Author Topic: Minivan Rental Strategies  (Read 2869 times)

Offline DXD

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Minivan Rental Strategies
« on: May 07, 2014, 12:36:08 PM »
Hi -

Our family requires a mini-van for car rentals. However, mini-vans usually cost 2-4 x the cost of two row vehicles for rentals, even when booking very far in advance. What are some strategies / discounts that people use for larger family car rentals??

Offline lunatic

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2014, 01:16:46 PM »
rent two cars

Offline DovtheBear

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2014, 01:24:16 PM »
rent two cars
That usually requires two drivers. :)
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Offline mendoul

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2014, 05:53:02 PM »
mendy

Offline asks

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2014, 08:34:27 AM »
Hi -

Our family requires a mini-van for car rentals. However, mini-vans usually cost 2-4 x the cost of two row vehicles for rentals, even when booking very far in advance. What are some strategies / discounts that people use for larger family car rentals??
Sign up for National's Emerald Club. When you get the the "aisle" (see national website, or DDF topic on this) there's very good chance of getting a minivan.  Doing it this way allows you to get a minivan at a midsize car rate.

Offline Yehuda25

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2014, 09:56:54 AM »
Sign up for National's Emerald Club. When you get the the "aisle" (see national website, or DDF topic on this) there's very good chance of getting a minivan.  Doing it this way allows you to get a minivan at a midsize car rate.
+1 this has worked for others in the past.
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Offline DXD

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2014, 02:16:55 PM »
+1 this has worked for others in the past.

Thank you! This sounds like an excellent idea.

Is anyone aware of an updated link for a free enrollment.

Offline Sport

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2014, 02:21:42 PM »
It's free to enroll.

Offline yoruel

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2014, 12:26:23 AM »
It's free to enroll.
IIRC you need to pay/reserve at least a mid size to take any car on the aisle(you still save money)

Offline Sport

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2014, 12:31:09 AM »
IIRC you need to pay/reserve at least a mid size to take any car on the aisle(you still save money)
yes you are correct, but @DXD was asking for link to free enrollment in emarld club to which I was responding that it's free to enroll (without any link).

Offline srap

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #10 on: May 11, 2014, 12:48:20 AM »
Sign up for National's Emerald Club. When you get the the "aisle" (see national website, or DDF topic on this) there's very good chance of getting a minivan.  Doing it this way allows you to get a minivan at a midsize car rate.
Never heard of this before.  Wow.  So I can reserve a midsize car and end up with a full size if there is one in the aisle section?
TY!



Offline how

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2014, 01:14:39 AM »
Never heard of this before.  Wow.  So I can reserve a midsize car and end up with a full size if there is one in the aisle section?
TY!

yes same with hertz last time i rented from hertz there were 3 minivans in the gold aisle.

As a general rule you can reserve a regular car and try to get upgraded to a minivan at the airport. Most airport branches are happy to get rid of their minivans and may easily give it to you at no extra cost. First check the aisle and if you see a minivan good, if not you can often ask for one but don't let them know your desperate for a minivan at any price.
Give a look around the lot so you know how negotiable they will be.

Offline knowitall

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2014, 08:13:09 PM »
First of all, make sure to go the counter alone. If you have 5 kids with you they'll know your desperate. If you're a Costco member, try costco travel. I rented a minivan for 20$ a day through Costco. They don't take your CC so you don't have to use your reservation if you find a cheaper one. Also try a priceline bid. And as always, don't prepay fuel. And look around the whole van before driving off. Good luck!

Offline Driver

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2014, 02:06:47 PM »
yes same with hertz last time i rented from hertz there were 3 minivans in the gold aisle.


Which location?

Offline how

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2014, 02:19:49 PM »

Offline Driver

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #15 on: May 12, 2014, 03:35:00 PM »
LGA

Oh nice! I guess they only carry Dodge/Chrysler vans (which I hate...)

Offline how

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2014, 03:41:29 PM »
Oh nice! I guess they only carry Dodge/Chrysler vans (which I hate...)
I think it was 2 dodge and 1 nissan

Offline knowitall

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Re: Minivan Rental Strategies
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2014, 03:56:38 PM »
And really ugly mazdas