A couple of quick car hire questions.

[suzybear6]

Well now our bargain suv is booked thanks to Dollar , I've thinking of the practicalities so have a couple of questions:-

1. If I sign up to "Dollar Express" now can I use it on this next trip? Do I have to link it to my car hire booking or is this done automatically?

2. What to do about children's booster seats? DD and DS at 6 & 7 years legally have to use a booster seat to travel in a car in this counrty because it is unsafe for them to just use an adult seat belt. Florida's laws are far more relaxed it seems so they don't have to use one there. However, as it's actaully not safe for them to not use a booster seat I obviously do want them to use one.
When I booked the hire car there was no option to hire a booster seat (just car seats for younger children). So now my dilemma is do I use up valuable suitcase space and weight taking a booster seat over with us for each of them or do we just wing it to the nearest shop and purchase them over there? What have other people done with children of this age?

Thanks

Luv Suzy

 

[wayneg]

Can't help with Booster.
With Dollar they will send you an Express card, go to the Express line and just hand it in with your voucher.
Just once I linked beforehand, other 3 or 4 times didn't bother, just handed card over when I got there.
At LAX it makes a difference as they have docs outside waiting for express customers(same as Budget at MCO), at MCO they don't, you are processed on arrival even with Express.
If you wanted you can send them a message to link before arrival.

 

[suzybear6]

So does Express make any difference at all with Dollar at MCO?

Luv Suzy

 

[kristieuk]

We took a booster seat as baggage ie not in anything, just loose. You might want to check with the airline that it won't count towards the pieces of baggage you are allowed, but lots of people seem to take car seats in this way. Otherwise, you could easily pick one up at Walmart for next to nothing when you get there.

 

[kristieuk]

So does Express make any difference at all with Dollar at MCO?

Luv Suzy

There is a separate queue, you go straight to the front of the line, but you still have to go through the whole reservation process whilst you are at the desk.

 

[wayneg]

So does Express make any difference at all with Dollar at MCO?

Luv Suzy

Massive difference, usually upto 60 mins but it depends if you are 1st off the plane, how quick you get thru immigration & how many other planes arrive at similar time.
2 years ago our friends were 1st off plane, 1st thru immigration, got to Dollar line and took over a hour to get car. We took ages to get thru immigration, went to Express line, got served straight away, got to hotel checked in and to our room, got a call to say our friends had just got in their car.
Other times it can make no difference, arriving indirect in the evening they are usually quieter.

 

[suzybear6]

We took a booster seat as baggage ie not in anything, just loose. You might want to check with the airline that it won't count towards the pieces of baggage you are allowed, but lots of people seem to take car seats in this way. Otherwise, you could easily pick one up at Walmart for next to nothing when you get there.

Hmmm....taking them as an extra piece of luggage would work the best for us...means we wouldn't have any journeys where they were at risk and we wouldn't just have to leave them in the US...cheaper all round as I know I can get them for around £5 in the UK but the cheapest I've seen so far in the US is $15.

Thanks Kristie...I'll check with Virgin

Luv Suzy

 

[suzybear6]

Massive difference, usually upto 60 mins but it depends if you are 1st off the plane, how quick you get thru immigration & how many other planes arrive at similar time.
2 years ago our friends were 1st off plane, 1st thru immigration, got to Dollar line and took over a hour to get car. We took ages to get thru immigration, went to Express line, got served straight away, got to hotel checked in and to our room, got a call to say our friends had just got in their car.
Other times it can make no difference, arriving indirect in the evening they are usually quieter.

Thanks Wayne...I'm off to fill in the Dollor Express form now!!!

Luv Suzy