Easiest Car rental at the Airport?

[ceecee]

What is the most convenient car rental place at the Orlando airport? We aren't using ME this trip because we are doing the beach and SeaWorld before Disney. We thought of Budget and dropping it off at the hotel near DTD but it cost more for 3 days than a week if we drop it back at the airport. The last time we rented, we had to take a shuttle and it took forever to rent the car. Are any right in the Airport?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

ALAMO is the easiest. They have a kiosk for you to check in and it takes less than 5 minutes to complete your transaction. Once your rental agreement prints walk across to the parking garage and pick out a car from the car class you rented - AKA if you rented a mid - size look for the mid-size sign and pick any car you want to drive. All the keys will be in the vehicle. Drive to the exit booth and show you rental papers and ID and off you go. We like Alamo because we get to chose the car we want to drive.

If you don't want to use the kiosk you can go to the counter to do the rental check in but there many be several families ahead of you. The kiosk is so easy and takes less than 5 minutes to use. It very user friendly!!! Or you can do online check in and print your documents at home. Then all you would have to do is go straight to the Alamo location in the garage and pick out your car.

Also if you sign up for the Alamo Insiders program which is the frequent renters program, they offer better discounted rates to their Insider members and the program is free to join and no annual fee either.

** by the way all the major rental car companies are now located right at the airport.

 

[disneymarie]

I had Alamo from Hotwire, $197 for premium car, ended up with Nissan Murano. From baggage, to drive out was half hour. On site. down a level from our baggage claim area, from the desk, out the door, down the isle picked out the car and off we went.
THe cost of using the p/u service and renting at the hotel could double this cost. Just my experiance.

 

[OKW Lover]

You don't say how long ago your rental car experience at MCO was but you will find that now all the major car rental companies are at the airport. No shuttle bus required.

We always rent from Avis and it couldn't be easier with their Avis Preferred service. We get our bags and walk over to the garage, see our name on the board there and go directly to our car without stopping.

 

[zorro77]

I confirm that Alamo is one of the easiest to rent and check in. Print your papers up at home or work. Come in go to quick station and your done in minutes. For us we drop off at Dolphin resort and take Magic Express back to airport when returning. Bags leave from OKW on the service and we don't need to worry about checking in since we did at OKW. When leaven airport stop at Target on the way to pick up a few things for room for a start to have in room and save a trip four some of the basic foods you want.

 

[ceecee]

Thanks for the replies...the last time we rented was before ME so it has been a while! With Alamo, what if they run out of the class you rented?? We are going in June and only need the car for 3 days. I hate messing with luggage so we want to use ME for our return trip to the airport, but it seem like they charge a lot more to drop off at another location.

 

[gmeh1]

ALAMO is the easiest. They have a kiosk for you to check in and it takes less than 5 minutes to complete your transaction. Once your rental agreement prints walk across to the parking garage and pick out a car from the car class you rented - AKA if you rented a mid - size look for the mid-size sign and pick any car you want to drive. All the keys will be in the vehicle. Drive to the exit booth and show you rental papers and ID and off you go. We like Alamo because we get to chose the car we want to drive.

If you don't want to use the kiosk you can go to the counter to do the rental check in but there many be several families ahead of you. The kiosk is so easy and takes less than 5 minutes to use. It very user friendly!!! Or you can do online check in and print your documents at home. Then all you would have to do is go straight to the Alamo location in the garage and pick out your car.

Also if you sign up for the Alamo Insiders program which is the frequent renters program, they offer better discounted rates to their Insider members and the program is free to join and no annual fee either.

** by the way all the major rental car companies are now located right at the airport.

Also, with Insiders, your additional driver is free.
There are also greeters in the garage to direct you to the proper rows for your car selection and help with any issues or questions you may have.

 

[gmeh1]

I had Alamo from Hotwire, $197 for premium car, ended up with Nissan Murano. From baggage, to drive out was half hour. On site. down a level from our baggage claim area, from the desk, out the door, down the isle picked out the car and off we went.
THe cost of using the p/u service and renting at the hotel could double this cost. Just my experiance.

You were lucky, a Murano is not normally on the Premium row and it is not considered a Premium car.

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks for the replies...the last time we rented was before ME so it has been a while! With Alamo, what if they run out of the class you rented?? We are going in June and only need the car for 3 days. I hate messing with luggage so we want to use ME for our return trip to the airport, but it seem like they charge a lot more to drop off at another location.

If they are out of your selected car class, they will upgrade you to the next car class. When you drop off at another location it is considered a one way rental and is usually more expensive. Most car companies work this way. A three/four day rental, if kept a Sat. night, is considered a weekend rental, look for specials on this. 5 days is considered a weekly rental.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Unlike Avis and Hertz, YOU get to choose the vehicle you want.

That means, take a minute or two and walk up and down the aisle to find the vehicle (in your reserved class) that you like best! I usually pick a new one with low miles and a sunroof.

If your traveling party has checked bags, just send the driver to get the rental car and then swing by and pick the passengers and luggage up.

 

[gmeh1]

Unlike Avis and Hertz, YOU get to choose the vehicle you want.

That means, take a minute or two and walk up and down the aisle to find the vehicle (in your reserved class) that you like best! I usually pick a new one with low miles and a sunroof.

If your traveling party has checked bags, just send the driver to get the rental car and then swing by and pick the passengers and luggage up.

Yes, you can swing by and pick them up at the arrivals/baggage level of the airport, you cannot swing by and pick them up on the lower level. Most people find it easier to all arrive at the garage at the same time, luggage with them.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

gmeh1...You've not travelled with my family! We are the reason airlines charge for luggage. I have found that I would rather go get the rental instead of standing around for luggage to appear on the belt at baggage claim. I'm usually ready to get the vacation started and too excited to stand still. It also provides the opportunity to get the vehicle I want without discussion or compromise.

Once upon a time, the TWO of us took NINE bags to Key West with us. Thankfully we were travelling first class and there was no baggage charge.

 

[gmeh1]

gmeh1...You've not travelled with my family! We are the reason airlines charge for luggage. I have found that I would rather go get the rental instead of standing around for luggage to appear on the belt at baggage claim. I'm usually ready to get the vacation started and too excited to stand still. It also provides the opportunity to get the vehicle I want without discussion or compromise.

Once upon a time, the TWO of us took NINE bags to Key West with us. Thankfully we were travelling first class and there was no baggage charge.

LOL, my post was more in the line to inform people that they cannot just "swing around" to the garage level to pick up their fellow travelers. They are supposed to go to the arrivals/baggage level (level 2) to collect them.
Another thing that is done often is one person selects the vehicle, takes the keys and locks it, leaving the rental agreement on the dash and then collects the others. Of course, in your situation, that may lead to disagreement of your choice of the vehicle for the group.
At any rate, have a great time when you next vacation.