Rental Car in Orlando this Christmas

[Tom52]

I will be flying into Orlando Sunday Dec 23 for timeshare holiday vacation. I was checking around for a rental car on line last night and the prices seem to be double during the holidays. Are there any rental car companies that offer reasonable rates during the Christmas holiday season?

I would appreciate any suggestions on how to reserve a reasonable rental car, or at least be able to get a discount.

[JLB]

We were there last Christmas week and same deal. We were able to get reasonable flights, either to Sanford or St. Pete, but a rental car that would just barely due for 18 days was $1500.

Then I went to flyertalk and found a National Car Rental discount code thread. I found a code that reduced it to under $600, plus an online coupon for $40 more. As was said several times on flyertalk, the folks at the counter could care less about the contract. They just want to get rid of you and on to the next person in line, so they can go home.

When we arrrived at St. Pete, I made a dash for the rental car counter and was the first there. They had only two SUVs for a $10 a day upgrade. I took the Rendevous. I caught some grief for spending that extra $200 when I worked so hard to get a decent price in the first place, but my decision was justified.

With 11 people the first week, and four the second, with four sets of golf clubs, the Impala never would have worked. Besides, they didn't have an Impala.

Still, you should be ready to accept or turn down that upgrade when it is offered, so as to not hold up the line. Just say yes, I'll take the SUV or no, the Yugo will be fine.

Discount codes come and go, so keep working on it, googling and so forth.

[JamminJoe]

I always use Priceline and seem to get great rates, I am not sure about Christmas week but on average I spend $16-17 daily when going to Orlando. Go to the "name your own price" of their website, if they reject your offer you wait 3-days and try again.