Alamo or Enterprise at MCO, if same price is one better than other?

[staceyeid]

I can get pretty much the same rate for a minivan from 9/6 - 9/15 through Enterprise and Alamo (~$275, see below for coupons used). I know they are both onsite at Orlando Airport and was wondering if there was a reason to select one company over the other (free additional driver, nicer/cleaner cars, faster/friendlier service, etc.)?

Thank you!!

Alamo
$273.25 (priced on 8/13/12)
Costco code of 7015309
AA coupon AD2359FDF
Alamo Insiders Member

Enterprise (through Costco Travel website)
$275.62 (booked 7/26/12)
No additional coupons used

 

[gmeh1]

I can get pretty much the same rate for a minivan from 9/6 - 9/15 through Enterprise and Alamo (~$275, see below for coupons used). I know they are both onsite at Orlando Airport and was wondering if there was a reason to select one company over the other (free additional driver, nicer/cleaner cars, faster/friendlier service, etc.)?

Thank you!!

Alamo
$273.25 (priced on 8/13/12)
Costco code of 7015309
AA coupon AD2359FDF
Alamo Insiders Member

Enterprise (through Costco Travel website)
$275.62 (booked 7/26/12)
No additional coupons used

It really does not matter all that much. Enterprise owns Alamo and National and the cars are shared between the 3 brands. The only real difference is Alamo usually has a larger selection of vehicles and the rental process tends to be quicker with Alamo. You do get an additional free driver with your Insiders. All employees of Enterprise, National and Alamo are friendly, Enterprise tends to take more time with the customer mainly because they have more agents to handle customer service. However, the lines in the garage can get quite long while the available agents are assisting other customers.

 

[staceyeid]

Thank you very much gmeh1 for the quick and detailed reply, very helpful and exactly what I was looking for.

We're leaning towards Alamo for additional driver and quicker process (traveling with a 16 mo old so speed is always important).

 

[pigletto]

You already got the expert advice.. but as someone who has used Alamo.. I was really pleased with the entire process and we are sticking with them again because I know what to expect, the price is reasonable, and the process is painless.

 

[staceyeid]

You already got the expert advice.. but as someone who has used Alamo.. I was really pleased with the entire process and we are sticking with them again because I know what to expect, the price is reasonable, and the process is painless.

Thank you pigletto! Great to hear of your positive experience. So far Alamo is winning out for me.

 

[gmeh1]

You already got the expert advice.. but as someone who has used Alamo.. I was really pleased with the entire process and we are sticking with them again because I know what to expect, the price is reasonable, and the process is painless.

I used to use Alamo and National before I was hired. I have not had the need to rent a car since I moved to Orlando. I am happy you were pleased with the process, it is music to my ears.

 

[gmeh1]

Thank you very much gmeh1 for the quick and detailed reply, very helpful and exactly what I was looking for.

We're leaning towards Alamo for additional driver and quicker process (traveling with a 16 mo old so speed is always important).

You are most welcome. Have a GREAT trip.

 

[jnfr2424]

I have used both and I stick to Alamo do all the paperwork before you leave home and when you get to the airport go straight to the car of choice pack the family in and go easy breezy

 

[staceyeid]

I have used both and I stick to Alamo do all the paperwork before you leave home and when you get to the airport go straight to the car of choice pack the family in and go easy breezy

Thank you, sounds great!!!

 

[gmeh1]

I have used both and I stick to Alamo do all the paperwork before you leave home and when you get to the airport go straight to the car of choice pack the family in and go easy breezy

Works very well, but, only if you don't have a coupon at which point you will need to go to the counter or the kiosk. Unfortunately, you cannot do online check in with a coupon. You can use the save time option, but are still supposed to use the kiosk or counter if that option is used.

 

[keliblue]

Works very well, but, only if you don't have a coupon at which point you will need to go to the counter or the kiosk. Unfortunately, you cannot do online check in with a coupon. You can use the save time option, but are still supposed to use the kiosk or counter if that option is used.

Love the kiosks, I get such a sick guilty pleasure when I see everyone in line and I'm struting out the door to pick out my car first Mewahahahah !!!

 

[pigletto]

Love the kiosks, I get such a sick guilty pleasure when I see everyone in line and I'm struting out the door to pick out my car first Mewahahahah !!!

Totally agree! I waltzed right up to the kiosk. There were 3 empty kiosks and a line of at least 40 people. I was sure it was a trick. Like I would press a button, the kiosk would squirt water in my face and display a message that said "Get in the back of the line Chump!!!"

 

[LaurenT]

I loved my experience with national (also a sister company with Enterprise and Alamo). No counter or kiosk required. We got a minivan. Signed up for the emerald club and walked right up to a MV, got in and drove up to the booth and off to WDW.
Next time we won't need a minivan, so we can reserve a midsize and then upgrade for free to any car that is in the Emerald Aisle when we get there...no counter or kiosk!

 

[gmeh1]

Love the kiosks, I get such a sick guilty pleasure when I see everyone in line and I'm struting out the door to pick out my car first Mewahahahah !!!

LOL, cannot say that I blame you. I often wonder when I see an endless sea of people in line WHY they don't use the kiosks. I just walk on by shaking my head, most especially when I see people leaning on them.

 

[gmeh1]

Totally agree! I waltzed right up to the kiosk. There were 3 empty kiosks and a line of at least 40 people. I was sure it was a trick. Like I would press a button, the kiosk would squirt water in my face and display a message that said "Get in the back of the line Chump!!!"

Thanks for the chuckle.

 

[gmeh1]

I loved my experience with national (also a sister company with Enterprise and Alamo). No counter or kiosk required. We got a minivan. Signed up for the emerald club and walked right up to a MV, got in and drove up to the booth and off to WDW.
Next time we won't need a minivan, so we can reserve a midsize and then upgrade for free to any car that is in the Emerald Aisle when we get there...no counter or kiosk!

Yep, just show your license at the exit and you are off!!! It is a GREAT benefit.

 

[neuend1]

I go to WDW frequently. I prefer National as I can just walk out to the garage and pick my car. However, National can be more expensive. In that case, I go with Alamo who is definitely cheaper. But because I use coupons, I have to either stop at the Kiosk or go out to the garage booth to check-in. No big deal and I have always had good experiences with both National and Alamo. However, Enterprise was another story. I will NOT rent from them again and I will tell you why.

I am handicapped with mobility issues. I can walk but not very far before I am in pain (degenerative arthritis).

In April 2011, I rented from Enterprise (first time) at MCO. I was able to get a mid size SUV because of my walker and handicap. We had it one day and drove to the resort and parked. In the morning the car would not start. I called Enterprise but they said they would not help us out since I did not get the insurance for "help" Don't remember what they called it. I called AAA as I have a membership with them. The guy who came out said that this particular car was notorious for bad batteries (from the factory) and I should not keep it but return it to Enterprise for a different model. I then called the few Enterprise locations close to WDW to see if I could exchange this car once I got it started using AAA. The fellow there said they had very few cars on hand and that I would have to drive back out to the airport to exchange this car. Luckily, we had no plans for that day so I drove all the way back to the airport. Here is where the difficulty began. Remember I am handicapped and cannot walk far. The Enterprise garage people would not exchange the car and made me walk all the way back to the Enterprise counter in the airport so that I could get the necessary okay. Then I had to walk all the way back to the garage to get another car. The car I got was far better than the one I had that had died on me. However, I was quite sore and had to rest for that day and the next, taking Tylenol 3 pills to alleviate the pain. I have to laugh when I see there ads on TV saying how much they care for their customers. Well, maybe they care about able bodied customers but they sure didn't care about me. With all those cars in the garage, you think they could have at least drove me over to the airport where the rental counter is. So NO MORE Enterprise for me!

 

[gmeh1]

I go to WDW frequently. I prefer National as I can just walk out to the garage and pick my car. However, National can be more expensive. In that case, I go with Alamo who is definitely cheaper. But because I use coupons, I have to either stop at the Kiosk or go out to the garage booth to check-in. No big deal and I have always had good experiences with both National and Alamo. However, Enterprise was another story. I will NOT rent from them again and I will tell you why.

I am handicapped with mobility issues. I can walk but not very far before I am in pain (degenerative arthritis).

In April 2011, I rented from Enterprise (first time) at MCO. I was able to get a mid size SUV because of my walker and handicap. We had it one day and drove to the resort and parked. In the morning the car would not start. I called Enterprise but they said they would not help us out since I did not get the insurance for "help" Don't remember what they called it. I called AAA as I have a membership with them. The guy who came out said that this particular car was notorious for bad batteries (from the factory) and I should not keep it but return it to Enterprise for a different model. I then called the few Enterprise locations close to WDW to see if I could exchange this car once I got it started using AAA. The fellow there said they had very few cars on hand and that I would have to drive back out to the airport to exchange this car. Luckily, we had no plans for that day so I drove all the way back to the airport. Here is where the difficulty began. Remember I am handicapped and cannot walk far. The Enterprise garage people would not exchange the car and made me walk all the way back to the Enterprise counter in the airport so that I could get the necessary okay. Then I had to walk all the way back to the garage to get another car. The car I got was far better than the one I had that had died on me. However, I was quite sore and had to rest for that day and the next, taking Tylenol 3 pills to alleviate the pain. I have to laugh when I see there ads on TV saying how much they care for their customers. Well, maybe they care about able bodied customers but they sure didn't care about me. With all those cars in the garage, you think they could have at least drove me over to the airport where the rental counter is. So NO MORE Enterprise for me!

There is no way to drive you to the counter. They most definitely care for their customers, however, they cannot provide services that do not exist. There are liability issues here and return agents cannot drive out of the garage. The exchange of a vehicle means that you need to return the car, select a new one and have the exchange noted on your contract. The cars in the return area are waiting to be prepped for rental, not to ferry people around. I am sorry that you were in pain, but, IF you had requested a manager, I am sure they would have made it a bit easier for you. But, please don't get angry at Enterprise because you did not ask for help.