Car Hire Help Please

[Sid74]

Hi,

I would really appreciate some help.

I am trying to sort out car hire for our trip from 29th October to 20th November this year.

We will be flying into MCO at about 5.30pm and flying out again at 7.30pm.

We'd like either a fullsize 4 door, or an intermediate SUV, with fully inclusive insurance.

We have only ever had fly drives or packages before, so I am a little nervous about messing this up.

I would, ideally, like to use a company that has an online check in, or otherwise lets you bypass the desk.

I have followed just about every link I have found, and gotten prices from about £420 to over £700!

Thanks for any help.

 

[scoobydooby]

This will not be your cheapest option (unless you check every day) but I have booked through Alamo direct and had excellent service. Will be using them again this time. Can check in on line from the UK. Service at the airport has always been good for me anyway. Had a couple of free upgrades. Never had a hard sell. Like I said. Not necessarily the cheapest but I can recommend them.

 

[orangetiggs]

We use usrentacar and have had no problems with them

We fly in 20th november

 

[Sid74]

I was looking at Alamo scoobydooby, but they seem to be quite expensive compared to other sites. I like the idea of the online check in, but I think that is only through Virgin. I looked at the price on the Virgin site for an Alamo car, and it seems to be quite high compared to some of the other sites I have come across.

orangetiggs I like the look of some of the prices on that site, but I am not sure which of the car hire companies would be the best one to use. Do I go for the cheapest price for the size car I am looking for, or am I going to get bad service if I do that?

 

[orangetiggs]

I like to use dollar of thrifty, both same company but we use them everytime we go over, i think all much the same except sixt who are not based on the airport

 

[Sid74]

I know that with Dollar you can use the express service, and go straight to the garage. Is there anything like that for Thrifty, or do you just have to wait at the desk?

 

[wayneg]

You will pay an extra days rental by returning 2 hours after your collection time. Chances are you won't collect ontime and you can return early to avoid the extra day but thats your choice. Prices below are for returning at the same time as collection, add another day onto price if thats what you prefer.

Alamo £463 less 8% Quidco = £426

Alamo Brits £417 with extra drivers free.

Auto Europe/Thrifty £388 less 7% Quidco = £360

Link for 15% off I have used most over past couple of years http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...e/734198-holidayautos-discount-worldwide.html
This would be £400 less 12% Quidco = £352, cars are with Alamo.

USrentacar\Thrifty £400

I would 100% use the 15% Holiday Autos link but I would wait for a better rate of a discount code being released, check their site every morning for latest offers, last May they gave 25% off all rentals but it was their 25th Anniversary, other offers come and go.

 

[scoobydooby]

You don't have to book Alamo through Virgin. This year I've gone direct with them. Can still do online check in.

 

[wilma-bride]

You will pay an extra days rental by returning 2 hours after your collection time. Chances are you won't collect ontime and you can return early to avoid the extra day but thats your choice. Prices below are for returning at the same time as collection, add another day onto price if thats what you prefer.

Wayne, I assumed if the OP's flight out was 7.30, they would be back at the airport at least 90 minutes before as boarding is usually an hour before. Since it is unlikely they will collect the car within 30 minutes of landing, they won't need the 'extra day' anyway.

 

[wayneg]

Wayne, I assumed if the OP's flight out was 7.30, they would be back at the airport at least 90 minutes before as boarding is usually an hour before. Since it is unlikely they will collect the car within 30 minutes of landing, they won't need the 'extra day' anyway.

OK, probably right. I read it as the collection, drop off times.

 

[Sid74]

Thank you so much wayneg. That was just what I was hoping for. Wilma-bride is correct in that they are my flight times.
Can I use online check in with Alamo if I book through Holiday Autos Wayne?

scoobydooby I didn't know you could do online check in directly with Alamo, thank you.

Thank you to everyone that helped.