Need help rental car for cheap
Jun 1, 2014, 8:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Need help rental car for cheap
I'm looking to get a rental car next weekend for as cheap as possible.
Thursday AM to Monday AM pickup & drop off at MLI.
We are hoping to stay under $100. Preferably a 4 door so we have enough room for a family of three with one of them riding in a car seat.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thursday AM to Monday AM pickup & drop off at MLI.
We are hoping to stay under $100. Preferably a 4 door so we have enough room for a family of three with one of them riding in a car seat.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jun 1, 2014, 10:17 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,536
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
What's the best deal you have found so far? Do you belong to any groups or associations that offer discounts?
There are coupon codes available to the general public that offer a free weekend day on rentals from Avis and Budget.
If you can't get a low enough rate through a conventional booking, you can try putting in a bid via Priceline's name-your-own-price option.
What's the best deal you have found so far? Do you belong to any groups or associations that offer discounts?
There are coupon codes available to the general public that offer a free weekend day on rentals from Avis and Budget.
If you can't get a low enough rate through a conventional booking, you can try putting in a bid via Priceline's name-your-own-price option.
Jun 2, 2014, 6:23 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
I was able to find a full size car for $89.00 through Alamo. By using their last min deals, Thursday to Monday (4 days @ $14.99 per day)
I have Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, & Alamo membership IDs.
I also have access to AAA and Choice hotel membership..
I have Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, & Alamo membership IDs.
I also have access to AAA and Choice hotel membership..
Jun 2, 2014, 12:04 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,536
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
It looks like you got a great deal that meets your needs. Congrats!
Are Alamo's last-minute rates combinable with coupon discounts? If so, look for a free-weekend-day or a dollars-off coupon to use with the rental. There might even be such a coupon on Alamo's own website.
Originally Posted by MrsE
I was able to find a full size car for $89.00 through Alamo. By using their last min deals, Thursday to Monday (4 days @ $14.99 per day)
I have Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, & Alamo membership IDs.
I also have access to AAA and Choice hotel membership..
I have Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, & Alamo membership IDs.
I also have access to AAA and Choice hotel membership..
Are Alamo's last-minute rates combinable with coupon discounts? If so, look for a free-weekend-day or a dollars-off coupon to use with the rental. There might even be such a coupon on Alamo's own website.
Jun 5, 2014, 5:10 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: TK Elite; HH Diamond; AA Plat; CC Gold
Posts: 310
14.99$ for 1 day is real bargain for full-size car. If you want to save more money, then at the pick-up location, check which full-size car has FlexFuel option. Then you can tank E85 which is up to 20% cheaper than regular fuel. For example Chevy Impala is FlexFuel.
Jun 5, 2014, 8:09 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: Hertz 5*, United Gold (Soon to be gone), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 383
But you will get about 20% lower has mileage using E85, so it is essentially a wash.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: TK Elite; HH Diamond; AA Plat; CC Gold
Posts: 310
Jun 5, 2014, 1:49 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
I'd say it's closer to 15%, but yes, lower mileage. Had a FlexFuel Avalanche before, and in working out the numbers, the E85 had to be at least $0.35/gal cheaper for me to break even vs. regular gas.
Jun 5, 2014, 10:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 196
Jun 6, 2014, 5:16 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,536
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
The OP's rental started yesterday. And $15/day + taxes/fees for a full-size car sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
Originally Posted by kettle1
On this rental. Try Priceline name your own price, don't forget about taxes/fees.
Jun 6, 2014, 6:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
I was shocked when Hertz came up - I thought I would get Alamo or Budget or worse. Perhaps Rent A Dent (remember them).
Good for the OP. ^
Jun 12, 2014, 5:35 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 9
That is literally impossible to be same or especially better, E85 gets way worse fuel mileage, look at E85 ratings from manufacturers vs normal gas and look at real world reports. Check anything online and you'll never see someone reporting same or better then 89-93 gas. I had a Tahoe that was E85 capable, useless. For one E85 is barely cheaper, and the Tahoe would go from about 20 highway to 12 on a lucky day on E85. Same for cars, get way worse mileage. I just filled up and E85 was only 13 cents cheaper then regular, forget breaking even lol, it would cost you way more money driving. You'd have to have like a 40 cent price difference to break even b/c of the awful mileage and that price difference isn't around People I know that have cars that are flex fuel capable don't even both running E85. It's more like 25%+ reduction, less than 25% if all moons and the earth are on perfect axis and the stars align and the gods are on your side that day lol