Rented Minivan from Dollar

[Illinois Mark]

Had a great experience with Dollar. Rented a Minivan for $199 for the week from May 3-10. The van had integrated child seats so we did not have to rent seats. Had four adults, two kids (ages 6 & 4), four pieces of luggage and assorted other bags. Went to the counter on the lower level and had the paperwork completed in about five minutes. Walked across the street and had our van in another 10 minutes (waited about five minutes for the elevator. I think the Orlando airport has the slowest elevators in the country!). The entire process took about 15 minutes. I was asked at the counter if I wanted to upgrade to a Grand Caravan for an extra $5/day. I declined and was not pressured or asked again. The regular Caravan was a little tight with the luggage but I knew it would be a short 30 minute ride so we could deal with it. Returning the van was a breeze. Check in took about 30 seconds and we were on our way. I had no problems. I HIGHLY recommend Dollar!

[corvair]

Did you use any codes for that great price? Did you use their fastlane? thanks,,,corvair

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Illinois Mark
I was asked at the counter if I wanted to upgrade to a Grand Caravan for an extra $5/day. I declined and was not pressured or asked again.

Has anyone else had a similar situation where you were offered an upgrade to a Grand Caravan for a price? The reason I ask is I have used Dollar many times in the past and was always given a Grand Caravan. Have they changed how they rent minivans now and use Caravans exclusively?? If they are know only guaranteeing you a regular Caravan I will need to figure that upgrade into my price when I consider renting from Dollar. I may also have to consider using a company that only has the extended minivans. We will be travelling with 7 this year and I would hate to have everyone sit with luggage on their laps.

[ncbyrne]

We also rented a minivan from Dollar (May 8-13) for $199 (used the KISS code) the actual cost with taxes and fees came to $248.09. We were not offered an upgrade at the counter and we got a standard van. It had two integrated child seats. There was 6 of us (3 kids, 3 adults) and the luggage JUST fit. The process was smooth and quick, the best car rental service we have ever encountered. And, Dollar has the advantage of being the closest agency to the door at MCO. I highly recommend joining their Fastlane program...it's free to join and makes the check in/out extrememly speedy.

[SandraC]

We also got the $199 mini van rate with a code from mousesavers.com April 20-30. We thought they were fast and efficient. We were the only folks there!

The only complaint I had was that the Dollar guy really tried high pressure sales for extra insurance even after I told him that I called our broken before we left and we were covered with lots of endoresments. Even when I told him that I had worked in an insurance company, he wouldn't let up and insisted that we were going to have an accident and it wouldn't be covered. He pulled the old 'ignore us' once he finally got it. It's sad because we were having a lovely conversation about where we were from. Turns out we lived near each other a couple years ago!

I would rent with Dollar again! Sandra

[corvair]

Sandrac, what code did you use for that great rate? I am going in June for 10 days and the best rate I got with fvg for an intermediate is 302.00. That does include taxes. thanks,corvair

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by corvair
Sandrac, what code did you use for that great rate? I am going in June for 10 days and the best rate I got with fvg for an intermediate is 302.00. That does include taxes. thanks,corvair

Corvair, try the FISH code. It seems to be working in June. At least it did for me when I checked.

[mskani]

We arrive in Orlando on Sunday the 2nd. We have a minivan booked through Dollar; but we had planned on bringing our children's booster seats (the big ones) with us. Since the carseats are integrated, why bother?! The less luggage the better.

[Illinois Mark]

corvair:
I used the GLOBE code which is the same as TRIB but I think that promotion might be over. Give it a try!

mskani:
When I booked the reservation I was told not all minivans had the integrated child seats. I called about a week before leaving and had them note my request. I was informed that there was still no guarantee I would get the seats as they would not know what they had in inventory until I checked in. There was some previous discussion about this issue several months ago and most people mentioned that they got a van with integrated child seats so I took a chance and left the cars seats at home. It worked out. Good luck!

[disneymom3]

We rented with Dollar in feb and ended up in a Chrysler Town and Country. We were impressed!! Don't know if it had integrated child seats or not as I always bring my kids own seats along, but the extra room was absolutely great!

mskani--If your kids are in belt positioning boosters, the integrated seats may not work. As I understand it, they only replace harness systems for kids up to 40lbs and since FL has the 6 and 60lbs rule, you may still need your own. Hate to get there and be stranded!

[mskani]

Darn. I got to see the inside of Dodge Caravan with the integrated seats recently. It would be perfect for my ds (he's 4) but my 6 year old dd is too big. So I guess that we will be hauling carseats through Midway Airport (I hate Midway :( especially since I live less than 15 minutes from O'Hare!)

But on the plus side--I'm going to Disney World--I can take a little inconvenience in return for a lot of fun! :smooth:

[disneymom3]

Evenflo sells a booster style carseat that is considered a low back--it is basically the seat part and a strap positioner for the seat belt. We put ours in our suitcase and just whipped it out once we got the rental car. I don't remember off hand what it's called, but we got ours at Toys R Us and it was only about $20. Email me if you want more specific info--so important to keep those little ones safe!

[dwfanatic]

Last year we rented a minivan from Dollar- we got Dodge Caravan. We had 2 kids and 4 adults- we all fit fine. I went again in August for a 3 day trip with DS- I had rented a compact car, and ended up with a Town and Country Minivan!! I think the T&C was nicer that the caravan.

[corvair]

dwfanatic,,How did you rent a compact and end up with a van? I am going in June and am renting a intermediate. The compact would be a 100.00 cheaper if I book that. If I knew I would get an upgrade, I would go that route.....thanks,,,corvair

[LucyStorm]

I also rented a compact and ended up with a van because they had no compacts in their inventory when I arrived. The van was wasted on me, because there were only 2 of us, but it was very comfortable and spacious.

[tw1nsmom]

I have a minivan reserved through dollar for October. I called and the agent at MCO said that all minivans have two integrated child seats. I have 2yr old twins and I don't want to drag their really huge car seats with us, but I also don't want to be stuck without any seats at 10pm if the agent was wrong. Any advice? Has anyone rented a minivan from Dollar recently and knows there weren't any car seats?

[dwfanatic]

corvair-
I believe LucyStorm is right- they must have run out of cars in the class I reserved. Actually it has happened twice when we've gotten a better class- both times at the counter they were trying to get us to upgrade for X amount of dollars. We said No to the upgrade, but when we went to get our car, it was in a different class. The first time it happened we had rented from the compact (Dodge Neon) class and got an intermediate (Dodge Stratus). Then there was the compact to minivan. When I was getting the campact and ended up with a monivan, they were trying to get me to rent a convertible- they said they got a new shipment in and would give me a deal- Now I know if they try to sell me the next class up, I will decline because I may be plesently surprised in the end! We also always travel on Tuesdays- don't know if coming in on that day will better your chance of getting a better car for nothing.

[corvair]

Thanks for the info. We are coming in on Tuesday at 1:00pm. I almost want to cancel my Stratus and go compact and save 90.00 dollars. I guess the worst that could happen is we would end up with a Neon. There will be 2 adults and 2 kids. The only thing I would worry about is if my luggae would not fit...thanks,,,corvair

[LisaR]

************************************************
I have a minivan reserved through dollar for October. I called and the agent at MCO said that all minivans have two integrated child seats. I have 2yr old twins and I don't want to drag their really huge car seats with us, but I also don't want to be stuck without any seats at 10pm if the agent was wrong. Any advice? Has anyone rented a minivan from Dollar recently and knows there weren't any car seats?
*************************************************

The person you spoke with is WRONG!! We just got back a few days ago. Like the others on this board, we had a very positive experience using Dollar. We used the FISH code for the $199 rental. We were offered a Town and Country for $5 extra and declined. There was not any pressure to upgrade or get insurance. However, there were NOT any integrated child seats in the van. I would hate for you to get down there and be stuck without seats.

Lisa

[corvair]

LisaR, Did you need a coupon for the fish code? Also, did you book a compact? You said they offered you and upgrade for 5 dollars. Was that 5 dollars a day? I am thinking of changing from an intermediate to compact. I think I will save about 100 dollars....thanks,,,corvair

[LisaR]

Corvair,
No, we did not need a coupon. I booked a minivan. The upgrade was to a "luxary" mini van for $5 per day. HTH

Lisa

[n2mm]

We rented a minivan in January because we needed the space for the luggage. 4 adults and 1 child. Barely fit all of the luggage in with folding down the middle seat and piling it on that. Yes we had the 2 child seats in ours too. We didn't use them because grandson is 7, but he found them. I thought that was a great money saver. I've always had good service from Dollar. My friend went in March and reserved a compact, but was upgraded to a minivan, no extra charge, because there were no compacts available.

[neilybealy]

does anyone know if the integrated car seats in some of the vans are suitable for a 7 month old baby?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I have a Dollar Minivan reserved, and I would love a Town & Country (do not want a regular Caravan). Could Dollar guarentee the "luxury minivan" in advance? I'm more than happy to pay the extra $5/day.

:)

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
I have a Dollar Minivan reserved, and I would love a Town & Country (do not want a regular Caravan). Could Dollar guarentee the "luxury minivan" in advance? I'm more than happy to pay the extra $5/day.

:)

I emailed Dollar about this. I had concerns about getting a regular Caravan when I really need the extended (Grand Caravan) version. Dollar has always had the extended version vans when I have used them in years past. Now, it seems according to the email) that they have a mix of regular and extended length minivans. They told me in the email that I could request a Grand Caravan and that they don't charge extra for the Extended over the regular length. This is of course in contradiction to what everyone is saying here. Frankly it doesn't surprise me that they would try to charge more. They also told me via the email that I could reserve an 8 passenger van via the phone ressie system, but not on-line. If you really want a Town and Country I would call them and ask about it. They may actually be able to reserve one for you.

For me, I think I will end up having a backup reservation because we have 4 adults 3 kids and luggage, and unless they will let me strap things to the roof, we need an extended length model. The Dollar website says that their vans carry 7 people and 23 cubic feet of cargo space. Well, that is false if you are getting the regular length van since those only have 14 cubic feet of cargo space when carrying 7 people, so I guess I will see what happens.

[3kidsdisney]

First, I want to thank everyone for all the great info on dollar rent a car. I just called and used the FVG rate to get a mini van at 219.99 a week. What a great rate. They put me down for a grand caravan but cannot guarantee it ,same for the town and country. They said MOST have the 2 car seats but again can not guarantee. so i will be lugging around 3 car seats, but the rate was great. Thanks again. Ann -----they also said the rate was the same for the grand or regular caravan

[disneymom3]

neilybealy--No, the integrated carseats don't work for a 7 month old baby. A baby at this age is supposed to be rear facing and the integrated seats face forward

[kristikae]

I drive a Windstar at home and really like having a van. i booked an economy because we don't really need anything bigger for this trip (myself and 2 14 year olds) but a van would be great!!

[neilybealy]

Originally posted by disneymom3
neilybealy--No, the integrated carseats don't work for a 7 month old baby. A baby at this age is supposed to be rear facing and the integrated seats face forward

ah right ok

it's not me with a baby btw it's a member of the group i'm going with !!

[Gillian]

neilybealy - we know that you would know that if it were your baby :) A 7 month old is usually still in one of those infant carriers you see people lugging around. They just click into a base in the car. They're great, and I'm sure your friend will want to bring it for the trip. My son loved his :)

[pattyT]

FYI
I just reserved a mini van from dollar rental for ten days in October. I tried the kiss code and the FVG code and got a better rate with the FVG. I didn't bother trying FISH though! With all taxes and other fees it is $422
Is that a good rate? Sounded good to me! We were considering only renting 7 days (only $272) but the pain of dropping the car back off and shuttles back to the airport aren't worth it!
I'm glad to hear you have all had good experiences with Dollar as I am nervous because I know someone who had a 2 hour process to get their car from a competitor!

:smooth: