Backup car rental reservations??

[Pocahantas]

I have read many posts from people saying they normally have a backup reservation booked with another car rental company in case their first choice is turned down or out of cars. My question is: so when do you cancel that backup reservation or will the company just cancel it if you haven't picked it up by a certain time??

 

[CarolA]

I find these threads entertaining as they are often the same posters complaining about the cost. Gee, if everyone books extra cars no wonder the rental car companies think they are sold out and can raise rates.

I book with REPUTABLE rental car companies and have only felt the need for a back up ONCE in my 20 plus years of extensive travel. The ONE time... the time I violated my own rule and booked with a "local" company. And I did need the back up!

My advice, book with reputable companies and this really should not be an issue.

(And charging or not depends on the rental car company and the contract you book)

 

[Pocahantas]

I agree with you Carol and that is why I often wonder why others feel the need to have a back up rental. I would be too afraid to get charged for the car I pick up and the back up rental as well. That is what made me ask the question. We almost always book with National and have never had any trouble at all in many years of using them.

 

[OKW Lover]

In all my years (20+ years, visiting 4+ times a year) of going to WDW and rent cars I've never had a problem with my car rental not being honored.

 

[Glencora]

The only problem we've had is when they're out of the class of car we rented - but they just upgraded us for no charge. You should be fine.

 

[dioxide45]

The thing with MCO is there are always cars going out and new ones coming in, so if they are out of a car in your class it won't be long before one appears. We have not had a problem with not having a car to pick up with Alamo.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

wow, I'm a planner but to me that's a bit anal...

On the one occasion that Alamo (at LAS) didn't have the size we reserved, they upgraded us for free. I can't imagine them having NO cars at all.

Ya gotta take some of this advice with grain of salt.

Reminds me of the people who get SWA boarding passes of A30 and they're in a panic that they didn't get A16 and ask if they'll still be able to sit with their kids. lol!

 

[Interpol]

Actually, I would think more people make 'backup reservations' because they're using a questionable code or coupon for their primary reservation that they're not sure they're qualified to use...

 

[CarolA]

wow, I'm a planner but to me that's a bit anal...

On the one occasion that Alamo (at LAS) didn't have the size we reserved, they upgraded us for free. I can't imagine them having NO cars at all.

Ya gotta take some of this advice with grain of salt.

Reminds me of the people who get SWA boarding passes of A30 and they're in a panic that they didn't get A16 and ask if they'll still be able to sit with their kids. lol!

Well.... Alamo once told me it would be TWO hours to get my car and that was AFTER a two hour wait in line.

Now this was over 15 years ago in Atlanta but...... I have NEVER given them another reservation.....

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well.... Alamo once told me it would be TWO hours to get my car and that was AFTER a two hour wait in line.

Now this was over 15 years ago in Atlanta but...... I have NEVER given them another reservation.....

Well, things have changed over the past 15 yrs at Alamo.

My parents took us to WDW when I was a kid over our Christmas break. Back then it was only the MK. I remember staying in the park past midnight on NYE, turning 1974. Leaving the park at 1 am, it took them until 5 am just to get out of the parking lot!!! Traffic crawled and they swore NEVER AGAIN!
I finally convinced them in 2006 to come with us and they were like, "My, this sure has changed!" We all had a great time and they were so glad they could experience WDW with their grandchildren.

My point is: just one bad experience a long time ago doesn't mean it will forever be that way.
I think you might be pleasantly surprised how easy they are to deal with now.

 

[CarolA]

Well, things have changed over the past 15 yrs at Alamo.

My parents took us to WDW when I was a kid over our Christmas break. Back then it was only the MK. I remember staying in the park past midnight on NYE, turning 1974. Leaving the park at 1 am, it took them until 5 am just to get out of the parking lot!!! Traffic crawled and they swore NEVER AGAIN!
I finally convinced them in 2006 to come with us and they were like, "My, this sure has changed!" We all had a great time and they were so glad they could experience WDW with their grandchildren.

My point is: just one bad experience a long time ago doesn't mean it will forever be that way.
I think you might be pleasantly surprised how easy they are to deal with now.

I just checked... Certain places have not frozen over.. Alamo isn't getting a reservation.

After they told me it was two more hours for a car. I told them to cancel reservation. Next month I got a $500 charge for "failure to cancel" Luckily this was a rental for my company and we had a rep who dealt with this.

So.. a few years ago I rented from National. Car had a mechanical issue. Called and was told to take it to the Dolphin to exchange it.

Went to Dolphin, got in line. One guy behind counter wearing a BRIGHT YELLOW ALAMO shirt. This kid had NO training, did not have a clue what he was doing and after EVERY step in the rental process had to pick up the phone and call someone to ask "what do I do now" After waiting 30 plus minutes for him to deal with ONE person I left and just drove the car. If it "blew up" that was National's problem.

So Alamo isn't getting a reservation. LOL!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

ok. I'm just saying I've rented from them maybe 15 times in the last 5 years and never had a issue and just coincidentally have gotten the lowest price too.
I don't mind if you hold a grudge... Heck I've held one against Exxon ever since the Valdez (sp?) incident and that's been like 20 yrs.
I'd still rather push my car on an empty tank past an Exxon station than buy gas from those rotten, #$*!@

 

[CarolA]

ok. I'm just saying I've rented from them maybe 15 times in the last 5 years and never had a issue and just coincidentally have gotten the lowest price too.
I don't mind if you hold a grudge... Heck I've held one against Exxon ever since the Valdez (sp?) incident and that's been like 20 yrs.
I'd still rather push my car on an empty tank past an Exxon station than buy gas from those rotten, #$*!@

Oh I pay more and admit it.

I tend to rent from Hertz because I was willing to pay a little extra for good reliable service. However, that does appear to be a concern right now due to cuts they are making. I am waiting and watching!

I will still rent from National. Yes, I KNOW they are owned by the same folks and I don't like it. But as long as they have the Aisle I am willing to "risk" it right now.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Just keep in mind the Alamo kiosk and the EA are really not much different and still less hassle than taking a shuttle to Hertz which for me, with kids in tow, is more of a PITA.
Through trial and error we all find what works for us.

 

[tkldisney]

Actually, I would think more people make 'backup reservations' because they're using a questionable code or coupon for their primary reservation that they're not sure they're qualified to use...

I think this one hits the nail on the head...
Like previous post, the rates are higher because of it.

I've never had a reservation, then have no cars available when I arrived. This is for all over not just MCO. I like Carol stick with the reputable company's.

 

[CarolA]

Just keep in mind the Alamo kiosk and the EA are really not much different and still less hassle than taking a shuttle to Hertz which for me, with kids in tow, is more of a PITA.
Through trial and error we all find what works for us.

I find the Hertz bus to actually get me out faster the National tends to. I must just have a black cloud but about half the time at MCO I get the long line at the gate including the guy who took a car he was entitiled to and now has to have us all back up so he can return it after being told "no you can't have a mini van for the price of your economy rental" (I know it was this once because I was one car back and heard the fight. The guy actually had an Aisle reservation and when there weren't mini vans on the Aisle he "helped himself" He got downright abrasive with the agent but she didn't back down, if he kept the mini van he was paying!)

 

[keishashadow]

I think this one hits the nail on the head...
Like previous post, the rates are higher because of it.

I've never had a reservation, then have no cars available when I arrived. This is for all over not just MCO. I like Carol stick with the reputable company's.

only once @ MCO when reserving an SUV with Alamo several years ago (early Dec-late afternoon flight), was the lot empty (as well as National's) wound up w/a pt cruiser resulting in one of my kids sitting on large suitcase-had alot of luggage (WDW & cruise trip) def unsafe situation & i wish i did have a back up that time, yet @ least there was 'something' left

did ask as to waiting to see if one was returned & was told they couldn't predict it, as so many people keep vehicles longer than they indicate on ressie.

i had to argue w/Alamo's customer service dept to get a refund to my CC once i got home, the garage booth insisted on charging me the price for the SUV

so, even after this experience, do i keep multiple ressies in hand now when i rent @ MCO - NO!

mostly, because i don't want to get charged for the ressie...as via reward programs most of them have my CC info on file

IMO, MCO is the worst rental car venue for fluxing rates/codes; never experienced it elsewhere ive traveled think it may be partially due to primarily leisure traveler & the fact that so many people r double booked, then cancel ressies, releasing vehicles that need to be heavily discounted to move them out the door.

Hate to say it, yet if they do reduce the # of cars in the garage; wouldn't surprise me to see a CC requirement for most rentals (whether thru the agencies reward program or not) with cancellation fees imposed.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I only book one, with a trust worthy company in a vehicle I will be happy with. I do not book with the the thought of an upgrade, I don't worry too much about shopping for the lowest possible price and I NEVER use codes I am not qualified to use.

 

[seashoreCM]

Actually, I would think more people make 'backup reservations' because they're using a questionable code or coupon for their primary reservation that they're not sure they're qualified to use...

SOmetimes the improper ujse of a code doesn;'t come back to bite them until later, for example returning the car. If for example they got into a collision, the insurance might not cover because use of the code was a violation of some terms of the contract.

Well, things have changed over the past 15 yrs at Alamo. I remember staying in the park past midnight on NYE, turning 1974. Leaving the park at 1 am, it took them until 5 am just to get out of the parking lot!!! Traffic crawled and they swore NEVER AGAIN!
I finally convinced them in 2006 to come with us and they were like, "My, this sure has changed!" now.

What does Alamo do better now to get you out of the Magic Kingdom parking lot? (Alamo wasn't part of National and at the Car Care Center near MK 15 years ago, were they?)

 

[jlewisinsyr]

SOmetimes the improper ujse of a code doesn;'t come back to bite them until later, for example returning the car. If for example they got into a collision, the insurance might not cover because use of the code was a violation of some terms of the contract.

Not to drag this thread completely off track, but people also forget that a violation of the contract can also mean, that not just the rental car company LDW will refuse to pay, but any additional coverage may also refuse to pay, including one's own personal coverage because it was rented in violation of the contract.