Alamo v Avis

[jensen]

I always rent Alamo when I go to Orlando. I appreciate being able to walk straight to the row, choose a car and drive away with only a quick stop at the gate. I’m finding Avis is far less expensive. Will I find it to be a completely different experience, as well? Negative or positive?

 

[Donna M]

I like Alamo too because of the convenience, but I am going with Thrifty, and will have to go to the counter, ugh, but the price is worth it for me. An $80 savings.

 

[biochemgirl]

I've had mostly positive experiences with Avis at MCO. Unlike Budget, I was able to go straight to the garage with my first rental and ever since. I was once got a car that smelled like an ashtray and the Avis counter in the garage did not have a wait and quickly changed me to a different car.

I have not rented with Alamo at MCO, but have had good experiences with Alamo out of the car care center.

 

[Akck]

Our last rental was through Budget, which is basically Avis, and we had no problems with the car. I did a third party rental and I was told I could’ve gone directly to the garage as a rewards member. I think the problem with Budget/Avis is the lines at the counter can get long. We picked up at 9:30 am and there were 2 in front of us, so a short wait.

 

[gharter]

We have used Alamo for the last few years due to their lower cost (today it is "lower"). Never had an issue with a car in our level being there or skipping the counter.
Keep looking at Avis, but they and National are always much more expensive. Now, if I had a corporate account, that would be different.

 

[_19disnA]

I use Avis and they also let you go right to your car without having to wait in any lines. Think most of the major brands have that feature which can be a big timesaver. You can sign up for their membership club online but I believe the first time you use it you have to go to the counter for them to verify your ID and input certain info to their computers.

Renting a car is a commodity and you basically need to compare price for any of the major brands. I would avoid any no-name brand since they typically want to haggle with you to agree to needless extra charges. You can look around online for reviews on all of the rental car companies. Make sure you view the rental car website to get a sense of what the size of cars are in each category. Most seem to categorize cars something much larger then you or I would consider them to be. Need to reserve the size vehicle appropriate for the number in your party including all of your luggage.

 

[friendoffigment]

My first time using Avis, through costco $380 full size. I always rented from alamo but they are showing $662 for same. I was given contradictory info. 1) yes, i can go to the car directly 2) since it's the first time I must go to counter to show ID and costco card. guess i won't know until i get there

 

[jensen]

My first time using Avis, through costco $380 full size. I always rented from alamo but they are showing $662 for same. I was given contradictory info. 1) yes, i can go to the car directly 2) since it's the first time I must go to counter to show ID and costco card. guess i won't know until i get there

Exactly my situation. Will you be traveling before March? If so, would you be willing to come back and tell me how it went?

 

[friendoffigment]

yes i am leaving feb 6-16. i'll post here when i get back

 

[Donitsa]

yes i am leaving feb 6-16. i'll post here when i get back

What happened with your AVIS car rental? Did you get to go directly to the garage?