Need help with rental in Fort Myers, FL

All-

Posting to see if I could get some assistance with renting a "full size" car in Fort Myers, FL from (Picking up 3/8/12) (Dropping off 3/13/12).

I did some research on my own but the prices seem a little high and wanted to get others opinion due to my inexperience. I guess the prices could be higher than I am used to do to the area (resort type town / city).

Anyway here is what I found so far: (Will list National first since I have used them before in the past and am a Emerald Club member)

National:

Reg Price - 385.00
With Emerald Club # and Free Weekend Day - 312.00 (Cheapest I can find as far as codes, tried weekly codes but still not as good)

Budget:

Reg Price - 500.00
Continental Code - (I am a member of "One Pass") 450.00
Southwest Rewards - (Also a rapid rewards member) 332.00

Hertz:

Reg Price - 586.00
Southwest (Only code I could find to work) - 488.00
Tried other codes for Hertz (like weekly off, weekend day, etc but kept receiving error message saying "site not participating in offer" or something like that).

Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated....oh and I am not dead set on a full size...just did not want to drive around in a "skate"...LOL

Thanks,
Michael

let us know what u see at Alamo
https://www.alamo.com/index.do?action=/hotDealsTemplate&msg=outo...

You seem rather lost.

I can't tell what you are doing unless you specify the matrix codes you used.

I am getting prices around $100 less than you found, without any coupons or codes...

Standard Car Ford Fusion or similar
(unlimited mileage)
Budget Rent a Car

Pick-Up Date and Time:
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 at 10:00 am

Drop-Off Date and Time:
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 9:00 am

USD $204.99 subtotal plus taxes & fees

Estimated Rental Car Charges

Weekly Rate (1 x $204.99)

USD $204.99

Subtotal

USD $204.99

Taxes and Fees:

USD $30.32

Amount Due at Pick-up

USD $235.31 (As opposed to the $332 and $450 you found)

With some effort testing codes and coupons, you should be able to do even better.

Mamzer said:   You seem rather lost.

I can't tell what you are doing unless you specify the matrix codes you used.

I am getting prices around $100 less than you found, without any coupons or codes...

Standard Car Ford Fusion or similar
(unlimited mileage)
Budget Rent a Car

Pick-Up Date and Time:
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 at 10:00 am

Drop-Off Date and Time:
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 9:00 am

USD $204.99 subtotal plus taxes & fees

Estimated Rental Car Charges


Weekly Rate (1 x $204.99)

USD $204.99

Subtotal

USD $204.99

Taxes and Fees:

USD $30.32

Amount Due at Pick-up

USD $235.31 (As opposed to the $332 and $450 you found)

With some effort testing codes and coupons, you should be able to do even better.

It could be possible that I am lost....LOL.....

I actually thought I did a pretty good job of going through some codes but apparently not....my mistake.

I am not sure how you got a reg price from Budget for 235? My reg price when I inputted the dates was 500 for a full size car? It only went down to 450.00 when I used the "Continental Air" code and then down to 332.00 when I used the "Southwest Rapid Rewards" code?

Did you use any code at all to get that down to 235 or is that reg price? Reason why I am asking is because a lot of the times you cannot use more than one code...at least I have never been able to....what am I missing?

Thanks...sorry to be so dense but I am actually trying

Michael

$235.31 Standard Car Ford Fusion or similar from Mamzer

$500 for a full size car from OP

Comparing Apples and Oranges

gronkowski1fan said:   $235.31 Standard Car Ford Fusion or similar from Mamzer

$500 for a full size car from OP

Comparing Apples and OrangesNot at all.

OP said he didn't need full size and standard should meet his needs.

For the record, Full size is $10 more for the entire rental period. ($245 opposed to $332 or $450)

Full-Size Car Ford Taurus or similar
(unlimited mileage)
Budget Rent a Car

Pick-Up Date and Time:
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 at 10:00 am

Drop-Off Date and Time:
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 9:00 am

USD $214.99 subtotal plus taxes & fees

Estimated Rental Car Charges

Weekly Rate (1 x $214.99)

USD $214.99

Subtotal

USD $214.99

Taxes and Fees:

USD $30.92

Amount Due at Pick-up

USD $245.91

nice

Step 3: Select rental options and calculate total
Base Rate - Fullsize (USD)
(5) Time & Distance ($39.00/Day) $195.00
Discount Coupon Accepted ($25.00)
Contract ID  5000002  
Inclusive Rate Items
Unlimited Miles Included
For information on coverage products, ex:Loss Damage Waiver(LDW) click here
Subtotal $170.00
Additional Drivers 
Rentals that require Additional Drivers must be completed at the National counter,
or via Save Time.

Additional Items 
Booster Seat ($9.99/Day; $60.00/Max Amt)
$0.00
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offset ($1.25/Rental)
$0.00
Infant Seat ($9.99/Day; $60.00/Max Amt)
$0.00
Child/toddler Seat ($9.99/Day; $60.00/Max Amt)
$0.00
Gps Navigation Device ($11.99/Day; $69.65/Week; $179.99/Max Amt)
$0.00
Loss Damage Waiver Full ($22.99/Day)
$0.00
Loss Damage Waiver $3000 ($11.99/Day)
$0.00
Personal Accident Insurance/persone ($8.00/Day)
$0.00
Roadside Plus ($4.99/Day)
$0.00
Supplemental Liability Insurance ($12.44/Day)
$0.00
Upfront Fuel ($3.45/gal)
$0.00
The total upfront fuel charge reflected is an estimate based on
the current prices and average tank size for the car class reserved.
This charge may change at time of rental.
  Subtotal
$0.00
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees 
Customer Facility Chrg 1 Usd/dy
$5.00
Concession Recoupment Fee 11.11 Pct
$19.28
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day
$10.00
Tire/battery Fee .02/day
$0.10
Vehicle License Fee .69/day
$3.45
Sales Tax (6.0%)
$12.47
Subtotal
$50.30
Calculate Estimated Total
Estimated Total
$220.3

Mamzer said:   m1chael said:   BTW, after you posted 235.00 as the price without any codes...I just went back to the budget website and entered in the data again and still coming up with crazy expensive prices...?

See the attached image.....Budget Pricing ImagePM me and I'll walk you through the process.

I got it down to $213 using a code and coupon from the matrix. Full size is $223.

You might do even better if you test a few more codes and coupons.

Mamzer-

Just an FYI, I sent you a PM to inquire.

Thanks,
Michael

good job by Mamzer, but OP don't stop at one reservation; you've got plenty of time to beat both Budget quality and price. Avis offer is just one example + you may be able to get away with up to $40 additional Avis coupon; may bring you to $150. Let us know

newjerseymax, so how much you think m1chael will be paying for those 5 days all-in?

Advantage rarely comes recommended; but Mamzer has mis-represented what newjerseymax had said by 50-75%. Unless Mamzer has some inside on newjerseymax...in which case, my advance apologies

I really wanted to see newjerseymax's numbers.

As to the traditional requirement poor OP had to fulfil before he could get first elementary hint: who needs to see a full page of totally misleading OP?? This entire 5-day Ft.Myers topic could fit into half-a-page; and any visitor to the topic would look at hot information, not mis-information. Be reasonable, people, and easy on OP requests

m1chael said:   Mamzer & All-

Just wanted to report back that (Mamzer I followed your directions via PM) and was able to get an "intermediate" (I dropped down one class size just to save a little bit more money since there is only two of us) and was able to get the price of $176.39 by entering in the "Southwest Rapid Rewards" BCD Offer code. I attempted to try several "coupon codes" (like $20 off weekly / weekend / etc) but kept receiving error message stating "not available to use at this location" or something like that.

So it looks like the $176.39 is about the best I am going to get as of now by using a "legit" code which is what I always intend on doing. I guess I can go ahead and book it now and keep watching to see if something better comes along in the coming month before my trip?

Thanks,

MichaelGlad you got it to work. Sure beats the original prices you got!

Definitely book it and keep watching, as you indicated.

Once you've got it booked, you have the rate locked in and you can always book a better rate if one comes along.

Keep following my instructions, using your Southwest code, and keep monitoring the rate until your actual rental date.

See my personal note to you via PM.

SinglePapa said:   $176 all-inclusive sounds good. Just make sure Budget doesn't force you into heavy mandatory insurance, like Enterprise often does. That could double your out-of-pocket!Their insurance is not mandatory and they can't force you to take it. Just learn to say "NO" when they pressure you.

SinglePapa said:   not sure you've been in that spot. A neighborhood Enterprise location wanted me to show proof of my insurance; they even offered to give my broker a call. Without it, they didn't want to give me the car I reserved for $152/week. I had to accept $17/day coverage (at least it carried zero deductable). I'd prefer to leave without it, but they said NONot sure about your state, but in most, if not all states, the law requires that drivers carry proof of insurance coverage. If that's the case in the state where you rented, you should have been carrying proof of insurance by law. Considering they were willing to call your broker for confirmation, it sounds like they were very reasonable and within their rights.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/do-i-need-insurance-to-rent-...

SinglePapa said:   Very good Gefilte, you might as well edit your advice about saying NO: "if you have proof of own insurance"No edit needed. I said not to get pressured into taking their insurance, since most people have their own cars and are required to carry insurance. Nobody should be driving without insurance when it is mandated by law and nobody should be breaking the law by trying to rent a car without any insurance. It seems that some participants in this forum are intent on breaking every law on the books. It's a really bad example for our kids.

OP, try Budget and Avis SUV offer. It may come out lower than what you have so far - and downgrading during pick-up should not present an issue, if you're so inclined

what about Avis offer?

It's good to carry clear printout of both reservations: works wonders against person at the counter.
If the two locations are together, you have an option to run off with your car of choice!

I'd never cancel any reservation you may end up using LOL
As far as competitive printout to tout: it may or may not be a live one - but it has to be clear to look at

salahosaurus said:   If you didn't give them any of your credit cards, then you shouldn't worry about your money, but if I were you, I would call and cancel them myself so my reputation doesn't go down if they have a system that records names.

is there any credence to this extrapolation?