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Choose a car??

PrincesCJM

DIS Veteran
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
1,109
A few years ago, when I rented from Budget, I was assigned a car. I was not given the option to choose one. Currently, I have a couple of rentals for my July trip, one being with Budget. Is it common practice for them to assign a car? I like being able to choose my own car, so that I can try to find one a little different and will stand out in the parking lots (odd color and/or out of state plates). My other rental is with National (using the KLM code). I've never rented with them. Do they allow you to choose your own car? That might become a deciding factor for me.
 
Hi
with Alamo you can choose your own car. I used them 2 times on our last vacation, I was able to get a flashy red car one time, and the other one there were just plain white ones to chose from, so that car didn't really stick out.
I like there system because of the car choosing, but it does not always work out.
Once, I got an Alamo car at a small counter in Miami South Beach, and there was no choice at all, beacause the car wasn't ready in time, so I got the first one that they finished cleaning, which was an Impala, (altough I reserved a moderate, and this car was huge). but still it is the comany I like best, and you they have a counter at WDW, so it is easy to return it there.

I think National might have the same sytem with letting you chose your car, because they often work together from one counter at the airports. Maybe somebody can confirm this??
Last time I used avis in 2010, they assigned you a car.

hope this is somewhat helpful
 
Yes, National lets you choose your car from the appropriate aisle. I've been through MCO many times and almost every time (not every one), there has been a VERY nice selection of vehicles including small SUVs and mini-vans. I wouldn't bank on them being there, but I've always been very happy with what I got from National at MCO.
 

Budget does not let you pick your own vehicle. You are assigned one, or they will assign you one at the counter depending on availability.

As for Alamo/National allowing you to pick a car, the process is fairly straight forward but different depending on your status. In general, you will need to go to the counter unless you sign up for their frequent renter program (which is generally free).

If signed up and preregistered, you would normally go to the aisle of the car type your rented (mid sized, SUV, Minivans, economy, etc), pick a car you like, drive it to the gate, present your documents (frequent renter card, drivers license, credit card), then drive away once you have the contract.

National has two options for their frequent renters: rows of cars in the class you rented and the Emerald Aisle. If you rented a midsized car, you can choose from the selection on the Emerald Aisle instead of the mid-sized car aisle if you want. There are generally a variety of cars there from mid sized, full sized, small SUVs, pick ups, the occasional mini van, and others. However, some people just like their mid-sized car, so they would pick from the mid-sized section. No class other than mid-sized rentals can pick from the Emerald Aisle.

Now as for MCO, not sure on their specific rules, so we'll need someone more versed at this specific location to chime in. However, the above is how Alamo/National operate, in general. The nuance is important, if you've not done it before.
 
Dollar assigned my car 3 weeks ago in Tampa... I had really hoped I could chose my own.

Dollar currently let you choose vehicles at MCO, FLL, MIA, RSW and PBI in Florida but not Tampa unfortunately. Check their website for a full list of Choice Service locations.
 


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