Avis lines vs Budget lines

[mellvswdw1]

Hello all! So I know they are owned by the same company but which of the two are better for lines. We arrive at 7:30pm next Friday. I have a great deal with Budget right now but I’m reading there are 1-2 hour waits to get through the line. That won’t work with a cranky and hungry 5&7 year olds in tow. Part of me is wondering if I should just suck it up and switch it to Alamo. I don’t know what to do. I always rent from Alamo but I don’t know if I want to spend another 250 just for the ease of walking to the garage. Avis is only an additional $75 to switch, but if the line situation is the same why would I pay that difference. Thoughts? Thanks so much!

 

[Brandilla]

Sign up for fastbreak or whatever it is called. That's what we did. We flew in on a Saturday afternoon for spring break a couple of weeks ago and I'm confident it would've taken a solid 2.5-3 hours in line at the main counter. We did still wait about 30-45 min in the fastbreak line, but still waaaaay better and the line is outside in the garage. So it's hot but more room to move around in fresh air.

 

[mellvswdw1]

Sign up for fastbreak or whatever it is called. That's what we did. We flew in on a Saturday afternoon for spring break a couple of weeks ago and I'm confident it would've taken a solid 2.5-3 hours in line at the main counter. We did still wait about 30-45 min in the fastbreak line, but still waaaaay better and the line is outside in the garage. So it's hot but more room to move around in fresh air.

I booked with UT and it won’t allow me to do that, or so I’ve read. Also, I read that I can’t skip the line the first time I use fastbreak?! Was this your first time and did you book direct from Budget? Thanks!

 

[_19disnA]

I use Avis and as mentioned above if you signup for their free travel club, you go directly to your car without waiting in any lines. I can't speak to what might be different with covid since I haven't rented a car recently. Always make sure you know where the rental car facility is located in the city where you will be arriving. Some of the budget rental companies are offsight to save money and may/may not offer the option to avoid standing in line. With some you might have to stand in TWO lines before getting your car, which is part of why they are cheaper. Some of the cut-rate rental companies also want to haggle with you to pay for expensive options you don't need or have seen others on here talk about them requiring documents you don't normally carry as part of their scheme.

Have belonged to that Avis club for many years and don't recall if the first time using them I had to go to the counter to provide ID. However, if you travel frequently it is work doing and makes future rentals much easier.

 

[mrsstats79]

We rented from Budget and picked up last Sunday after a 5 hour flight delay. We arrived at MCO at 11 pm - we had fastbreak and did not get our until after midnight. They did not have enough cars to go around. It was a nightmare. The Avis line which was next to Budget seemed to be moving much faster.

 

[mellvswdw1]

I use Avis and as mentioned above if you signup for their free travel club, you go directly to your car without waiting in any lines. I can't speak to what might be different with covid since I haven't rented a car recently. Always make sure you know where the rental car facility is located in the city where you will be arriving. Some of the budget rental companies are offsight to save money and may/may not offer the option to avoid standing in line. With some you might have to stand in TWO lines before getting your car, which is part of why they are cheaper. Some of the cut-rate rental companies also want to haggle with you to pay for expensive options you don't need or have seen others on here talk about them requiring documents you don't normally carry as part of their scheme.

Have belonged to that Avis club for many years and don't recall if the first time using them I had to go to the counter to provide ID. However, if you travel frequently it is work doing and makes future rentals much easier.

thank you! We’re blessed to be able to go to Disney a few times a year and I always use Alamo. It is just super expensive due to covid and the lack of cars. I am going to call UT and see if they can move me to Alamo. Sometimes just peace of mind is what you need. It will be a long day as I will be traveling by myself without my husband and I just want to get to the resort.

 

[mellvswdw1]

We rented from Budget and picked up last Sunday after a 5 hour flight delay. We arrived at MCO at 11 pm - we had fastbreak and did not get our until after midnight. They did not have enough cars to go around. It was a nightmare. The Avis line which was next to Budget seemed to be moving much faster.

Thank you! You confirmed my fears.

 

[Brandilla]

I booked with UT and it won’t allow me to do that, or so I’ve read. Also, I read that I can’t skip the line the first time I use fastbreak?! Was this your first time and did you book direct from Budget? Thanks!

This was my first time with Fastbreak and I did rent directly through budget. I was worried they would send me back to the line inside, but for me it was worth a shot because it was soooooo long in there. They helped me no problem. I was even 2 hours early and they still gave me my car without an issue. We landed at 4:30ish.

Honestly, if you go looking for horror stories, you're going to find them for every rental company. Especially right now. I was a nervous wreck until we drove away because I'd read so many horror stories about the lines and the lack of cars and every single company seems to have at least some of these horror story reviews.

And really, even pp who landed at 11 and didn't get a car until after midnight. I realize that is a pain, especially at night, especially if you have little ones. But an hour isn't that bad of a wait, imo, when you see the horror stories of the long lines. Frustrating, sure. But as I reminded my kids often, there are going to be lines everywhere right now. All we can do is be patient and not let them ruin our trip.

Regardless, I hope everything works out and you have a fabulous trip!

 

[mellvswdw1]

This was my first time with Fastbreak and I did rent directly through budget. I was worried they would send me back to the line inside, but for me it was worth a shot because it was soooooo long in there. They helped me no problem. I was even 2 hours early and they still gave me my car without an issue. We landed at 4:30ish.

Honestly, if you go looking for horror stories, you're going to find them for every rental company. Especially right now. I was a nervous wreck until we drove away because I'd read so many horror stories about the lines and the lack of cars and every single company seems to have at least some of these horror story reviews.

And really, even pp who landed at 11 and didn't get a car until after midnight. I realize that is a pain, especially at night, especially if you have little ones. But an hour isn't that bad of a wait, imo, when you see the horror stories of the long lines. Frustrating, sure. But as I reminded my kids often, there are going to be lines everywhere right now. All we can do is be patient and not let them ruin our trip.

Regardless, I hope everything works out and you have a fabulous trip!

Thank you! You are correct. I am just really spoiled with Alamo and I will call budget and see if I can do anything because they don’t recognize third party for fastbreak. We need a really good trip, lots of family stuff like everyone else and I look forward to having some time away.

 

[baggs32]

What about returning at Avis at MCO, are there long lines for that? I don't want to have to arrive 3 hours before our flight home just to return the car. Might as well take Magical Express in that case. Been many years since we rented a car so I can't even remember what the process is and I'm sure it's changed a lot.

 

[mellvswdw1]

What about returning at Avis at MCO, are there long lines for that? I don't want to have to arrive 3 hours before our flight home just to return the car. Might as well take Magical Express in that case. Been many years since we rented a car so I can't even remember what the process is and I'm sure it's changed a lot.

I can only speak to having rented from Alamo, both in July and October of 2020. It was the same as before the virus. It was a very quick process. Literally 10 minutes tops and that was because I was herding cats aka my 5 and 7 year old. Lol.

 

[mellvswdw1]

So, after speaking with my sister in law and my husband, I’ve decided to pay extra and go with Alamo. I also spoke with someone at UT and she did say she was surprised but did acknowledge that budget is having a really hard time and by proxy Avis as well with wait times and lack of cars. I really want to start the trip off with a smooth start and not a lot of stress. Paying more is ok for my situation. Just wanted to share my decision good or bad.

 

[Spartan86]

What about returning at Avis at MCO, are there long lines for that? I don't want to have to arrive 3 hours before our flight home just to return the car. Might as well take Magical Express in that case. Been many years since we rented a car so I can't even remember what the process is and I'm sure it's changed a lot.

You roll up, they scan the bar code, check fuel and for keys and either print or email the receipt. As suggested for Alamo, pretty painless.