Alamo advice for MCO pickup

[catherinen]

the intermediate SUV is just under £1 more a day than fullsize
if you want to secure a SUV, it might be worth getting the upgrade when booking (internet rates being cheaper than at the desk)

Thanks for the info. As we've booked through Virgin Holidays, who were a bit rubbish sorting it (the brochure mentioned everyone booking got an automatic upgrade to the next category up, which didn't appear on our invoice, and about which VH seemed completely oblivious until I rang and complained, hence the "double" upgrade we've now got) I'm going to avoid changing this element of our booking because I have no confidence in Virgin sorting it. As a WDW first-timer my head's already full to capacity with planning (I love it though of course!) and this way what we end up driving will be a bit of a surprise!

 

[Red-Snapper]

! Any hints on what would be a good choice, if we're ofered it? Also, I'm very glad to be forewarned about fighting off their efforts to sell us an upgrade - we'd have been happy with a titchy car anyway.

As you have booked thru Virgin you can do the full on-line checkin and bypass the sales desk/queue and go straight to pick your car. Your category will be marked - just walk down the row and pick the car you like the look of. Hand your printout to the person in the kiosk at the exit barrier as you drive out.

So you dont need to talk to anyone that will try to sell you an upgrade you dont need etc.

 

[Looby Loo]

We've booked direct with Alamo, there are only 2 of us so we've gone for the smallest car - Chevrolet Aveo or similar - which I am sure will be fine! We've also prepaid/ purchased all our insurances, full tank of petrol and additional drivers, so we can both drive. I presume we won't need anything else?

Will we be able to do the online check in? If so, do I just print off the documentation and head direct to the car lot???

Thanks

 

[WiganTony]

We've also got Alamo car hire through Flights2Florida, but when I try to view my reservation on the Alamo website, I get the message:

"This reservation was booked by a Tour Operator. Please contact your Tour Operator for more information."

Would I still be able to complete the information on-line, or will I have to visit the Alamo desk to complete the paperwork?

 

[RDP]

We just did all of our paperwork etc on line. When we got to the airport we picked the Alamo car that we wanted in our size range, showed the print out of the paperwork and our credit card to the Alamo rep as we were driving out. Couldn't have been easier!

Thats what we did, very easy, plan to do the same this year also. Got my booking reference number from CO so I could specifically do the online checkin for ALAMO.

Update - Just tried to complete the online checkin and its kicking me out, not sure if its a tour operator thing, or the fact that its too far out time wise (we have over 6 months before we go)

 

[Cyrano]

We've also got Alamo car hire through Flights2Florida, but when I try to view my reservation on the Alamo website, I get the message:

"This reservation was booked by a Tour Operator. Please contact your Tour Operator for more information."

Would I still be able to complete the information on-line, or will I have to visit the Alamo desk to complete the paperwork?

I got the same message so was going to contact he travel agent

 

[wayneg]

We've booked direct with Alamo, there are only 2 of us so we've gone for the smallest car - Chevrolet Aveo or similar - which I am sure will be fine! We've also prepaid/ purchased all our insurances, full tank of petrol and additional drivers, so we can both drive. I presume we won't need anything else?

Will we be able to do the online check in? If so, do I just print off the documentation and head direct to the car lot???

Thanks

If you can do OLCI and bypass the desk you will avoid their attempts to upgrade & sell you extras, if you can't then the agent will probably try sell you upgrade, sat nav, roadside assist, just say no to everything.

 

[chmurf]

you won't be able to do online check in

as per the requirements

To qualify for Online Check-In, you must:

Meet minimum rental age requirements.
Have a valid U.S. or Canadian driver's license.
Provide a valid major credit card.
Alamo does not accept debit cards at time of rental. Although a debit card may be accepted online, you will not be able to process your transaction at time of rental.
Not available for some specialty class vehicles.
The following credit cards may be used to complete your Online Check-Insm transaction:
U.S. issued credit cards: Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Discover
Canada issued credit cards: American Express, Mastercard, VISA

https://www.alamo.com/index.do?action=/hotDealsTemplate&msg=alamo-onlinecheckin

 

[catherinen]

As you have booked thru Virgin you can do the full on-line checkin and bypass the sales desk/queue and go straight to pick your car. Your category will be marked - just walk down the row and pick the car you like the look of. Hand your printout to the person in the kiosk at the exit barrier as you drive out.

So you dont need to talk to anyone that will try to sell you an upgrade you dont need etc.

Thanks for the info - this sounds an excellent set-up.