car rental in Anchorage

[TheCalicoCat]

How far out should I look into renting a car in Anchorage?

 

I'm not sure that I will rent a car mind you, but if I do make that decision, how far out should I do it to get the best rates.

 

Or are they seasonal & the late July rates are what they are no matter when you book.

[Budget Queen]

Historically, the lowest rates are when they come out, in the fall before the next season.

[AKStafford]

The best rates was back in the fall. I'd make a reservation now. As long as you don't pre-pay you can cancel it later if you change your mind.

[TheCalicoCat]

Historically, the lowest rates are when they come out, in the fall before the next season.

 

Thanks. So I should start looking in September 2016, since we sail July 2017?

[trophy_23]

Yes, we rented from Hertz in Anchorage, it was not far from where the shuttle dropped us off.

[TheCalicoCat]

Yes, we rented from Hertz in Anchorage, it was not far from where the shuttle dropped us off.

 

Good to know.

[Mindershire]

For the record, we didn't reserve a car in Anchorage until maybe a month before our trip and we had no problems getting a reservation and the prices were all reasonable. I wouldn't wait until the week before if you know you will need one, but there is no urgency to book one immediately.

 

If you want to read about some of the things we did while we had a car in Anchorage, check out my travelogues from the trip

 

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/2015/08/day-4-turnagain-arm-alaska.html

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/2015/08/day-5-anchorage-alaska.html

 

Or for all my recommendations for Anchorage, I put them one in single post here

 

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/search/label/72%20Hours%20in%20Anchorage

[TheCalicoCat]

For the record, we didn't reserve a car in Anchorage until maybe a month before our trip and we had no problems getting a reservation and the prices were all reasonable. I wouldn't wait until the week before if you know you will need one, but there is no urgency to book one immediately.

 

If you want to read about some of the things we did while we had a car in Anchorage, check out my travelogues from the trip

 

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/2015/08/day-4-turnagain-arm-alaska.html

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/2015/08/day-5-anchorage-alaska.html

 

Or for all my recommendations for Anchorage, I put them one in single post here

 

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/search/label/72%20Hours%20in%20Anchorage

 

Thanks for the links. & advice about the car rental. (I started this thread after reading about a CCer who had to pay $300 close to her tour time instead of $100 earlier in the season...)

[Budget Queen]

For the record, we didn't reserve a car in Anchorage until maybe a month before our trip and we had no problems getting a reservation and the prices were all reasonable. I wouldn't wait until the week before if you know you will need one, but there is no urgency to book one immediately.

 

 

I do not agree, the OP is looking for the lowest rates, which, over many years has been the fall prior as mentioned. Including this coming season, rates were below $200 for a week out of Anchorage. Rates usually just keep going up.

[frugaltravel]

I start looking 11 months out or as soon as I have the flights booked. Hard to book a car rental if you don't know which dates you need it for. If you book a car rental then need to change the dates, almost always the rate will change to the rate at the time you make the change.

 

I agree with BQ that generally the rates are much lower the sooner you book. Certainly there are always exceptions but those are few and far between.

[TheCalicoCat]

I start looking 11 months out or as soon as I have the flights booked. Hard to book a car rental if you don't know which dates you need it for. If you book a car rental then need to change the dates, almost always the rate will change to the rate at the time you make the change.

 

I agree with BQ that generally the rates are much lower the sooner you book. Certainly there are always exceptions but those are few and far between.

 

Our ship will be in Anchorage from 8 til 11 on July 30, 2017, so the date is set. (As is the plan for the day! Finally.)

[TheCalicoCat]

 

Or for all my recommendations for Anchorage, I put them one in single post here

 

http://72hourstogo.blogspot.com/search/label/72%20Hours%20in%20Anchorage

 

Just to reiterate, I really appreciated the effort (time table) that you put into your 72 hours in Anchorage post. I'm fairly certain that we will do one of your day trips now that I know it can be done in @9.5 hours.:o