1 week car rental in Orlando in April

[bubbadss]

Hi,
I am taking the family to Orlando for a week in April and need to rent a car. We did the same trip last year and rented a car from National at the airport. I signed up for their emerald club card (no fee) and it was easy to rent the car and real easy to pickup. Just got off the plane and bypassed the rental counter, went right to the lot (at airport) and picked up the car.

I am looking for advice this year as to the best deal. I see that visaperks.ca has a deal with alamo for 20% off and $25 savings. Its a better deal than what I can get with National.

My question is: is the process for picking up the car just as easy with alamo? its at the airport, but do I have to wait in line at the rental counter or can I just go to the lot? I am tempted to go with what I did last year because its familiar, but Alamo is a better deal by $50.

Advice please!!??

thanks

[encinc]

Alamo takes a little longer than National, but not much. If you're not using a coupon, you can check in online, which saves a ton of time. If you are using a coupon (which it sounds like you are), you can bypass the counter by using one of the Alamo kiosks near the counter. You enter all your info into the kiosk, then head over to the appropriate aisle and choose your car. The person manning the gate when you exit with your car then looks everything over and takes your coupon. One more step than National Emerald, but usually really quick.

I don't know what size car you're renting, but the one benefit with National that I like and isn't available with Alamo is the Emerald Aisle service -reserve a midsized car, and pick anything you want off the designated Emerald Aisle - which often includes bigger/more expensive cars. We've often found premium cars on the Emerald Aisle, and DH appreciates the opportunity to try out at more luxurious car. That said, we know there are no guarantees, and we could end up with a midsized anyway. With Alamo, you can pick your own car from the aisle assigned, but if you reserve midsized, you will get midsized - nothing bigger.

[bubbadss]

thanks for your info.

Since my original post, I did go ahead and reserve a mid size SUV (equinox). Total cost for the week including all fees etc is $192 USD. From National it was going to be $283.

One thing I found funny was the reservation process didn't ask for credit card. So I called the 1-800 number and confirmed the process and reservation, and they said they don't need the CC until I get the car.

I have a couple months before I actually go, so I will keep my eye out for deals, but I don't think I would get much better than this.

cheers,

[Symcrapico]

I'm flying to FLL on march 22 and flying back on april 3rd. Ive checked with both Alamo and National and the best price i could get was 629$ at Alamo for an Equinox too. I can't find the Alamo rebate on Visaperk, was it a one day deal?

[3weddings]

Did you guys see this week's travelzoo? It might apply to you...

http://ca.deals.travelzoo.com/flights/526871

Courtesy of Alamo Rent a Car, get your motor running with an unheard of $10 per day weekend rate at select airport locations. Not only can you get a head start on a road trip by departing Thursday, but you can score this deal south of the border too.

This offer is valid at the following airport locations:

* Calgary (YYC)
* Ft. Lauderdale (FLL)
* Halifax (YHZ)
* Los Angeles (LAX)
* Orlando (MCO)
* Ottawa (YOW)
* Toronto (YYZ)
* Vancouver (YVR)

This offer is valid Thursday-Monday through May 31, but you may have to be flexible when searching for your dates.

[Symcrapico]

Did you guys see this week's travelzoo? It might apply to you...

http://ca.deals.travelzoo.com/flights/526871

Would have appreciated this deal but its only valid Thursday-Monday through May 31

[bubbadss]

I'm flying to FLL on march 22 and flying back on april 3rd. Ive checked with both Alamo and National and the best price i could get was 629$ at Alamo for an Equinox too. I can't find the Alamo rebate on Visaperk, was it a one day deal?

http://usa.visa.com/personal/discoun...unts/index.jsp

[Symcrapico]

http://usa.visa.com/personal/discoun...unts/index.jsp

Thanks bub! After discount, coupon and taxes, with 2 infant seats, I get an Equinox for $795.01. for the duration of my trip. Still a bit expensive, but we don't want to walk!

[Robbo]

I am flying down to Orlando hte tail end of Presidents week and am finding crazy rental rates. One site that I often heard about but never used was rentalcarmomma. Just tried it and it had much lower rates so give it a try

http://www.rentalcarmomma.com/cities/orlando.htm

[gman]

thanks for your info.

Since my original post, I did go ahead and reserve a mid size SUV (equinox). Total cost for the week including all fees etc is $192 USD. From National it was going to be $283.

One thing I found funny was the reservation process didn't ask for credit card. So I called the 1-800 number and confirmed the process and reservation, and they said they don't need the CC until I get the car.

I have a couple months before I actually go, so I will keep my eye out for deals, but I don't think I would get much better than this.

cheers,

Thanks bub! After discount, coupon and taxes, with 2 infant seats, I get an Equinox for $795.01. for the duration of my trip. Still a bit expensive, but we don't want to walk!

Why is the big difference? What did I miss? One week vs one month?

[Rehan]

We're going down to Orlando this spring, and I've got a reservation with Hertz for a Camry Hybrid for US$249/week base rate. (It's actually $277/week, but I got 10% off with a CDP code from Southwest Airlines.) Not only is the rental rate relatively low, but we'll save on gas too.

The rates will probably be different for your dates, but it's worth checking out.

[cloudsuck]

You can check the rental car rate promos at www.costco.com / travel / cars.

Direct: http://www.costcotravel.com/#11_rentalCars

After much searching the best price I could find for a ten day rental in LAS was with Alamo using the "up to 25% off and free weekend day" coupon.

[IceQue]

Found a code: 43A5041 for Enterprise car rentals. This is the corporate rate (good for family of employees) from Florida Community College (Code: FCC)

I used it this pass weekend no underage fee and includes rental insurance!

[CorSter]

I usually do a search on Kayak.com first.... get the lowest few rates

Then I go and find discount codes for the lowest 3 companies (CAA, Costco, etc), and book the lowest.

[macaximx]

We're going down to Orlando this spring, and I've got a reservation with Hertz for a Camry Hybrid for US$249/week base rate. (It's actually $277/week, but I got 10% off with a CDP code from Southwest Airlines.) Not only is the rental rate relatively low, but we'll save on gas too.

The rates will probably be different for your dates, but it's worth checking out.

Are you sure Hertz has Camry HYBRIDS? The green collection are just Camry's.