J312300 - Victorian Government rate - Australia
Coupon Code: MK

I used Avis.com.au to do a dummy booking and got quoted AUD$ 80 for a 2-day booking of Economy car (Group X). Interestingly, the quote includes insurance so I think it's not too bad.

http://www.pcs.unimelb.edu.au/servic...te_Leisure.pdf

I tried several dozens of different AWD, including those you posted, and many others I googled. What bothers me is that none of the AWD gets me better rate than basic rate without AWD.

I tried dummy bookings on com.au site as well, and for my booking I'm getting this prices (12 days, Group X):
no AWD 326,04$
J312300 494,22$
P786700 326,04$
P682402 494,22$

Most of the AWDs I tried give me same rate as without AWD, but some give me corporate rate which is MUCH higher than the basic rate :(:(:(

I'm looking for Tassie, btw, if that information is any relevant?

I could've done the dummy booking through Avis.com though - sorry, I couldn't really remember.

Here's an example:

I wanted to book a group X car for 1 day only on 03/11/14 - 04/11/14 because Tuesday 4th Nov 2014 is a public holiday in Victoria. I chose the pick up location from 8 Franklin St Melbourne (ME1) on 03/11/14 and return on 04/11/14, age 25+, resident of Australia, and here's the result:

no AWD - AU$ 67,74
J312300 - AU$ 40.25
P786700 - AU$ 67,74
P682402 - AU$ 64.72

All rates are inclusive LDW.

One thing that can kill your cheap rate when renting in Australia is Excess Reduction option which can be ranging from AU$ 20-35/day depending on the car and whether it's high or low season. This is an option where if you had an accident, you could reduce the amount payable by driver to zero. Avis insurance would still pay for the damages to the car, however, there's an administration fee (excess) to process the claim and this could go as high as AU$ 2000.

I am trying to book 6 day hire from Belfast City - Dublin airport (26th-31st) of this month - and I am getting some very high prices even with my trusty E888810 AWD

anyone suggest alternative?

I repeated your dummy bookings and got the same results. But, then I started going on for more days, and I figured out if you choose 4 or more days, AWDs no longer give you any discount. It's also different prices if you choose different residency. Weird :)

Edit: I did some more "analysis" and found out this is due to the fact that basic rate (per day) without AWD changes a lot depending on time of rent (1-2d=53$, 3d=47$, 4d=27.1$, 5-6d=17.2$, 7+d=15.2$), while with AWD this rate is much more constant (1-2d=35.5$, 3-6d=34.41$, 7+d=32,59$). So AWDs only make sense for short period of rent, while basic rate / day is lower than one without AWD.

Best weekly rate in Montréal this week?
Hi all, longtime reader, first time poster!

Can someone help me get a better weekly fullsize/premium/specialty rate in Montréal?

----------

Pickup Location : Montréal airport - YUL
Dropoff Location : SAME

Pickup Date and Time : October 30th, 19:00 (flexible starting at 17:00)
Return Date and Time : November 6th, 19:00 (flexible)

Vehicle Size Preference : Fullsize (or Premium/Genesis if there's an AWD giving unlimited km)

Home Country : Canada (CAD$)

Memberships : Avis First, Aeroplan, Entertainment book, Visa Desjardins. Willing to try other AWDs.

AWD and coupon used for quotes : C682300 (Aeroplan), MUWA028 (35$ USD off a weekly rental)

Best price I've found for a Fullsize : 176,91$ prepaid all in, unlimited km.
Best price I've found for a Premium : 321,69$ prepaid all in, 1400 km 0,18$ add km.
Best price I've found for a Hyundai Genesis : 542,07$ prepaid all in, 2000 km 0,18$ add km.

---
I'm only an Avis First member (not PC/CHM), so I'd have to rent higher than Fullsize to have a chance to get a specialty car (Genesis/BMW) for my 7h+ ride (each way).

I had found an all in prepaid price of 150,XX$ last week for a fullsize, but my travel dates weren't firm so I couldn't risk it.

TIA!

Welcome to FT!
I rent at YUL frequently and have never seen great deals on specialty cars. That $177 AI weekly rate is an outstanding deal. That's like $15 a day with the rest being taxes/fees. They are very good with upgrades for PC members and swapping cars if you want something better. Your Avis First should help. But it's up to the agent and their inventory which I'm guessing is pretty good now, between fall and ski season so your odds are better for a major upgrade.

How do you do a back-up reservation with a different agency without having to pay up front? Could I instead do a different reservation with Avis with a different discount code.

I currently am using the Citicorp Leisure (A074800) and a $35 off weekly rate (MUWA028) which gives a GREAT price for a rental in mid January.

I also have checked another code (X400270) not sure what it's tied to but the base price is $329, I can also use the (G417900) Kellwood Corp code that people say is ok. It gives a base price of $322.

But the Citicorp give a $201 base so I'd like to use it if I can.............. But don't want to get stuck with the "walk up" rate if they deny. So can I do another reservation with one of these other 2 codes that give an "ok" rate?

Thank you.

Pickup Location: LAX
Pickup Date and Time: 12/25 12pm
Return Date and Time: 1/1/2015 1pm
Vehicle Size Preference: Standard
Memberships (AAA/USAA/airline FFP/etc): AA, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold, SPG Gold, Avis Preferred.

Hi jimmywalt, welcome to FT!

Most rental agencies only require a name and email address to make a reservation (and possibly a phone number). So, make a backup reservation with Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, etc. (I like Alamo for backups, especially if I don't have a lot of time to search b/c they are usually among the cheapest rates). If you have enough time in your schedule, reserve the backup for an hour or so later than the Avis rental. Then, if the Avis rental goes through, quickly go online and cancel your backup reservation.

It's not advisable to make 2 simultaneous reservations with the same agency using different discount codes - you are just asking for extra scrutiny.

Citicorp code should be safe to use as long as you have some sort of card issued by them to show as proof. Coupon codes are usually safe for anyone to use, so the combo you have for January seems like a safe one.

Hi JeremyG5,

What is the best rate you found for this rental, and with which agency?

Hi NikkiBrett,

Welcome to FT!

That code is for employees of a company called Capgemini. It is rare that renters under this code are asked for ID, but be aware it could happen. Per Capgemini's internal documentation, the code is to be used for business purposes only - which means that if you get busted, you are potentially doing harm to Capgemini as well as your own standing with Avis.

The rate includes LDW, which I would say increases the likelihood you will be asked for some sort of employee ID.

See post above

Avis $196.94 ($266 after tax) for a Standard

Thanks FlightExpert! I'll go online and apply for a Citi credit card!

Is there a thread like this with the Alamo discount codes? I'll look at a backup rental with them.

Hey since they don't require credit card (Avis and I assume Alamo) then why even bother with going online and canceling the one that you don't use? When you don't show up won't they cancel it by default?