Budget vs Thrifty

[thewesterberg]

Right now I have reservations with both Budget and Thrifty at MCO for vacation in mid April. The Thrifty one was booked through autoslash (not prepaid) and the Budget one was booked when buying our discounted park admissions (prepaid but can be refunded if canceled up until the day prior) Because of how we booked we are not eligible for any of the skip the line options () - the rates were just too high booking other ways to skip the lines.

We are arriving around 10:30AM on Sunday, April 18.

Based in this info and your experiences (bonus if you’ve had recent experience)which is the better agency to rent from? Haven’t used either of them at MCO. What kind of wait time should we expect at the rental counter?

Thanks!

 

[keishashadow]

What kind of wait time should we expect at the rental counter?

We observed the lines being quite long as we passed them walking out to dollar kiosk first week in may around 9 am on a weekday.

If you belong to either of their reward programs, I suggest trying to link the reservation to be able to use that shorter, dedicated line. Call their customer service lines if unable to do so online.

Dollar not my favorite vendor but, they had a special rate on SUV so I switched relatively last minute that trip. Much prefer ease of Alamo & National, has been some time as their rates so high. Have been using DH’s corporate rate at Avis but have to use the terminal line. Even the fastpass inside can have a bit of a line.

Limited experience with Budget, a bit more with Thrifty; who definitely gets my nod for nicer vehicles of the two. YMMV.

 

[Jimsig]

Make sure to keep checking prices as they will and do fluctuate and you might get a better deal now then when you booked and you might get a skip the line option. As the PP mentioned about the rewards program if you are not a member sign up as they are usually free. Sometimes they offer member exclusive deals.

 

[EACarlson]

Right now I have reservations with both Budget and Thrifty at MCO for vacation in mid April. The Thrifty one was booked through autoslash (not prepaid) and the Budget one was booked when buying our discounted park admissions (prepaid but can be refunded if canceled up until the day prior) Because of how we booked we are not eligible for any of the skip the line options () - the rates were just too high booking other ways to skip the lines.

We are arriving around 10:30AM on Sunday, April 18.

Based in this info and your experiences (bonus if you’ve had recent experience)which is the better agency to rent from? Haven’t used either of them at MCO. What kind of wait time should we expect at the rental counter?

Thanks!

When completing your booking on Priceline through Autoslash there is a place to put in your loyalty number. I have also had luck calling in to the companies and having that number added. Priceline should have give you the Thrifty confirmation number you need to link the reservation to your account. I did this with Hertz at MCO in October and was able to skip the line. Thrifty is owned by Hertz.

 

[thewesterberg]

We observed the lines being quite long as we passed them walking out to dollar kiosk first week in may around 9 am on a weekday.

If you belong to either of their reward programs, I suggest trying to link the reservation to be able to use that shorter, dedicated line. Call their customer service lines if unable to do so online.

Dollar not my favorite vendor but, they had a special rate on SUV so I switched relatively last minute that trip. Much prefer ease of Alamo & National, has been some time as their rates so high. Have been using DH’s corporate rate at Avis but have to use the terminal line. Even the fastpass inside can have a bit of a line.

Limited experience with Budget, a bit more with Thrifty; who definitely gets my nod for nicer vehicles of the two. YMMV.

Thanks for the insight on the companies - I've usually rented through Alamo at MCO and have loved being able to skip the lines. Your report on the lines is what I was fearing! I have tried to add the reservation to my Blue Chip (Thrifty) via Priceline, and also with Thrifty online, through chat, and a phone call but have had no luck (while they are open 6AM-7PM 7 days a week, the recording says that I called outside of business hours. I called at 10AM! I'll keep trying). I should have put the number in when I made the reservation but forgot to. The rates have been double ever since I made the reservation so no opportunity for a do-over.

Make sure to keep checking prices as they will and do fluctuate and you might get a better deal now then when you booked and you might get a skip the line option. As the PP mentioned about the rewards program if you are not a member sign up as they are usually free. Sometimes they offer member exclusive deals.

Oh, I have been checking constantly! I got the 5 day reservation for $195 and ever since then they've been close to twice as much! I keep looking every day, multiple times a day, hoping I'll catch a break!

When completing your booking on Priceline through Autoslash there is a place to put in your loyalty number. I have also had luck calling in to the companies and having that number added. Priceline should have give you the Thrifty confirmation number you need to link the reservation to your account. I did this with Hertz at MCO in October and was able to skip the line. Thrifty is owned by Hertz.

Good to know you had luck adding it after the fact. I tried using chat to do that but they said it had to be done at the time of the reservation. I forgot to put it in at the time and the prices have been close to double ever since. I tried calling today - while they are open 6AM-7PM (CST) 7-days a week, the recording says that I called outside of business hours. It is 10AM(CST). I'll keep trying.