When do you book your Car Hire?

[Laurafoster]

We dont go until October next year but as this is a big trip (My Grandparents Golden Wedding Anniversary) id like to get things booked so i know how much its all going to cost - just booked though im in no hurry to pay

Im going to be looking for - 8th October for 1 week, and a 7 seater.

Just wondered when you all book? And where im likely to find the best deals?

Also, my daughter will need a car seat on that trip. Im reluctant to take one with me as we are doing a 7 night cruise at the beginning of our trip and id rather not have it taking up loads of room. Is it best to get one included with the car hire? Or to get DH to pick one up at Walmart on the first day?

 

[wayneg]

Sometimes its worth booking early if you see a good price but not always, there is always chance of an offer, misprice, price drop with exchange rates. We go in 13 weeks still not booked yet.

I would either take a car seat or buy there, rental varies between $8-13/day.

Are you wanting to rent from the Port back to MCO? we used Budget thru USrentacar.co.uk doing that route. With them you pay deposit now balance about 8-10 weeks before you go.

 

[jtlover]

We booked our car 3 weeks before our holiday this year.

We booked through Virgin Atlantic and it was with Alamo. The price was no different whether we booked when we did or 6 months out. It was the best deal for us.

 

[mumwiththree]

We booked ours a few days before we left in October this year. The downside for us was I had been planning on getting a 7 seater through Alamo as there are 5 of us. But on the day I eventually booked there were no 7 seaters available and we ended up with a Grand Cherokee Jeep which I was initially concerned would not be big enough but it was fine with 4 suitcases, 5 sets of hand luggage and a buggy!

So my advice would be if you want a 7 seater book at least one month before your departure date. Also, Alamo wanted $76 per booster for the duration of our hire. I had planned on going to Walmart but didn't want to leave perfectly good boosters behind. So took 2 of our lightest booster seats from home, wrapped them in clear strong plastic that I'd saved from something we had had delivered. Labelled them up and put them through the hold of the airplane. On the return journey we had an additional suitcase so put one inside.

 

[Chilly]

how many of you are going, 7? Don't foget a 7 seater doesn't have much luggage space normally.

 

[skelfbsfb]

We booked a couple of months before going, then just my luck prices came down another £50. Car seat we took our own, no big hassle.

 

[Pegasus928]

We have booked more than a year in advance and secured the booking at that price with a £25 deposit. The balance is then payable 8 weeks out.
This worked out well for us as there was a significant increase between booking and paying the balance.
We normally book from HERE but I have no idea how these compare lately to other companies

 

[wayneg]

A company I always get a quote from Kenny but never found them cheapest.

For out next trip in Feb, 7 night full size, gold cover they want £180, netflights £152 (after 5% cashback)

For relatives 2 weeks in August, economy, silver cover £245, Ebookers £196 (after 7% cashback)

Both 20-25% higher than elsewhere. I will keep checking them though, maybe one day they will be the best price.

 

[robert72]

I have already booked car for next august dont find big change in prices thruout the year

 

[Laurafoster]

We only want a car for while we are staying in disney. Just so we can pop to a supermarket and eat offsite really.

We have a limo picking us up from port and taking us to the airport - so luggage space isn't an issue.

I didn't realise car seats were so expensive to rent! Normally I'd take one with me but I'd rather not have it taking up space in the stateroom.

 

[wayneg]

Try doing a search on travelsupermarket, that covers multiple companies, also try Usrentacar.co.uk
When you have your exact dates post best price you can find & size you want and I will see if I can see cheaper.

 

[Laurafoster]

Thanks Wayne, Car hire is the one aspect i dont like booking! Im never sure what i need included etc.

The dates we need are - 8th October - 15th October.
Needs to be a 7 seater and ideally pick up from WDW Dolphin as we are staying at the Boardwalk. At this moment in time there is only going to be the one driver.


So far the best deal i have found is with USRentacar - £207. This was for Alamo, who we used this year.

 

[wayneg]

A little early for next Oct as all companies have still not released their prices.
Best I see just now is Netflights/Dollar from Regal Sun Resort(2 min walk from DTD, 1st hotel on left) £194.74 - 5% quidco = £185 Or with tank of gas & additional driver £225.77 - 5% = £214.48

Depends who you want to book with, my fave rental company is Dollar but others prefer Alamo.

 

[fairytale]

We always book through usrentacar, and always opt for a Dollar Car.

I too am looking for a similar car (7/8 Seater) for next October but for 3 weeks and at the minute Dollar through USrentacar are £20.00 cheaper than going through Dollar direct plus with USrentacar if you book far enough in advance you'll normally get the option of booking with a £50.00 deposit rather than paying the full balance as Dollar direct request.

Dollar Direct currently £597.31
Dollar via Usrentacar £577.81

Remember to register with Dollar express if you opt to book with them for speed and ease at the airport

 

[wayneg]

We always book through usrentacar, and always opt for a Dollar Car.

I too am looking for a similar car (7/8 Seater) for next October but for 3 weeks and at the minute Dollar through USrentacar are £20.00 cheaper than going through Dollar direct plus with USrentacar if you book far enough in advance you'll normally get the option of booking with a £50.00 deposit rather than paying the full balance as Dollar direct request.

Dollar Direct currently £597.31
Dollar via Usrentacar £577.81

Remember to register with Dollar express if you opt to book with them for speed and ease at the airport

Again Netflights/Dollar is cheapest I can see. Used them for at least 15 or 16 of our trips, they take some beating.
£584.22 less Quidco = £555.01
Netflights have still not released their Thrifty prices (same company as Dollar)for next Oct, they will probably be even cheaper, a quote using 3 weeks in Feb when they are available would give you a price of £499.40 less Quidco = £474.43

 

[fairytale]

When you say that thrifty is the same as Dollar, are they the same company ie would I be able to still utilise my Dollar Express Membership etc and do you use the Dollar desk for thrifty car hire collections at MCO?

Thank you Wayne.

 

[wayneg]

When you say that thrifty is the same as Dollar, are they the same company ie would I be able to still utilise my Dollar Express Membership etc and do you use the Dollar desk for thrifty car hire collections at MCO?

Thank you Wayne.

You would have to sign up for Thrifty Blue Chip, exactly same as Express.

http://www.thrifty.com/BlueChip/LearnMore.aspx#ItsFree

They are the same company http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar-Thrifty_Automotive_Group
Its the same kiosk in the garage as Dollar, 2 windows, 1 is Dollar, 1 is Thrifty. At Easter we had a Dollar reservation with Express, the dollar window was busy so I was asked to goto the Thrifty window, exactly same staff, same computers, same cars.

 

[Laurafoster]

Thats good to know. I'll keep an eye out over the next month or so. Apart from Flights Car Hire is the oly thing i have left to book.....and then just comes the fun part of paying it all off

 

[brer rabbit 28]

We hve just booked an int SUV with USrentacar under Dollar. I was amazed at the price - £551 with Gold insurance for 3 weeks! We paid £50 deposit for our trip next October.

As we have booked it with Dollar does anyone know if I can join Dollar Express and does it make much difference to the wait time?

Thank you

 

[wayneg]

Yes you can join Dollar Express. Sometimes we have arrived and no wait(usually when flying indirect) other times its saved over a hour. Well worth joining.