Car rental question - Thrifty Wild Card?

[ClapYourHands]

This will be my first time renting a car without DH. I will have our three kids - 11, 9, and almost 4. It's a long weekend trip to Legoland with resort time. Flying into MCO 5/31 and out 6/3.

A couple of months ago, I reserved a midsize for $112 at Budget, which was basically the lowest I could find back in March. Then this week, I saw a Thrifty Wild Card (compact or larger) for $73. I've got both reserved.

If we end up in the smallest car at Thrifty, I think we could fit in a compact without a problem, as DD is the only one still requiring a carseat, and we're not doing that much driving. The most we'd be in it is about an hour on the trip to Legoland, which is only one day. My kids are all good car travelers, are used to hour + trips, and will have their tablets.

Obviously, I like the price of the Thrifty better, but wondering if there is anything I should keep in mind. I've used Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise with DD, so Budget and Thrifty are both unknowns to me, but seem to be reputable brands with in-terminal pickup locations.

 

[Donna M]

I've rented from Dollar, which is with Thrifty with no problem. This past April we did the Dollar Manager's Special and got one class up, nice. Join their club, or whatever it's called so you can go right out to the car.

 

[Gena001]

This will be my first time renting a car without DH. I will have our three kids - 11, 9, and almost 4. It's a long weekend trip to Legoland with resort time. Flying into MCO 5/31 and out 6/3.

A couple of months ago, I reserved a midsize for $112 at Budget, which was basically the lowest I could find back in March. Then this week, I saw a Thrifty Wild Card (compact or larger) for $73. I've got both reserved.

If we end up in the smallest car at Thrifty, I think we could fit in a compact without a problem, as DD is the only one still requiring a carseat, and we're not doing that much driving. The most we'd be in it is about an hour on the trip to Legoland, which is only one day. My kids are all good car travelers, are used to hour + trips, and will have their tablets.

Obviously, I like the price of the Thrifty better, but wondering if there is anything I should keep in mind. I've used Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise with DD, so Budget and Thrifty are both unknowns to me, but seem to be reputable brands with in-terminal pickup locations.

I just reserved that Wild Card for September... how did your May rental turn out? I'd love to know.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I just reserved that Wild Card for September... how did your May rental turn out? I'd love to know.

We ended up doing Hertz. I signed up for a free gold membership, and used a code (possibly the one from the transportation page, but I might have googled something). Anyway, the standard rental ended up being the same price as the Thrifty wild card. And with setting up my Hertz account ahead of time, I could skip the counter, and just take my pick of any vehicles in the gold section.

 

[Gena001]

We ended up doing Hertz.

Thank you! I don't think I've ever rented from Hertz...always too expensive. Even with my AAA discount. (This trip they are about $10 more, not a big deal, but this is a tight budget/spur of the moment trip.) Looks like I'm rolling the dice!

 

[mumzie2three]

Thank you! I don't think I've ever rented from Hertz...always too expensive. Even with my AAA discount. (This trip they are about $10 more, not a big deal, but this is a tight budget/spur of the moment trip.) Looks like I'm rolling the dice!

Please check back after your trip and let us know what you got. I am eyeing Thrifty for my trip in Nov. Thanks!

 

[Gena001]

Will do. I have not had a free moment to make sure the rates haven't come down... guess I should do a quick glance. Most likely by this time, the rates will start going back up. Especially considering people may rent cars for Dorian...

 

[Gena001]

Please check back after your trip and let us know what you got. I am eyeing Thrifty for my trip in Nov. Thanks!

We are on the trip right now.... I have a nice shiny black Nissan Sentra. Even though I'm a Blue Chip member, the agent just selected the car for me. It's fine. Since I booked so late, this was the absolute best rate I could find and they had continued to rise each time I checked back.

Good luck to you!