Budget vs. National

[DznyDreams]

I'm sorry this is so long, but I need some help PLEASE. I hold 2 rental car reservations for March 6- 13, and I need to make a decision. I am the budget-minded type, but I don't want to hold a reservation with a company that is not easy to deal with.

Our needs: We are a family of 3 -- DH, dd(7), and me -- so we do not "need" a large vehicle. We do appreciate the safety of a larger vehicle, but it is not necessarily a major concern since we drive smaller vehicles (a ford taurus and a toyota corolla) at home. What we do need is a true non-smoking vehicle due to our allergy/asthma problems. We will use the rental car for travel to/from MCO, for use around the WDW resort, for shopping at the outlets & grocery runs, and possibly for a day trip to the Space Center. That said, here are my choices:

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Budget: (Intermediate) Hyyunai Sonata 2.0 or similar
Unlimited Mileage
Base Rate: $106.24
Tax: $8.74
Surcharge: $28.19
Estimated total rate: $143.17
Additional Equipment: 1 Non Smoking Car

I just made this reservation yesterday. I printed a coupon for $20 off a weekly rental (linked from mousesavers.com) and used BCD# X793200. (Coupon expires: 06/30/04) The confirmation includes the a line that reads "Percent Discount: 15.0%," so I assume this means the coupon has been applied. I have no experience with a Budget rental at MCO or elsewhere.

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National (using Emerald Aisle):
Guaranteed at least an Intermediate vehicle
Unlimited Mileage
Base Rate: $164.99
Less Discounts: -16.50 discount;
-15.00 Vacation Outlet Online Coupon
SubTotal: $133.49
Taxes & Fees: $43.11
Total Estimate: $176.60

This reservation was placed on 10/11/03. I printed the Vacation Outlet online coupon (linked from mousesavers.com) and used Contract ID 5042947 and Coupon ID 10008198 for $15.00 off a weekly rental. (Coupon expires: 05/31/04) We have used Emerald Aisle at MCO 2 other times. The cars were okay, but it was hard to find a non-smoking car....especially since the entire parking garage smelled of cigarette smoke. One car we settled on was very sinus irritating throughout the entire vacation. The next time, the car was just "okay," but definitely not smoke-free. Other than this, the transaction with National EA was very enjoyable.

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I'm leaning more toward Budget since I was given the opportunity to request a non-smoking car, but I'm just not sure if this is a "guaranteed" thing. I've never used Budget, so I don't know if they are easy to deal with or will work hard to meet your needs. Any opinions are welcomed.

TIA!!!

 

[CarolA]

I think all National cars are non smoking. However.... people smoke in rental cars so be prepared to stick you nose in and smell.

For that reason I would go with National. YOu can hike up and down the Aisle and pick the car that you like best and smells best.

 

[madthemouse]

I agree with CarolA about the advantage that National has in picking out your car. But, I have used both Budget and National with no problems with the smell of smoke in any of their cars.

If, your still not sure you'll get a smoke free auto I would recommend a Bottle of Smell Begone. It's a Citrus Scented oder eliminating spray. It eliminates oders instantly, and freshens air.

 

[Jestocost]

For what it's worth, I always request a non-smoking car and on more than one occasion have had a car where the smoke smell was so bad that it hit you when you opened the trunk. You might do better with EA because you can pick your vehicle yourself, but there's no guarantee that there will be a smoke-free car available.

Good luck!

 

[inkkognito]

I agree with the others...being able to pick your own car will be a big advantage in avoiding that awful smoke odor. We rent cars at MCO a lot, and even in the non-smoking cars, you can run into one with a bad smoke smell. We rent a lot from Alamo, which has the same cars as National, and we've never had a problem finding a fresh-smelling one. We book via Priceline, and they are usually out of Economy cars, so we end up picking from the next class up. Even when there are only a few cars left, we've always been able to find a suitable one.
Of course, I can't express an opinion about Budget because we've never rented from them. I've heard of people getting them via Priceline, but for me it's always been Alamo, Hertz, or Avis.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
I think all National cars are non smoking. However.... people smoke in rental cars so be prepared to stick you nose in and smell.

For that reason I would go with National. YOu can hike up and down the Aisle and pick the car that you like best and smells best.

No Carol, not all National cars are non smoking. I search high and low for one that does not have the universal sign for no smoking. Luckily, I find them. If they were all non smoking cars I would find another rental company.

From the FAQ on National's website.

Nonsmoking Cars

Non-smoking cars are generally available at the time of rental in the US and Canada.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by inkkognito
I agree with the others...being able to pick your own car will be a big advantage in avoiding that awful smoke odor. We rent cars at MCO a lot, and even in the non-smoking cars, you can run into one with a bad smoke smell. We rent a lot from Alamo, which has the same cars as National, and we've never had a problem finding a fresh-smelling one. We book via Priceline, and they are usually out of Economy cars, so we end up picking from the next class up. Even when there are only a few cars left, we've always been able to find a suitable one.
Of course, I can't express an opinion about Budget because we've never rented from them. I've heard of people getting them via Priceline, but for me it's always been Alamo, Hertz, or Avis.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

What gets me is not the smell of smoke but that awful air freshener they use. Yes, I am a smoker, but, I can still smell stale smoke and I don't like it either, but, I REALLY hate that stuff they use in the cars.

 

[mcnuss]

Well, I am going to be the contrarian here...I DESPISE (yep, I am shouting!) National. I have never gotten a nice car from them, and now I won't rent there anymore. Budget's cars are newer, nicer and cleaner. I would way rather have a Ford Taurus than some Pontiac or Chevy. Also, every Budget car I have ever had was fully loaded -- CD player, power seats, doors, windows, etc... The last car I got from National was a Chevy Lumina (dating myself, I think) that did not even have a cassette player!

To me, the whole EA thing is just a pain. I don't want to be schlepping around the parking garage looking for a "good" car. Just tell me my space # and I am on my way. If the car is smelly, I go to the booth and swap. Budget gets my vote, and my business, when I am a leisure traveler.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

A LUMINA??? My you are dating yourself. LOL
Every car I have ever rented from National has been in excellent shape, power windows, door locks, cd player (one it had both a CD and cassette), something we could call "loaded" except no leather seats. I like the "hunt" so it is fun to pick out a car.
Some like it, some don't. I never schlepp, I use a smart carte.
Sorry you detest national, but, maybe someday you will give them another shot. I have rented from Budget, back around the time of the Lumina, and I was quite happy, I got a Probe. But, I am not a Ford/Mercury type of person, I like GM and Chrysler and even Mitsubishi. To each his/her own, just as long as the deal is good, go for it!!!

 

[n2mm]

We love using National and my husband loves being an EA member. Our best record from plane to the resort is 45 minutes and that's only because of National's EA. We rented from them 5 times last year and 6 times the year before. We have always had wonderful well maintenanced cars and have never spent more than 5 minutes picking up or dropping off. But the thing I love about National is that you don't have to put a credit card deposit down to hold your ressie. AND the rates change often and it's so easy to keep changing your ressie when the rates drop. Right now we have a EA car reserved and are paying about $102 a week before taxes/fees. We have also used Dollar and find them a good choice too, but National always gets our business even if they are a couple of dollars more than Dollar. Every visit to the EA lot last year we found tons of choices. And as for picking out our car--we wouldn't have it any other way. We like choosing an odd color so we can find it in the sea of cars at the parks.

 

[rrsafety]

My two cents is that rental cars are a commodity and there isn't a whole lot of difference between the companies (for everyone with a nightmare story about National there will be one about Budget).

Now that you have a low priced reservation with Budget, call them on the phone and ask them about non-smoking cars (and get the name of the person you are speaking to). If the assure you of a non-smoking car, make sure you tell the person when you are checking in that you had spoken to "insert name here" at the 800 number and she assured you that you'd get a non smoking car also let them know that if the car you get smell so smoke that you will be requesting another one.

This just ups the pressure on them and they will remember you if you have to return to the counter and complain.

Is this a pain? Yes it is, but that's life nowadays. Further, you'd be kidding yourself if you think that Company A will make sure I get a nonsmoking car and Company B will not. None of these companies can be trusted. That is why I choose the CHEAPEST onsite rental and then hold their feet to the fire...

 

[JC Butterfly]

Not sure if you've made up your mind yet but thought I would mention that I just booked through Budget today for an upcoming trip and on their "specials" page if you use your Master Card to pay you can get 20% off as well as 1 car class upgrade, so that might make your deal an even better one?

Also, I just bought a pre-owned car that belonged to a smoker. After dousing it in Extra-Strength Febreeze it smells quite pleasant to me now so if you want to bring a bit of that product along it might help if you were stuck with an unpleasant odor in your car.

Brenda

 

[minster22]

I have rented several times from both companies. Once with Budget we got a car that smelled so badly of smoke that our clothes literally smelled after each car ride. Yes, we did go back and ask for another car, none available. Probably could have been more assertivative but hey, its vacation. And yes we had requested a nonsmoking car.I emailed Budget after the trip, reply was basically....sorry that happened to you. Of all car rentals at MCO, I had the best car with Dollar, a brand new Chrysler Sebring convertible, leather interior and about 400 miles on it. Leaving the airport with the top down, the scent of the brand new leather and the fabulous "Florida smell".....priceless. Upcoming trip I have such a great rate with National I have to go with them. We are hoping for a nice new Sebring or Eclipse....not sure which to pick....such tough choices!!! LOL!!

 

[disney4us2002]

National's website is a mystery to me, lol. My hubby is in the Emerald Club and I can check the website at 11am and the price for our one week Christmas rental is $438 and an hour later the price is $207. Huh? Also, since his info is in their system as is his credit card info, I'm a bit leery to make a reservation since I don't want him charged now for a trip nearly a year away. Someone posted that no deposit is required. Will National not charge the cc on acct?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disney4us2002
National's website is a mystery to me, lol. My hubby is in the Emerald Club and I can check the website at 11am and the price for our one week Christmas rental is $438 and an hour later the price is $207. Huh? Also, since his info is in their system as is his credit card info, I'm a bit leery to make a reservation since I don't want him charged now for a trip nearly a year away. Someone posted that no deposit is required. Will National not charge the cc on acct?

National will not charge the credit car until you return the car. They will put a hold for the amount of the rental against the card when you pick up the car, not before.

The rates can change on a hourly (some times in minutes) basis, so, don't be surprised if your rate changes. Just book at a low rate and keep checking. You can change or modify without penality or cancel and rebook. No deposit, no worries.

 

[ncbyrne]

Over the years we have used all of the major car rental agencies at the airport. We have never had a major problem with any of them. However, right now I find myself in your same predicament, with reservations at the same two companies for our upcoming trip in May. I've got a good rate with both. It's just slightly higher with Nat'l, but I'm debating whether or not to chance it for a bigger car with EA. Decisions, decisions! I'll keep checking for better discounts and make my choice closer to the date. I'm sure my DH will just decide to go with the best price.