Getting rental cars from MCO airport

[mommy2jack]

Hello everyone! I'm looking for some help with rental cars. DH and I have never rented a car before at WDW but this year we're staying off-site and have an infant so we thought it would be best to have a car. What companies would you recommend/ not recommend. We booked our flight thru Orbitz.com and I was considering getting the car rental thru there too. Advantage Car rental seems to be the lowest, anyone use this company before? It's not at MCO airport but they say theres a shuttle to take you to it? How does that work? Any advice would be greatly appriciated! Also where can I go to find good deals on rental cars. I looked on AAA and Orbitz and the best I could find was a Midsized for around $200 from Advantage.

Thanks!!!

[rcjr0620]

I have personally never used Advantage; however since they were purchased by Hertz in March 2009 I would have no problem using them. Hertz is looking to expand into the economy rental market.

If you use Budget watch out! There is at least one MCO counter agent – Bob L. – insisting that the optional insurance coverage is Mandatory. He will go as far to falsify your contract.

I was always leery of using smaller rental car companies for obvious reasons, but I got a real eye opener by Budget – especially since they are owned by Avis!

Regardless of which company you use read, double check your contract prior to leaving the rental counter…….

[SamSam]

I've used Alamo, National and Dollar; all are located at the airport. I have the best luck going to each companies web site and just checking on a regular basis. For instance a couple of days ago the rate I was getting from Dollar for a week at the end of September was almost $200.00, this morning the rate for a mid-size was $128.00. With added taxes it was around $180.00. Yes, taxes and fees really add up fast.

[Dizneydaz]

We've used both Dollar and Alamo, at the airport. Both are good, I now prefer Alamo-you get to pick out your own car and using the Kiosk is great!

Alamo does not require a cc to book a ressie so I book a car and then keep checking for the rate to drop. This year the rates are the highest I've seen. Last year I got a minivan for 10 days for about $250 (inc. fees). This year with minivans going for about $1000 for 11 days I have booked a full-size. When I first booked it was about $430, then I rebooked at $363, and now it's $330. That's using the 10% off sale on Alamo's site and their website coupon for $20 off.

I'm still hoping the rates will continue to fall (they should, they usually do) and then I'll rebook. You can also use Magical Express from the airport to your resort and then get a car from the Car Care Center. Many have posted that they have gotten a cheaper rate this way, for me it's always more, or only a slight bit less (for one less day) which isn't a good enough deal for me to deal with the inconvenience of not having a car to and from the airport (we stop off to pick up supplies and Super WM on our way to POP). Also, I don't want to leave for the airport 3 hours earlier than my flight.

Check out Mousesavers.com for discounts on rentals. Also if you have an Entertainment book there are discounts there as well. Right now the same (or better) deals are available on Alamo's website and you have the added advantage of being able to use the kiosk since you won't have to show a paper coupon.

At Alamo, once you check in at the counter or the kiosk you proceed out the doors to the parking structure (there will be signs) then you pick out your car class and take any vehicle there. You show your paperwork ( and DL if you use the kiosk) the the attendant at the booth and you are on your way.

[seidelhd]

Originally Posted by Dizneydaz

We've used both Dollar and Alamo, at the airport. Both are good, I now prefer Alamo-you get to pick out your own car and using the Kiosk is great!

Alamo does not require a cc to book a ressie so I book a car and then keep checking for the rate to drop. This year the rates are the highest I've seen. Last year I got a minivan for 10 days for about $250 (inc. fees). This year with minivans going for about $1000 for 11 days I have booked a full-size. When I first booked it was about $430, then I rebooked at $363, and now it's $330. That's using the 10% off sale on Alamo's site and their website coupon for $20 off.

I'm still hoping the rates will continue to fall (they should, they usually do) and then I'll rebook. You can also use Magical Express from the airport to your resort and then get a car from the Car Care Center. Many have posted that they have gotten a cheaper rate this way, for me it's always more, or only a slight bit less (for one less day) which isn't a good enough deal for me to deal with the inconvenience of not having a car to and from the airport (we stop off to pick up supplies and Super WM on our way to POP). Also, I don't want to leave for the airport 3 hours earlier than my flight.

Check out Mousesavers.com for discounts on rentals. Also if you have an Entertainment book there are discounts there as well. Right now the same (or better) deals are available on Alamo's website and you have the added advantage of being able to use the kiosk since you won't have to show a paper coupon.

At Alamo, once you check in at the counter or the kiosk you proceed out the doors to the parking structure (there will be signs) then you pick out your car class and take any vehicle there. You show your paperwork ( and DL if you use the kiosk) the the attendant at the booth and you are on your way.

Thanks for the tip for Mousesavers.com. I didn't think to go there, but just booked Alamo for $10/day. 3 day rental over a weekend came out to $51 after taxes.
http://www.mousesavers.com/alamo.html

[Dizneydaz]

Originally Posted by seidelhd

Thanks for the tip for Mousesavers.com. I didn't think to go there, but just booked Alamo for $10/day. 3 day rental over a weekend came out to $51 after taxes.
http://www.mousesavers.com/alamo.html

Yeah! You're welcome!