Enterprise...similar to Alamo/National?

[Dan Murphy]

With Enterprise, is it similar to Alamo/National at MCO...pick your own car, plus a standard size =full size?

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

No, they give you a car. In some locations they escort you to the car, this gives them an opportunity to try to upgrade you and sell you insurance. You then do a detailed walk around the car which will be repeated on the return. My experience is that it appears to me that after a car is "old" for National and Alamo it heads to Enterprise.

[Dan Murphy]

UGH.

Thanks.

[Karlzmom]

Great....already dreading that my ressie is Enterprise rather than National, but I just can't stomach paying twice the price for National. Thanks for the warning...

[Planogirl]

Maybe it depends on the location because our local Enterprise has some pretty nice cars with very low mileage. They pick the car for you but they will change it if they have others. I also like that they pick me up at home and then bring me home after I take it back.

[DebbieB]

My experience with Enterprise locally is that their cars are higher mileage and not clean.

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by Karlzmom

Great....already dreading that my ressie is Enterprise rather than National, but I just can't stomach paying twice the price for National. Thanks for the warning...

Don't dread it, you will be fine. Just be cautious and picky. Don't settle for something you are not comfortable with. They can get other cars.

[Lewisc]

Originally Posted by Karlzmom

Great....already dreading that my ressie is Enterprise rather than National, but I just can't stomach paying twice the price for National. Thanks for the warning...

The official line seems to be National, Alamo and Enterprise share the same pool of cars. There is anecdotal evidence which suggests otherwise.

It does make sense. Be willing to pay a premium, in your case double, and you'll get a newer car. Want the lowest possible rate and you'll get the leftovers.

Again there isn't any proof which suggests that's what's going in in MCO. My point is this policy, if implemented, makes a lot of sense. Instead of selling the cars the agency can just rotate them to the next lower brand.

[Planogirl]

Alamo is continually the lowest priced when we travel. Does that mean that we're the old left-over clunkers when we book with them? Interesting...

[RweTHEREyet]

Originally Posted by OrangeCountyCommuter

No, they give you a car. In some locations they escort you to the car, this gives them an opportunity to try to upgrade you and sell you insurance. You then do a detailed walk around the car which will be repeated on the return. My experience is that it appears to me that after a car is "old" for National and Alamo it heads to Enterprise.

I disagree on the "old" part, we used Enterprise earlier in the summer for our drive to Port Canaveral, and last week we had a minivan for our stay at WDW. Both cars had very low mileage on them, the minivan was less then 2,000, and don't remember about the earlier one.

Two cars don't make a whole fleet, but I don't think we were just lucky and got two only low mileage vehicles they had either.

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by Dan Murphy

With Enterprise, is it similar to Alamo/National at MCO...pick your own car, plus a standard size =full size?

At MCO, yes to your questions. They don't have a huge selection, so, if you want something specific, you will need to ask and let them know that you know they can radio from one or get it from National's choice row or Alamo's stock. Hint: if you want to know what year the car is, look for the sticker on the windshield, the year of the car is in the right hand corner. The size/cass is, for your rental either S-Car(standard) or F-Car (full size). Not sure where that is located, it is so automatic for me that I cannot remember.

[matysgrandma]

We just arrived at Disney today and usually ALWAYS rent from National. Because their rates were way, way high, we went with Enterprise through Costco (double upgrade). No one in line at the counter, received exceptional service there. Paid for a mid size ($181.92) for 10/2 to 10/10,and was upgraded to a full size (Chevy Impala). We were given the opportunity to choose a mini van for the same price, which we chose. It has a little over 4000 miles which I consider pretty new. I was extremely impressed with Enterprise. I would use them again in a heartbeat.

[jnfr2424]

Originally Posted by gmeh1

Don't dread it, you will be fine. Just be cautious and picky. Don't settle for something you are not comfortable with. They can get other cars.

Originally Posted by gmeh1

I am not sure what higher mileage has to do with anything. They are well maintained vehicles and unless you are buying it, it really should not matter.

Originally Posted by gmeh1

At MCO, yes to your questions. They don't have a huge selection, so, if you want something specific, you will need to ask and let them know that you know they can radio from one or get it from National's choice row or Alamo's stock. Hint: if you want to know what year the car is, look for the sticker on the windshield, the year of the car is in the right hand corner. The size/cass is, for your rental either S-Car(standard) or F-Car (full size). Not sure where that is located, it is so automatic for me that I cannot remember.

Originally Posted by gmeh1

That is how they handle it at MCO. They take you to the section from the class of cars you have selected, you make your selection, they walk around the car with you and note damage, they also try to upsell you to another car class, but, they are not supposed to be pushy. Learn to say NO.
MCO shares cars between the three brands, it sends cars where they are needed, the only time that mileage counts is for the Emerald aisles. They have to be under 20K miles,(sometimes one slips by), but, that does not mean that only cars with higher mileage go to the "choice" rows. Many times you will find very very low mileage on the rows at Alamo, National and Enterprise.
You can find dirty cars anywhere and the three brands are not exempt from that. The three brands try very hard to spot the dirty ones and send them back to be cleaned. With 30K+ cars, it is a difficult task to take them from return to prep to back to the line. If you think the car is dirty, then don't take it, request something else and tell them you will wait if necessary. They have radios, they can call for something else most of the time. Exceptionally busy times might prove to be difficult, but, ask. It is your money, use your "consumer voice".

gmeh1 I think I speak for many Thank You so much for all your advice
It is beyond appreciated!! I've learned so much about renting because of you

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by jnfr2424

gmeh1 I think I speak for many Thank You so much for all your advice
It is beyond appreciated!! I've learned so much about renting because of you

You are entirely welcome!!! I no longer work for Alamo/National but, I still will be happy to help when I can. I am off to bigger and much better things.

[Dan Murphy]

Originally Posted by gmeh1

You are entirely welcome!!! I no longer work for Alamo/National but, I still will be happy to help when I can. I am off to bigger and much better things.

We are losing are most valued insider. Thanks for all your insight in the past.

But, so good to hear you are off to bigger and better, gmeh, best wishes, good luck.