Alamo vs Budget

[TanyaNMJ]

Found a rate on Alamo that's over $50 cheaper than Budget (and virtually the same cost of a rt car service plus cabs that we had budgeted) and includes an upgrade. However, I have heard Alamo at MCO is a nightmare with long lines, rude service. If it takes a long time to get a car, it negates the benefit of having one to us.

Anyone have recent experience with Alamo lines? Or Budget? We are arriving on a Wednesday in May around 11AM.

TIA

 

[casjen]

with no issues. I always use the kiosk and have never waited in line. Go to the kiosk, pick out your car, and then drive to the booth. The longest I waited (during school vacation week) was for one car in front of me. My cars have always been new and clean. Returning is so easy. Just drive up, hop out, and off you go.

 

[Rpsemont]

We've rented alamo a couple times, the most recently being 3/2010. Very easy, especially, if you do the advance on line check in.
You enter all your info ahead of time on line, when you get the airport, use an Alamo kiosk to print up your reservation; the kiosk will ask you to scan your drivers license and your credit card, it prints out a receipt, and you proceed to the parking garage where you pick the car you want from the aisle for that size. Last time, we had reserved a mid size and drove off in a mini van. Very easy. Please alamo has codes for free additional drivers more frequently than the others IMO.

 

[TanyaNMJ]

To use these kiosks, you don't need to be a member....just DL and credit card?

Thanks...

 

[Ed J]

Yes a DL CC and a reservation.

 

[mic&min]

I am currently in Orlando and we rented from Budget for the first time this trip and I will never rent from them again.

The reason we went with Budget was because it was a $100 cheaper than Alamo or National. The service at the Budget counter was horrible and their reps were trying to push the extra insurance like crazy.

They tried to charge us over $500 for our $300 rental but luckily I caught it and was able to say something right away.

The next time we travel I would pay that $100 difference just for the convience of Alamo or National.

The kiosk at Alamo takes a few minutes and then you are out of there. I would recommend that for your trip.

 

[katallo]

Alamo has always been easy for us. Question about the Kiosks...several times we've been upgraded at the counter. Does that ever happen when you use the Kiosk?

 

[Fire14]

Alamo has always been easy for us. Question about the Kiosks...several times we've been upgraded at the counter. Does that ever happen when you use the Kiosk?

I personally have never been given an upgrade offered for money yes but given no.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Found a rate on Alamo that's over $50 cheaper than Budget (and virtually the same cost of a rt car service plus cabs that we had budgeted) and includes an upgrade. However, I have heard Alamo at MCO is a nightmare with long lines, rude service. If it takes a long time to get a car, it negates the benefit of having one to us.

Anyone have recent experience with Alamo lines? Or Budget? We are arriving on a Wednesday in May around 11AM.

TIA

I think you've got them backwards. Budget is the company famous for long lines and rude employees (trust me, I know ). Alamo is a breeze to rent from; just go to the kiosk and then go get your car. Done.

 

[katallo]

I personally have never been given an upgrade offered for money yes but given no.

Thanks, Fire14. We've been upgraded twice from an economy to compact and compact to midsize, but it probably had to do with the fact we arrived very early in the morning and cars were not plentiful.

 

[linzbear]

Thanks, Fire14. We've been upgraded twice from an economy to compact and compact to midsize, but it probably had to do with the fact we arrived very early in the morning and cars were not plentiful.

There are no economy cars onsite at MCO Alamo, so you will always [unless by chance someone drops off an economy car rented elsewhere] get upgraded to compact

Anyway, last time we were 'upgraded' after having used the kiosk - there were Midsize SUVs in the Midsize Car lane, so we could take one of them instead

 

[justplaingoofy]

kiosks are great!

or if you have time you can register to become a quick silver member. The online check in is okay, but you cannot use a coupon with it, so I've never been able to use it.

For those traveling by the end of April there is an Alamo e-coupon ad2123jmc $30 off 5 day rental or more.