Wow! Car Rental Rates Are Horrible! Any Advice?

[lifeasahampster]

Hello All!

I am staying at the Dolphin from December 14-24th and I wanted to have a rental car from National.

I am going with six other people, so I need a mini van or a large SUV. Some of the quotes were $1000+ for the dates. Is it just me, or is that CRAZY?!

I want to rent from National because it is right at the hotel, and I don't want to rent from the airport.

Does anyone know if there is a better rate out there? Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated.

Thank you!

 

[disneyldwjr]

Hello All!

I am staying at the Dolphin from December 14-24th and I wanted to have a rental car from National.

I am going with six other people, so I need a mini van or a large SUV. Some of the quotes were $1000+ for the dates. Is it just me, or is that CRAZY?!

I want to rent from National because it is right at the hotel, and I don't want to rent from the airport.

Does anyone know if there is a better rate out there? Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated.

Thank you!

You are going at a holiday time. I would check www.mousesavers.com for any codes that could save you money. You might also check the Disney Car Care Center for rates. Also, check Alamo, they are at the Dolphin and CCC.

 

[owtrbnks]

Since you asked for advice . . . Why the heck do you need to rent AT THE HOTEL? How are you going to get from the airport to the hotel and back? Are you leaving the property alot during your visit? MY ADVICE (you asked for it):
Rent at the airport (check rates at Hertz, Avis, etc. and drop off near DTD.
If you don't NEED the vehicle everyday - don't keep it for the whole 11 days. Maybe you could rent one from the 14th - 17th (keeping over a Sat nite for the lowest rates) and again from the 22 -24th or something like that. Hertz, Avis and Budget have locations near DTD where you can dropoff the 1st rental and pickup the 2nd. They'll give you a ride back to WDW and then pick you up to go get the second rental. I spend countless hours checking rates for a week, 3 days, 1 day at the start and 2 days at the end, etc. Sometimes I end up with a week long rental, other times it's just to CRAZY and I have to rent for 1 day at the beginning and 1 day at the end. OK enuf rambling from me - check rates and only rent when you need the car!
P.S. Hertz will have a car when you get there - I'm dropping mine off on the 13th! Happy Holidays

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Watch the breakdown on the quote. Often times, your rate will consist of 1 weekly rate plus the daily rate on the vehicle. Often times, the weekly rate will be very reasonable, but the daily rate jacks up to around $100 per day. If you can, try spliting the rental dates to optimize the rate.

 

[KatieLovesMickey]

Hi, Lifeasahampster,
I plugged your dates into the Thrifty site using the Orlando Magicard code # 004M001010 in case you change your mind about renting at the airport. The rate for your dates for a minivan is $439.00 (that includes all those crazy fees.)
BTW, the Magicard is free for the asking. You can register online, and it comes in the mail really quickly.
Good luck with your planning!

 

[seashoreCM]

(imitating someone who shall remain unnamed)

(1) Check back often. Rates change often.
(2) Be on the lookout for coupon codes (some on Mousesavers?)
(3) Can you be flexible about the exact dates you need the car for?
(4) On average you can find rentals from the airport area that cost less overall despite all those fees.
(5) Often a super high rate appears on the web site at IPO and later the company fine tunes it.
(6) Travelocity shows only everyday low prices or #5. Use individual web sites to plug in coupon codes.

Renting hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

 

[NancyIL]

I've rented numerous times from National or Alamo at the airport and dropped off the car at the Dolphin, as well as the reverse. I don't need a car while I'm at WDW, plus I don't want to pay an extra $8/day to park it at the Swan.

 

[anniem923]

I just checked Hotwire for your dates. Full Size, seats 5, $19.95 per day for a total of $260.06.
The only thing is that you pick it up at the airport. Big difference in price.
Hope it works out for you!
Anne

 

[lifeasahampster]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your help! Disboards is the best!