Car Rentals...Help I feel like an idiot!

[lejaf]

In the past we have booked package deals that include a car, but this time I am booking everything separately and my big problem is the car. I have no idea what a good rate is.

So, Question #1: Where do you find a good car rental rate and what do you consider a good rate to be for a full sized car that will fit a family of 5 (3 small kids)?

Also, a few years ago we rented from Alamo and we had to take a shuttle from the airport to get our car. It took forever and the lines were outragious and I swore I'd never rent from them again. Then we rented from Avis and the car was right at the airport and it took all of 10 minutes to rent and pick up the car. So, I'd like to rent from Avis or any other company that keeps the cars right at the airport.

So, Question #2: Besides Avis, what other companies have their cars right their in the garage?

It seems there are so many added charges and taxes...I'm not sure what is reasonable and what might just be thrown in there.

So, Question #3: Are all the taxes and surcharges going to be the same for all companies or do some companies add stuff...what should I be on the look out for????

Thanks!

 

[CRCrazy]

Actually, Alamo is now the official car rental for WDW, and they have joined up with the sister company National on site at MCO. Although they are still operating as separate companies, they are sharing counter and garage space. No more Alamo shuttle!

The other car companies I know of on site are Avis, Dollar, L&M, and Budget, I believe.

I have rented at MCO from National, Emerald Aisle, and Dollar. If you are renting from Dollar - definitely join Fastlane! It's free, and can save you a ton of time waiting in line! We were able to bypass the line, about 10-15 people long. No one else was in the Fastlane!

Emerald Aisle was, of course, the fastest. No line at all, just pick your car, then proceed to the booth!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Alamo is now onsite, as is National, Budget, Dollar, L&M (would not rent from them on a bet)and Avis.
www.mousesavers.com has a lot of codes and hints and codes. I would try there.
All the taxes and surcharges for on airport rentals are the same, just as all the offsite taxes and surcharges are the same.

You could also put a bid out on priceline.com However, you cannot change or cancel any bid accepted by them and they charge you immediately.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says...................................You should be able to get a mid size for about $149 for seven days, meaning $200 after fees and taxes. This is a good rate, but not a steal.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................Just picked a week in May for fun on orbitz. Rates for the known companies start at $155 and $162, but went as high as $250, all before fees.
L@M was only like $89 but as Gail said, I wouldn't try it!

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I am so glad I checked here first. I am an ALAMO quicksilver member - now they are on site it is even better.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Rpsemont]

OK - why not L&M? I've booked with them a month ago. Recent reviews on the boards were all positive although there was refence made to some problems with expedia reservations last year. The only thing I did notice was that their full size was ford Taures or similiar where I think other agencies might call that a mid-size. But I'm saving well over $100. I made the reservation right with them. ANd have my confirmation from them. So, do I still have to worry? Should I do a back-up?

Lejaf - to answer your questions, I agree the orbitz is a good place to start - I gives you non special rates across the board. Then you can visit other sites to get codes - or check out the transportation board here and see what you come up with. We've used priceline and gotten some good rates too.

 

[kayeandjim00]

We always use Budget and have been really happy with the cars and the service. And we have only waited at the most 5 minutes at the counter. We got a compact car they call it a "Ford Escort or similar" for $240.00 including surcharges for 10 days. I thought that was a great deal. I just went through the Budget.com website. Hope this helps!

 

[blossomz]

Check on whether or not you have any memberships anywhere. I am a teacher and found a great rate through the education assoc. I found a similar rate at Sams Club. Good luck!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

OK - why not L&M? I've booked with them a month ago. Recent reviews on the boards were all positive although there was refence made to some problems with expedia reservations last year. The only thing I did notice was that their full size was ford Taures or similiar where I think other agencies might call that a mid-size. But I'm saving well over $100. I made the reservation right with them. ANd have my confirmation from them. So, do I still have to worry? Should I do a back-up?

It has been reported that they force you to take their insurance if you don't bring your insurance card, they pass off cars of a lower class as higher : IE tell you it is a full size, when in reality, it is a compact or intermediate. There have been reports that the cars are not in very good mechanical shape. I personally have had a virus sent to me via an email from them (luckily I keep my antivirus program up to date and it did not harm), their customer service is very poor. It took me days to get an answer about one very easy question and that question was did they give discounts to AARP members. Out of frustration, I cancelled my reservation and went with National, at the same price, btw.
Budget does list a Taurus as a full size car, btw.
If the search function is enabled today, do a search on this company.
There have been reports of them overbooking so that when you get there you can either upgrade, with a charge, or take what they give you.
As to your question about worrying or doing a back up, that is up to you, but, I will say, if it were me, I would find a much better rental rate, use Priceline, check out Mousesavers.com for hints and cancel that ressie, immediately. But, that is me.
I sure don't want to worry you,but, I would hate to see you have a bad time at the beginning ( or at anytime) of your vacation.
For the record, I have booked a full size car for early Feb. for a week, the rate, including all taxes and fees, 143.66. This is through National on their Emerald Aisle. I used the AARP code and a 15.00 coupon found on the net to get this rate, which seems to be dropping daily. It will be interesting to see what the actual price is (after all the drops) by the time I get there, I do know it won't go up.
Good luck and if we can help, let us know.

 

[perd]

Dollar is what I saw everyone recommending, so that's what we went with. We were there the week of Christmas so didn't get a good deal like we could have otherwise. When our three kids we drove a minivan and also rented minivans any time we went somewhere. That way no one has to touch anyone else! Dollar has some special going on about minivan rentals, although it wasn't available at Christmas when we needed it.

Check this out: http://www.mousesavers.com/groundtrans.html

and click on Dollar for codes. Try them all and see what you come up with.

 

[lejaf]

Thanks everyone....lots of suggestions..I need to go do some searches now! I appreciate everyones input!

 

[lejaf]

Just wanted to thank you all again. I went to Mousesavers and used a combination of codes and coupon numbers and came up with a decent rate. Today I looked again and played some more with codes and coupon numbers and came up with another rate $20 cheaper. Since we aren't going until March, I'll keep looking and see if I come up with any more discounts! It was overshelming at first, but now it's a challenge!

Thanks again for the mousesavers suggestion...it really is full of discount suggestions!

 

[dahess]

We used Dollar. $200.00 a week for a Dodge Intrepid. There is so much more trunk room in an Intrepid than a mini-van. My brother got a mini-van & he ended up putting 2 of his suit cases in our car. We each are married & have 3 kids. Have fun planning your trip.

Fastlane at Dollar is the way to go.

 

[mom o'2princesses]

Thanks for the post. I was able to get the $199 mini van deal for a week in April through Dollar with the promo code, as listed in mousesavers.com. Great deal! We're going to need a minivan with 2 kids in carseats and their grandparents comng along.

 

[kilee]

I actually use breezenet (www.bnm.com) or www.autorentalguide.com for all of our rentals. We have a Buick Century reserved for 2 weeks in February. The price after tax is $306.00. It is with National through autorentalguide.
I tend to like Alamo better for one reason. No hidden fees. They do not require a large deposit (like Budget) and I have never had them push me with the addtional insurance. Almost all personal auto insurance policies have clauses that cover the you when driving a rental car.

 

[RobinLyn]

IMHO, stay away from L&M unless you want headaches like the ones GAIL listed. Stick with the national rental dealers (Avis, Budget, Dollar, National, Alamo are all onsite) at MCO and you will more than likely be satisfied/happy with your rental. Vacation is not a time for problems and that's what you will get at L&M. I know a few people here have had good experiences but I'm not one of them.

 

[hercamore]

One more thing that I don't believe has been mentioned.

BE sure to fill the tank when you leave Lake Buena Vista for the airport. Otherwise the rental place will charge you close to $4. a gal for thegas you used.

Tell them at the counter you will be filling your own tank so it's noted on your reservation papers.


herc.

 

[Gillian]

Good advice about the gas! There isn't a gas station near the airport that I could find.

National also shows you all fees & taxes in the price quote.

 

[kilee]

Okay I even made my own post earlier today about the good rate I had gotten. However, after reading the other posts, I went back to mousesavers and searched under rental car discounts. I was able to get really good codes for Alamo, and now have a comparable car for the same time frame for even $35.00 less. Every little bit adds up.