Avis vs. Budget

[dtuleya]

I currently have reservations with both Avis and Budget. Budgets rates are lower, but I've read some bad reports about their service and shuttles. If you've had a personal experience with either I've love to hear about it. We'll be flying into MCO, renting a SUV and returning it to the Cape Canaveral location two days later before our cruise. Then we'll be renting another SUV for the return trip from port to MCO. If it was up to you, which would you do?

*Pay more for Avis because they supposedly have better service

OR

*Take my chances with Budget and save about $40

 

[Billinaz]

I used Budget for a rental from MCO and again from Cape Canaveral to MCO, absolutely no problems.

I would use budget again, their price was also better.

They had a shuttle to and from the port as well. I was VERY satisfied with them.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We just used Avis last week for our cruise. Avis new place is a joke. It is the most unorganized car rental return I have ever used.

There new building and office is a 20 by 30 small room. They had 2 workers inside. It didn't matter if you had a return or needed a rental, you had to stay in 1 line. You would think they would have 2 lines.........1 for returns.........1 for rentals. You would think on saturday and sundays(busy cruise days) they would have a few more workers.

We were just dropping off our 1 day rental. There was no-one directing you wear to park your car on the return.

I just ended up filling out my milage and info and leaving it on the counter(with the key)..after a worker said we could. That was better than waiting 1 hour just to drop off your car.

P.S. Checked my credit card when we got home and at least Avis got the 1 day rental price correct...after just leaving it on the counter.

 

[inkkognito]

I have never used Avis to go to Port Canaveral, but on our last trip we tried Budget as research for my planner CD (we usually use Happy Limo). I was expecting a real zoo, but it wasn't bad at all. When we arrived at the airport, there was a line but it moved pretty quickly because the counter was well staffed. The car they gave us had a lot of miles on it (16,000) and a shimmy at high speeds, but we didn't mind because it was an upgrade (we rented an economy and were given a Ford Taurus). It had a nice, big trunk for our luggage and great pick-up for driving on the expressway. The Budget office was really easy to find on A1A, and there was a gas station nearby so we could top off the tank. The wait for the shuttle was only a few minutes. They have two, and they were switching drivers when we arrived, so as soon as the second driver was ready, we were on our way. We used Happy Limo to return to MCO, but I saw the Budget shuttle waiting when we got into the towncar. Overall, I was very pleased.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[prymsu]

we have used both, and now Budget has the cheaper rate, and is only a couple blocks further so that is who we currently use.

 

[MassDisLovers]

We just did the 2/14 Magic and used Budget with no problems at all both from MCO the day before the cruise and the day we left also. The Budget shuttle was excellent both times and, like you, we saved nearly $50.00 over Avis. Good Luck!

 

[slabeaume]

I'm a Fastbreak member with Budget and use them almost exclusively. I've never had a problem with them anywhere. They've always given us an upgrade and love not having to wait in line!

Sue L

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by slabeaume
I'm a Fastbreak member with Budget and use them almost exclusively. I've never had a problem with them anywhere. They've always given us an upgrade and love not having to wait in line!

We are Emarald Aisle members with National and NEVER have to wait in any lines. I also signed up for Avis's "Preferred"(for free) so we wouldn't have to wait in any lines for this cruise...... a lot good that did at this Avis location.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We wanted to use Budget on this trip for two one way rentals (two minivans for 11 people), but on the day we return there are only compact cars availalbe. So I think we'll use Budget the day we get in and Avis the day we disembark.
Robin M.

 

[prymsu]

have you checked Dave's site for his info on car rentals, and comparisons and rankings? That might help a little...

www.dcltribute.com

 

[dtuleya]

Originally posted by prymsu
have you checked Dave's site for his info on car rentals, and comparisons and rankings? That might help a little...

www.dcltribute.com

Thanks Sue, I have checked out Dave's site and that's why I originally decided to go with Budget. Then after reading the boards I started seeing some negatives about them. Just wanted to see what others experiences were.

 

[Scotch]

I wish I could even consider Budget as an option for our 2005 trip. Hubby adamently refuses to rent from Budget (and I asked him re a possible exception for this trip since Budget seems to offer good prices and convenient location) after two bad experiences with two different Budget locations roughly two years ago -- one incident involved a dispute where they claimed we were liable for $$ damages over six months after we returned the car (and they lost the form that we filled out which included drawing existing damages on the form) and one incident involved a dispute over whether we had properly cancelled a rental in person after discovering the car we thought we were promised was not available (such that we ought not have been charged $$ on our credit card days later -- good thing I had a copy of the marked up contract). He just has no confidence in the company and refuses to give Budget another chance to mess things up, even though I think we just had terrible luck with two different locations.

 

[inkkognito]

If you can get hubby to go with Budget (or even if you go with another company), use a camera to document any existing damage. We have a digital camera, so we can keep the photos indefinitely in case a dispute ever arises at some time in the future. Because our Budget car had a lot of miles on it, there were a few dings, but they did not give us any hassle about it. They are very informal at the Cocoa Beach office. The girl working inside even had her puppy there with her!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Scotch]

Originally posted by inkkognito
If you can get hubby to go with Budget (or even if you go with another company), use a camera to document any existing damage. . . .

We've been doing that ever since we purchased a digital camera about two years ago (after Budget experience) as well. Also, I now keep our car rental receipts plus our copies of those forms re pre-existing damages for about a year before I toss them out in case we get another similar letter from car rental agency more than half a year after the fact! Some places do not give out those forms with a drawing of the car for renters to fill out and identify pre-exising damages. Then we identify those in writing -- even small scratches -- on our copy of the rental agreement and ask the person at the check-out gate to sign an acknowledgment next to our notations.

 

[justcruisin]

I've been considering switching to Avis from Budget for our trip this summer after reading about Budget on this board. I think I'll stay put. Doesn't seem like it's Budget is messed up all the time! Wonder why people don't use Hertz more?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by justcruisin

Wonder why people don't use Hertz more?

My guess is that many people are put off by Hertz because their MCO location is off-site.

 

[inkkognito]

That may be true about their location, and it's a shame.
When we do quickie weekend trips in Orlando, we rent a car through Priceline. Usually we get Alamo or Avis, but once we ended up with Hertz. I was really disapointed, but my opinion quickly changed. Their bus was waiting, there was no line at their office, and they upgraded me from an economy car to a Toyota RAV4. I was literally done and on my way faster than I've been sometimes at Alamo, which is onsite.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Dave_from_Marietta
My guess is that many people are put off by Hertz because their MCO location is off-site.

I agree 100% with you Dave. Why add a another stop both ways when you are renting and returning a car.

I personally use National's Emarald Aisle 99% of the time. No lines..........no waits............on-site...........pick out a car and drive off.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Does anyone know if the Hertz location in Sanford is offsite as well? My dad got some of his own quotes today and while his van prices from Hertz are higher and he has agreed to go with Budget, he would rather go with Hertz from PC to Sanford on disembarkation day--no vans left at Hertz either, but we can get 3 Lincolns! I was actually thinking this would be better because we plan to visit the space center before we go to Sanford and I dont want my luggage in a minivan for all to see. So it would be Budget going and Hertz going back to Sanford.
Robin M.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin

Does anyone know if the Hertz location in Sanford is offsite as well?

Their address is 3 Red Cleveland Blvd. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure that's the address of the Sanford terminal.