Considering renting a car for first time

[wvjules]

Coming in December. It seems I can get a rental car cheaper than it will cost to take Mears for the 4 of us. How is the rental car situation at MCO? Is pick up and return pretty easy? I won't be using the car for anything other than driving to and from the airport. No plans to drive to the parks or stops at a grocery store.

 

[Frank4202]

I personally have never rented a car for my trips but my parents always did. Like you, they just used it to/from the airport.

Eventually, they stopped with price of gas, tolls, and insurance. They just weren’t getting the full value that they paid for. One time when returning the car, the rental company was very backed up and they almost missed their flight trying to return it. That was the final straw for them.

 

[artesian]

Coming in December. It seems I can get a rental car cheaper than it will cost to take Mears for the 4 of us. How is the rental car situation at MCO? Is pick up and return pretty easy? I won't be using the car for anything other than driving to and from the airport. No plans to drive to the parks or stops at a grocery store.

Really depends who you rent with. I used to be very anti Budget because their lines to get a car were always bad. Then I signed up for Fast Break and now go straight to the garage and my paperwork is there waiting for me. 3 times now using Budget and Fast Break and has been smooth sailing for me. My primary would normally be Alamo and never had much of an issue either.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Please forgive me if you have rented cars at other places, just not at Disney. I am guessing this is a first time rental.

Rental cars can be tricky. There are lots of pitfalls with rentals. I've been renting for 50 years and still am wary each time I am at that counter. As a first timer, I would recommend you do the following:

If you have AAA, that is your best bet. Call the number on your card and talk to a travel agent. You want them to be available should you run into an issue with the car, rental counter etc. If you don't have AAA, it is under $100 a year and gives you other savings and protection. They will likely help you get a name brand rental. Ask if all the household members can drive without extra costs.

Go online and get a loyalty card through the rental agency you are going with. They may treat you better. It gives you another avenue should things go sideways. You may get perks like an upgrade.

Call your auto insurance company to see how they handle an accident when you are renting so you can say NO when they try to overcharge you for insurance you already have. If you do not have a car at home or adequate insurance taking the car insurance from the rental company may be warranted. Bring a copy of your insurance policy (proof) with you.

Call your credit card company to see what coverage they offer if you have an accident. Obviously, you have to use that card for the rental. That also allows to file a claim should you be overcharged. I was charged for a car I never rented back in 2022 since there were car shortages then. I had saved a copy of the chat to cancel that car which saved me! I had to fight through my credit card to get the money back but I won. See below.

Do not pay in advance. Pay at the counter.

Ask about getting a full tank at pick up vs topping off on the way to the airport. Some agencies want you to show a receipt to prove you bought gas within a few miles of the airport. I always get a full tank and forget about it.

Don't let the counter people con you into a bigger car for more money. It likely means they do not have the size car you reserved and they are trying to get YOU to pay for the fact they have to give you the next size vehicle. The counter people are persistent so I hope you can say no. There are fewer small cars so you may get an upgrade with a small car reservation.

Inspect the car you are renting and take photos. If there is any damage to the car like windshield, dents, scratches go get someone to document them. If the interior smells like cigarettes do the same. You do not to be charged for something you did not do. Don't feel bad asking for another car in the same category.

Just a few things to consider with a rental car. We get one 95% of the time as we like the convenience. Good luck!

 

[wvjules]

Thanks Art. Good information.

Mikimini - I rent cars all the time for work, however I have never rented on at MCO. Some airports its a breeze to rent and return. Others its a PITA.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We rent all over the country. Renting at MCO is no easier or harder than other airports, I've found. If you have a membership that allows you to go right to the car, it's much better to use that.

 

[_19disnA]

Have rented cars at many airports including MCO and it is fairly easy to do. I always make an online reservation ahead of time and pre-pay. Going to the counter just to pay with a credit card means you have to needlessly wait in a long line of everyone else who is renting. If you join their rental club (each rental company calls it by a different name) you can do directly to your car and avoid the counter. DO NOT buy their 'insurance' (no matter what they call it) and fill up the gas tank prior to returning. I always walk around the vehicle when picking it up to look for any damage. Either refuse that vehicle if you see obvious collision damage or take pictures with your phone. ALWAYS get a receipt when returning the car. This avoids disputes later on regarding date/time returned along with the amount of gas in the tank and the ending mileage.

Avoid those no-name rental companies you have never heard of. They often try to trick into paying for unnecessary extras, have limited hours or might be off-site from the airport which is inconvenient and wastes more time. I have NEVER been asked to show my insurance policy at any of the major rental brands. Showing you driver's license IS common since they want proof you are the person who actually rented the car.

If the size car you rented is not available, they will provide a LARGER vehicle for no extra charge. Having a car, even at Disney makes it easier to get around if you decide to go shopping off-site or perhaps want to eat somewhere else in the area. Just a few trips using those on-line taxis can easily exceed the cost of having a rental car and gives you more flexibility in getting around.

 

[MICKIMINI]

People who do not own a car or are underinsured should think about coverage should they be in an accident. I bring a copy of proof of insurance as it is required in most states if you are in an accident. You are in another state and must abide by their laws. My brother was visiting from another state this spring and despite us having a huge driveway, a delivery truck backed into his shiny rental Jeep pick up truck. The driver was honest and rang the bell. We called the PD and they documented the damage. He called the rental company to report the damage. He didn't pay for rental car insurance and had the driver not let us know, he would have been on the hook. It had recently snowed and tire tracks clearly showed the driver backed into the Jeep so there was no fight. We took photos as well. The delivery company paid for the damage.

It is certainly a convenience to pay ahead and not wait in line, however I was charged $1600 and had to fight to get it back in 2022 for a car I cancelled. Avis had the audacity to say I never returned it, well I never picked it up. It took some effort but I did get it back through the credit card company as I had a copy of a chat which proved my case.

Most people don't think about these issues unless it happens to them. Drive safely!

 

[_19disnA]

If you drive ANY car, you should ALWAYS be carrying your driver's license and proof of insurance in the event you get stopped for some sort of traffic violation or in the event of an accident. If you are flying somewhere, you have to show your driver's license at all airports to pass through security. I don't see any reason that would be different if you are planning to rent a car. Obviously, you can't leave your driver's license at home and expect to board an airplane.

 

[wvjules]

Thanks all. I really just wanted to know about picking up and dropping off. I am a frequent traveler so I have the programs and know what to do. Was looking for insight about MCO specifically and how easy it is from plane to car and vice versa.

 

[Lewisc]

Thanks all. I really just wanted to know about picking up and dropping off. I am a frequent traveler so I have the programs and know what to do. Was looking for insight about MCO specifically and how easy it is from plane to car and vice versa.

MCO is easy. The major agencies have their cars in the garage. You don't use a shuttle bus. Make sure the vehicle size will accomodate 4 with luggage. Bring your ezpass

 

[eticketplease]

Bring your ezpass

And if you don’t have an ezpass or SunPass you can get a temporary toll thing from the Airport. This way tolls won’t be charged by Hertz, National etc.

https://visitortollpass.com/

 

[Bullseye]

Renting at MCO is easy and fast. I agree it depends who you rent with, not all rental companies are equal in price and/or convenience. I like the ones that have skip the line perk. I always drive everywhere in WDW including grocery stores. It's nice having your own wheels.

 

[sam_gordon]

Obviously, you can't leave your driver's license at home and expect to board an airplane.

Actually you can.

First, there's many IDs that will suffice that AREN'T driver's licenses: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
Second, even if your forget your ID, TSA has other ways to prove your identity (but will probably take longer)... https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequent...fication-can-i-still-proceed-through-security

 

[eticketplease]

Actually you can.

First, there's many IDs that will suffice that AREN'T driver's licenses: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
Second, even if your forget your ID, TSA has other ways to prove your identity (but will probably take longer)... https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequent...fication-can-i-still-proceed-through-security

You are both correct as @_19disnA was replying to this thread about rental cars.

Yes you can get on your plane without the DL but I’m unaware of any rental car agencies that let you rent without seeing that. I could be wrong about that and only use Hertz who even though I have it stored in my President’s Circle account insists on seeing it.

 

[sam_gordon]

You are both correct as @_19disnA was replying to this thread about rental cars.

Yes you can get on your plane without the DL but I’m unaware of any rental car agencies that let you rent without seeing that. I could be wrong about that and only use Hertz who even though I have it stored in my President’s Circle account insists on seeing it.

Of course he's right that you should have a copy of your DL and insurance available whenever you are driving any car. That's why I didn't quote that part of his post. BUT, saying you can't expect to board an airplane without a DL is incorrect.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

These are the rentals that are on site and the counter is located in the terminal. I believe all of them keep their cars in the parking structure across the street from the counters but I haven't rented from all of them.



There are a bunch more that are offsite but show up in a search for MCO car rentals. I avoid those due to some bad experiences (Fox in particular is awful).

 

[wvjules]

MCO is easy. The major agencies have their cars in the garage. You don't use a shuttle bus. Make sure the vehicle size will accomodate 4 with luggage. Bring your ezpass

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!!

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!!

One more thing that I’m not sure has been pointed out - the onsite agencies have pickup counters and cars at all three terminals - the A and B side of the original terminal as well as at the brand new C terminal. Very convenient - but also why it’s important to include your airline flight information when booking, so they know where to have “your” car waiting for you.

 

[Akck]

We first started renting during Covid and found we liked the freedom to travel off-property for meals and getting snacks for the room. We continue to rent for the same reasons. It’s relatively easy to pickup and return your rental at MCO. The only thing you’ll need to deal with is how to pay tolls. You have several options. The cheapest is to use a toll transponder. There are several available including EzPass, SunPass and Uni pass. You can also get the visitor’s toll pass at the airport. The most expensive will be to use the rental company’s pass. You can also pay cash, but some toll roads are going cashless. Beyond toll arrangements, everything else is easy as long as you’re comfortable driving in a new area. I rely on Google Maps for that.