Alamo at MCO

[Cruz91]

I just cancelled my mini-van through Thrifty (which was $450 and a shuttle ride to pick-up / drop-off) and rented a standard SUV through Alamo for $411, which I believe is in-terminal pick-up - trip dates are 10/13 - 10/24. Plus, I got free extra driver! Anyway - is Alamo o.k.? Never rented with them before - anything I should watch out for?

Also - my plan is to use a sky cap to grab our bags and take to the car when we arrive. For departing, I planned on going straight to the car rental return and getting a sky cap to take our bags to the check-in. Are there generally sky caps around the car return area to help with the bags, or should I do curbside check-in?

 

[sympatico]

We usually rent from Alamo and like it. Of course they try to sell you insurance and a full tank of gas but just say no if you don't need/want it. You are not give a specific vehicle, you just go out to the garage and go to the row that is designated for the size you reserved and pick the one you want, they all have the keys in them. When you drive out, you stop at the booth and hand in the tag hanging from the mirror and your paperwork for them to check and drive away. We like being able to pick out the vehicle that we like.
You can also check in online and then you can bypass the rental desk and go right to the garage. Or there are kiosks near the rental desk that you can check in with.
There's usually guys around to help with bags at baggage claim and when you return your car.

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

I have used Alamo two times. And had good service both times. I signed up for their quick service so that got me in and out faster. They are located right outside of baggage claim on ground level in the parking deck. You have to cross the two lane road in front of the parking deck but no big deal. I like it because I got to choose my rental car. I had a Toyota Highlander.
I just rented with them again same car class a mid size SUV for $190 a week 1/19-1/26/2008.

 

[ntsammy5]

We use Alamo 3-5 times a year and have always liked them. MCO is OK, usually we get one at the Car Care Center and use ME to get to the resort. We also rent in Charlotte, KC, Buffalo , and LA.

 

[GEM]

I'd also like to know about the Sky Cap situation. I'm traveling in December, just me and my 4 year old. I know I'll need help getting our luggage from the baggage claim to the car. (Planning to do resort luggage check on the way back.) Do you think I'll have problems getting a Sky Cap to help me out to the rental car with our luggage? Should I claim the luggage first, and then go to the Alamo counter? Or should I go to the counter and get that taken care of, and then go claim the luggage? Any thoughts?

 

[67mike]

We are going to use Alamo next week.................

I got an incredable deal.....$102.00 for 7 days in full size with unlimited miles!!!

How can you lose with those prices!

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

I'd also like to know about the Sky Cap situation. I'm traveling in December, just me and my 4 year old. I know I'll need help getting our luggage from the baggage claim to the car. (Planning to do resort luggage check on the way back.) Do you think I'll have problems getting a Sky Cap to help me out to the rental car with our luggage? Should I claim the luggage first, and then go to the Alamo counter? Or should I go to the counter and get that taken care of, and then go claim the luggage? Any thoughts?

I have traveled with my litte ones before. My Jan trip it will be just me and my kids ages 4 and 7. I go to baggage claim first then roll the luggage out to the rental. We all hold hands so that we're not seperated and to cross the street to the parking deck. Also I pack everything in one large suitcase. More than one suit case would be too much trouble. My girls have backpacks with there stuff and i have one for my stuff. That way I have my hands free and so do they. I don't allow them to take anything out while we are in the airport. It also makes airport security easier if everthing is neatly tucked away. It's not difficult to travel with kids. Good Luck.

 

[GEM]

I have traveled with my litte ones before. My Jan trip it will be just me and my kids ages 4 and 7. I go to baggage claim first then roll the luggage out to the rental. We all hold hands so that we're not seperated and to cross the street to the parking deck. Also I pack everything in one large suitcase. More than one suit case would be too much trouble. My girls have backpacks with there stuff and i have one for my stuff. That way I have my hands free and so do they. I don't allow them to take anything out while we are in the airport. It also makes airport security easier if everthing is neatly tucked away. It's not difficult to travel with kids. Good Luck.

Thanks for the tips. My son and I travel a lot, so I'm really not too worried about it. We've done two previous "mommy and me" trips, and they were great. We've never rented a car at MCO before, though, so I wasn't sure what would be the best way to handle that. We will definately have more than one suitcase, though. We're staying 10 nights in December (so have to pack warm, bulky clothes, too) - plus I'm a chronic overpacker anyway. So, we're going to need a Sky Cap!

My plan, I think, is to go to the Alamo counter fist and take care of that. Then I can head to the baggage claim and get the bags. There generally seem to be lots of Sky Caps hanging around there. I'll get someone to hlep with the luggage and, then, we can go right out to the car.

Sound like a good plan?

 

[Cruz91]

All good info. We'll have one suitcase per person (10 day trip, and easier that way), PLUS two car seats and two strollers and whatever carry-on my wife claims she MUST have.

 

[wee-haggis]

I just cancelled my mini-van through Thrifty (which was $450 and a shuttle ride to pick-up / drop-off) and rented a standard SUV through Alamo for $411, which I believe is in-terminal pick-up - trip dates are 10/13 - 10/24. Plus, I got free extra driver! Anyway - is Alamo o.k.? Never rented with them before - anything I should watch out for?

Also - my plan is to use a sky cap to grab our bags and take to the car when we arrive. For departing, I planned on going straight to the car rental return and getting a sky cap to take our bags to the check-in. Are there generally sky caps around the car return area to help with the bags, or should I do curbside check-in?

Muliple user of Alamo with no problems.

I punched in your dates for a standard SUV (using the code sunny15) and got it for $390.58.
I didn't know you pick/drop off times so i put in 12 noon for each.

 

[WillCAD]

I've been using Alamo at MCO for years. In fact, the first time I used them, in 1999, they weren't even on-site yet!

Alamo often has the best rates, and I have never had any complaints about either the cars or the people. A few times there was a long line at the Alamo counter, but not always, and there are ways around that now (automated kiosks, Quick silver club membership to skip the lines).

I have another ressie with Alamo for MouseFest (Dec 5-14, compact with an upgrade coupon to mid-size, $156.01) and I am sure that there is no way I'll be able to get any cheaper than that at any of the agencies.

 

[sympatico]

The baggage claim and rental car counters are on different floors for those of you who don't know that. The car rental desks are a floor below the baggage claim. After you claim your bags you need to go down to the next floor and go to the rental desks and/or out to the parking garage.