Originally Posted by
pkerr
I'll have to disagree a bit with that.
I have been doing a ski trip to Lake Tahoe every year for about 10 years now. I usually go sometime in early March and start looking at SUV prices in Sept.
There always seems to be a window when the prices drop for a period of time and then go back up. It might happen in Sept or Oct or Nov. For instance this year I booked late Sept and got an SUV for $250 all in. The closer it got to departure day, the rates seem to go up and up and up. Topping out at around $600.
So I usually start my looking in Sept and then check once or twice every week until I see a good one and then book it. If it goes lower you can always cancel and get the new, lower one.
I'm glad you only disagreed "a bit".
Your situation is the exception to the rule for the most part. Tahoe rentals in March: snow, mountains, groups of people, and ski equipment. These make SUVs a premium as they (rental agencies) start to sell out of the most popular vehicles. I would expect long advance reservations to be cheaper than close-in ones.
However St. Thomas is going to experience a more varied demand on vehicle types - smaller ones for couples, mid-sized for family sun bathers, and larger vehicles for sporting enthusiasts.
I have to agree with
randix. Expecting good deals for Christmas in St. Thomas this far out is an exercise in frustration IMHO.