car rental prices double

[hearts8701]

what is going on next week the price of car rentals has doubled

 

[AllyBri]

what is going on next week the price of car rentals has doubled

Are you talking about National?
Can't figure it either.
Last month, I had 17 days for $157. and I do now that was incredible. This month, 24 days for $372.
Next month, I just have a short trip, one week and was able to get that with a code that someone posted for Alamo for $136. and now depending on when you check it is between $400. and $700. for the same week.
It is now way less expensive to fly then it is to rent a car for a week.

 

[Lisa06468]

Its no better for October. Ive been trying to get a better rate on a car (currently $275 for a Charger thru Thrifty) and everything is coming up way more than that. Hope it gets better as it gets closer.

 

[mickey2000]

My neighbor just got back from WDW and used National with a code found on this site. Upon arrival they told him it was an invalid code that they are clamping down on and charged him an additional $178. He tried other rental desks at the airport however they were all higher for a last minute rental thus unhappy went with National ....

 

[miprender]

I have been shopping around for our trip in April 09 and to rent a minivan it is going to cost us $561 for the 9 days(and that was the cheapest I found).... I keep going online each week to see if the prices are going down.

I don't understand why it is so high since WE are paying for the gas.

 

[laurabelle]

My neighbor just got back from WDW and used National with a code found on this site. Upon arrival they told him it was an invalid code that they are clamping down on and charged him an additional $178. He tried other rental desks at the airport however they were all higher for a last minute rental thus unhappy went with National ....

Which code specifically? There are lots of them talked about on this site...

 

[lilyv]

My neighbor just got back from WDW and used National with a code found on this site. Upon arrival they told him it was an invalid code that they are clamping down on and charged him an additional $178. He tried other rental desks at the airport however they were all higher for a last minute rental thus unhappy went with National ....

So are you both Disers? Did you help your neighbor find a corporate (or international traveler only) code, or did they find it themselves? Which code??? I'd sure like to hear more. By the way, National can charge the walk up rate if someone has a reservation priced with a code they can't prove they're eligible for.
Don't know why your neighbor is blaming National.

 

[Lewisc]

My neighbor just got back from WDW and used National with a code found on this site. Upon arrival they told him it was an invalid code that they are clamping down on and charged him an additional $178. He tried other rental desks at the airport however they were all higher for a last minute rental thus unhappy went with National ....

Thanks for the headsup. So much for the posters who insist National has to honor a reservation, even if the customer booked a code they're not entitled to use.

Why does the exact code matter? If I was National I'd have the clerks look at every reservation that included insurance and/or airport surcharges in the rate. Those deals are never public promotions. Give the clerk a $10 bonus for every reservation they catch.

Not sure why they're unhappy. National gave them a rate that was lower then what was available anywhere else. Sounds like they were treated fairly. They were treated a lot better then some customers are treating National.

 

[robinb]

Why does the exact code matter?

Certainly it matters! There have been some codes going around where eligibility is spelled out (the international Visa code, for instance) and others that are less clear. I think it's very important to know which code was rejected so other DISers can adjust their rentals if they need to.

 

[BudgetGifted]

Go to Payless car rental. Today (July9) they have posted rates of $25. for an economy car, $27. for compact, $29. for intermediate & so on. If you sign up for their Payless Perks program, you will save even more. I have been checking for our July dates for over a while & these are the best dates yet. Also - no coupons or codes to put in. Our 4 day rental including taxes & fees is $132.64.

 

[lilyv]

Go to Payless car rental. Today (July9) they have posted rates of $25. for an economy car, $27. for compact, $29. for intermediate & so on. If you sign up for their Payless Perks program, you will save even more. I have been checking for our July dates for over a while & these are the best dates yet. Also - no coupons or codes to put in. Our 4 day rental including taxes & fees is $132.64.

Those rates are very, very good!!! I went to check my dates, 9+ days, $266. for a compact. I was impressed, when you compare what the current rates are from most of the other companies. That's without any discounts, at all.
If you're looking for a great price on a rental-check Payless!

 

[CalvaryMike]

DW works for a subsidiary of GM and is allowed to use the GM National Car Corporate code for personal use. We have used the code for years. National has never questioned of us about it. If they ever did, I don't know what I would be able to show them that we are allowed to use the code. Her business card says nothing about GM.

 

[missmissy]

Have you looked up Dollar? We have used them many times and have never had any problems. I have used the code kiss2
We have a minivan for Dec for $199 with the code, it was $350 without it.

 

[Lewisc]

Certainly it matters! There have been some codes going around where eligibility is spelled out (the international Visa code, for instance) and others that are less clear. I think it's very important to know which code was rejected so other DISers can adjust their rentals if they need to.

Sorry I don't agree it's only important for a customer to know if they're eligible for the contract code they booked. I'm a member of COSTCO, I use a COSTCO contract code and I'm safe. A customer uses some numbers they got off an internet board and they really don't know what who the contract code is intended for. Those customers aren't safe.

I think any rate that includes insurance may raise a red flag, those codes are generally promotions made available to international customers, TAs and some corporate rates. The specific contract code is a red herring.

 

[lauraljp]

I just checked Dollar for our October trip. We are renting for a week and used the kiss2 code. The weekly rate that came up was $465 base rate!! I guess we will stick with our National visa rate for now.

Laura

 

[puffkin]

I booked an intermediate SUV last week with Alamo for $249 (after taxes/fees) for a week in October. I was complaining to my DH that the rate was $50 higher than we paid in January but it was the lowest I have seen in months. I used the Walmart code. Glad I made the reservation!

 

[funcinderella]

I'm leaving tonight, and for the past few days, when trying to see if I could get a lower pirce, National and ALamo have said they have no cars!! (My trip is 5 days, coming home the 15th.)

However, this morning I was able to book National Emerald Aisle at a rate of 156 per week, and used the 30 off coupon National just sent out. Total with taxes came out to 157, for July 10-July 15.

I'm happy!

 

[Wendaeh]

I'm leaving tonight, and for the past few days, when trying to see if I could get a lower pirce, National and ALamo have said they have no cars!! (My trip is 5 days, coming home the 15th.)

However, this morning I was able to book National Emerald Aisle at a rate of 156 per week, and used the 30 off coupon National just sent out. Total with taxes came out to 157, for July 10-July 15.

I'm happy!

What was the coupon code? Have a great trip!