Which rental company would you choose?

[ljcraw555]

If you had to choose between the following rental car companies which would you choose?

Budget (lowest rate available)

Enterprise ($25 higher than Budget)

National ($60 higher than Budget - car would be from Emerald Aisle)

I have heard a couple not so great stories about Budget in the last couple weeks. We have always rented from Enterprise in the past. So, I feel comfortable with them. I don't really know much about National (except my parents had a bad experience with them several years ago).

If everyone thinks Budget would be okay, I would rather pay the $25 less.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would pay more to avoid Enterprise.... So if you were happy with Enterprise I expect you will be fine with Budget.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would pay more to avoid Enterprise.... So if you were happy with Enterprise I expect you will be fine with Budget.

Last time I needed an insurance rental my insurance company asked if they could book my rental with Enterprise and said I'd rather take a smaller car than deal with them and they just booked me to Hertz instead.

Note, I'm a huge Hertz fan though, I love their Prestige collection vehicles and the general condition of their fleets.

 

[Lewisc]

Budget should be OK. FWIW (probably not much) Budget is owned by Avis.

Enterprise owns National. I doubt there is much difference, service wise between Enterprise, Alamo and National at MCO All 3 companies are owned by Enterprise. I understand at MCO cars are moved between companies as needed.

 

[maurene]

Budget was my car rental company of choice for awhile when I was a "Fast Break" member. But it looks like they may have changed the eligibility requirements for Fast Break. I gave up Budget though because the counter lines at the airport where I most often flew into (not Orlando) were awfully long. Now, I look for car rental locations/companies that have self-service kiosks (like a lot of Avis locations).

My latest reservation is with National. Are you using the National rate with the Emerald Isle member discount code? (You just have to be signed in to your Emerald Isle account.) I got one of the lowest rates that way.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Budget should be OK. FWIW (probably not much) Budget is owned by Avis.

Enterprise owns National. I doubt there is much difference, service wise between Enterprise, Alamo and National at MCO All 3 companies are owned by Enterprise. I understand at MCO cars are moved between companies as needed.

Really? Have you rented from Enterprise there I did, there was a HUGE difference. The insurance sell push was unbelievable! Then you had to do the "examination" of the car etc... Took forever! Won't ever rent from them again, as this appears to be the standard with them. (I also rented from them at John Wayne in Southern CA, same 30 plus minute experience... that was the final blow!)

 

[ljcraw555]

My latest reservation is with National. Are you using the National rate with the Emerald Isle member discount code? (You just have to be signed in to your Emerald Isle account.) I got one of the lowest rates that way.

I used the KLM code with National and my Emerald member number plus a coupon.


Thanks for all the responses. I really would like to go without a rental car, but I have control issues!

 

[loveswdw]

I'd take the cheapest and run. We've rented from Alamo, Budget, Dollar, and Avis at MCO in the past and they were all pretty much a standard rental experience for us. Alamo last year was probably the easiest as we checked out through the kiosk (no line, no insurance or upgrade push), walked to the garage, asked which one was the proper row for our vehicle, picked one, went to the exit, checked our paperwork and on the way. The hardest part was choosing which car we wanted.

In the past, Budget, Avis and Dollar were all preassigned vehicles (not choose your own). Not sure if that's changed for any of those.

I have not rented from Enterprise at MCO though I have at our neighborhood location and I've never had a problem with them.

 

[Greysword]

Lori, I recommend booking with several companies if the price is right (come on down...LOL!). No penalty to cancel, and locks in the rates you like, just in case you decide to switch later or find a better offer with the company to apply to the current reservation.

Then just cancel the week before your trip without hassle.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I'd pay the extra money to go with Enterprise since they have kiosk check-in available. I hate delaying the start of my vacation on a long car rental line.

 

[pigletto]

I'd pay the extra money to go with Enterprise since they have kiosk check-in available. I hate delaying the start of my vacation on a long car rental line.

Interesting. I asked this a little while ago but did not get an answer ( I suspect nobody that read the thread knew). Enterprise has Kiosks at MCO?
We're renting from them for the first time next week.

 

[gmeh1]

Interesting. I asked this a little while ago but did not get an answer ( I suspect nobody that read the thread knew). Enterprise has Kiosks at MCO?
We're renting from them for the first time next week.

Yes, they have kiosks, but, I am not sure if you avoid the tedious check in process with them when you get to the garage.

 

[ljcraw555]

I like the kiosks too. I did not know that Budget only has a counter.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yes, they have kiosks, but, I am not sure if you avoid the tedious check in process with them when you get to the garage.

I think you still have to get the key from the "sales agent" but if you don't then this is unique to Orlando. (I see them all over walking folks to the cars...)