Does anyone have any GREAT car rental codes?

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

We're going to St. Louis next month and the car rental prices are pretty high. We have AAA, Costco, DH is a union member and a local government employee (non-military).

We'd like a mid-size car. Best price I've found so far is through his union, but it's not great. Anything? It's a six-day rental. Thanks!

[dcwojo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dcwojo]

Try carrentalsavers.com for prices and codes.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I've been finding the best rates through Costco. However right now Costco rates are higher than they were a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if a 6 day rental, rather than a full week might be hurting you.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

I had a Costco reservation, but the price with the union coupon is better. Also got it down a bit with codes on Mousesavers, so it's not too bad.

Alamo is giving the best discounts in St. Louis right now.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Just keep checking. We're going to Maui end of next month and for a long time I was getting the best price through my corporate Avis discount. Checked Costco about a month ago and their price knocked about $200 off the rental (it's for two weeks). In checking with Costco right now their prices have gone back up. Luckily I booked with Costco (Alamo) when the prices were low. But I'm still continuing to check to see if they go any lower than the reservation I currently have.

[garyd210 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close garyd210]

You don't say just how high the rates are that you're getting. Last year going to Kona, HI, the rates were almost triple of what a week rental normally is. Turned out that there was a triathalon the weekend we were arriving. DW got the best deal on Hotwire and we ended up getting 2 days at a high rate and the five remaining days were on a second rental at a much cheaper price. Infact instead of the mid size car, we got the DW's dream car, a red Mustang convertible for no extra expense! Worked out good for us!

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

For August 10 at 10 to August 15 at 6, I'm getting just under $200, which isn't terrible, but it would be great if we could whittle it down a bit.

How did you split your rental like that? I think that August 10-14 are cheap and August 14-15 is expensive. Did you have to bring the car back in the middle?

[garyd210 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close garyd210]

We arrived the day before the triatalon(friday) and brought the car back on Sunday and then went next door to Hertz and got the other car for Sunday-Friday. DW played with the dates with Hotwire and AAA to get the best rates. A small hassle, but we made lemonade and went with it. I have found that the full size cars are typically the best deal for the price generally. We're been offered smaller cars since our ordered size was out of stock and got a nice credit card credit, and we have also got upgrades including the Chrysler 300 for no extra expense. Just asking for the smallest isn't always the cheapest I have found. Not sure about St Louis, but in Kona I knew all the car rentals were in very close proximity to one another.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

i just looked for Vancouver, it will cost a small fortune - price for 8 days is $730 - apx $300 of that is taxes/add-ons to the base rate of $430.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

i just looked for Vancouver, it will cost a small fortune - price for 8 days is $730 - apx $300 of that is taxes/add-ons to the base rate of $430.

Do you need a car? Are you just staying in Vancouver or are you going somewhere else?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Do you need a car? Are you just staying in Vancouver or are you going somewhere else?

We're staying 5 nights in Vancouver and then heading over to the San Juan Islands for a few days. It's an hour and a half drive to the ferry to the island and back. We also would like max flexibility in town, and are not good at waiting for busses or having to call ahead for taxis... do you think we won't want a car? Or should we just get one the day we leave the city?

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

We're staying 5 nights in Vancouver and then heading over to the San Juan Islands for a few days. It's an hour and a half drive to the ferry to the island and back. We also would like max flexibility in town, and are not good at waiting for busses or having to call ahead for taxis... do you think we won't want a car? Or should we just get one the day we leave the city?

I had a car when I was there with dd, but we flew into Seattle, then rented a car and drove from there. We did that for a couple of reasons. One was we could fly SW and all of our luggage was free (this was when she was moving into the dorms and we had a lot of luggage). Also both the flights and car rental was cheaper.

Dd says the public transportation (i.e. buses) are good, but if you're not into waiting for buses that wouldn't work. I don't remember where you are staying so it would all depend on that, and what all you want to do.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

We arrived the day before the triatalon(friday) and brought the car back on Sunday and then went next door to Hertz and got the other car for Sunday-Friday. DW played with the dates with Hotwire and AAA to get the best rates. A small hassle, but we made lemonade and went with it. I have found that the full size cars are typically the best deal for the price generally. We're been offered smaller cars since our ordered size was out of stock and got a nice credit card credit, and we have also got upgrades including the Chrysler 300 for no extra expense. Just asking for the smallest isn't always the cheapest I have found. Not sure about St Louis, but in Kona I knew all the car rentals were in very close proximity to one another.

I thought about returning the car and starting again, but that won't work on this trip because we have commitments on the 14th. Also we use the Amex insurance, and that would add $25 to the cost of the second rental, because each rental is a separate transaction.

I'm impressed that you made it work for you!

Also, we never reserve an economy or compact. DH is 6'4" and once we rented a compact Ford and he could not fit his knees under the steering wheel. He drives a Corolla at home and loves, so we try to get a Corolla or maybe a Camry when we're traveling. I've never seen a car rental place ask for less money for a bigger car or a luxury car. I've been tempted to do that thing where you let the car rental place choose the car for you....

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

i just looked for Vancouver, it will cost a small fortune - price for 8 days is $730 - apx $300 of that is taxes/add-ons to the base rate of $430.

OMG, that is CRAZY MONEY! I feel silly complaining about St. Louis. But we rented a car in St. Louis in June and it was $72 for three days all in, hence my dissatisfaction with $200 for six days.

Didn't Hotwire used to have better prices on car rentals? Now they're pretty much the same as the rental sites for the individual companies.

[camilleobrien Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close camilleobrien]

I have had great success with Hotwire.com their prices are amazing!