Programs: AS MVP (withering away due to insane fares), UA, AA, AGR, NPS passport, Costco Exec
Posts: 5,245
Quote:
Originally Posted by Firewind
Perhaps the context is that the rental car companies are the handmaidens to the manufacturers. They handle the surplus. In recent months, I've been regularly offered the largest SUVs (no Hummers) when I turn up for my economy car. "We have a Road Dominator available immediately." "What about the economy...?" "Well, that could take 15 minutes, maybe more..."
I think they're desperate to cycle the big ones through.
Yes and no. That was formerly the case, but with the recent cutbacks by the manufacturers, there's less of that surplus inventory going around. What were formerly very lucrative buyback program cars are now expensive leased cars ($700+ per month).
DTAG (Dollar's parent company) recently renegotiated their fleet contract with Chrysler, and there is (from what I understand) now no minimum Chrysler fleet mix requirement. They also signed a larger deal with Ford. I would expect to see DTAG purchasing fewer Chrysler cars and more heavily supplementing those cars with both Fords and, perhaps down the line a bit, more "risk" cars (DTAG takes the "risk" on depreciation, but the cars cost the company substantially less--on the order of $400 per month instead of $700 when you factor in financing, depreciation and resale value, etc.). You'll also see older cars: instead of having the latest model year, you'll probably see two- and three-year-old cars with 40-60,000 miles on them.
This is what many franchised locations have been doing, but now you'll see the corporate fleet heading in this direction.
You'll probably also (to respond to your point) see fewer SUVs and more small cars, since when buying their own cars, they'll be able to control the fleet mix better. (Formerly, Chrysler dictated the fleet mix to some extent as a condition of the buyback program and to get the volume discounts.)
the website for the hawaii rental is hawaiicarrentals.net
This morning when I checked the rate was gone. just rechecked and its back
up for the SUV standard only. I also booked the same rate for the next week
in Maui. I printed out the confirmation pages and went to the Dollar website
to review my reservations and they are showing for the EST Grand Total
of $69.49 for the week. I hope they will honor them I love the rate.
If I make a back up reservation what happens if I am a no show because
dollar honors the rate?
If I make a back up reservation what happens if I am a no show because dollar honors the rate?
Who did you book with? I'd be careful as most rental car companies consider SUVs to be "guaranteed" vehicles. Since, in theory, there aren't as many of them to be specifically booked as regular cars, the rental company would be turning people away only for you to not show up. Therefore, they might charge a no-show fee in the range of $50-$100. I'd read the fine print wherever you booked. Let me know what agency and locaiton and I'd be happy to help.
Programs: AS MVP (withering away due to insane fares), UA, AA, AGR, NPS passport, Costco Exec
Posts: 5,245
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuneman1984
Who did you book with? I'd be careful as most rental car companies consider SUVs to be "guaranteed" vehicles. Since, in theory, there aren't as many of them to be specifically booked as regular cars, the rental company would be turning people away only for you to not show up. Therefore, they might charge a no-show fee in the range of $50-$100. I'd read the fine print wherever you booked. Let me know what agency and locaiton and I'd be happy to help.
Do as Tuneman says, but don't panic if you don't see a reference to a no-show or cancellation fee. Some companies do this, but other companies don't--I've rented SUVs at several places with no cancellation penalties.
If the online reservation terms and conditions aren't clear, the best thing to do is to call the agency, give them your reservation number, have them look your reservation up, and then ask them if there are cancellation fees/requirements or no-show penalties.
I am trying to book a rental car for May 17-21 for LAS. The best I can come up with is $34/day with the BR0706 promo code above. I thought it was bad a few months ago when rates were $22 day (so I decided to wait). Anybody know why rates are so high there for that time period? I can usually snag a rental car through Dollar for $75 including tax for the same 5 day period.
Who did you book with? I'd be careful as most rental car companies consider SUVs to be "guaranteed" vehicles. Since, in theory, there aren't as many of them to be specifically booked as regular cars, the rental company would be turning people away only for you to not show up. Therefore, they might charge a no-show fee in the range of $50-$100. I'd read the fine print wherever you booked. Let me know what agency and locaiton and I'd be happy to help.
Well I'm not going to be a no show for the week's rate at $69.49 for
a SUV It was just suggested that I get a back up reservation
because they may not honor that rate as it does seem wonderfully low!
The back up reservation, which I have not made, was what I was
worried about.
However since I have printed out the confirmation and double checked
dollars' web site that they have the reservation confirmed I think I will
go on the assumption that they will honor the rate they gave me.
One week, SUV standard, Total Base rate $37.30
Est Grand Total $69.49
Programs: WN Companion Pass, former HP Gold and AA Gold
Posts: 217
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hannah.Skyler
I just found a corporate number for Dollar. The codes BR0706.
Just thought I would post a note that today I booked an economy vehicle using this code. It was around $70 cheaper than any other rate from any LAS airport vendor I could find.
All prices including tax (which are $65-80)! Gulp!
I am coming in to New York in 2 weeks. Any experience with JFK station?
Did anyone have to show ID with Code BR0706?
I dont want any hassle after flying 9 hours, but a rate of 350 for a C300 for a week is just great!
Thanks for your help
I am renting first time from Dollar so if there is anything else I should know please tell me, by the way how much time can I give a car back late with out being charged?!
I had booked the same rate and last friday rec'd a call from dollar saying it was a computer error and they needed to adjust my rate. They offered $210/week for same SUV.
the website for the hawaii rental is hawaiicarrentals.net
This morning when I checked the rate was gone. just rechecked and its back
up for the SUV standard only. I also booked the same rate for the next week
in Maui. I printed out the confirmation pages and went to the Dollar website
to review my reservations and they are showing for the EST Grand Total
of $69.49 for the week. I hope they will honor them I love the rate.
If I make a back up reservation what happens if I am a no show because
dollar honors the rate?
wintermom - how did your rental go - did they honor the rate?
wintermom - how did your rental go - did they honor the rate?
Just back from my trip and I am happy to say they did honor the rate in
both OGG and LIH. Dollar called me several weeks after I made the reservation
to try to change it but as I told them I had already booked inter-island
flights (at a more expensive rate) to match the times I have booked their cars
and I had printed confirmations for my reservations. They agreed to let
my reservations stand. Kauai gave us no trouble at all, congratulated us on
the great rate. Maui was more difficult, kept saying the rate was a mistake
and I should have been contacted. I assured them I was and I had been told
I could keep the rate. She gave in and we got the car, a nice jeep for 5
nights that cost a total of $67.00 including tax!!
It was just suggested that I get a back up reservation 
