Best car rental from the airport

[bmartin1]

OK....I'm counting on the network masses. Does anyone know the best car rental deal from the airport. Arriving late with 4 kids so I don't particularly want to hop a shuttle to a car rental place. I don't belong to any clubs nor am I interested unless it's free.
Here's the plan:

At least an intermediate car from November 3 @ approx. 10:45 PM to November 10 approx. 3:45.

I read about disounts and coupons all the time but never seem to find them when I'm looking.

[SalandJeff]

I don't know if there's any "best deal" because every time I read these boards, I find someone who got a better deal!

Try www.mousesavers.com for some good info.

[morganelli]

We got a dodge carovan from dollar which is in the airport for 200+ taxes..


JMo







I'm going to disneyworld thanks to ezsplitit.com, I won a hotel stay from them..

[Stinky_Pete]

I'm sold on National since I was able to join their "Emerald Club" for free. I joined at biztravel.com, but I don't think they're offering free membership through this web site anymore. However, I think the Mousesaver's web site has some information about free membership to this club.

There are two things that make it great:

1 - It's FAST! You bypass the rental counter completely. You just walk out to the garage, pick a car from the section labeled "Emerald Aisle," drive to the booth at the exit, hand them your driver's license and Emerald Club card, and you're out in like a minute or something. Return is just as quick -- you drive up and a rep with a hand-held computer approaches your car. Before you even have your luggage out of the trunk you're being handed a receipt.

2 - You get to pick whatever vehicle happens to be on the Emerald Aisle when you arrive. You have to reserve at least an intermediate-class car to get "Aisle service," but if there's a Caddy, a PT Cruiser, an SUV, a minivan, or whatever on the Aisle when you arrive, you can take it at the same rate as you reserved. You're only guaranteed the class you reserved, but we got a Jimmy last time, and hope to be as lucky this trip.

[morganelli]

I like that idea...bypass the counter..however, I am not a member and refuse to pay 50.00 to join. If I could do it for free, I would be hooked on National as well.

I will stick with Dollar for my minivan.

What do you do with National if you need a baby carseat? I think you would still need to goto the counter right?

Thanks
Joe

[Pugsley]

Just checked your dates on Dollar's web page, and it shows $149.97, which is pretty good (the price got higher when I tried to use discount codes!). Dollar is in the terminal and is very convenient. I always use them. If you rent from them, join the Fastlane program -- it's free, and just makes things a litttle faster and easier.

[morganelli]

What does that offer? Something like fastpass :)

I am going to check that out now..

[fkj2]

just remember when those "taxes" get added in, the price goes up SUBSTANTIALLY!

[morganelli]

you are going to pay taxes no matter where you rent.. so you look for the cheapest rate...
2 different places.. 1 is in the airport, they charge an airport tax or something like that.. if you go off site, they do not charge that extra amount..

[Pugsley]

morganelli, Fastlane members have a special line, so there's usually no wait. Also, they have all your information (including preferences) on record so they don't have to ask you questions like whether you want insurance and whether you want to return the car with a full tank. Makes things much easier. I think those are really the only benefits, but you can find details on their website (www.dollar.com).

[morganelli]

Anyone know if I can transfer my existing car rental over to it? I have a reservation for my time there.. I am going to sign up for this fastlane..it is free..

Thanks

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

I found out today that if you are a AAA member that the EA for National Car rental if free. Also, with the taxes I got National EA for the same price as Dollar for their Economy car class with a coupon from Entertainment for $15 off.

[Stinky_Pete]

morganelli - I don't know about car seats as I don't typically travel with children. Last time I did the parents brought their own and checked them with their luggage. They arrived safe and sound.

[Mskanga]

Morganelli;
Yes you can hook up your current ressie to the fastlane program, I did it two weeks ago and I had no problem. Just call them on the phone and let them know, they will change it for you without changing the ressie. Also ( unless it changes ) with my membership card I got a coupon for a free one class upgrade to full size, I don't know if they always do that but I got one.

[morganelli]

Thanks.. you guys/gals are terrific... what a community we have here..

[JandD Mom]

I just wanted to throw in my $.02. IN the few times I have gone to WDW in the past few years I have yet to find a rate at Dollar that has beat the rate I have gotten with National, using EC plus my Disney Club discount and a coupon. Even using every discount code I could find, I have never been able to find a rate that comes even close at Dollar. Even the few times I found a quote that "seemed" competitive, I emailed the company asking for the rate with all taxes and surcharges thrown in. The rate was always higher than what I got from National.

Caveat Emptor!:jester:

[deb-o]

While we haven't done much traveling, we also found National to have good rates. We joined the EC through Capital One (which we happen to have, but I don't think you need one) and through a coupon # on travelcouponsonline we got a full size for $136 INCLUDING ALL TAXES, ETC. for one week. I booked it figuring I can't do much better.

[MrsMud]

DebO: That is a great rate! What are your dates? I have been shopping for the week of 10/8, and even though National's prices have gone down, they still come to about $180 with taxes for a full size. This is with the capital one discount and the 1 day free coupon.

[deb-o]

YMudaro

We'll be there from 8/22-8/28/01. Did you use coupon #10005317? Before I joined EC I think the rate w/taxes, etc. was around $144 for a full size.

Good luck!

[kimb4]

I'm getting worried because I haven't seen Budget Car Rental on any of these replies. That is where we found really great rates, and I was under the impression that they are right there in the airport and you don't have to take a shuttle. Am I correct? Is there a problem with Budget that nobody is replying with their name on this post?

[JandD Mom]

Budget is right there. If you can join their fastbreak club, or whatever they call it, you go right to the kiosk in the garage to get your car. I have never used them, mainly because I never get a rate from them anywhere near what I find with national. I am interested in a reply also.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Kudos for National. I have a full size, Emerald Aisle, for a week, 113.43 including all taxes.
Used my DC number and a 20.00 coupon from Delata. this is for 9-13/9-20-01.
Budget is very good as a company, but, their rates are a bit high, as are Dollar, Avis, and Hertz. (hertz is not in terminal.)

[nhrenee]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Avis. We use a discount code, join their "fastlane' type program and my dh thought I was a genius because we out of the parking garage so quickly!! I also like that they don't charge extra for spouses. I also like their website because they have the total with tax at the end of the page when you're checking for rates.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

nhrenee,
National does not charge for spouses, they also give you a total cost at the end.
I have used Avis, and found them to be ok.

[bwvmary]

My family needs a minivan (7 people), which seems to be the most expensive, least discounted form of transportation at WDW!! I got a good rate (249/week) through Traveler's Advantage with an onsite firm called L&M. I have rented from National, Budget and Dollar in the past, depending on who has the best rates. I have never heard of/noticed L&M. Anyone out there have any experience with them? I am still trying Priceline once a week to see if anyone will bite. I will probably wind up with some off airport firm like Hertz or Alamo!!

Let me know what you know about L&M. I'm in no way obligated.

Also, anyone out there get a great minivan rate? I'm there for 10 days. Adds up quickly!

Mary

[MrsMud]

I have never used L & M, however I remember reading some good things about them. If you do a search, I'm sure you'll find some informative posts. I had considered using them, but changed my mind because they cannot guarantee car seats! Could you imagine geting to Orlando and having no car seats for the kids!? By the way, if you are traveling with young children, I believe I read on a post that Dollar minivans come with the built-in carseats. Good luck!

[JandD Mom]

Everytime I have rented a minivan, it was through Priceline. I rented one for 8 days last Jan for under $200 (Somewere between 20-23 per day plus their fees). I did not rent in Orlando though but Ft. lauderdale. Both times I ended up with Alamo. That is the only negative. If you HAVE TO have a firm in the airport, you are not guaranteed to get one with Priceline. That's why I have never used it at MCO myself. Good luck.

[morganelli]

I have rented from L&M before. They were very nice and very reasonable. The only reason I am not using them this time, I beat their price for the size of vehicle. If you do not mind a smaller car (we didn't for the first few years, but now with a baby..) they are the people to use. I have never had a bad experience with them.

[Toby'sFriend]

Well again Mousesavers SAVES THE DAY

If you look on her site it tells you how to join the Emerald Club for free using the Capital One offer - even if you do not have a Capital One Credit card. I just did it -- took about 60 seconds.

Even if you don't use National for this trip -- that membership might come in handy someday.

http://www.mousesavers.com

[SalandJeff]

Do you have to wait to receive membership materials from National before you can use Emerald Aisle benefits?

We will going to WDW end of Sept and won't have time to receive membership card, etc before this.

Thanks.:)

[horseshowmom]

We used Budget last year and were very satisfied, however the counter guy was a little bit of jerk. My SIL was attending the National School Board Conference, so my DD and I accompanied her and her DD. The car's reservation was in her name (since she was being reimbursed). When I told her not to get the extra insurance (she wasn't going to drive any at all, and I'm covered by my own insurance), the guy kept warning her to remember this was on her credit card (because of the reimbursement), and if I wrecked the car, she'd be responsible. Since I work for the school district, I had set the reservation up as corporate, and we didn't have to pay for the extra driver. I had documentation, but nobody asked for it.

I searched everywhere for the cheapest rate, because the girls really wanted a convertible (preferably a Mustang). I got a rate with Budget for less than $250 for a week including all taxes and fees. Since Budget has primarily Ford products, I was reasonably sure of getting the Mustang I requested (which we did). Pick up and return was very easy. I loved being in the airport (before I had always rented off-site).

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You will need to have the EC number before you can use the EA. Fax your application to them, it is faster that way, or..........take a ride to Bradley and have it done there.
If you have applied already, you can call National and see if they will release the EC number to you, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, definitely the luck of the draw.
And, btw, they do get these cards out fast, so, give it a try.
When in Sept. are you going? We are also going in Sept.

[Toby'sFriend]

When you apply for the EC over the internet it takes about 2 seconds for them to email the EC number to you. There's also a temporary card you can print out.

Go to http://www.mousesavers.com

and Mary tells how to join for free through the Capital One website -- no need to have or apply for a Capital One card.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

At this time the National EC sign up on line is down and has been for about a month.
Nice idea, however.

[Toby'sFriend]

My husband and I both signed up online on Thursday (8-16)

[SalandJeff]

Gail - we will be at WDW 9/22 - 9/29. Thanks for the info on National.

Toby'sFriend - you signed up on line at the National site or Capital One site (the National site still says "temporarily unavailable")?

Thanks.:)

[Toby'sFriend]

It's on the National site -

Go to http://www.capitalone.com

at the bottom right hand corner is a link that says "Save 15% on National Car Rental"
If you click on that it will take you to a page on the National site. On the left hand side
of the page is information on saving 15% on your car rental. On the right hand side is
a button that will take you to the free EC membership form. The box for the promotion code should
be filled in already with the Capital One information.

The information on how to do this is also on the Mousesavers site under ground transportation

[SalandJeff]

Toby'sFriend -

Thanks for the info. I went to the Capital One site and I already got my EA number - it took less than 5 minutes. Strange that you can't enroll on line on National's own site, but you can do it by linking to the National site through Capital One.

Anyway, glad it worked. Thanks again.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

That is wonderful!!!!!
Thanks Toby'sfriend for the great info. It sure help my "neighbors" SalandJeff.
Ah, this board is GREAT!!!!
SalandJeff, I will arrive home two days before you go.
Have a great time.

[jasmine206]

we got a full size from National for a week in Oct for $140 - online without coupons. When we called to check for DC discounts, the answer was that we'd get another 10% off when we checked in. Plan on joining Emerald though, so we'll need to check on that since we won't have to check in! :jester: