Would you swtich National EA to Thrifty for $50?

[jnrrt]

We've been checking all the rentals out, and I have a car reserved for $190 at National for 8 days. This isn't terrible, but it's not great either. But I love the convenience of that.

I randomly checked at Thrifty, and for an intermediate I got the same thing for $140. We used them last year, and it was kind of the antithesis of convenient, but am I willing to do a shuttle, etc., for $50? Plus, no chance for an upgrade...

We aren't going until September, so obviously I'll keep watching and hope that National's rates come down, but which would you do?

 

[jnrrt]

 

[aquaticmom]

I am wondering whether I should do the same. I have three intermediate cars reserved from October 22 - 30th with National using the AMEX code and Entertainment coupon for $212.68 each. Thrifty for those dates is $139.79. That is a savings of $219.19 for all three cars. How much of a hassle is it to get all of your luggage onto the shuttle and over to Thrifty? Would it be worth my savings? Does Thrifty let you cancel reservations?

 

[Hockeychic]

I did. I had Dollar for $260. I got Thrifty for $180. Apparently it isn't to far from the airport and the shuttle runs constantly.

 

[jnrrt]

We did rent from them last time, and it was kind of a pain. The shuttle took quite a while to come (seemed like other companies had a lot more shuttles), and it wasn't terribly close. The line wasn't too bad when we got there, but it did seem to get considerably longer while we waited. They really wanted to upsell us, and were not thrilled about honoring our rate. Returning was also kind of a pain, although we didn't wait at all for a shuttle.

Keep in mind that we were traveling at the time with two little kids, a giant stroller, all of their gear, and suitcases, and we'd been up since 3am. I'm sure we have had better states of mind . It just seems like EA is so EASY comparatively.

But in the end, they did honor our rate, we did get the car we reserved, we did get it returned and to the airport on time, so now I just have to decide if that lack of convenience is worth $50. For three cars, I think I would do it. But I would document your internet quote and have all your ducks in a row, and be prepared to fight a little for what you were quoted.

I guess I really want to know if EA is that much easier? We've never used it, but my husband says he'd rather pay the $50 and not go through it again. I'm wondering if I'd just wait with the luggage and kids this time, and he could pick us up.

Anyone else have experience with both?

 

[jnrrt]

Forgot to say, Thrifty dosen't even take a credit card to hold the car, so I can't see how they couldn't let you cancel it.

 

[aquaticmom]

I am fairly new to the boards. Does EA stand for Emerald Aisle? If so, I have used Emerald Aisle my last three trips and it is soooo easy. You just walk across the walkway from baggage claim, walk onto the Aisle which is very clearly marked, pick out your car, with keys in it, and drive to the checkout booth, never a hassle. So I need to decide if this convenience is worth $73 or not. Oh the dilema's of a Disney Vacation. ( I must say my In-Laws are paying for Airfare for all four of us, so that is a huge savings) Watching the rates every day hoping they go down before the end of October.

 

[laurabelle]

Wow, Thrifty is ALOT less than National for my 9 day rental. But I can't figure out where to enter codes/coupons for Mousesavers...the Thrifty website won't take them.

 

[ncbyrne]

Are you staying onsite at WDW? If you are, try all the same Nat'l codes, but picking up at the Car Care Center in WDW - and still dropping off at MCO. You can take ME to your resort and pick up the car after you arrive. You can get a complimentary shuttle to the CCC from your resort. I tried this last week for our Oct trip and got a MUCH lower price. Plus, I can pick up at the same hour as drop off, so that I don't incur any extra days or hourly charges.

 

[laurabelle]

Ok, I figured out if you click on the link MORE on the Thrifty site, it gives you the lowest price plus I could enter the code from Mousesavers. I reserved an intermediate for 9days for $164 total compared to National EA $239 total. I'll still be checking, because I love EA , but for a difference of around $80, I'll take the shuttle!

ncbyrne- I'll also take a look at what you're doing. I'll be offsite in the beginning of my trip, but then renting DVC points at the end of my trip. I assume I could use ME for the return to the airport and take the car back to the Dolphin if it's a big price difference...