Budget...You Pick or Do They?

[Kevenswife2]

Do I get to pick my car from Budget's lot, or do they hand me keys to one they've picked?

I used Alamo last year and really liked being able to pick the one I liked (ie: Not white...are all rentals white?)

 

[maraakl]

They pick the car. The only rental agencies that I know of that allow you to select your car are Alamo and National.

 

[Kevenswife2]

Hummm...I should have known. I joined their Fastbreak program and the welcome letter said, "Cars? Take your pick. It's your choice of vehicle at most locations." Guess MCO isn't one of them.

 

[maraakl]

After reading what you wrote, I am probably wrong. This is new since I joined and it does say most locations. I would say at MCO, which is so busy that you will probably be able to select your vehicle. Give them a call and ask if MCO is one of the "pick it yourself" locations. They do list MCO as a fastbreak location.
I am sorry for the bad info.

 

[Kevenswife2]

I guess I've gotten too used to doing everything over the 'net and not actually dealing with a real person. Why didn't I think to call...duh!

Anyway, I did call and was told that you go to the Fastbreak kiosk, follow the signs, and go pick your car. Woohoo! No stale cigarette smoke or mystery stains!

You didn't give me bad info. Things just change so quickly anymore...it's hard to keep up!

 

[maraakl]

LOL,
I am like you, I rarely call anyone, I rely on email and the internet, but....sometimes you simply have to talk to a human.
I am glad to hear that you can do this in Orlando. Great to hear and to put in my notes for future travel. Thanks!!!

 

[KarenP99]

"Anyway, I did call and was told that you go to the Fastbreak kiosk, follow the signs, and go pick your car. Woohoo! No stale cigarette smoke or mystery stains!"

 

[KarenP99]

"Anyway, I did call and was told that you go to the Fastbreak kiosk, follow the signs, and go pick your car. Woohoo! No stale cigarette smoke or mystery stains!"


Ok, silly question then for anyone who has actually "picked" their car before.

Are all the cars open and you go poke around and then go back and get the keys...or do you just look at the exterior and pick based on that.

To me the smoke free interior is more important than the color, but I hate to have to go "test" every one. Maybe they'll have a section of non-smoking cars?

Karen

 

[Kevenswife2]

At Alamo, all the cars are in the lot with their keys in the ignition. You can poke around if you want to...or sniff around if that's your thing. I can't stand my car smelling like an ashtray either. Hope Budget's the same way.

Seems to me all cars from Alamo were non-smoking. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[ckret01]

I was thinking the same thing KarenP99. Has anyone used Budget yet and can clarify that once you go to the fastbreak part in the garage do you just walk right up to the car you want and drive away cuz the keys are already in it. Or do you stand from the booth and tell them from a distance which car looks the best from far away?
I'm so curious and I know I am obsessing about this now

 

[alecam]

The last time I went(in 2000). The keys were in the car! It was great! Then you pull up to gate on the way out, and they verify the car that you have chosen and off you go! It's alot of fun to pick out that car you want.

 

[ckret01]

AWESOME! Thanks !

 

[maraakl]

National and Alamo have non smoking cars available, but, there are smoking cars also. Non smoking cars are easy to identify, they have that circle with the cig. in it with the line across it.

 

[inkkognito]

Unfortunately we've gotten "non-smoking"cars that smelled like the bottom of a stale ashtray. Too bad they can't install a little alarm like the one in airline lavatorysto "tell" on smokers who try to light up in the non-smoking cars.
Barb

 

[maciec]

Bumping this back up to make sure that you can pick your own car or is it picked for you question is answered.

 

[KarenP99]

The question was answered for me.

I'll be there in a couple weeks and post back on my "Budget Experience"

Thanks everyone!
Karen

 

[Kevenswife2]

Thanks Karen! I'll be watching so I know what to expect in November.

Have a safe, full of fun trip!