January 2025 Car Rental Thread

[redrosesix]

We are mostly going to be there in Feb., but since our rental car price is dictated by when we pick up...we're renting in January

I'm seeing a lot of variability based on what day you try to book it as well as pick up times. So far my best deal is Alamo for a compact. Booked on the Alamo website using their Plan Ahead Special. I also add Delta Skymiles but I don't think I got anything for it. $369 for 6 days, but everything since then has been in the $600s

Every time I try Priceline it's pushing me to use these new rental companies that just scare me like Routes and Fox...the reviews are just horrible but the prices are too good to be true I think

 

[Elephantay]

I'm not able to find the name of the onsite car rental pickup. Is it still there?

 

[leebee]

I have a midsize SUV for 4 days in January for $256 with Thrifty. That's down from $298. It's still too expensive, but I'm glad the price is drifting down. I used to do autoslash but they are coming up with all the little fly-by-night companies that I'm not willing to take a chance on. Lately, I've been using carrentalsavers.com. THeir search engine lets you opt for "major agencies" so you don't get all the sketchy companies in your search results.

 

[ibob52]

I used to do autoslash but they are coming up with all the little fly-by-night companies that I'm not willing to take a chance on. Lately, I've been using carrentalsavers.com.

I use carrentalsavers also . and use autoslash to track my car rental rate . when I get a email from autoslash for the tracking . about 2/3 of the page down (in the email) you will see the following:

Click here to adjust your offer preferences for this request.

and unclick the car agencies you don't want . . .

 

[leebee]

I use carrentalsavers also . and use autoslash to track my car rental rate . when I get a email from autoslash for the tracking . about 2/3 of the page down (in the email) you will see the following:

Click here to adjust your offer preferences for this request.

and unclick the car agencies you don't want . . .

Got it, thanks!

Also, I rebooked my reservation with Hertz; 4 days, midsize SUV, for $214 through carrentalsavers with the AAA discount.

 

[EACarlson]

I'm not able to find the name of the onsite car rental pickup. Is it still there?

The Disney Car Care Center? It's still there you have to look at Enterprise, Alamo or National for Kissimmee to find it.

I have a midsize SUV for 4 days in January for $256 with Thrifty. That's down from $298. It's still too expensive, but I'm glad the price is drifting down. I used to do autoslash but they are coming up with all the little fly-by-night companies that I'm not willing to take a chance on. Lately, I've been using carrentalsavers.com. THeir search engine lets you opt for "major agencies" so you don't get all the sketchy companies in your search results.

Any of the Autoslash that are Pay Later with Priceline, you click into and view all options, then on the left side scroll down and select Car at Airport and it will filter down to those 10 companies that have cars on site at MCO.

I've got a midsize through Budget for $325 for a week beginning 1/22. I'll almost certainly be changing as I now need a bigger vehicle. Looking to change to either Hertz or National so I can select my vehicle.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Tis the season to be checking your rates, January renters! Through the Chase rewards portal this morning, my 8 day rental was over $100/13k points cheaper!

-Tip: When you put in a pick-up location, enter "Orlando" instead of MCO, and then filter your results for "airport" instead of "neighborhood" and be sure the individual listing is for MCO and not SFB.

 

[leebee]

Got it, thanks!

Also, I rebooked my reservation with Hertz; 4 days, midsize SUV, for $214 through carrentalsavers with the AAA discount.

Just checked again. For a small SUV, Hertz is down to $192 and Thrifty is down to $152. I'll hold both (same corporation) for a while, but probably go with Thrifty- unless I get a better rate. GONE are the days of minivans for $109 a week!

 

[EACarlson]

Just checked again. For a small SUV, Hertz is down to $192 and Thrifty is down to $152. I'll hold both (same corporation) for a while, but probably go with Thrifty- unless I get a better rate. GONE are the days of minivans for $109 a week!

For $40, I'd go with Hertz, just for the better pick up experience. Reports are Thrifty has shut down their garage desk again and all rentals have to wait in line at the counter. With Hertz, I can be from baggage claim to driving out of the ramp in less than 10 minutes.

 

[jujubiee4]

Just checked again. For a small SUV, Hertz is down to $192 and Thrifty is down to $152. I'll hold both (same corporation) for a while, but probably go with Thrifty- unless I get a better rate. GONE are the days of minivans for $109 a week!

I can't believe how high the prices are. My rate is still high for Feb and May but hope it comes down the
closer it gets. Car rental saver is giving me quotes higher than Costco. A shame as they use to be my go to.

 

[Elephantay]

We usually use Alamo but the prices are high. We like choosing our own vehicle and they have always been clean. Hertz is a bit cheaper- do people have good experiences with them?

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

We usually use Alamo but the prices are high. We like choosing our own vehicle and they have always been clean. Hertz is a bit cheaper- do people have good experiences with them?

I have to choose between Alamo and Enterprise. Right now both are offering the same rate for the same minivan. Is there anything else I should be considering? Any helpful hints? Thanks!

 

[EACarlson]

We usually use Alamo but the prices are high. We like choosing our own vehicle and they have always been clean. Hertz is a bit cheaper- do people have good experiences with them?

I would choose Hertz over Alamo if they were the same price. When renting a mid size or higher you get to pick anything on the Gold Aisle instead of just what's on the reserved class aisle. 90+% of major problems with Hertz have to do with calling to extend rentals. Bring the vehicle back when you say you will and you eliminate those issues.

I have to choose between Alamo and Enterprise. Right now both are offering the same rate for the same minivan. Is there anything else I should be considering? Any helpful hints? Thanks!

Enterprise over Alamo, they are generally newer, higher trim and fewer miles. It wouldn't surprise me if Enterprise had Chrysler Pacificas and Alamo had Plymouth Voyagers. Almost the same vehicle, but for the same price, I'd take the Chrysler everytime.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I would choose Hertz over Alamo if they were the same price. When renting a mid size or higher you get to pick anything on the Gold Aisle instead of just what's on the reserved class aisle. 90+% of major problems with Hertz have to do with calling to extend rentals. Bring the vehicle back when you say you will and you eliminate those issues.

Enterprise over Alamo, they are generally newer, higher trim and fewer miles. It wouldn't surprise me if Enterprise had Chrysler Pacificas and Alamo had Plymouth Voyagers. Almost the same vehicle, but for the same price, I'd take the Chrysler everytime.

Actually, there are many situations where Alamo and Enterprise (and National) may be sharing vehicles across these brands; all are part of the Enterprise group. It may depend on available inventory and demand. It used to be that Alamo was marketed more to the leisure traveler, Enterprise focused more on the local replacement car market (while your own car was in the shop for service or repair, for example), and National was marketed more to business travelers. There was always some overlap between the three, and a corporate-operated airport location like MCO (as opposed to a franchised location which might only support one of these brands) will want to maximize use of its available vehicles since a car sitting in the garage is not producing any revenue. Sharing inventory can help achieve this objective.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

For January renters, continue to monitor your bookings. I have two January rentals booked with Alamo. The mid-week three-night starting Jan. 7th just dropped about $20 for full-size. The seven-night starting Jan. 17th just dropped $80 for full-size, now just over $300 for the week.

 

[leebee]

For January renters, continue to monitor your bookings. I have two January rentals booked with Alamo. The mid-week three-night starting Jan. 7th just dropped about $20 for full-size. The seven-night starting Jan. 17th just dropped $80 for full-size, now just over $300 for the week.

Yup, my SUV at Hertz for 1/12-1/16 just dropped $22. I could do better with a smaller car, but as I get older I prefer to have a bigger vehicle. I know where I'm going in the Disney area, and grew up driving in the Boston area so I'm not nervous being in traffic, but... I can see what is going on better from a vehicle that is "higher up" than a lot of the other vehicles on the road.

 

[EACarlson]

I have an SUV with Hertz that has been at $360, today it dropped to just under $300 with AAA. Have 5 Star status and will have the choice of anything in that aisle or the SUV booked.

 

[leebee]

I have an SUV with Hertz that has been at $360, today it dropped to just under $300 with AAA. Have 5 Star status and will have the choice of anything in that aisle or the SUV booked.

Quick question: I'm a Hertz gold club member (but don't have any status or anything). Haven't rented from Hertz at MCO for a bit; are they still allowing gold members to bypass the counter?

 

[EACarlson]

Quick question: I'm a Hertz gold club member (but don't have any status or anything). Haven't rented from Hertz at MCO for a bit; are they still allowing gold members to bypass the counter?

Yes, you walk out and there is a board that will either have your aisle assignment or assigned spot. If you book midsize or above you get to choose anything on the Gold Aisle. I've always managed to get at least a small SUV and a couple of times a Minivan on the aisle.

 

[Sherrkel]

For Hertz at Terminal C does anyone know if there is an option to go straight to the garage @ C [for Gold club members] and skip the counter of do you have to check in elsewhere in the terminal? Thanks!