Alamo at MCO

[moonpie85]

I have never rented a car anywhere before. I have a reservation with Alamo through Priceline. Can someone tell me exactly what I need to do once landing and any ways that I can expedite the process?

Thanks!!

 

[Ed J]

Deplane and follow the mob to the train. Get off the trian and follow the signs to the luggage pick up. Follow the signs to the rental car counters. I don't think you can use the kiosk or save time options when going through price line, so after checking in at the counters follow the sighns and cross the street to the Alamo garage, pick a car in your class (keys are in them) load up and proceed to the exit. Alamo is one of the companies people hope for when biding as picking the car is the fun part of the process .

 

[schoen]

I have never had to wait more than a few minutes at Alamo. I do always try to use them, it IS fun to pick your own car, especially if they have upgrades in the aisle, which they often (but certainly not always) do!

 

[moonpie85]

I have never had to wait more than a few minutes at Alamo. I do always try to use them, it IS fun to pick your own car, especially if they have upgrades in the aisle, which they often (but certainly not always) do!

Oh cool so sometimes they stick nicer ones in your aisle? Of course we're arriving late so I doubt there will be any still around

 

[Ed J]

Last trip we pulled out in a ford explorer, trip before was a Volvo, they were in the full size isle. Both of those trips we were pulling out 9 or 10 PM, I've seen no rhyme or reason to what is in the isle and time of day.

 

[gmeh1]

Last trip we pulled out in a ford explorer, trip before was a Volvo, they were in the full size isle. Both of those trips we were pulling out 9 or 10 PM, I've seen no rhyme or reason to what is in the isle and time of day.

LOL, I work there and I still cannot figure it out. Tonight as I was leaving work, approx. 10:45 pm, they had mini vans on the midsize row and full size row.

 

[gmeh1]

Oh cool so sometimes they stick nicer ones in your aisle? Of course we're arriving late so I doubt there will be any still around

Yep, sometimes they stick stuff you would never expect to see in different rows. Tonight, mini vans on the full and midsize rows, btw, this was at approx. 10:45 as I was leaving work. What size do you have reserved?

 

[gmeh1]

I have never rented a car anywhere before. I have a reservation with Alamo through Priceline. Can someone tell me exactly what I need to do once landing and any ways that I can expedite the process?

Thanks!!

Do exactly what ED said. I just want to add, baggage claim is down on the 2nd level and car rental is on the 1st level. Plenty of elevators.

On side A of the airport, Alamo is on your left.
On side B of the airport, Alamo is on your right.

 

[Armadillo4]

Last trip we pulled out in a ford explorer, trip before was a Volvo, they were in the full size isle. Both of those trips we were pulling out 9 or 10 PM, I've seen no rhyme or reason to what is in the isle and time of day.

LOL, it is part of the fun when renting with Alamo (or National)! And I agree, there is no rhyme or reason as to what you'll find. Last March, I had a fullsize reservation at Alamo. Came out to the fullsize aisle and there were a couple Lincoln Town Cars and several SUVs, but no "regular" fullsize vehicles--e.g. Chargers, Malibus, etc. Since I needed to make a day trip up to Jacksonville, I didn't want a boat or a gas-guzzler. I asked an attendant if any more fullsize vehicles were coming out. He led me over to the National fullsize aisle and told me to pick any vehicle there. That's when it really drove home the fact that both companies are under the same ownership.

With your Priceline reservation, you'll have to check-in at the Alamo counter, but getting a good deal is worth a little wait. Good luck with your trip and I hope you find a wide selection of vehicles when you arrive!

 

[moonpie85]

Do exactly what ED said. I just want to add, baggage claim is down on the 2nd level and car rental is on the 1st level. Plenty of elevators.

On side A of the airport, Alamo is on your left.
On side B of the airport, Alamo is on your right.

Thank you!! I'm going to send you a DM because I have a couple of additional questions

 

[moonpie85]

Yep, sometimes they stick stuff you would never expect to see in different rows. Tonight, mini vans on the full and midsize rows, btw, this was at approx. 10:45 as I was leaving work. What size do you have reserved?

We have a full size reserved and arriving around 7pm.

 

[moonpie85]

Thank you to everyone!! I always find the Transportation Board to be some of the most helpful and friendly!

 

[dennise]

We ususally go straight to the car rental, the luggage is usually a little while coming. Sometimes one of us stays to wait for the luggage, the other goes for the car, we find that this really saves time. By the time my husband has the luggage, I usually have the car rental all done. I just make sure that I have his drivers licence.

 

[rrcortes]

Thanks so much for the info. We are using Alamo for the first time in Nov. Lately we"ve stuck with National (EA). Didn't realize that we get to pick out our car with Alamo. I've been checking National everyday to see if rates will go down...but now I won't even bother!! Besides I don't think I'll ever beat $78 TOTAL for our 7 day rental!!!!

 

[jnfr2424]

Oh cool so sometimes they stick nicer ones in your aisle? Of course we're arriving late so I doubt there will be any still around

You never know!- Once my plane arrived at MCO so late ( I was supposed to arrive at 10pm did not get there until 3am) that I was able to take any car that was left off the lot! I had reserved a full size and ended up with a luxury suv.

Last week I had a Standard SUV(Jeep Cherokee) reserved and there was a premium crossover (GMC Arcadia) that I took instead!

One thing I love about Alamo is all the paperwork can be done beforehand - I never stop at the kiosk I just go straight outside to the garage! Try to contact Priceline and see if they can give you the reservation number they have for Alamo (I think I did this once I don't remember)choose your car ( I do the walk around and check for anything out of the ordinary and drive to the exit - I have my DL, CC and Alamo Insider ready tell them any info about the car and before you know it you are on your way

 

[Dan Murphy]

Alamo, and National, are superb. I have never had a problem over many rentals.

Thanks, gmeh1, for helping make it so.

 

[schoen]

Yeah, it really is just the luck of the draw. On our last trip our flight got in around 9:30 pm and there were a ton of SUV's in the full size lots, most of them still wet from cleaning. There were a few other families milling around the full size lot, so we grabbed a Chevy Equinox ASAP, and didn't look at the full inventory.

I have also been in a situation where there were ONLY PT Cruisers. It just depends

 

[gmeh1]

Yeah, it really is just the luck of the draw. On our last trip our flight got in around 9:30 pm and there were a ton of SUV's in the full size lots, most of them still wet from cleaning. There were a few other families milling around the full size lot, so we grabbed a Chevy Equinox ASAP, and didn't look at the full inventory.

I have also been in a situation where there were ONLY PT Cruisers. It just depends

We no longer have PT Cruisers, just Chevy's HHR. We use those in midsize and compact (when we are running low on compacts). I used to spend one day a week doing the car assignments and it drove me NUTS!!! The assignments change frequently during the day. Depends on supply and demand. The part that made me happy was that usually it fell in the favor of the customer. IE: mini vans on the midsize row, or a HHR in compacts.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

gmeh1, thanks for being so helpful on these board.

Any ideas as to what models I'll encounter on the full-size row around 1 PM on Saturday? I know, no guarantees.

Wife and I are a little concerned our three bags, baby gear, and double stroller might not fit too well in a full size (mostly because of the stroller). It would be great if minivans or small SUVs were there...even a plan old station wagon. But I'm not willing to pay up for that certainty....backup plan if things don't fit is to have me and my 4-year-old take Magical Express. We only need the space from the airport, not the ride back since bags will be checked at the resort.

Also, if I have a full size reserved, can I choose a car from any of the 'lesser' aisles? Like if there is something that works better for our family on the mid-size aisle, can I take that? Or do you just push everything down the line...like minivans into full-size, impalas into mid-size, etc., so that situation doesn't arise?

Thanks!

 

[gmeh1]

gmeh1, thanks for being so helpful on these board.

Any ideas as to what models I'll encounter on the full-size row around 1 PM on Saturday? I know, no guarantees.

Wife and I are a little concerned our three bags, baby gear, and double stroller might not fit too well in a full size (mostly because of the stroller). It would be great if minivans or small SUVs were there...even a plan old station wagon. But I'm not willing to pay up for that certainty....backup plan if things don't fit is to have me and my 4-year-old take Magical Express. We only need the space from the airport, not the ride back since bags will be checked at the resort.

Also, if I have a full size reserved, can I choose a car from any of the 'lesser' aisles? Like if there is something that works better for our family on the mid-size aisle, can I take that? Or do you just push everything down the line...like minivans into full-size, impalas into mid-size, etc., so that situation doesn't arise?

Thanks!

You are most welcome!!!
I am thinking that the Impala will hold your "stuff", even the double stroller, it has a HUGE trunk. 18.3 (approx) cf.
Yes, you can select from the midsize row, but, it will require you to speak to a Customer service agent in the garage, so she/he can adjust the rate. But, in all honesty, I cannot imagine what would be on the midsize row that would accomodate you and yours.
I really don't like to "guess" what will be in any row at any time, but, lately I have been seeing mini vans on full size and mid size rows, some SUV's on full size and mid size. Also, keep in mind, if you don't see something that suits you at Alamo's full size row, you are able to zip over to National's full size row and select from there. If that fails, speak with a Customer Service person, it is their job to make the customer say "wow". BTW, we don't "push" anything down the line, we want you happy!! Company mantra: Completely satisfy the customer.
What side are you coming in on?
Another tip: opt for returning the car empty. Right now that option is less than regular stations and I can tell you, our gas is going up around here, by leaps and bounds.