Car Rental 101 at MCO

[TCups4Me]

I am new to car renting and have one booked through Alamo for June. I have some questions about the process:

1. How important is the accuracy of my pick up and drop off times? We are booking Saturday to Saturday.

2. What if our flight is delayed?

3. How much time should we allow for dropping the car off at the airport before our flight??

4. Can you explain the process of picking a car from a row? Is there a rep there that hands off the keys once you choose?

5. Can we check in at the Alamo kiosk even if we used a coupon code and both want to be listed as drivers?

6. Any problem with bringing our own car seat and booster seat to save the money?

Thanks for your help!

 

[myhouseofmouse]

#1: Does not have to be followed to the tee...just understand that you will probably be paying a week rate PLUE any extra time on an hourly rate, so if you bring it back a few hours after your weekly rate ends you could end up paying a few extra bucks, but usuallly nothing that will break the bank.

#2 If your flight is delayed they will hold your car. (if its going to be the next day, you might want to give them the head sup.

#3 30minutes as long as you are dropping off at airport (1 hour if off site)

#4: Yes or they just have the keys sitting on the dash, you pick the car then stop and let them know which one (This is the time you want to make sure the car has no dents scraps, have the rep make are issues)

#5 I believe so. you will just have to have to give the infomration there (coupon could be an issue, but i think it will walk you thru it)

#6 No problem at all...bring it!!!

 

[myhouseofmouse]

forgot two extra tips:

#1: Don't pay extra for the "Daily" sunpass , just bring some quarters ($10 will be more then fine) and pay the tolls as you go thru them (This or purchase a Sunpass and have it sent to you. this way you can have it and use it on future trips.

#2 Do NOT pay the "Let us fill your gas for you" option, Stop at the gas station right as you leave WDW (Or hit the HESS on property) Car rentals companies will charge you up to $10.00 a GALLON of gas to fill your car when you drop it off.

Hope this helps and have a great trip

 

[safetymom]

Cars are rented in 24 hour periods. Check the contract or the website to see what the late fees are. After a few hours you could be charged for another day.

 

[TCups4Me]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[tripplanner2]

This is also my first time renting a car. With Alamo what is the deal with type of car? I looked into National and I know that if you rent a mid size you automatically get a full size. Is that the same with Alamo?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This is also my first time renting a car. With Alamo what is the deal with type of car? I looked into National and I know that if you rent a mid size you automatically get a full size. Is that the same with Alamo?

NO! And this is not the deal with National either.
If you rent a midsize you get a midsize.

If you are a Emerald Aisle member with National you MAY get a full size if there is one on the aisle, but you are not automatically upgraded Do not "assume" you will get the upgrade!

The "automatic upgrade" is for Executive Members on National and I think you have to rent 12 times a year for that!

 

[tripplanner2]

NO! And this is not the deal with National either.
If you rent a midsize you get a midsize.

If you are a Emerald Aisle member with National you MAY get a full size if there is one on the aisle, but you are not automatically upgraded Do not "assume" you will get the upgrade!

The "automatic upgrade" is for Executive Members on National and I think you have to rent 12 times a year for that!

Thank you so much. So I need to rent the full size. The difference is only $10, no need to take chances. Finally the rates came down though.