Alamo for $251 or National for $286 ressies

[mermaidwannabe]

I can get a 10-day rental with Alamo for $251 and National for $286. Obviously it seems like a no brainer to save $35, but just wondered if anyone thought it would be worth going with National for more?

 

[JessM]

National has the Emerald Aisle and if you sign up for the Emerald Club you can take any car in the aisle if you book a full size or above. Other than that they are the same, they are in the same area, operate under the same umbrella company (Enterprise Holdings) and take from the same fleet of cars in Orlando I believe.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

National has the Emerald Aisle and if you sign up for the Emerald Club you can take any car in the aisle if you book a full size or above. Other than that they are the same, they are in the same area, operate under the same umbrella company (Enterprise Holdings) and take from the same fleet of cars in Orlando I believe.

Oh I had a standard booked since I knew I'd get a fullsize. Maybe I'll look into the fullsize price for National and see if that makes the price difference a lot more. Thanks!

 

[awdwnut]

You should double check the National site for the Emerald Aisle overview.
I believe that you must reserve a mid size car to use the Emerald Aisle.

awdwnut

 

[bumbershoot]

I believe that you must reserve a mid size car to use the Emerald Aisle.

Yep. mid-size to get access to the Aisle if you're an Emerald Club member.

If you absolutely positively MUST have a bigger car, probably best to just rent that. If you're willing to take a gamble on getting something bigger (I say this because I know it's true, though every single time we've done the Aisle we've gotten an SUV, and often a big one), but can deal with midsize, go with the midsize to get access to the Aisle.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I do need a fullsize so will just keep with standard (since no standard row) and see if I can get either Alamo or National down a little bit before we go in 3 weeks. Thank you!

 

[richmo]

Pretty good chance you'll see further reduction with Alamo about 10-14 days before your trip. (Of course, it sounds like you're getting into July 4 territory, so no guarantees). Keep your eyes open!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Pretty good chance you'll see further reduction with Alamo about 10-14 days before your trip. (Of course, it sounds like you're getting into July 4 territory, so no guarantees). Keep your eyes open!

Oh, I didn't even think about my stay overlapping into the 4th of July time! I will keep checking thank you!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I have rented from Alamo every time I've gone to Disney World. I also use them every time I go to Hawaii. Never had a problem. Like another poster said, they have the same parent company. But Alamo is alway cheaper than National.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I have rented from Alamo every time I've gone to Disney World. I also use them every time I go to Hawaii. Never had a problem. Like another poster said, they have the same parent company. But Alamo is alway cheaper than National.

I know National seems to have a better rep, but now my Alamo ressie is down to $215 (yay!) so Alamo is going to win out. Thank you!!

 

[epsmith921]

Alamo also has their insiders club that's free to join and then you get a free second driver. We used them last year and it was no problem other than the woman at the counter trying to upsell me on a Pontiac g6!

 

[richmo]

Alamo also has their insiders club that's free to join and then you get a free second driver. We used them last year and it was no problem other than the woman at the counter trying to upsell me on a Pontiac g6!

All the more reason to use the kiosk.

 

[ttfn3]

All the more reason to use the kiosk.

Can you add a second driver for free at the kiosk if you are an Alamo insider? I am getting conflicting info. Alamo via their Facebook page says I can just go to the garage & get my car. Can I bypass the kiosk & the counter if I am an insider member?

 

[richmo]

Can you add a second driver for free at the kiosk if you are an Alamo insider? I am getting conflicting info. Alamo via their Facebook page says I can just go to the garage & get my car. Can I bypass the kiosk & the counter if I am an insider member?

I haven't done it as Alamo Insider, but I did it using a Costco reservation, which also included the second driver. What I did, and I'm guessing you should do, is go on to the Alamo site about a day before you go and do the "Save time" (at least thats what they used to call it). If I remember correctly, I entered both of our licenses at that time and then had to show both to the gate attendant as we left the rental facility.

 

[ttfn3]

We were able to add a second driver for free at the kiosk at the Orlando airport. Pretty easy - once you get through all the screens. No charge to add my spouse to the reservation. Got a great rate of $149 - taxes included for a 8 day rental. Picked out a really nice Nissan with only 5,000 miles on the car.

 

[calablovedisney]

I know National seems to have a better rep, but now my Alamo ressie is down to $215 (yay!) so Alamo is going to win out. Thank you!!

I am looking for a 9 day rental, June 26th-July 5. I have been checking multiple sights, with multiple coupon codes, including entertainment book. I am not getting numbers anywhere close to yours. How are you getting those deals? I am coming up with $351 for midsize!
I am also considering renting from Budget or Avis near Universal since we spend our 1st 2 nights there, then going to Disney where we really prefer a car. But those are $289 and $299, add to that the cost of a taxi and cost of paying parking for 2 nights and it's not a huge difference.
If I can get closer to your rates, I would definitely rent at the airport for roundtrip.

 

[richmo]

I am looking for a 9 day rental, June 26th-July 5. I have been checking multiple sights, with multiple coupon codes, including entertainment book. I am not getting numbers anywhere close to yours. How are you getting those deals? I am coming up with $351 for midsize!
I am also considering renting from Budget or Avis near Universal since we spend our 1st 2 nights there, then going to Disney where we really prefer a car. But those are $289 and $299, add to that the cost of a taxi and cost of paying parking for 2 nights and it's not a huge difference.
If I can get closer to your rates, I would definitely rent at the airport for roundtrip.

A couple things come to mind. One, you're still a little over two weeks out. I think you'll see some rate movement in the next 5 days or so. The other thing is your rental runs right into a holiday. Because of that, I would expect the demand to be a bit higher than normal. If I were you, I would make some non-binding reservations (cover all your scenarios..rent at MCO, at Universal, etc.), but really look hard over the next week or so for something better.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I am looking for a 9 day rental, June 26th-July 5. I have been checking multiple sights, with multiple coupon codes, including entertainment book. I am not getting numbers anywhere close to yours. How are you getting those deals? I am coming up with $351 for midsize!
I am also considering renting from Budget or Avis near Universal since we spend our 1st 2 nights there, then going to Disney where we really prefer a car. But those are $289 and $299, add to that the cost of a taxi and cost of paying parking for 2 nights and it's not a huge difference.
If I can get closer to your rates, I would definitely rent at the airport for roundtrip.

My Alamo one came down quite a bit last week but now is back in the $300s. National I got down to $286 a few weeks ago but now it is also in the $300s so I don't know? Just keep checking a few times per day that's what I did with my Alamo one. Good luck!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Best rates are found just before your trip. I have always booked my mid size car the Tue before I leave. That when the last minute rates are released. Last 4 trips to WDW I have not paid more that $90 for my Alamo rental and yes I belong to the free Insiders program. I pay with my Visa and use the $30 off Visa coupon code. Get $30 off your next 5 day plus rental with a Saturday night keep by using Alamo coupon code AD2338FDF. Expires 12/31/13.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Best rates are found just before your trip. I have always booked my mid size car the Tue before I leave. That when the last minute rates are released. Last 4 trips to WDW I have not paid more that $90 for my Alamo rental and yes I belong to the free Insiders program. I pay with my Visa and use the $30 off Visa coupon code. Get $30 off your next 5 day plus rental with a Saturday night keep by using Alamo coupon code AD2338FDF. Expires 12/31/13.

Good to hear! I will keep checking! Thanks!