National - Price Gouge if go through nationalcar.com site?

This past weekend I needed a rental so being a National rental car fan, I went to nationalcar.com the way I normally do, prices for two days were the same whether I was logged in or not, price was over $200 total for the rental. I usually have obtained two day totals at this airport in the $50 or under range, so I thought they must be low on cars or something is going on in the town I was flying to.

I then went to Hotwire and obtained a rate of less than $50 for the same car class, for the two days I needed, turns out the rental car company is National

I don't mind paying a bit of a premium for a brand I enjoy but I viewed this as price gouge. How is it that National doesn't offer a reasonable rate through their website but will do so through Hotwire?

BTW, the lot was packed full of cars when I arrived and when I departed so I don't think they were low on cars by anymeans.

edited to add: I recall about 5 years ago that Budget used to charge me anywhere from $5-20 more per day if I was attempting to reserve a car when logged in. If I wasn't logged in a received a lower price. This IMO taking advantage of my brand loyalty led me to ditch Budget in favor of National and I've been a big fan of National until now.

It's not unusual for a Hotwire rate to be lower than the direct-booked rate. The direct-booked rate has no cancellation fees and allows you to select a car from EA or ES (assuming you booked midsize), meaning you're probably getting a better car than the Hotwire renter.

That spread does seem large, though. For a weekend rental, I've always found the opaque site savings to be not worth it. I tend to use Priceline on 4-5 day rentals or when I want a specific specialty type that probably won't be on the Exec Aisle.

In your case...a lot full of cars on a weekend...it sounds like National might have priced themselves above the market. I know weekend rental rates were whack in July and August, partly due to lower supply of cars, but in this case it seems like supply and demand for a weekend car has swung back to its "normal" case - an excess of cars.

I think it depends. I have an upcoming national rental that's $248 though the website, but $299 through hotwire and any other source. Your difference is huge though.

In your case...a lot full of cars on a weekend...it sounds like National might have priced themselves above the market.

I spoke with the mgr and mentioned my frustration, he mentioned that corp sets the rental rates for each branch, I was thinking that perhaps each branch would know their micro market better than corp but I guess corp is probably very aware of what % a branch is rented out and at what rates.

I think my biggest concern is this looked like National taking advantage of those loyal to them. amazon.com was caught doing this type of price play (those that were logged in and were regular customers were charged more than the "street" rate as Amazon was taking advantage (IMO) of those who strictly purchased from Amazon and didn't shop around).

Hopefully a one off event or else I'll be looking for another rental car company:)

Here in YVR I'm seeing some of the lowest rates in a long time this weekend.

Example, for a Premium.. Fri-Mon:
Base Rate - Premium (CAD)
(3) Time & Distance ($22.73/Day) $68.19
Discount -$10.23
Contract ID 5007125
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Kilometers Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $57.96

Ron.

$23 for a premium?! Nice. what's the conversion between canadian and us currency?

$23 for a premium?! Nice. what's the conversion between canadian and us currency?

Almost PAR. :)

If you want to go with a full size and use the free day coupon, you can do better:

Base Rate - Fullsize (CAD)
(3) Time & Distance ($21.73/Day) $65.19
Discount -$9.78
Discount Coupon Accepted -$18.47
Contract ID 5007125
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Kilometers Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $36.94


Ron.

Check out Expedia around October for YVR. I did last night and Expedia had lower rates on some classes than nationalcar.ca. Also Expedia had a Premium SUV available for around $350/week, or half of what they wanted for a Fullsize SUV. The Premium SUV category wasn't even bookable on National's site so I wonder what would happen if I showed up with that booking. This is a first in my experience.

Ron, that Premium rate is remarkable. I might even make an excuse for a trip over for that. I tried a booking for October when I'm coming over but it's back up to $39/day (still not bad).

I should point out that they ACTUALLY want $77/day for Premiums, $23/day is the fullsize rate we get as Execs. That's why I think YYZ canned Premiums as a bookable car class online. :mad:

Check out Expedia around October for YVR. I did last night and Expedia had lower rates on some classes than nationalcar.ca. Also Expedia had a Premium SUV available for around $350/week, or half of what they wanted for a Fullsize SUV. The Premium SUV category wasn't even bookable on National's site so I wonder what would happen if I showed up with that booking. This is a first in my experience.

Ron, that Premium rate is remarkable. I might even make an excuse for a trip over for that. I tried a booking for October when I'm coming over but it's back up to $39/day (still not bad).

I should point out that they ACTUALLY want $77/day for Premiums, $23/day is the fullsize rate we get as Execs. That's why I think YYZ canned Premiums as a bookable car class online. :mad:

Last weekend I picked up a premium at YVR.. there were a couple Lincoln MKZ's (brand new) and a couple Dodge Journeys.. I don't know how the Journeys ended up there, but if I were wanting a premium, that wouldn't be acceptable.. I'd demand something from luxury (which had a couple more MKZ's at the time).

Ron.

Were they at least loaded Journeys? I wouldn't be as annoyed at seeing a Journey, as if I saw a Grand Marquis on the premium (which I've seen quite a bit at DCA). :)

newfbc: as an Exec Elite, can't you get a pretty sweet car booking midsize? It seems to me that unless you want confirmed Luxury or Premium SUV, you could probably utilize the 3rd Day Free coupon.

I'm just a regular Exec and I have been pleased (for the most part) with my Exec Selection bookings. I don't really know how Elite works since I'm nowhere close to hitting that level.

Willie, once in a while the rates just go wacky. Another poster had that happen to him about a month ago in a market where I rent frequently (metro DC), and the next day when I checked, the rates were back to normal.

I generally chalk that up to some type of computer glitch in the rez system.

newfbc: as an Exec Elite, can't you get a pretty sweet car booking midsize? It seems to me that unless you want confirmed Luxury or Premium SUV, you could probably utilize the 3rd Day Free coupon.

I'm just a regular Exec and I have been pleased (for the most part) with my Exec Selection bookings. I don't really know how Elite works since I'm nowhere close to hitting that level.

You don't get a 2-car upgrade with Elite; same deal as with Executive, pay one-class lower, but free days can be used on Luxury, guaranteed reservations, faster free days.

newfbc: as an Exec Elite, can't you get a pretty sweet car booking midsize? It seems to me that unless you want confirmed Luxury or Premium SUV, you could probably utilize the 3rd Day Free coupon.

I'm just a regular Exec and I have been pleased (for the most part) with my Exec Selection bookings. I don't really know how Elite works since I'm nowhere close to hitting that level.


You can't use a 3rd day free coupon on a Premium, even though you're paying the Full Size rate.

Ron.

You can't use a 3rd day free coupon on a Premium, even though you're paying the Full Size rate.

Ron.

If you're referring to the one free weekend day, they can be applied to Premium/Luxuries if you're using the Entertainment Book version.

Are we talking about a different 3rd day free coupon?

If you're referring to the one free weekend day, they can be applied to Premium/Luxuries if you're using the Entertainment Book version.

Are we talking about a different 3rd day free coupon?

I'm referring to the one in the EC Aug 18 email.. that works in Canada. The Entertainment Book one doesn't.. unfortunately. :/

Ron.

newfbc: as an Exec Elite, can't you get a pretty sweet car booking midsize? It seems to me that unless you want confirmed Luxury or Premium SUV, you could probably utilize the 3rd Day Free coupon.

I'm just a regular Exec and I have been pleased (for the most part) with my Exec Selection bookings. I don't really know how Elite works since I'm nowhere close to hitting that level.

As drzoidberg pointed out, the free upgrade scheme works the same for Elites as it does for regular Execs. I should point out one more thing just to clarify. At YVR (where newfbc rents) there is no Emerald Aisle or Executive Selection. As an Emerald Club member, you get to bypass the counter and choose your own car based on what you reserved, like Emerald Reserve. So if you book a Midsize, you'll only get midsize cars to choose from. I have occasionally seen Ford Escapes in Midsize and Fullsize, and some Premium cars (usually Crown Vics) as fFllsizes, but otherwise upgrades are rare. Best to book what you want/need. I usually find that booking Premium gives the most bang for the buck, as it's only a few dollars more than a midsize once the free upgrade kicks in and YVR tends to offer the same cars in Premium as in Luxury.

Pickup: Philadelphia 5:00pm on Sunday 20 Sep 2009
Dropoff: Philadelphia 11:30pm on Monday 21 Sep 2009

Cost per day BEFORE fees and taxes: $125 PER DAY from economy on up.

Hotwire gave an all in rate under $80 for the two days for up to a standard size car.

Sorry National, but I'm not willing to pay $200 more for a two day rental for the ability to pick my own car and save 10 minutes of waiting in line.

If you're referring to the one free weekend day, they can be applied to Premium/Luxuries if you're using the Entertainment Book version.

Are we talking about a different 3rd day free coupon?

I know most 3rd Day Free codes work up to F - not Premium. I was assuming that an Exec Elite would be able to book a midsize, utilize the 3rd Day Free, and then just talk to someone at the location...

But it sounds like the system works a bit differently than I thought...

Sorry National, but I'm not willing to pay $200 more for a two day rental for the ability to pick my own car and save 10 minutes of waiting in line.

Hotwire/Priceline is the main reason I actually keep the little plastic cards. You can skip the main line and head to the "preferred" queue, hopefully avoiding a significant wait in line. I've never had an issue doing that and showing the card. (Granted, I don't expect any upgrades/perks...just the use of the short line.)

$23 for a premium?! Nice. what's the conversion between canadian and us currency?

If you thought $23 for a premium was good.. check out the rate for next weekend (p/u Friday noon, return Monday noon), booked through nationalcar.ca:

Base Rate - Premium (CAD)
(3) Time & Distance ($12.09/Day) $36.27
Discount -$5.44
Contract ID 5007125
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Kilometers Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $30.83

Ron.

If you thought $23 for a premium was good.. check out the rate for next weekend (p/u Friday noon, return Monday noon), booked through nationalcar.ca:

Base Rate - Premium (CAD)
(3) Time & Distance ($12.09/Day) $36.27
Discount -$5.44
Contract ID 5007125
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Kilometers Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $30.83

Ron.

Holy mackerel. Which location is this again? :)

Holy mackerel. Which location is this again? :)


This is YVR. It's a Premium for Full Size price. Funny thing is, if you try to book a Full Size, it gives you the Mid Size price, which is ~$21/day. :)

Ron.

I don't know what it is, but I have seen some outrageous rates on National's web site lately - regardless of being logged in, or not. I have been using Hertz on my last few rentals because they have beaten National's rate by more than 20% each time. It's a shame, as I much prefer National's service to Hertz's, but I am responsible for my own travel budget - and saving some $$ on car rentals right now may be the difference between being able to take an additional trip at the end of the year or not.

I don't know what it is, but I have seen some outrageous rates on National's web site lately - regardless of being logged in, or not. I have been using Hertz on my last few rentals because they have beaten National's rate by more than 20% each time. It's a shame, as I much prefer National's service to Hertz's, but I am responsible for my own travel budget - and saving some $$ on car rentals right now may be the difference between being able to take an additional trip at the end of the year or not.

Have you made sure to use the Emerald Club contract code? I have seen situations recently where the non-contract rate was absurd, but the rate with the EC code was significantly less than Hertz or even the likes of Budget. Over $100 difference.

I have used a number of codes, including one which has been very successful for me over time. I have had a few good hits again on National, so maybe it was just an aberration.

Of course, I picked up my reservation from EWR yesterday and had my sparkling choice of a couple of minivans, some Impalas, and one 27K+ mile Toyota Camry...with an Enterprise key chain.

I suppose that is for a different thread, but isn't EWR about the worst airport for any car rental? Hertz is just as bad as National.

On my past several reservations, the first time I go in - signed into Nat'l account - the rate seems extremely high. I will go back a few days/weeks later and the rate will be less than half. I reserve at new rate and cancel old rate.
Example: next weekend at SEA. Original booking was $159 for weekend. When I went back in, rate came to $67/weekend.
I'm Exec Elite with National. And it doesnt seam to matter whether I'm signed into my account or not.

I guess they're screwing ya regardless of how many flyertalk posts you have. :cool:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/national/990095-first-post-question.html

I guess they're screwing ya regardless of how many flyertalk posts you have. :cool:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/national/990095-first-post-question.html

That particular case is what I'm used to as well. We used to go to TPA/MCO in January often. Well after the holidays and before Spring Break, definitely not a peak period.

Anyway, we'd lock in cheap airfares and extremely cheap condos easily in September-ish, but the rental car rates would always be sitting at "full price rates" until November or so. Then, they'd drop and we'd snag a car for $150-ish per week (normal Exec Aisle booking). In the past, when we arrived at either TPA or MCO, the Exec Aisle would be crawling with large cars, SUV's, and vans. This year I'm not so sure...I think if I definitely wanted SUV, I"d do what you did and Priceline the whole thing. $563 all in for 2 weeks is not bad at all for a confirmed SUV. ^ (I'd be even more likely to confirm the type at a smaller station like PIE.)

I think if I definitely wanted SUV, I"d do what you did and Priceline the whole thing. $563 all in for 2 weeks is not bad at all for a confirmed SUV. ^ (I'd be even more likely to confirm the type at a smaller station like PIE.)

Yeah, even though $100 higher than last year, it is not a bad deal.