Aulani Car Rental

[saintstickets]

DW and I will visit Aulani in September to celebrate out 30th anniversary! Woohoo!

We will rent a car on Monday when we arrive in Honolulu and turn it back in on Sunday when we leave so it will be for a full week. I 've read here on the DISboards that Alamo has a desk at Aulani. It appears that only Hertz, Dollar and Budget have counters at the airport terminal. The other rental car companies have shuttles to their counter elsewhere at the airport or off airport property. Alamo is off airport property. So here are my questions...

How much of a hassle is it to get the shuttle to the non-terminal agencies?

Do they pick up periodically or will meet you if you already have made your reservation before you arrive?

Would it be better to use one of the 3 located at the airport terminal?

Those questions are assuming the price difference is minimal. If the price difference for a non-terminal rental company is substantially less, then is it worth the additional time and effort?

Any and all comments will be appreciated. TIA.

 

[mouseaider]

We rented from Alamo at the airport in April and highly recommend them.

The shuttle picks up just outside the baggage claim area and takes you to their lot, which is like two minutes away. They pick up every ten minutes or so.

You return the car to their lot and the shuttle drops you off at your airlines terminal when you return.

Excellent service and no hassles what so ever. Go, enjoy and have lots of fun. You will love Aulani!

 

[mdsd8700]

We just returned from Aulani last week and also rented from Alamo because we got a really good deal. The location is fairly close not long of a shuttle ride. Not that it is a big deal but on the day we arrived we waited more than 15 minutues for a bus. There were so many people waiting they didn't all fit and some had to wait for the next one. My guess is this doesn't happen often and was just one of things. Overall it didn't matter and wouldn't stop us from renting from them again. That Alamo location was undergoing an overhaul when we were there and is a bit small to begin with so space was a little cramped/tight when returning cars. I would think that would be over by the time you arrive. Although my reply is long, in short, I wouldn't hesitate to use of the offsite Alamo location. Have a great trip!

 

[bfrosty]

We just returned last week and got a Dollar-Rent A Car Minivan. Easy, just get your luggage and go under the street. To your right w/tan roof is Dollar. I walked over 2 aisles and got in my van. It was $388.51 total for 8-days.

The return was sweet, just follow the signs, dropped it off and jumped on short shuttle trip to the departures concourse in no time.

Honolulu is a lot smaller than Orlando, which makes it much easier and faster to get around.

Ps. I had an Enterprise reservation, but after finding out it was off-site I choose Dollar...both were really close in price. Booked the car 4-months in advance.
Enjoy!
Bfrosty

 

[ennisb]

We returned two weeks ago I found best rates with Budget and by the way directly from their site. Same as everyone short bus ride, I signed up in advance for the plan so I walked over to their speed pickup signed and we were on the way in 5 minutes. Return was just a fast 5 minutes and on the bus to the terminal

Have a great time

 

[rmonty02]

We just got back and rented from Alamo. REALLY easy to get the shuttle to and from airport, it's only at most 5 min ride. I was able to get shuttle(flagged them down as soon as I stepped out), rode to Alamo and checked in at Kiosk (no line!) picked out car and drove out of there, all in about 15min. The return was quicker. We were able get a full size car rate of $185 for 11 days Alamo was great and would definitely use them again

 

[rsjj]

Used hertz. The shuttle came to pick us up. Was a quick ride to the rental office! Not a major line/wait!

I'm sure it really doesn't make much of a difference whether it's @ the airport or off site. Unless of course, it's a significant difference money wise.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back and rented from Alamo. REALLY easy to get the shuttle to and from airport, it's only at most 5 min ride. I was able to get shuttle(flagged them down as soon as I stepped out), rode to Alamo and checked in at Kiosk (no line!) picked out car and drove out of there, all in about 15min. The return was quicker. We were able get a full size car rate of $185 for 11 days Alamo was great and would definitely use them again

Exactly except we got an SUV for 9 days for $185. Very easy.

 

[haredi]

We just got back last week and used Budget. It was fine. Be aware that even for those that are "in the terminal" none of the desks were open and all required you to take the bus to the rental location. Budget was a walk across the road outside baggage claim and the five of us walked over, and were out of there in 15 minutes.

Our car was a total with taxes $200 for an SUV from Saturday to Saturday. Well worth the money considering the hotel rates were expensive and Aulani is isolated so if you want to sightsee, you will need a car. Besides, if need transportation to the hotel and back, plus will rent a car a day or two, you will probably spend more than just renting for the whole trip.

Have fun! So bummed we are home. The trip went way too fast!

 

[saintstickets]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I wish I knew where y'all were getting these rental deals. The best I can find for a small SUV is $383 for 6 days from Dollar.