Alamo one way MCO-FLL

[mek17]

We will spend a week at WDW, then on to Miami for a week to visit friends. We will fly out of FLL to come home. I currently have two Alamo reservations for minivan rental -- MCO-FLL for $869, and MCO-MCO for $478. This is a huge difference my mind; almost double the cost to drop off at FLL. While no drop off fee is noted, the weekly rate is almost double.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience as to what Alamo would do if I picked up under the MCO-MCO reservation, and then called and told them I wanted to drop off at FLL. If the cost to do this would be less than $390, it would make sense for me.

My other thought was taking a chance that they have minivans in the full size row at MCO, and making a full size reservation too. (Full size rates are much lower.) Has anyone had success with this approach? I've seen a few stories of this happening at MCO.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SteveMouse]

Changing a reservation once you've picked up the vehicle, especially changing a drop location, could be a very expensive choice, as they might very well deny the request for a change. Anyone's experience in the past would be just that- in the past. I have found that rental car companies have gotten much less forgiving in the last few years.

I would also not expect to see a van (mini or otherwise) in the full-size line. One might get lucky, but do you need the space of the van (people/kids with carseats/luggage)?

If you have another driver, have you considered renting two smaller vehicles?

-steve

 

[mek17]

Thanks Steve. Yes, we need the space -- 4 kids in carseats, luggage for 6 for 2 weeks. Renting two vehicles is an option but not first choice. Thanks for your input.

 

[Karlzmom]

I am also going MCO - FLL so I can feel you pain! I was able to snag an SUV from Enterprise for 14 days for $327 - I started at car rental savers and then used an Entertainment book coupon. Have you checked there? The SUV was the only decent rate, and kinda stuck out in the sea of overpriced vehicles. I've been watching closely, but prices haven't budged an inch!

 

[mek17]

I am also going MCO - FLL so I can feel you pain! I was able to snag an SUV from Enterprise for 14 days for $327 - I started at car rental savers and then used an Entertainment book coupon. Have you checked there? The SUV was the only decent rate, and kinda stuck out in the sea of overpriced vehicles. I've been watching closely, but prices haven't budged an inch!

That is a great rate. What size SUV is it? I'll check into this now.

 

[gmeh1]

We will spend a week at WDW, then on to Miami for a week to visit friends. We will fly out of FLL to come home. I currently have two Alamo reservations for minivan rental -- MCO-FLL for $869, and MCO-MCO for $478. This is a huge difference my mind; almost double the cost to drop off at FLL. While no drop off fee is noted, the weekly rate is almost double.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience as to what Alamo would do if I picked up under the MCO-MCO reservation, and then called and told them I wanted to drop off at FLL. If the cost to do this would be less than $390, it would make sense for me.

My other thought was taking a chance that they have minivans in the full size row at MCO, and making a full size reservation too. (Full size rates are much lower.) Has anyone had success with this approach? I've seen a few stories of this happening at MCO.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you picked up a car under a round trip reservation (MCO-MCO) and then changed your mind, you would probably be charged the one way rate when they did the change.
As to mini vans on the full size row, don't hold your breath. It sometimes happens in the winter when the demand is low, but, forget it in the "high" season.
I will say what I always say. Book what you need, not what you gamble on.
Often, during the "high" season, they will not let some of the vehicles go on a one way rental. Not sure if they are doing that with mini vans right now, but, they are on others. It varies from day to day. Supply and demand.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is there any way you can take DME to your resort and then book your car for the drive to Miami??? That's what I did a few years ago. Picked up the car the day before we had to head south. Much cheaper.

 

[mek17]

Is there any way you can take DME to your resort and then book your car for the drive to Miami??? That's what I did a few years ago. Picked up the car the day before we had to head south. Much cheaper.

I considered it, but I'd like to have a car while at WDW. Additionally, rates were not that different when I priced it out. Thanks to everyone for their input. At this point I think I will stick with the MCO-FLL reservation and continue watching for the price to drop.

 

[Karlzmom]

That is a great rate. What size SUV is it? I'll check into this now.

Its a standard SUV. Per a post by Gmeh1 [our resident National/Alamo/Enterprise Guru!] the following vehicles fit that category:

Standard SUVs:Kia Sorrento
Hyndai Sante Fe
Ford Explorer or Edge
Dodge Journey
Jeep Chrokee
Chevy Equinox
Nissan Pathfinder
Chevy Trailblaser
Nissan Murano (awsome SUV)
GMC Envoy
Mazda CX7 (another awsome one)
Ford Freestyle
Nissan Xterra
Toyota 4 runner
Toyota Highlander
Saturn Vue

Good luck and here's hoping rates come down a bit for both of us!