Car Hire

[maureen4200040]

Can anyone point me in the direction on any threads relating to the do's and dont's of hiring a car.

As we've never driven in Orlando before, for the our next trip we've included car hire, and have book a compact car with insurance(3 adults going). I've now been told by a colleague at work that we should have booked a bigger car.

Not sure what to do now as we've never driven over there before, and would like very much to read someone elses experiences.

Thanking you in advance
Maureen4200040

 

[wayneg]

The first time we went in 1993 we were 4 adults, had a compact car and had no problem at all. Since then its been the 3 of us and always had full size or larger. For the difference in cost(usually about £2/day more) its worth every penny for the extra comfort.

 

[bazzanoid]

The first time we went in 1993 we were 4 adults, had a compact car and had no problem at all. Since then its been the 3 of us and always had full size or larger. For the difference in cost(usually about £2/day more) its worth every penny for the extra comfort.

^^^ What Wayne said.

It all depends how much luggage you take and how many of you there are.

Ignore what the quoted luggage capacities on the rental websites are - 4 of us either have a full size car or full size SUV. 2 of us are going next year and we're likely to be getting either a compact SUV or a convertible, and will have luggage on the back seats to and from the airport!

If the insurance is fully inclusive don't let them try to sell you extra insurance at the airport when you collect, and also be sure if you want GPS or a bigger car that you arrange it before you go as they will empty your spending money pockets if you do it on arrival!

Check the insurance for details on fuel as well - some state that the first tank is included, in which case return the car as empty as possible to maximise the cost savings, if it says you need to return the car full then do so, if you are asked to prepay for a tank of fuel on collection simply let them know you will bring it back full. Just be aware that it does have to be full, any more than about 10 miles less than full and they will charge you an eigth or quarter of a tank at airport fuel prices...

As you've never driven in the US before, check out this really useful guide as well to familiarise yourself with some of the differences, such as undertaking on the freeways, red light turns etc.... http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...tKC2Cg&usg=AFQjCNEwL8YyVQvvhEJo0IAa1ZRzxn7E3Q

 

[maureen4200040]

Thank you both

 

[tiny little fairy]

a compact car is fine. we are three adults who go every year and we always have a compact with no probs. We put two cases in boot and one on back seat. Don't let anyone on the car hire desk tell you the car is not big enough, as they will try to preasure you into upgrading

 

[dixonsontour]

Best tip with car hire is to book the car you want and pre pay all the insurance and a tank of fuel in uk - usually called a gold or platinum package.

eg if you book with usrentacar or netflights.

Then be confident that you are fully covered.

Also well worth joining the alamo or dollar club (free) then you are treated as a vip customer.

The people on the car hire desks can try it on - remember you are tired after a long flight. Just be firm - we have pre payed in full in england and are fully covered thank you and decline all extras.

eg they will say oh you can't fit your luggage it that it's only $7 to upgrade. But if you say yes it will be $7 a day plus tax etc.

If you are a dollar express you go to the garage to collect bypassing the desk - not sure if alamo is the same.

 

[flortlebap]

Are these companies that don't appear on price comparison s ites?

I just can't find us a good deal - we need a 7 seater, two drivers and fully comp for 15 days from 30 May. Cheapest I can find is over £400 - just not worth it!

 

[wayneg]

Are these companies that don't appear on price comparison s ites?

I just can't find us a good deal - we need a 7 seater, two drivers and fully comp for 15 days from 30 May. Cheapest I can find is over £400 - just not worth it!

Can't see you getting much cheaper than £400 for 15 nights, fully comp, 2 drivers & a tank of gas.
The gas alone is worth almost £50 in a 7 seater.

Cheapest I see with a quick search is £414.85 less 13% Quidco = £361, thats if Quidco works, it did for me last time I tried this option. Info in post #3 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...e/734198-holidayautos-discount-worldwide.html

I am waiting until tomorrow, they have 25% off USA bookings for 1 day only, not sure if it will be any cheaper though as they are already about the cheapest around.

 

[flortlebap]

Can't see you getting much cheaper than £400 for 15 nights, fully comp, 2 drivers & a tank of gas.
The gas alone is worth almost £50 in a 7 seater.

Cheapest I see with a quick search is £414.85 less 13% Quidco = £361, thats if Quidco works, it did for me last time I tried this option. Info in post #3 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...e/734198-holidayautos-discount-worldwide.html

I am waiting until tomorrow, they have 25% off USA bookings for 1 day only, not sure if it will be any cheaper though as they are already about the cheapest around.

Thanks Wayne, helpful as always!

Given the cost, we might just wing it and use the on site transport and cabs when we go off site... Just wondering, if we get there and find we can't manage without a car, could we get one elsewhere without having to go back to the airport?

 

[wayneg]

Thanks Wayne, helpful as always!

Given the cost, we might just wing it and use the on site transport and cabs when we go off site... Just wondering, if we get there and find we can't manage without a car, could we get one elsewhere without having to go back to the airport?

There are many places to hire from, Swan & Dolphin, The Wyndham (opp DTD), Disney Car Care centre to name 3.
Only problem is if you turn up and pay local prices you will pay between 2 and 3 times prebooking in the UK. We get massively discounted car rental rates here.

I can't advise if you need one or not, we wouldn't even goto Florida without a car, even if its just sat outside doing nothing I want it there if needed but I won't uses Lynx buses or taxis, I only just tolerate Disney transport from time to time.

 

[bazzanoid]

There are many places to hire from, Swan & Dolphin, The Wyndham (opp DTD), Disney Car Care centre to name 3.
Only problem is if you turn up and pay local prices you will pay between 2 and 3 times prebooking in the UK. We get massively discounted car rental rates here.

I can't advise if you need one or not, we wouldn't even goto Florida without a car, even if its just sat outside doing nothing I want it there if needed but I won't uses Lynx buses or taxis, I only just tolerate Disney transport from time to time.

LOL totally agree there!!

Where are you planning on maybe going off-site?

 

[Lisa x]

There are many places to hire from, Swan & Dolphin, The Wyndham (opp DTD), Disney Car Care centre to name 3.
Only problem is if you turn up and pay local prices you will pay between 2 and 3 times prebooking in the UK. We get massively discounted car rental rates here.

I can't advise if you need one or not, we wouldn't even goto Florida without a car, even if its just sat outside doing nothing I want it there if needed but I won't uses Lynx buses or taxis, I only just tolerate Disney transport from time to time.

Same! We would never not have a car. This will be our first time onsite and we don't plan on venturing too far to be honest and we want lots of pool days but I know we would hate not having a car, even if it is just parked up most of the time

Flortlebap - we have Pre booked ours and will be collecting it from the Hilton near DTD, I think ours is through Avis. We are getting ours on day 2 so we can enjoy the alcohol on the flight without having to worry about driving when we arrive! Wonder if it would be possible for you to book one online through a uk place from there if you need one so that you dont have to pay the higher rates?

 

[wayneg]

Wonder if it would be possible for you to book one online through a uk place from there if you need one so that you dont have to pay the higher rates?

Expedia are a good company to use for this. We had to book a last minute car hire out there when the ash cloud hit, extended our holiday 3 days but Dollar wanted over £200 to extend the car with local rates. Decided to take the original car back and book another thru Expedia.co.uk which cost about £90. With Expedia car hire you can collect as soon as you have booked and no need to print off anything, just quote res number and surname, plus they pay cashback via Quidco. They are not the cheapest but they are the easiest I have found for booking while out there at short notice.

 

[queendisney]

Given the cost, we might just wing it and use the on site transport and cabs when we go off site... Just wondering, if we get there and find we can't manage without a car, could we get one elsewhere without having to go back to the airport?

If you are staying on resort and mainly doing Disney you are fine without a car...each to their own but I really don't see the point of it just sitting there. Disney transportation, Lynx, Cabs are all perfectly fine. If you only plan to go off resort for a few times then whats the point in spending £400 when you could just cab it for a lot less. We for one, never bother with a car on resort and have never had a problem using other transportation.