August 2014 Car Rental Deal Watch!

[Toeknail]

I'm down to $279 for 8 days w/booster seat. I'm now well within the "acceptable" range for me. Still hoping to shave another $20 - $30 off of that though. I will continue to check daily.

I obviously don't know your packing situation, but it may be worth considering traveling with your own booster seat so you don't have to pay the crazy rental car fees for it. In the past we have packed a booster seat in our luggage although even that is not necessary - most airlines allow you to bring a child seat for free - you check it with luggage but it does not count towards your luggage limit.

 

[eangel12]

It also depends if you are looking to get a free additional driver with Hotwire you don't know which company you are booking and could pay additional to add on another driver if that's not a concern it could work for you. Linda

I usually do all the driving to avoid arguments with the hubby!! Good thing to think about though! I originally was going to stick with National because of the kiosk but the email I got said I have to go to counter...I'm assuming because of KLM code.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Minivans are not budging at all!

I went onto Hotwire and they have a minivan for $320 for 10 days. Is it worth the gamble? I'm freaked out to try it. I have a National rental with KLM code for $420. Saving $100 would be nice. Opinions??

Yep! There are some awesome deals right now for Full size and under...but large SUVs and Minivans have barely budged. I bit the bullet and went with priceline. Hertz Minivan rental $300 all-in for 10 days. I am bummed about not getting an extra driver, but we will just deal with it. (Also, FYI...although Hertz Gold members get a free extra driver, that perk doesn't apply to priceline rentals, I asked Hertz directly.0

 

[jerseygirl81]

I usually do all the driving to avoid arguments with the hubby!! Good thing to think about though! I originally was going to stick with National because of the kiosk but the email I got said I have to go to counter...I'm assuming because of KLM code.

That's so funny we always argue at some point when DH drives, it's nice to know we aren't the only ones! We considered having only one driver to find a better rate at one point but DH said if someone wasn't feeling well the other could drive or if one of us wanted to have a drink the other could drive. But then our rate went down if it was to save $100 I might consider it, in all our trips I've only driven because I wanted to try out the car. Linda

 

[Parad0x]

Just saved another $33 off my rental with Alamo through Costco today (Aug 16th-30th).

 

[Mich Mouse]

I usually do all the driving to avoid arguments with the hubby!! Good thing to think about though! I originally was going to stick with National because of the kiosk but the email I got said I have to go to counter...I'm assuming because of KLM code.

If using the KLM code you need to go to the counter? Has this been happening lately? I have Emerald Aisle and have never stopped a at the counter...is this now not possible?

 

[n2mm]

If using the KLM code you need to go to the counter? Has this been happening lately? I have Emerald Aisle and have never stopped a at the counter...is this now not possible?

I've used the klm code a few times and always went to the aisle.

 

[RysMomma]

It's so weird-we're leaving on Friday and my rate is not going really anywhere. It's been around the 230/240/250 range for the past few weeks now. I did get it once to be 218 using a corporate ID and Entertainment book coupon, but that looks like the best I'll be getting. I'm good with that, just thought it would come down more. Oh well!

 

[eangel12]

If using the KLM code you need to go to the counter? Has this been happening lately? I have Emerald Aisle and have never stopped a at the counter...is this now not possible?

I called today and was told when using this coupon that no matter what, you have to go to the counter. I argued with the guy and he finally gave me a new confirmation # with same terms that will allow me to go right to garage. If this wasn't the case, I was going to cancel and go with Hotwire. I might still do that if prices drop a lot more!

 

[GillianP1301]

I obviously don't know your packing situation, but it may be worth considering traveling with your own booster seat so you don't have to pay the crazy rental car fees for it. In the past we have packed a booster seat in our luggage although even that is not necessary - most airlines allow you to bring a child seat for free - you check it with luggage but it does not count towards your luggage limit.

I've considered this, but the seat we have is a pretty big high back booster and would be tricky to carry around an airport. It's just DS and I, my DH is not coming this time so I will likely have my hands more than full just with our suitcases. It's definitely a good option though, so thank you for the suggestion. You're right, the $66 for the car seat rental seems so absurd to me. They must make a mint just on those rentals alone, especially in a location like Orlando.

 

[mydogsarebad]

Yep! There are some awesome deals right now for Full size and under...but large SUVs and Minivans have barely budged. I bit the bullet and went with priceline. Hertz Minivan rental $300 all-in for 10 days. I am bummed about not getting an extra driver, but we will just deal with it. (Also, FYI...although Hertz Gold members get a free extra driver, that perk doesn't a pply to priceline rentals, I asked Hertz directly.0

Funny, we did just about the same thing, and got a hertz minivan for nine days for $265 on priceline. Don't be afraid of priceline.....we have never ever had trouble. And don't worry about the extra driver thing as long as you have good insurance at home and don't plan on buying their extra (dumb) coverage.

 

[n2mm]

I usually do all the driving to avoid arguments with the hubby!! Good thing to think about though! I originally was going to stick with National because of the kiosk but the email I got said I have to go to counter...I'm assuming because of KLM code.

Did you get the email, even though your rental agreement said to go straight to the aisle? I just checked my confirmatin and it still says to go straight to the aisle. So will I get a second email telling me to go to the counter. This is what my confirmation says:

How to Find Us:

Upon arrival, please proceed to the Executive area to choose your vehicle.

From Baggage claim proceed down the escalator to the first floor of the terminal.

National Car Rental is located on the first level of the garage.

Once you have arrived at the National Car Rental location, please proceed to the Executive area.

Just curious if I will be getting a second confirmation.

I did book a back up on Alamo with a similar price after hearing about KLM going away, just in case it went away before my trip.

 

[eangel12]

Nope--they wouldn't send me an email. Very annoyed with them at this point!! I'm debating going through Hotwire and saving $120.00.

 

[houseofduck]

I just rechecked rental rates for my late August, early September trip. The rate for my one way, 9 day reservation full-size from Budget went from over $200 to $141.39. I used BCD W852875 and coupon MUGZ061.

I wasn't seeing the drops that others had been seeing and think it was because mine was a one way. But, it looks like the one ways are coming down too.

 

[Sunday]

After starting out in the low $300's for an economy, I just booked 10 days 8/17-8/27 with Alamo for $163 all in, no coupons.

 

[lynredles]

After starting out in the low $300's for an economy, I just booked 10 days 8/17-8/27 with Alamo for $163 all in, no coupons.

Can I asked what you used to get that grate rate?

 

[sarmat1]

My Dollar rental is down a little more today. $211 for mid size 8/16 - 8/27 using only the AAA rate. Just a little higher overall than what I paid last year.

For those using Dollar, one trick which has held true for my rental has been to use a pickup time on the half hour instead of the hour. It has led to a discount (anywhere from $2 - $10) each time. So instead of putting 3:00 pickup, I put 2:30 and sure enough it's a couple bucks cheaper. Go figure . . .

 

[Michael623]

I've actually had good luck booking right on the AAA site but they ask you for your AAA # when booking so no fudging. I have a 9 day rental (thrifty standard) pickup at MCO and drop TPA for about $170. I've tried every coupon/code combination I can find and that's the best I can do.

 

[artesian]

Thanks!

Rebooked again using AAA this time went from $175 to $152 8/20-29 full size with Dollar

Dropped another $11 now sitting at $141 for my dates above

 

[lrorr]

Just booked 8/19-8/30 off an Alamo email. $168 with an upgrade to midsize.