National - Why National so outrageously high?

I'm not a frequent renter, but have alway rented with National at MCO via EC in the past have have found good rates. I have been looking for a 10day rental at MCO end of this month on a mid-size suv and can't get it below $450.
Checked Alamo and able to book just under $200 with an additional driver. What gives? I'd prefer to stick with National, but not at the rates they want.

yield management

I rent from National often at MCO. Occasionally prices spike but more often than not they are extrememly reasonable. My next upcoming rental (March) I booked a week for $123 after discounts/coupons. I've rented as low as $51/week there. What I would suggest also is that there is not a lot of need to reserve an SUV when renting at MCO, they seem to always have plenty of SUV's and Minivans on the EA (then again, my experience is with the ES as well).

i second the above statement, that market is more your full size, convert, luxury type market and a mid size is typically a terrain or explorer ..I would just book full size and just be nice when i arrive you you'll probably end up with equal or better then what u want

i second the above statement, that market is more your full size, convert, luxury type market and a mid size is typically a terrain or explorer ..I would just book full size and just be nice when i arrive you you'll probably end up with equal or better then what u want

Youre saying book full size car and usually there are SUV's in the EA? There are 5 of us (3 kids) so I really need a SUV.

I rent from National often at MCO. Occasionally prices spike but more often than not they are extrememly reasonable. My next upcoming rental (March) I booked a week for $123 after discounts/coupons. I've rented as low as $51/week there. What I would suggest also is that there is not a lot of need to reserve an SUV when renting at MCO, they seem to always have plenty of SUV's and Minivans on the EA (then again, my experience is with the ES as well).

I'm at a loss. Base rate when logged into my Emerald Club account for first week in March is over $800.... I dont get it?

First of all, get the 10-day $200 rental booked at Alamo. Don't prepay it...just confirm it. You can cancel later. That's a damn good rate for an SUV in Orlando during Spring Break - you probably aren't even going to be able to Priceline lower than that.

Then, play around with the codes on this forum (dedicated thread) and see if something lower shakes out. Even if you can find the codes to make that $123/wk rental work for your dates, the ex-days will probably push it higher than the Alamo rental.

I've seen this happen a lot...National is higher than Alamo, even though they're the same cars. On my normal weekend rentals, it's usually $2-3/day. I pay the premium to get access to ES. But on a 10-day rental where you want to confirm an SUV, I'd probably take the Alamo rate. I've rented from a lot of ES's that had plenty of big cars but no SUV's. I've seen EA's that were pretty barren...and my fear is that Spring Break in Orlando might soak up the SUVs and vans leaving slim pickins' on the EA.

Not that you mentioned it, but just in case....I would absolutely resist any temptation to use an off-brand agency at MCO - I've seen long lines at those and there didn't seem to be any kiosk or expedited process. Stick with the agencies where at a minimum you could walk directly to an expedited renter booth. Aside from the first-tier agencies (Hertz, Avis, National), I've had perfectly fine rentals at MCO from Budget, Dollar, and Alamo by following the signs to their kiosks or expedited booths.

First of all, get the 10-day $200 rental booked at Alamo. Don't prepay it...just confirm it. You can cancel later. That's a damn good rate for an SUV in Orlando during Spring Break - you probably aren't even going to be able to Priceline lower than that.
This is good advice. There's really no reason to rent from National if you found what you need at Alamo. That is a great rate; I hadn't noticed that it is for 10 days.

Also as an additional note: I understand with the size of your group that you need extra space, but even if you don't get an SUV you will probably at least score a Minivan. The Chrysler T&C's are quite nice, many are loaded with all kinds of amenities (auto doors/SATradio/stow & go seating/backup camera/bluetooth/etc.).

Thanks for the advise. I will keep playing with codes. I'd love to score a minivan, that would be ideal. Seems like I can't take the risk of what's on the EA though. If I ended up with a car, we'd be screwed for space!

Thanks for the advise. I will keep playing with codes. I'd love to score a minivan, that would be ideal. Seems like I can't take the risk of what's on the EA though. If I ended up with a car, we'd be screwed for space!

I have a similar situation and what I am doing is making an EA reservation, but have a backup reservation in case I cannot get a large car.