Our dates for the annual trek are 8/6 pick-up to 8/19 drop off - MCO. So far, the rates that I have with codes from BJ's were horrid, as in the $800+ range for a standard. I'm hoping for less than $300, lol.
Last year I rented a standard with Alamo for 9 days at $159, all taxes inc. We drove out of MCO with a very luxurious Cadillac - far from the "standard" we rented, but we were offered a car in that class since we arrived late (SWA flight delays), and were told a storm had passed through and the standard cars were not available. We had a great car for a GREAT price.
The year before, we paid $162 for a mid-sized SUV from Alamo for 8 days.
Re: smelly cars ... We favor Alamo and have had pretty good luck over the years. Last year when we were given the option of choosing a car in the premium class for the same rental fee that we were already paying for a standard, we checked out a few cars while we made the choice. One car we looked at smelled absolutely disgusting - as in it was VERY clear that some person (or persons) smoked up a storm in it. I was horrified, and also curious as to how something like that could happen. I thought rental car companies only rented non-smoking cars ...while that particular car stunk to high heaven of cigarette smoke. Who does that?... and why would a person rent a car and think that the rules do not apply to them? I just don't get it.
TY for the tip on turning on the AC before driving out with the car. A moldy or vomit smell would def. put a damper on my vacation.
Let the games begin