sure you make a reservation that's not prepaid. Then you can monitor the rates and re-book as deals come up. Mousesavers is great but I find it easiest to compare rates using ORBITZ and then move to the individual web sites

 

[sln88]

where on hotels.com are car rentals? I just looked on there and can only find hotels. Did your rate include taxes and fees?
We are going 10/24 -11/3

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
where on hotels.com are car rentals? I just looked on there and can only find hotels. Did your rate include taxes and fees?
We are going 10/24 -11/3

On your left in a box under "our partners".

 

[sln88]

I found it, but it gave me a rate of $425 for a midsize

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
I found it, but it gave me a rate of $425 for a midsize

I ran some numbers and I would do WAY better with BJ's number and their coupon. This rates were not good at all.

 

[sln88]

Who is BJ and what is their coupon?
Thanks

 

[Straitlover]

BJ's is a warehouse club like Sam's. You have to be a member to get their rates.

 

[admiral nelson]

The cheapest rentals I found was through Budget. I checked pretty much every known rental company around orlando. (I was bored that day at work) A huge plus is budget is onsite. If you join the fast break thing on their site, you get the car without filling out forms. Best of all, they send you coupons, which can be used on top of the rate code discounts! (rate code I used was 'L5', 9 days intermediate, $256 w/ taxes)

The coupons I got were a free single upgrade, and a free double upgrade. Essentially, I can rent an economy car, use the double, and get the intermediate I was going to rent. Or, rent compact , get full-size, rent intermediate, get premium. With the single upgrade, you need to rent an intermediate or better.

I was thinking about going premium, but a grand marque is a lot of car to handle, like a boat on wheels. I'll probably take the fullsize deal instead, and save some money.

 

[safetymom]

If you are a member of AAA they give great discounts at Hertz. We never wait more than a minute or two on the shuttle and are driving away from the Hertz lot in less than 10 mins.

They are offsite but I don't think 10 mins is very long. You can sign up for the free #1 Club and you don't have to do any paperwork except sign for the car at the exit.

They also have great deals on the Hertz site for weekend or weekly stays.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by safetymom
If you are a member of AAA they give great discounts at Hertz. We never wait more than a minute or two on the shuttle and are driving away from the Hertz lot in less than 10 mins.

They are offsite but I don't think 10 mins is very long. You can sign up for the free #1 Club and you don't have to do any paperwork except sign for the car at the exit.

They also have great deals on the Hertz site for weekend or weekly stays.

Add to that AAA: AARP ( check their website) and Capital One Card holders (they send some decent coupons in the mail).

Most people don't want to take a shuttle to get their car ( it can be a hassle and it was one of the big negatives when Alamo was offsite) , but, I do agree, 10 mins. is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Personally, after a horrible experience with Hertz, I doubt I would ever use them again, BUT, that is my own personal preference, and definitely NOT to say " I had a bad experience, don't use them, they stink". I am happy, Saftey Mom, that you like them so much and I am really happy it works for you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
Who is BJ and what is their coupon?
Thanks

go to this site. The coupons expire 6/30/03 for Alamo, but, play with the rates given and try the coupons anyway, sometimes they still work.
And, apparently, you don't need to be a memeber.

http://www.bjscarrentals.com/

 

[safetymom]

Thank you Gail. I had a bad experience with Alamo and would never rent from them again but if Alamo fits peoples needs then I am happy for them.

I just want people to see that using an offsite location doesn't mean long rides or wait times. I used to rent from National but found Hertz quicker. That is what is great about MCO is many choices.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by safetymom
Thank you Gail. I had a bad experience with Alamo and would never rent from them again but if Alamo fits peoples needs then I am happy for them.

I just want people to see that using an offsite location doesn't mean long rides or wait times. I used to rent from National but found Hertz quicker. That is what is great about MCO is many choices.

Hertz quicker than National? WOW!!! I really did not think anything was quicker than EA (or now Emerald Reserve).

 

[safetymom]

I get off the bus and walk right to my car and drive out of the lot. It is still faster than the National service I received when I used Emerald Aisle. I also had problems with the car, something I haven't had by using Hertz.

To each his own, I am just providing another choice. I have been to MCO 7 times in less than a year and haven't had a problem yet with Hertz. I have timed every one of them because of comments made on these boards. Very happy with Hertz.

 

[airhead]

I'm planning on a rental next June and I am interested in Hertz.
My question is about returning the car. Do I go to the rental center and then get a shuttle to the airport?

Thanks!
CJ