Best rental car company in MCO

[lulucornbread]

as in counter closest to walk to? low crowds? every time I rent a car in MCO, its the worst experience of our trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

counter closest to walk to

That depends on where you are, I suppose.

We joined National's Emerald Club, and we have only been to a counter one time, and that was for a last minute reservation and it was very simple. (should mention that DH has Executive status with them b/c of work, so that makes everything easier)

We book the midsize option when logged in to the Emerald Club account, and as long as we're using a location with the Emerald Aisle (MCO has it) that means we just walk straight outside to the National area, go to the Emerald Aisle, and pick out whatever car we want. Backing up...that was before DH got Executive. Now we book midsize and then just go to the Executive Aisle and pick whatever car we want from it. EASY.

If you want a specific sort of car, like a minivan, you book that class, then go to that class's aisle and choose whatever is in that aisle.

It's not always the cheapest, but IMO it's the easiest. Even when I'm renting through my own account, which is not Executive, it's the easiest.

 

[sam_gordon]

We've used National and the Emerald Aisle with no issues. Most recently we used Budget, signed up for their "Fast Break" program, was able to skip the counter, go right to the garage kiosk and get assigned our car.

 

[wannaheadsouth]

We've used National and the Emerald Aisle with no issues. Most recently we used Budget, signed up for their "Fast Break" program, was able to skip the counter, go right to the garage kiosk and get assigned our car.

Emerald Isle (National) only for us. I refuse to have to deal with the counter hard sell.

 

[sam_gordon]

Emerald Isle (National) only for us. I refuse to have to deal with the counter hard sell.

OK, but I don't remember a hard sell at the Budget kiosk and Budget had the car type I needed (full size). National didn't (it was a one-way rental which might have factored in).

 

[pigletto]

We've used Alamo many times without every having to use the counter and have been happy with them every time. We've also used both Dollar and Budget and experienced no hard sell at the counter. Not saying that it doesn't happen, but we are sure of what we need when we get to the counter (which is nothing extra) and we make that clear (politely) and we've never been pushed.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I just think it goes a long way to be firm but polite and aware about the extra insurance etc.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We used National (also signing up for Emerald Isle) for the first time for our last trip. Skipped the counter, just go to garage and pick your car. We were loyal Avis members but have had nothing but problems so no longer use them. Very pleased with National, only used them at MCO. Highly recommend.

 

[rdevine10]

We have used the kiosk for Alamo (I think you can also go right to the car too) and when you are a loyalty member with Dollar you can go right to the garage. We have had good luck with both, although I tend to like Alamo's car selection a bit better.

 

[drken93]

DOLLAR --- DOLLAR----DOLLAR EXPRESS MEMBERSHIP (FREE)

By far my best experience with a car rental in MCO was DOLLAR rental car ( express membership- no charge)- no wait, car with my name on it- ready to go- LOTS TO PIK FROM TOO...
Also- I was able cancel and book easily- most will charge you a fee to cancel and rebook. I watch the prices like a hawk- they tend to move up and down a lot - some of the best rates are in the very early morning but not always. I even booked a new resi and cancelled the old one on the same day, just before I left for my flight out there. I once book one for $400/week and kept changing it to a lower rate as it got closer to my travel date- It all depends on demand. My final best base rate was $128/week, it went high just before my trip, but I locked it in at that great rate.
Florida has a High tax and fee rate- The lower you can get your base rate the better-
Go for the city specials........
rates can change daily- so keep on it to get the best deal........
good luck

 

[bumbershoot]

Also- I was able cancel and book easily- most will charge you a fee to cancel and rebook

I know of no rental car agencies that charge to cancel/rebook, as long as you have booked a normal reservation.

 

[DanInMN]

I think they are all about the same. Just make sure you personal car insurance has car rental coverage to avoid the crazy overpriced insurance they all want to sell you! And if you book a week, try not to keep it one day longer or shorter - as that is their trigger to charge you a LOT more.

It's a schlock business model.

 

[puffkin]

I have used National, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, etc. All are super easy and I never go to the counter, just the kiosk, then out to the garage, get my car and leave. As for close, it is all relative to which airline you come in on and which baggage claim you have to go to for your luggage.

 

[Stitch_Is_King]

We used National on our last trip and loved it. I am an Emerald Club member so right out to the garage we go, pick the car we want from the Emerald Isle and away we go. Plus we get a good rate with the KLM/Flying Blue membership, which includes all fees. We are using them next week even though the rate is a little higher than some of the other rental companies I looked at. Just prefer the service we get from National.

 

[buzz2]

Is KLM code still working? I booked for July with it a month ago.Now checking to see if prices dropped, it does not take the KLM code, went to the website and no longer see National on there. Will they still except the code in July? Thanks

 

[robinb]

Is KLM code still working? I booked for July with it a month ago.Now checking to see if prices dropped, it does not take the KLM code, went to the website and no longer see National on there. Will they still except the code in July? Thanks

No, the KLM code no longer works.

 

[bumbershoot]

No, the KLM code no longer works.

So they changed back? It wasn't working for awhile, there was a thread about it, and then it started working again. My rental in November used the code and it was perfect.

 

[robinb]

So they changed back? It wasn't working for awhile, there was a thread about it, and then it started working again. My rental in November used the code and it was perfect.

I just tried it on a number of random dates and it says "Sold Out" for each one of them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have rented at MCO over 30 times, never been to a counter. About 28 of those rentals were with National/Alamo. Never ever a problem.

 

[lulucornbread]

Ok I joined National's emerald club. I booked a midsize and it says go pick out whatever I want. What do you need to book if you want an SUV? Are all the cars in the midsize aisle tiny sedans?

 

[robinb]

Ok I joined National's emerald club. I booked a midsize and it says go pick out whatever I want. What do you need to book if you want an SUV? Are all the cars in the midsize aisle tiny sedans?

If you want an SUV you need to specifically book an SUV. Yes, sometimes small SUVs are in the midsize aisle but they are mostly sedans.