I'm trying to figure out which is the best car rental coupon to use for an upcoming trip I'm planning.
I've got some Entertainment coupons for Budget: free day on a weekly rental, $25 off a weekly rental or a free double upgrade coupon. I want to rent a car at the Norfolk Airport on June 19th, around 130pm and return it on June 25th after 5pm (think that makes it 7 days). I'd prefer to have a larger car, as I'll be driving alot. Is it better to use the free day, the $25 off or just book a compact car and get a free upgrade to a fullsize car? Help!
Starting with the rental car coupon codes (BCD Code for Budget) for an entertainment coupon (it's amazing what I remember, even after a year!) --
Base rate for 7 days = $179.99
Assuming no options, equipment or coverages, and plus
Taxes & surcharges of $52.35
Total = $232.34
The value of rent a car coupons comes off at the end of the rental, after taxes and surcharges are calculated ... so the free day coupon would have a value of $25.71 (179.99/7days) which would give you a total of $206.63 at the end of your rental.
With the $25 off coupon, your total would be $207.34
Now, let's check the rate on the compact car (if you wanted to use your double upgrade coupon):
Base rate for 7 days = $162.89
Assuming no options, equipment or coverages, and plus
taxes and surcharges of $48.55
Total = $211.44
As you can see, your best car rental coupon, in this case, would be the free day coupon. (Even if the compact had been cheaper, always keep in mind that most upgrade coupons will say something like "upgrade is subject to availibility at the time of rental" -- the upgrades are not guaranteed -- only use them if you are ok with recieving the smaller car!)
Hope this helps and have a great trip!
