Alamo vs National at MCO

[Scrappygrrl]

Hi all -
Just an opinion question.
I have mid-size at National Booked because I love Emerald Aisle (as do my kids! They thinking being able to pick the car is awesome!). Prices have been astronomical but I am currently at about $250 (all in) for the week and I made peace with that. After checking that carrentalsavers website, I was able to book Alamo fullsize for 113 (all in)!

On one hand, I have made peace with the 250 at National, I love not standing in line, and the bonus of perhaps getting something bigger than a midsize. Already budgeted, not an issue. On the other hand, good gravy! Alamo is sooo much cheaper! More souveniers! More snacks at F&W!

So is having to wait in line (or use kiosk) at Alamo no big deal and I should just go for it? What is typically at MCO in the fullsize selection of Alamo?
We will be landing around 3 at MCO on a Friday, if that makes a difference.
Thoughts from the tranpos gurus around here?

 

[sheri236]

personally, I'd say go with alamo!! You're saving a ton of money and you still get to pick your own car. may not be as big a selection but at least you still get some say in it!! we have rented with alamo in the past (its been a few years) but never had any problems. its sounds like the kiosks are quick and easy to use. no brainer!! have a great trrip!!

 

[HelenParr]

If it's much cheaper, go with Alamo. You still get to pick out your car.

We use the kiosk, and we're always able to go downstairs, get our paperwork at the kiosk, head back to baggage before luggage even comes out.

They switch out the cars fairly often. In May, full size had mostly Impalas, and Camrys.

 

[n2mm]

I love National for all the same reasons, but I agree, the prices with Alamo are hard to walk away from. If the price difference is about $25 I tend to stay with National. Not only the reasons you listed, I'm also an executive aisle member, so making sure I retain that status is important to me (40 rental days per year), plus the free days I earn for my rental points. But there is a breaking point when it comes to price difference. Yes for that price I would use Alamo. I've used the kiosk vs the counter and actually everytime I've been there there has been a rep directing people to the kiosk. It doesn't really take that much more time using the kiosk. I'm leaving in 2 weeks and right now I'm on the fence too. $300 for Alamo-standard size or $500 for National-full size/Executive aisle. If I choose Alamo, I will lose my Executive Aisle status this year as I'm only at 33 days, so am struggling. This is a 2 week rental....ugh.....I still have 2 weeks, so still hoping it drops. Good luck in your decision.

 

[gmeh1]

Hi all -
Just an opinion question.
I have mid-size at National Booked because I love Emerald Aisle (as do my kids! They thinking being able to pick the car is awesome!). Prices have been astronomical but I am currently at about $250 (all in) for the week and I made peace with that. After checking that carrentalsavers website, I was able to book Alamo fullsize for 113 (all in)!

On one hand, I have made peace with the 250 at National, I love not standing in line, and the bonus of perhaps getting something bigger than a midsize. Already budgeted, not an issue. On the other hand, good gravy! Alamo is sooo much cheaper! More souveniers! More snacks at F&W!

So is having to wait in line (or use kiosk) at Alamo no big deal and I should just go for it? What is typically at MCO in the fullsize selection of Alamo?
We will be landing around 3 at MCO on a Friday, if that makes a difference.
Thoughts from the tranpos gurus around here?

Alamo, National and Enterprise share cars. When they are returned, they all go to the same place to be prepared to be rented again and are assigned as they are needed through out the day.

Usually what you will find on the Alamo Full size row will be:
Impalas (just about the largest trunk in this class of car)
Malibu
Ford Fusion (really nice cars)
Camry
Altima
Mazda 6

Check the price on a Standard size car. Orlando does not have a standard row and you can select your vehicle from the full size row and perhaps save some more money.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

At MCO and at many other corporate airport locations, Alamo and National share the same fleet of cars. You may rent a car from National and when you return it, it gets washed and cleaned and when the staff brings it back to the lot, it could end up on the Alamo side. It goes where ever they need cars. So there is absolutely no reason to pay a higher rate for the same exact cars. Book from whichever of the two companies has the best deal for you. National does not have better cars than Alamo. Again, they're the same cars.

BobK/Orlando

 

[gmeh1]

At MCO and at many other corporate airport locations, Alamo and National share the same fleet of cars. You may rent a car from National and when you return it, it gets washed and cleaned and when the staff brings it back to the lot, it could end up on the Alamo side. It goes where ever they need cars. So there is absolutely no reason to pay a higher rate for the same exact cars. Book from whichever of the two companies has the best deal for you. National does not have better cars than Alamo. Again, they're the same cars.

BobK/Orlando

You can add Enterprise to that list of "shared cars". Enterprise Holdings owns Enterprise, Alamo and National.

 

[Jperiod]

I've been googling and I've seen some reports that the mid-size lane sometimes has better cars than the full size at Alamo?? Is that true? If I book a full size but see something better in midsize, can I take it? I'm really worried about being able to fit in a midsize with 2 kids, strollers, and luggage. All the best rates I see are for mid-size or full size upgrades, nothing "standard."

 

[gmeh1]

I've been googling and I've seen some reports that the mid-size lane sometimes has better cars than the full size at Alamo?? Is that true? If I book a full size but see something better in midsize, can I take it? I'm really worried about being able to fit in a midsize with 2 kids, strollers, and luggage. All the best rates I see are for mid-size or full size upgrades, nothing "standard."

Sure you can, right after you redo the rental contract. The midsize/intermediate row has smaller cars. You are much better off with renting either a Standard (at which time you can pick from the Full size row) or a Full size if you want room for the kids and your "stuff". Imagine trying to fit into a Corolla.

 

[Jperiod]

Sure you can, right after you redo the rental contract. The midsize/intermediate row has smaller cars. You are much better off with renting either a Standard (at which time you can pick from the Full size row) or a Full size if you want room for the kids and your "stuff". Imagine trying to fit into a Corolla.

But will I have to pay current higher rates? That's the thing, the midsize is much cheaper. I have no clue what a corolla is like. Since we had kids, we've only had a saturn VUE (small SUV) and a minivan. I can't seem to remember what our pre-kid cars were like!

One thing that I'm concerned about is fitting the sunshine kids radian car seat rear-facing in a car. I guess it's not the end of the world if she rides forward-facing that week though.

 

[gmeh1]

But will I have to pay current higher rates? That's the thing, the midsize is much cheaper. I have no clue what a corolla is like. Since we had kids, we've only had a saturn VUE (small SUV) and a minivan. I can't seem to remember what our pre-kid cars were like!

One thing that I'm concerned about is fitting the sunshine kids radian car seat rear-facing in a car. I guess it's not the end of the world if she rides forward-facing that week though.

I really don't know about the rates, but, I do know from what you have told me, that you will not fit in an Intermediate. A Corolla has 5 pax. capacity, 2 pieces of luggage. The full size holds 5 pax, comfortably and holds double the luggage. The Impala has a HUGE trunk. For sure the midsize is cheaper and it is also much smaller. Look on Alamo's website under the cars tab and you will get a decent overview of what the capacity of each car is.
If you child needs a rear facing seat, don't chance it by letting her ride facing forward, toooo dangerous, IMHO.

Here is some info on the Corolla: http://www.toyota.com/sem/corolla.html?srchid=K1263_p12996334