What do you do to save on rental cars?

[DLgal]

This is terrible advice if you are booking for a busy rental time. Rental agencies often run of cars. Make a reservation at the best price you can find, then check it occasionally to see if prices drop. Prices do NOT always drop at the last minute either.

I am relating my own experiences. I have rented cars at MCO close to 20 times. At all different times of the year. I always use Hertz. They have never come close to running out of cars and I have ALWAYS scored at least a 30% savings over my earlier reservation (which I said, I always make a backup reservation just in case). One time, my reservation was $30/day for an intermediate car. I literally rebooked during my layover on the way to MCO. The new price was $12/day! That was my cheapest rental ever. It was a Fri-Mon rental during WDW Marathon weekend in January 2015.

This method is basically foolproof with Hertz rentals out of larger international airports.

 

[wendow]

I checked Costco and the price I got through budget for a mini van with AARP was about $15 cheaper than the price I saw with Costco.

We don't rent a car more than once a year but I've yet to find Costco cheaper, even though all I read online is they have the best prices.

 

[Aerodyne78]

Costco & BJ's.com. I don't think you have to be a member for BJ's Travel. I usually book ASAP, and then constantly check for price changes. I rented a car in Nov, and changed my reservation about 3 or 4 times. I ended up getting an email coupon from Enterprise for a free double upgrade. I usually just check my usual travel websites, plus the direct rental websites. My husband also gets a discount from work.

 

[tink89]

I always book my car with costco. I have one reserved for a trip we are taking in the summer and one in december. If prices go down i just book and cancel the old one no fees.

 

[MCazer]

Normally I book very far in advance, and use BJ's code, and I do have a rental reserved with Dollar with their Special (picture of a car with a blanket over it) and have a rate of $175 inclusive for a week in April

But, I kept looking and went to hotwire, I never used Priceline or Hotwire because, well, I am a control freak LOL

But, I discussed it with my husband, and this trip it is just us, so, if we had to take a shuttle I would deal with it for a good rate.

Well, I got a Full Size vehicle from Thrifty for $118 total!!!! I know I will have to stand on line to get the car, but the difference comes to a really nice meal for us, so I am good with that. It was good to let go of the reins momentarily, and reap the rewards.

 

[BrennaRawks]

Sorry for the whole newbie poking her nose in thing, but if you are member of a union, find out if you get discounts as part of your membership.
I'm in UFCW Local 371, and found out a few weeks ago that we have a member discount program for all sorts of stuff which includes 25% on car rentals.

 

[SmallMama]

I priced costco, AARP, and major car rentals. Since I am renting for 3 days but doing a one rental from mco to cruise port the cheapest I got was $151 through UR portal.

 

[Bete]

If you get an entertainment membership they have discount codes you can use for many of the car rental companies.

Go with the smallest car possible; that will save money.

AAA has had discount codes you can use, too.

 

[manning]

Another vote for Costco. I book my initial reservation and then re-check the prices every couple days. I suspect I re-book and cancel the previous reservation 3-4 times for each trip. It only takes a few minutes and has saved me hundreds of dollars.

Do i have to book under my name and the other in wife's or can I book under same name.

 

[cruisin5]

Do i have to book under my name and the other in wife's or can I book under same name.

One renter can hold multiple reservations in their name. However, the name on the credit card / debit card needs to match that of the primary driver. Some agencies will permit adding a second driver for free or with a daily fee.

Best rates I've found is with AARP.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I'm following this. I have been looking for rental cards for our trip to WDW in 3 weeks. Have been searching for months. Haven't found any cheaper than $300 for the week. That's the very basic smallest car possible. What's up with all the high prices. I'm starting to think renting a car may not be the best idea because of the higher prices coupled with resort guests having to pay for overnight parking. It's going to cost close to $500 just to rent a car. Is it really worth it?

 

[bearzabout]

I agree that I always book ahead of time and check prices frequently, especially every day for a week before I leave. I also recommend not modifying a previous reservation if a better price comes up. I get a confirmation on the new reservation before I cancel the old higher priced reservation so I am not out of luck if something goes wrong during the change process. I have found lower rates in the week leading up to my trip nearly every time, with the lowest rates usually found the day before I leave. i don’t travel at peak times.

I used to find the best prices with Costco. Recently, they have been between 50%-100% higher than rates I get from car company websites. I always check Costco price so so I know when I am getting a good deal.

 

[Doug McCoy]

You can pick up the car rental outside the airport sometimes it is cheaper. I use the site Hotwire.com to find car rentals. Also depending on what traveler you are (solo, family etc.) you can get a cheaper car

 

[Doug McCoy]

If you are a solo traveler you can most likely get a cheap deal on a economy rental car.

 

[Bbbethei]

Do i have to book under my name and the other in wife's or can I book under same name.

I usually book and re-book under my name because they seem to have no issue with multiple reservations under a single name. When it comes time to pick it up, we add my husband as the main driver.

 

[Bbbethei]

I'm following this. I have been looking for rental cards for our trip to WDW in 3 weeks. Have been searching for months. Haven't found any cheaper than $300 for the week. That's the very basic smallest car possible. What's up with all the high prices. I'm starting to think renting a car may not be the best idea because of the higher prices coupled with resort guests having to pay for overnight parking. It's going to cost close to $500 just to rent a car. Is it really worth it?

I'm assuming you've already made your resort reservation? If so, the fees don't apply this time. This is what I found on the Disney website:

• Effective for reservations made March 21, 2018 and thereafter, standard overnight self-parking is available to registered Guests for a fee that will be applied to their hotel folio upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax.