Car Rental....Can't Decide ?

[wee-haggis]

We are going in September and renting a mini van.
Must be Airport terminal pickup.
I've narrowed it down to Alamo,Dollar and National ( in that order using various codes).
I've read about so many situations with regards to horror stories involving insurance pressuring,confusion and long line ups
(we should be picking up ours about 4pm on a Tuesday).
The likes of Avis and Hertz are out of the question because of their ridiculous pricing.
I'd be interested in everyones rental experiences.

 

[mrsstats]

National would be my choice. I have never had a problem with them. Dollar would be my 2nd choice. I would pick the cheapest one and go with that

 

[jabbijo]

I know people get nervous with this, but I would check with Priceline. We are going to Florida in the fall. Called all over trying to get different prices for car rentals. Called Hertz and was quoted $401.00 for a compact car. Tried other places, but couldn't get a much better price. Did the priceline thing, and got a car (through Hertz) to levels up from the compact car for a total with taxes and fees of $257.00.

That's for 10 days, too! pick up and drop off at the airport. YOu MUST be sure that you are going, though!!

I'm thrilled with my bargain!!

 

[XStAnt]

Alamo used to have a bad reputation for long lines. But some people say that things are better since they merged with National.

Dollar has something of a reputation for pressuring for upgrades and insurance. But I rented in December and had no problem.

One way to avoid this is to join their frequent renter club. National's is Emerald Aisle, Dollar's is Fast Lane, and Alamo's is Quicksilver. I know with National's program you skip the counter altogether, go to the EA section of the pick up lot, and take any car (usually a midsize) from that section. Or you can do Emerald Reserve, and pick a specific size vehicle (i.e. a minivan). You go directly to that section of the lot a pick your car. It normally costs $50.00 to join, but www.mousesavers.com has a few links to let you join for free. It works, I just used it last month with no problem.

With all that, I usually go with the cheapest company. If they try to pressure you for insurance just tell them "no" and be firm. Make sure you know what you are covered for under your personal auto policy (call your agent if necessary) and your credit card. As for long lines, they all can have long lines at times.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jabbijo
I know people get nervous with this, but I would check with Priceline. We are going to Florida in the fall. Called all over trying to get different prices for car rentals. Called Hertz and was quoted $401.00 for a compact car. Tried other places, but couldn't get a much better price. Did the priceline thing, and got a car (through Hertz) to levels up from the compact car for a total with taxes and fees of $257.00.

That's for 10 days, too! pick up and drop off at the airport. YOu MUST be sure that you are going, though!!

I'm thrilled with my bargain!!

Hertz is offsite. Need to ride their shuttle to their offsite location.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by XStAnt
Alamo used to have a bad reputation for long lines. But some people say that things are better since they merged with National.

Dollar has something of a reputation for pressuring for upgrades and insurance. But I rented in December and had no problem.

One way to avoid this is to join their frequent renter club. National's is Emerald Aisle, Dollar's is Fast Lane, and Alamo's is Quicksilver. I know with National's program you skip the counter altogether, go to the EA section of the pick up lot, and take any car (usually a midsize) from that section. Or you can do Emerald Reserve, and pick a specific size vehicle (i.e. a minivan). You go directly to that section of the lot a pick your car. It normally costs $50.00 to join, but www.mousesavers.com has a few links to let you join for free. It works, I just used it last month with no problem.

With all that, I usually go with the cheapest company. If they try to pressure you for insurance just tell them "no" and be firm. Make sure you know what you are covered for under your personal auto policy (call your agent if necessary) and your credit card. As for long lines, they all can have long lines at times.

National and Alamo have NOT merged. They have always been sister companies. They just share space at airports and off airport locations.

EC, there is no hassle cause all your information is on file. Same with Alamo's Quick Silver.

 

[safetymom]

Have you tried AAA with Hertz? They give a very generous discount. Not a problem with using the shuttle they are very quick and you are driving out of the lot in less than 10 mins.

 

[wee-haggis]

Thanks for the replys!
I've narrowed it down further to Alamo and Dollar (within $5 of each other) .
Would appreciate opinions of users of both these companies .

1)Number of CSR's on duty
2)Speed of processing
3)Easy access to car pickup area.
4)Cleanliness and general condition of cars
5)Easy drop off procedure

These questions are over and above the afforementioned ones (ieressure to buy insurance etc).
I have used Alamo before when it was offsite and it was reasonably painless.
Is the gas tank fill-up recommended (based onto today rates)?
Does joining the likes of Quicksilver etc,really make that much difference?
Thanks again.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by wee-haggis
Thanks for the replys!
I've narrowed it down further to Alamo and Dollar (within $5 of each other) .
Would appreciate opinions of users of both these companies .

1)Number of CSR's on duty
2)Speed of processing
3)Easy access to car pickup area.
4)Cleanliness and general condition of cars
5)Easy drop off procedure

These questions are over and above the afforementioned ones (ieressure to buy insurance etc).
I have used Alamo before when it was offsite and it was reasonably painless.
Is the gas tank fill-up recommended (based onto today rates)?
Does joining the likes of Quicksilver etc,really make that much difference?
Thanks again.

My personal perference would be Alamo. I don't like having more than the cost of the rental put on my credit card. I like being able to select the car I want (from the class rented). Alamo has a very easy drop off.

I cannot say how many CSR's are on duty, I would imagine that would depend on the time of day you arrive.
I have yet to have a hassle with insurance pressure with Alamo (only one was Budget).
I like the gas option cause we use it all, and then some. The prices are close enough not to make a difference to me.
I have always had a nice clean well maintained car from Alamo.
I cannot compare much with Dollar cause I have yet to use them.

 

[XStAnt]

I can't answer your specific questions as I've only used Dollar. I had no problems. The car was clean, pick-up and drop-off were easy. I suspect any car company on site has easy access to the pick-up area and easy drop-off.

As for the prepaid gas option my vote is "no". You prepay for a full tank of gas. If the gas tank is 16.3 gallons, they charge you that rate for 16.3 gallons of gas. If you return the car when the tank is on fumes, it's not a bad thing because the per gallon price is comparable to the area and it saves time. If you return the car with half of a tank of gas you paid the rental company for an extra half tank you did not use.

Gail and I have discussed this on these boards before. She makes sure she brings the car back running on fumes. Someday I'm going to ask her to teach me this skill . For her the prepaid option works because it saves her time. Whenever I've rented at Disney I've never used a full tank of gas, so it doesn't make sense for me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by XStAnt
I can't answer your specific questions as I've only used Dollar. I had no problems. The car was clean, pick-up and drop-off were easy. I suspect any car company on site has easy access to the pick-up area and easy drop-off.

As for the prepaid gas option my vote is "no". You prepay for a full tank of gas. If the gas tank is 16.3 gallons, they charge you that rate for 16.3 gallons of gas. If you return the car when the tank is on fumes, it's not a bad thing because the per gallon price is comparable to the area and it saves time. If you return the car with half of a tank of gas you paid the rental company for an extra half tank you did not use.

Gail and I have discussed this on these boards before. She makes sure she brings the car back running on fumes. Someday I'm going to ask her to teach me this skill . For her the prepaid option works because it saves her time. Whenever I've rented at Disney I've never used a full tank of gas, so it doesn't make sense for me.

LOL, want my touring plan? Yes, it does work for us and that is a nice option for those that can make it work for them.