? about van/minivan rentals at Alamo or National

[Iluvpooh&mickey]

I need to rent an 8 passenger full size van for our trip. We will have 7 passengers -- 4 adults, 2 six year olds and a 1 year old in a car seat. With all of us plus our luggage and stroller, there's no way we will all fit in a minivan. I spoke to National and Alamo today and they both told me that they have an 8 passenger van-Toyota Sienna or similar. I told them that the Sienna is a minivan not a regular van but the persons I spoke to insisted that it's an 8 passenger van. Even National and Alamo's website list it as an 8 passenger minivan. I am so confused.

I could rent an 8 passenger full size van through Dollar but wanted to be able to compare with other companies who are at the airport plus I would need to give them a credit card now and would only have 72 hours to cancel. I just want to get a good rate and Dollar is quoting me at $330 for the week.

Anybody remember seeing 8 passenger full size vans on National or Alamo's lot? Has anyone ever reserved the 8 passenger Toyota Sienna and if so what kind of van did you end up with? Thanks.

 

[DVCconvert]

Anybody remember seeing 8 passenger full size vans on National or Alamo's lot?

Last month I rented an 8 pass. van from alamo at MCO. It turned out to be a GMC safari. It was very comfort for my group.

HTH

 

[Iluvpooh&mickey]

Last month I rented an 8 pass. van from alamo at MCO. It turned out to be a GMC safari. It was very comfort for my group.
HTH

Thanks for your response! That's exactly the kind of van I need. Just a couple more questions for you...

Did your orinted confirmation say 8 passenger minivan-Totota Sienna or similar as the type of car?

Did the 8 passenger vans have their own row....or were they mixed in with the 7 passenger minivans?

I am nervous that when I get there they will tell me I need to pick a minivan since it says 8 passenger MINIVAN on my confirmation. Then I'd really be stuck b/c we definitely won't all fit all our luggage in a regular minivan.

Thanks for your help.

 

[DVCconvert]

Did your orinted confirmation say 8 passenger minivan-Totota Sienna or similar as the type of car?

Yes. When I made my ressie (on alamo.com) and printed it off, that is exactly how it read. I think the key is to make sure it says "8 passenger"

Did the 8 passenger vans have their own row....or were they mixed in with the 7 passenger minivans?

They were/are supposed to be in the back area with the 7 passenger vans. However, we ended up having to ask an attendent where to find one in the garage.

I am nervous that when I get there they will tell me I need to pick a minivan since it says 8 passenger MINIVAN on my confirmation. Then I'd really be stuck b/c we definitely won't all fit all our luggage in a regular minivan.

I thinkyou'll be fine. I would say however, that the check-in girl tried to down-size us, as did the parking lot attendent. In fact the girl at the check-in tried to 'scare' us by calling it 'as big as a bread truck' --'like a bus' . Just stick to your guns and if questioned forceably state you reserved an 8 passenger and that's what you need and want. I'm sure you'll be fine! Have a magical trip!

 

[Iluvpooh&mickey]

Thanks...you made me feel so much better. I know there are actually some minivans that seat 8 (back two rows are 3 seater benches) and I wondered if they would try to force me into one of those. I am glad to hear that they definitely have the full size ones!


Anyone else have any info?

 

[mill4023]

Thanks...you made me feel so much better. I know there are actually some minivans that seat 8 (back two rows are 3 seater benches) and I wondered if they would try to force me into one of those. I am glad to hear that they definitely have the full size ones!

Anyone else have any info?

The Toyota Sienna and the GMC Safari mentioned above ARE minivans with the two rows of 3 seater benches, like you described. I wouldn't call it forcing you into one, because that's what you'll be reserving. If you need a full-size van, I think you'll need to reserve a full-size van.

 

[Iluvpooh&mickey]

The Toyota Sienna and the GMC Safari mentioned above ARE minivans with the two rows of 3 seater benches, like you described. I wouldn't call it forcing you into one, because that's what you'll be reserving. If you need a full-size van, I think you'll need to reserve a full-size van.

I do understand what a Toyota Sienna is and what it looks like and I know I need a 8 passenger full size van and reserving an 8 passenger full size van is what I am trying to do.

When I looked on Alamo's website, there was no 8 passenger full size vans listed only an 8 pass minivan-Toyota Sienna or sim and then a 15 pass van. I called and spoke to a CSR and asked if they had 8 passenger FULL SIZE vans. I was told that they do have them. Then the CSR said it would be the Toyota Sienna or sim. I then said "no, I want a full size van not a minivan". He kept saying that the Toyota Sienna was a full size van. I kept saying "no it's a minivan" but apparently what their website says and what his computer system was saying was different. So if I did rent from Alamo when they are telling me I am renting an 8 pass full size van then I definitely would consider it forcing to make me take a minivan. KWIM?

I do recall a post a month or so ago where someone tried to use a minivan coupon on Alamo's website and couldn't for the 8 passenger minivan. She argued with their cust service b/c the 8 pass was listed as a minivan on the website but their internal system said it was a full size van so the coupon was not valid.

Anyway, I think I am just gong to bite the bullet and rent with Dollar b/c at this point I can't trust that I will actually get the full size van from Alamo.

 

[travlnman1]

Whats the rate for an 8 pax van w/ Dollar?
I have one w/ Thrifty for base 266.13 all in. (215.00 base) a week.
But Thrifty is not at the airport.

 

[Iluvpooh&mickey]

Whats the rate for an 8 pax van w/ Dollar?
I have one w/ Thrifty for base 266.13 all in. (215.00 base) a week.
But Thrifty is not at the airport.

The rate I got via email from Dollar was $270 + tax/fees = $330
I wish I could rent with Thrifty offsite b/c it save some $$ but since our flight is scheduled to arrive at 11:00pm, it's worth it to me to pay extra not to have to drag my tired kids on a shuttle.

With Dollar, you do have to give a credit card when reserving b/c it's a specialty vehicle. They told me that after 72 hours there would be a cancellation charge of 1 day rental fee. HTH