Budget rent a car Orlando MCO - Rapid Rez? Fastbreak?

[jdearman77]

Should I join the Fastbreak/Rapid Rez if I am picking up my car from Budget at MCO? I am worried because I read some very negative reviews on the process of picking up a car from Budget.

I heard you can wait sometimes 2 hours? Should I expect that long a wait around January 24th??? or will it be less crowded?

Mainly, should I join the Rapid Rez and Fastbreak program to get through the line? and can I join if I already made the reservation and use it on this trip?

I had a bad experience turning in the car from Dollar last time in MCO and nearly missed by Jetblue flight because of it. - Jetblue also has a policy of no codesharing with other airlines, so you have to take a jetblue flight if you miss it. (Mine was the last Boston flight for the day) so had I missed it, I would have had to go to New York, then take a bus home.
Nice huh? Luckily I got on with about 1 minute to spare. I think they were waiting for me to get on, because I literally got on and they closed the doors and pushed back.

I am flying American Airlines this time so I should be okay.

But as far as Budget I don't know? can anyone help ease my fears, or give me advice on if I should join up with these programs?

 

[Fire14]

In my budget rentals I've never waited but I also registered for Fastbreak/rapid rez. I just went right out to garage and got my car keys and spot car was parked in. I believe you can call to have Rapidrez stuff added to ressie if already booked.

My one and only issue was being charged for gas when I had returned car full but that was Avis and happened after fact so was fixed via fax/phone.

 

[formill]

We just got back and rented from Budget. We were not fastbreak/rapid rez etc......there was no one at the counter when we got there on Friday December 23. It was pretty fast just handing over the drivers' licenses for my husband and myself.(they don't charge extra for spouse) She did try the hard sell on EVERYTHING. The gas-telling us how it is better to pay and return it empty for we must have a receipt and it must be within 5 miles or we will pay big time, the insurance and then asking us who our insurance was and how many Canadians are not informed about insurance- the roadside assistance (we have auto club and told her)-she told us the auto club will not replace a lost key and that would cost us a lot- then the gps and satellite radio. It was very irritating to just keep saying no but it was not time consuming and we then walked across to parking garage and up one level and got in our assigned vehicle the keys were in it- we noticed a scratch on the back side and told the attendant on way out that we showed paperwork to- and he said they only care about the front??!! Anyway it all worked out-mini van(KIA) we had was good/clean and we used the travelocity code so total cost was just over $700 for 16 days. Returning the van was simple and fast- parked where the signs were- person came over checked mileage and gas not sure if husband actually showed the gas receipt or not-there were people hovering with carts and wanting to help take all our luggage into terminal- we declined and went and got to terminal on our own.

 

[Echo queen]

I have rapid rez and like being able to skip the line and pick up the car and go. Last August we did have to go to the counter because I was booked third party and used points, we were 2nd in line and it was quick, but not quicker than just going straight to the lot. The line had really gotten long when we were done so it will depend how many folks are checking in.

I like budget no problems with them. We do a fine tooth inspection before leaving the lot and make sure all items are noted all the way around, in and out.

You should have no problem adding rapid rez after you book online.

 

[mikehn]

Being a fastbreak member makes things go a little quicker but it doesnt necessarily mean you dont wait in line. Fastbreak customers have their own counter in the garage, but there might be other fastbreak customers there ahead of you.

 

[jdearman77]

What are the hard sell items on the rental cars you should typically say no to?

I Heard most people are covered by their own insurance, and you should never do the prepaid gas... am I missing anything else?

Also would it be wise to take digital camera photos of the vehicle to have proof that nothing was done to the car, or what-not when you return it?

And can you ask for an inspection of the vehicle with an agent present or do they not offer that with budget? Thanks

I am a bit nervous because of the bad return experience I had with Dollar @ Orlando which almost made me miss my flight back to Boston in 2008.

 

[Echo queen]

What are the hard sell items on the rental cars you should typically say no to?

I Heard most people are covered by their own insurance, and you should never do the prepaid gas... am I missing anything else?

Also would it be wise to take digital camera photos of the vehicle to have proof that nothing was done to the car, or what-not when you return it?

And can you ask for an inspection of the vehicle with an agent present or do they not offer that with budget? Thanks

I am a bit nervous because of the bad return experience I had with Dollar @ Orlando which almost made me miss my flight back to Boston in 2008.

With your vehicle paper work there is a diagram of a car, inspect the car and note any defects on the diagram, once you head out driving in the garage there is a manned post (you have to drive through it to show papaer work) that you can show this form, at that time and have him sign off on it. If there are defects be sure to get out of the car and show him what your referring to. Be sure he signs.

Upon return the agent does a quick once around, if all is well I don't think they can come back later with a damage claim.

Unfortunatly we were rear ended once in IL and hit while parked in a resort parking lot in Orlando. The perpetrator in both case paid all expense. There was a portion of around $200 that I was responsible for but the perpetrator did pay it. It's has to do with loss of use of the vehicle do to repair, I'm sure someone here knows the details on that.

I prefer budget and have paid slightly more to rent with them. Best of luck