The Official December 2009 Car Rental Thread

[torquelover]

RobinB - I thought Thrifty was now located right at the airport?
http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/rac.htm

They used to have a shuttle bus to Narcosee Rd in Orlando when they were offsite. If you know information to the contrary please post it. Thanks

Yes, they are right at the airport, in the parking garage across from the terminal.

If you get a black Chrysler Town and Country, ask how many miles are on it at the check in counter. If it is 39K+, ask for another one. We had that one, and it was in horrendous condition. Several interior and even exterior parts missing, several dents and scratches, and bad wheel alignment. Looking underneath the thing, it was clear that it had undergone some sort of off-road excursion. The car was vacuumed, and the windows were clean, but it needed a wipe-down pretty badly. My DDs were particularly grossed out when they flipped up the armrest just to see a giant booger attached to the underside of it. I usually stash a few cleaning wipes with me to wipe down the door panel, steering wheel, and IP buttons/knobs but not enough to do the job on this one. When I was given the info card to it at the garage, I saw the high mileage and the multiple marks for damage, which should have been my sign to request another vehicle. My loss, make it your gain.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

I just used that code with Avis and was quoted $319.92 for a subcompact for November 30-December 10. Sure hope I can find something better but it's $120 less than Alamo so maybe I shouldn't complain!

Sorry to quote myself but I wanted to mention that our dates have changed and so have our quotes from Alamo and Avis. Now we are looking at 12/1-12/9 with Avis coming in at $231.94 and Alamo coming in at $302.65. I love the self service kiosk at Alamo and being able to pick out the car I want from the category I chose, so I'm hoping if I keep checking back that Alamo will come through in the end.

Has anybody had any luck recently with good codes for December through any of the car rental companies at the airport? (I am looking for a subcompact, compact, or intermediate and don't want to have to take a shuttle!)

 

[Donald is #1]

Sorry to quote myself but I wanted to mention that our dates have changed and so have our quotes from Alamo and Avis. Now we are looking at 12/1-12/9 with Avis coming in at $231.94 and Alamo coming in at $302.65. I love the self service kiosk at Alamo and being able to pick out the car I want from the category I chose, so I'm hoping if I keep checking back that Alamo will come through in the end.

Has anybody had any luck recently with good codes for December through any of the car rental companies at the airport? (I am looking for a subcompact, compact, or intermediate and don't want to have to take a shuttle!)

The best rate that I could find was Dollar using the Orlando Magic Card code. I was able to get an intermediate for 12/4-15 for just under $400. Everyone else was over $400.

 

[Donald is #1]

It looks like their rates just came down for December. I tried the AP rate code plus a $20 off weekly coupon and the rate for a large car was less than my Dollar rate for an intermediate. Time to change reservations!

 

[mdurette]

I just checked my reservations with all the companies.

Trip is Dec 4th to 13th. 9 days.

Thifty with Orlando Magi Card still winning. $210.18 for wildcard car (guaranteed mid-size or larger)

 

[Donald is #1]

I just checked my reservations with all the companies.

Trip is Dec 4th to 13th. 9 days.

Thifty with Orlando Magi Card still winning. $210.18 for wildcard car (guaranteed mid-size or larger)

Very interesting! My dates are 3rd - 15th and with the Orlando Magic card, it was running higher.

 

[wdwstar]

i checked every car rental for a mini van for dec.24 - jan 5th $1,700.00

 

[keishashadow]

None of the other rates i've been monitoring have moved much lately

This AM, i tried pricing Thrifty-have never rented mostly because no loyalty program that i know of & I thought they were a shuttle service, anyway here's what i got using 004M001010 think it's magic card rate:

Wild Car - We pick the car (Mid-size or larger)
Rate: 1 week @ $109.37/week with Unlimited Miles; 1 extra day @ $17.09/day with Unlimited Miles
Total Base Rate (USD):$126.46

Rental Time Charge $126.46
APT CONC RECOV FEE (9.8%) $13.11
Customer Facility Charge ($2.50 per day)
$12.50 Energy Recovery Fee ($0.45 per day)
$3.60 STATE TRANSACT SRG ($2.03 per day)
$16.24 STATE TAX (6.5%)
$11.42 Vehicle License Fee ($0.47 per day) $3.76
Total Estimated Mandatory Charges (USD) $187.09
Estimated Grand Total (USD)$187.09

would there be any other hidden charges that aren't showing here?

 

[robinb]

i checked every car rental for a mini van for dec.24 - jan 5th $1,700.00

Do you need a minivan, or do you just want a minivan? Would a smaller car be acceptable? There are much cheaper rates for compact to full size cars out there.

 

[jandbmom]

Just and FYI if you have a BJ's wholesale club membership and you use the corp code BJ3013 with Dollar the rates are very cheap as well. At least for the week of Christmas.

 

[tinkerbella1621]

we are going Dec 21-26 just booked a mini van through avis for 522.00 with tax....thisis way betteer than 1000.00 with dollar

 

[mdurette]

Very interesting! My dates are 3rd - 15th and with the Orlando Magic card, it was running higher.

I checked it out again the following day and it was almost $100 higher! Guess I must have caught a good day. The wildcard was actually a bit cheaper than the midsize.....so why not!

 

[esk]

This AM, i tried pricing Thrifty-have never rented mostly because no loyalty program that i know of & I thought they were a shuttle service, anyway here's what i got using 004M001010 think it's magic card rate:


I just used that code and it came out with $247 total for my week in December.

How do I get a Magic Card?
We Pick....does that mean I pick or Thrifty picks?

 

[Donald is #1]

This AM, i tried pricing Thrifty-have never rented mostly because no loyalty program that i know of & I thought they were a shuttle service, anyway here's what i got using 004M001010 think it's magic card rate:


I just used that code and it came out with $247 total for my week in December.

How do I get a Magic Card?
We Pick....does that mean I pick or Thrifty picks?

For the magic card, if you go to the website, you can print one out.

Orlando Magic Card

 

[etraible]

Does anybody rent a car for one day? I was thinking, if it was reasonable, to get a car from MCO, go grocery shopping and such, and then head to WDW and drop our car off there. Has anybody done this? What kind of rate am I looking at? Maybe I'd be better off keeping it for a week?

 

[Wingedheart]

just wanted to say thanks!

i just stumbled upon this thread after being in sticker shock over rental car quotes for Christmas time. paying top dollar for that hotel is already breaking the bank!

but thanks to you guys, we just saved over $400 compared to what i was getting without those awesome codes and coupons!

thanks!!!!

 

[robinb]

we are going Dec 21-26 just booked a mini van through avis for 522.00 with tax....thisis way betteer than 1000.00 with dollar

Do you really need a minivan? Can you make do with a smaller car? You can cut your rate in half if you're OK with a midsize or fullsize car.

 

[MyMuse]

Does anybody rent a car for one day? I was thinking, if it was reasonable, to get a car from MCO, go grocery shopping and such, and then head to WDW and drop our car off there. Has anybody done this? What kind of rate am I looking at? Maybe I'd be better off keeping it for a week?

You might do better with a car service that picks you up at the airport and does one grocery run for you. I don't klnow the names off the top of my head, but I think the one that sponsors the board does. I'm sure other DISers will know more than I.

 

[robinb]

You might do better with a car service that picks you up at the airport and does one grocery run for you. I don't klnow the names off the top of my head, but I think the one that sponsors the board does. I'm sure other DISers will know more than I.

The Avis code upthread gives a one-day price of about $45-55 including taxes for one day up to a full size car. Drop off would be at the Hilton on Hotel Blvd.

 

[wdwstar]

Do you need a minivan, or do you just want a minivan? Would a smaller car be acceptable? There are much cheaper rates for compact to full size cars out there.

yes, i would need a mini van since there will be 7 of us.