Car Rental advice

[FigmentSpark]

So I'm watching for a good deal on a rental. So far, Alamo through Costco seems to be giving me good prices, but then I checked out the Thrifty site. Their "pay now" prices are even better than Alamo through Costco. I was about to book the Thrifty rate when I started reading reviews on line. I had a really hard time finding a good review about Thrifty. There were comments about lazy staff, shady upsells, long lines, unavailable vehicles in the right class, etc. I don't know what to think. For an extra $50 I can get a small vehicle from Alamo, which seems to have a lot more positive reviews. And those reviews that were poor for Alamo had responses from Alamo to try to amend the issue.

So my question... have you used either Thrifty or Alamo out of MCO and what was your experience? Which would you choose? The $386 MiniVan "Pay Now" from Thrifty or the $420 Hyundai Santa Fe from Alamo through Costco? There are 4 of us and we each have a large bag and our carry ons.

 

[lynnfitz]

Hi-haven't used Thrifty, but have used Alamo quite a bit, and have had excellent service. Big perk with Alamo is that you can print out your rental agreement and go straight to the garage-avoiding the counter. When you get to the garage, you go to the aisle of the size of car you had chosen (economy, etc), then pick out your car. We go in the summer, when its' extremely busy, and never had a problem. I had owned a Santa Fe, nice size SUV-

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, I've heard that about Alamo.

Can you comment on the storage size of the Santa Fe? We would have the kids in the back seat, so only the rear section for suitcases. We will have 4. I was hoping I could at least get three in there and maybe put one between the kids, but, of course, it would be better to not have to do that. A van is too expensive, considering it's just to and from the hotel for suitcases. If I want a van, I'd have to go to Thrifty for a decent price.

 

[nacho113]

So I'm watching for a good deal on a rental. So far, Alamo through Costco seems to be giving me good prices, but then I checked out the Thrifty site. Their "pay now" prices are even better than Alamo through Costco. I was about to book the Thrifty rate when I started reading reviews on line. I had a really hard time finding a good review about Thrifty. There were comments about lazy staff, shady upsells, long lines, unavailable vehicles in the right class, etc. I don't know what to think. For an extra $50 I can get a small vehicle from Alamo, which seems to have a lot more positive reviews. And those reviews that were poor for Alamo had responses from Alamo to try to amend the issue.

So my question... have you used either Thrifty or Alamo out of MCO and what was your experience? Which would you choose? The $386 MiniVan "Pay Now" from Thrifty or the $420 Hyundai Santa Fe from Alamo through Costco? There are 4 of us and we each have a large bag and our carry ons.

You don't say when you will be travelling but we typically rent a Full Size (FS) from Alamo and you get to pick whichever vehicle you want from the FS aisle.
FS is typically a lot less expensive than looking at a Minivan or SUV.

With Alamo, you book a size class of vehicle then go out to the parking garage and pick any vehicle in that size/aisle (that you booked). If you use Alamo's online check-in, you won't even have to go to the rental counter at the airport, you just go right out to the garage to pick a vehicle.

Alamo's FS aisle at MCO will typically have FS cars but frequently has midsize SUV's and on occasion CUV's and Minivans (note: minivans are scarce during the summer months so don't expect to find one on the FS aisle in July/Aug, but it does happen occasionally)

If you could live with a FS car (but have the possibility of getting something larger), then I would look at the cost of renting a Full Size.

Also note: MCO combines the Standard aisle into the FS aisle. Basically this means that if you can book a Standard for less than a FS, book the Standard to save a few $$ and you will pick your vehicle from the FS aisle anyway.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We will be going over March break next year. How is a full size sedan for suitcases, though? We were looking at the SUV because our 28-29 inch suitcases (4) need to fit in the back, or at least 3 of the 4, I guess. Also, we'll be arriving after 10pm. I wonder how that will affect their stock of cars left for the day?

 

[nacho113]

We will be going over March break next year. How is a full size sedan for suitcases, though? We were looking at the SUV because our 28-29 inch suitcases (4) need to fit in the back, or at least 3 of the 4, I guess. Also, we'll be arriving after 10pm. I wonder how that will affect their stock of cars left for the day?

We have found that there is generally more room in the trunk of a FS car than behind the back seat of an SUV or minivan

 

[nacho113]

AD3868JST - $25 off code for Alamo, in case you didn't already have it.

 

[FigmentSpark]

AD3868JST - $25 off code for Alamo, in case you didn't already have it.

Thanks. I didn't.

 

[keatmon]

I have used pretty much all of the major rental companies at MCO and Alamo is our go to. Our last trip (April 2016) we had originally booked a great deal with Thrifty and I called the day prior to our trip to verify something (credit card hold) and my rate mysteriously doubled in price from what was on my original confirmation. After repeated calls to Thrifty and speaking to customer service, managers, etc I was told to bring my confirmation (always always bring a copy with you regardless of the rental company) and discuss it with a manager at the location where it would be up to their discretion whether they honoured the original rate. No one knew why my rate changed but it was a legitimate rate and wasn't booked with any special rate codes. The only thing I can think of is there was an error in their reservation system maybe. Anyhow, I didn't want the hassle of the potential stress of arguing with a manager after a 5 hour flight with a 19 month old so we booked with Alamo the day before our trip and got a good rate and an additional driver with the Costco code. We booked a standard car, which is a full size at Alamo, and ended up with a SUV with tons of space for our family, luggage, stroller. I was actually overcharged upon returning the car but didn't notice until I returned. A couple of emails later and the difference was quickly refunded plus a bit extra "for my hassle" as the customer service agent said. Alamo is great because you can choose the skip the counter option, enter your driver's license and credit card # online, print out your documents and head directly to the garage to choose your car. No standing in line like Thrifty.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I think I'm sold on Alamo. That's a great story about good customer service, keatmon. Your Thrifty experience sounds just like all the bad reviews I read.

 

[georgina]

I don't like to do the pay now, especially if your trip isn't until March, because the price often fluctuates. I have a rental for September which I booked a month ago, and the price has dropped twice already. (It also increased once but came back down) It is so easy when booking with Costco travel to rebook the cheaper rate and then cancel the older reservation.

We usually use Alamo for MCO, like the go straight to the car perk.

 

[crazycheryl]

Can you comment on the storage size of the Santa Fe?

We own a Santa Fe and I think you could fit 4 suitcases in the back of it. They may have to be up on on their sides (my husband says on their sides, I say they can fit lying down), but we both think it is definitely doable!

 

[FigmentSpark]

We own a Santa Fe and I think you could fit 4 suitcases in the back of it. They may have to be up on on their sides (my husband says on their sides, I say they can fit lying down), but we both think it is definitely doable!

Thanks so much. I thought it should work, but then the websites all say it's a 2 or 3 bag rental, so I started second guessing myself.

 

[smidgy]

my profile picture is my santa fe! while we put the back seat down (no kids with us) you def. will be able to fit 4 suitcase in the back

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks smidgy. DH is still not convinced. I suggested we take a couple of suitcases out to a dealership to try it out, lol. A minivan is almost double the price, so it's worth it, if it fits.

He doesn't want a full size car, as he says he's not good a puzzles and thinks trying to fit all that into, even a large trunk late at night would probably cause him to lose it. So the Santa Fe is our best option, I think.

 

[nacho113]

Thanks smidgy. DH is still not convinced. I suggested we take a couple of suitcases out to a dealership to try it out, lol. A minivan is almost double the price, so it's worth it, if it fits.

He doesn't want a full size car, as he says he's not good a puzzles and thinks trying to fit all that into, even a large trunk late at night would probably cause him to lose it. So the Santa Fe is our best option, I think.

It should be noted that the Standard SUV is listed as Hyundai Santa Fe or similar.
There may not actually be any Santa Fe's available, you may get something similar like a Ford Edge or Toyota 4Runner

 

[FigmentSpark]

Sigh. I know. It keeps me awake at night. So are those worse than the Santa Fe for space or are they about the same?

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I use Thrifty and Dollar at MCO exclusively now and have never once had an issue. I have never been given a hard upset, a simple, no right away suffices. They have always had a minivan available when book it. The only bad car rental I've ever really had was with Alamo. They didn't have a minivan for me and tried to give me a "free" upgrade to a convertible. Ummm, no I NEED a van so I booked a van.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Just remember it's a Sante Fe or something similar. I would count on three large suitcases in the rear, with the fourth between the children. For the difference in price, I'd go Alamo for the pure convenience of not having to wait on any lines. Make sure you do online check-in and you might save yourself 45 minutes based on how long the lines at Thrifty can get. No-brainer for me.....

 

[FigmentSpark]

Online check-in is a total must. I agree. It's probably one of the best reasons to choose them over Thrifty, even though Thrifty has better prices. Then again, Thrifty is really good at upselling, I hear.

Free upgrade to convertible? What's that about, lol! People don't book minivans hoping for an upgrade to a convertible.