Alamo or National?

[Braque]

All things being equal, would you go with National EA or Alamo QS with pickup and drop off at MCO?

I'm a fan of National but I can save a FEW bucks going to Alamo.

 

[mowog]

At MCO alamo and national are virtually the same- if you rent a national large car or van you go to the alamo isle to pick it out. The inside line for alamo is a PITA so qs speeds it up a bit. In March we had a van from national for about $430 a week, found a coupon that got it down to $405, then noticed that a chevy uplander was on list for about $310. I tried alamo site and got the same car for $132 with some code playing -talk about a difference! The high price was a toyota sienna and at MCO we ended up with a caravan (no siennas were there and they said grap any minivan).

The pick up for National may be quicker but the drop for both off is in the same location so almost identical. Location is just across from the baggage claim- very convenient- no shuttle bus!

 

[Braque]

Okay, this is what I have got for 8/11-8/28 (and I tried many, many different combinations of ID's and codes), MCO pickup and dropoff:

National EA, Standard SUV (Chevy Trailblazer) - $640.77 TOTAL (Incl. taxes and fees)

Alamo QS, Standard SUV (Chevy Trailblazer) - $554.17 TOTAL (Incl. taxes and fees)

Is this a no brainer (save $86) for those familiar with Alamo? With enrollment in the kwik silvr program, do I still have to go to the counter for a first time rental with Alamo? I don't want to have to deal with Alamo's strong arm tactics with insurance and I want to be in and out as quickly as possible.

These are pretty decent prices for 2 weeks plus 3 days - I think. Do I hold onto both reservations until the week before we leave just in case someone drops their prices further? Any help or support you can provide is appreciated.

Oh, and what does:

The inside line for alamo is a PITA so qs speeds it up a bit.

mean?

 

[Braque]

 

[Braque]

Little help . . . anyone?

 

[n2mm]

I've used both and have had good service on both of them. I belong to Executive Aisle and QS. If the savings is minor, but higher on National, I would go with National--mostly because I have Ex. Aisle, but when the savings is big as in the past 2 trips, I choose Alamo. Alamo recently had some great fares during the spring and National couldn't come close. Drop off is the same for both as they are combined at the terminals.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Once you have a QS # you go straight to the garage - 1st time rental or not.

We have used QS almost exclusively for a few years but recently signed up for EA when they had free registration. I have Alamo booked for Sept but Nat'l for Jan & May simply based on rates (since I haven't used EA yet).

 

[Braque]

Can you go straight to the garage if you are using a coupon?

 

[momofbgtwins]

MinnieGirl33 said:

Once you have a QS # you go straight to the garage - 1st time rental or not.

Is this true? Mousesavers states that Quick Silver will only get you into a separate (quicker) line at the counter? I have been reluctant to use Alamo because of the usually long lines. If I could go right to the garage, that would be great. What about the extra driver with Quick Silver?

 

[n2mm]

MinnieGirl33 said:

Once you have a QS # you go straight to the garage - 1st time rental or not.

Is this true? Mousesavers states that Quick Silver will only get you into a separate (quicker) line at the counter? I have been reluctant to use Alamo because of the usually long lines. If I could go right to the garage, that would be great. What about the extra driver with Quick Silver?

When you go into the gargage you still have to go to a booth/kiosk inside the garage to do your paperwork, then you get your car and drive to the booth and hand them your paperwork. With National EA or ER, you go to the garage, pick out/up your car and drive to the booth and hand them your paperwork.

I used QS in Feb. 06 and April 06 and used a coupon both times and had no problem. It isn't as great at using National EA, but sometimes the price will be huge, so then we choose Alamo. We have had great service with both companies, so have no complaints with either. In 2005 we used National for 6 trips and for 2006, we've used Alamo for 2--so far, and have National booked for August and waiting for a good price for October.

 

[chipscinderelly]

all things equal being price - National! We love walking up, grabbing the car, handing over the coupons (if they ask for them) at the checkout and driving off. No lines!

 

[stacy6552]

National at MCO sucks. Even though I think Alamo is now owned by National, or they are partnered in some way, anyone is better than National in Orlando.

 

[keishashadow]

IMO, same thing, different names - changed to protect the innocent.

Have rented from both "sister companies", using EA & QS; certainly speeds up the process & yes, you can use a coupon @ the Kiosk for Alamo & @ gate for National.

2 main complaints:

* they have run out of car classes on occassion...we were stuck w/a PT Cruiser in lieu of an SUV once (got a measly credit for our trouble) & got a compact instead of intermediate another time.

* we always wind up with a Saturn Vue for a mid-size SUV & consider ourselves lucky to get it, since it's usually the only thing left on the lot.

 

[funcinderella]

Okay, this is what I have got for 8/11-8/28 (and I tried many, many different combinations of ID's and codes), MCO pickup and dropoff:

National EA, Standard SUV (Chevy Trailblazer) - $640.77 TOTAL (Incl. taxes and fees)

Alamo QS, Standard SUV (Chevy Trailblazer) - $554.17 TOTAL (Incl. taxes and fees)

Is this a no brainer (save $86) for those familiar with Alamo? With enrollment in the kwik silvr program, do I still have to go to the counter for a first time rental with Alamo? I don't want to have to deal with Alamo's strong arm tactics with insurance and I want to be in and out as quickly as possible.

These are pretty decent prices for 2 weeks plus 3 days - I think. Do I hold onto both reservations until the week before we leave just in case someone drops their prices further? Any help or support you can provide is appreciated.

Oh, and what does: mean?

Wow, we're going almost the same days, Aug 11-27, and also booked a Standard SUV with Alamo for $368 (inclusive of all taxes,fees, etc.) We also got a mid-size SUV for the same time period for $262. Alamo's had some awesome deals out there!!

 

[disneyagain]

We've used National EA probably 10 times in the last 4 years at Orlando airport and LOVE it . We've always gotten a great car, usually something different than a plain ole mid-size. The kids always pick out the car I don't think we've ever paid more than $125 for the week. We're heading down again for free dining and we're debating on whether to take ME or rent a car. Like I said we always rent and usually only use the car to go to DTD or off-site for an inexpensive meal. We have free dining this time so we won't need the car to go off-site for meals. Our return flight leaves at 7:00 am, so this is the reason we're considering a rental, so we don't have to be at the bus stop hauling our luggage at 4:00 in the morning (YAWN!). I have a national rental for the week ($185), I have a day rental for the return day from DTD to MCO ($35). I'm seeing the great "last minute specials" on Alamo and I'm tempted, but I'm just so darned spoiled with EA!

I signed up for Quick Silver, I'm going to look for a great rate, if I can get it for $125-$150, I may just go for it....Anyone know what the average time is from the time you enter the garage (Kiosk) to leaving the garage???? I've heard the Alamo lines inside are CRAZY LONG!

 

[Braque]

Wow, we're going almost the same days, Aug 11-27, and also booked a Standard SUV with Alamo for $368 (inclusive of all taxes,fees, etc.) We also got a mid-size SUV for the same time period for $262. Alamo's had some awesome deals out there!!

Alright, what codes and coupons did you use to get a rate 50% better than what I got?

 

[CarolA]

I won't use Alamo so I can't comment on MCO. (I got burned by their lack of service several years ago and voted with my pocketbook)

I have never had a bad experience with EA at National in MCO.