Dollar Car Rental/Fast Lane Questions

[Disneylvr]

We hope to go to WDW in September but are finding car rental prices to be pretty high. Dollar is much cheaper than National (even with the Disney Club discounts) but does the online Dollar quote include taxes and fees like National's quote does. And is the Dollar FastLane equivalent to National's Emerald Aisle? Thanks!

 

[zulaya]

FastLane isn't exactly like Emerald Aisle. You have to go to the counter, but they have a line just for FastLane members. They have all your paperwork ready to go and supposedly it's very fast and easy. I am planning to use Dollar myself in December for the xact reasons you are - National is thru the roof even with discounts, especially for me when I am traveling with 6 people aned we need a minivan

 

[westcliffemom]

When I was just checking on rental cars, I found that National's quote includes the other stuff, where the other's don't always. I couldn't believe the difference and was getting ready to book with Dollar, the next page added all the other stuff, and it went up almost to National's price.

 

[zulaya]

If you want to see what the extra's are going to be, just look at national's quote for fees. All on site rental agencies have to charge the same percentage fees and the same flat fees. Just take your base rate from Dollar and add those fees to get an idea of the bottom line - or call their 1-800 number if you want to know.

Just to give you an idea - i tried with national - every coupon and contract number I could for a minivan. The cheapest rate I could get with National for a week in early December was $399.89

I plugged in my dates for Dollar with one of their discount codes - FISH, I think - and tada! I get a rate of $209 - with tax it's $252 or something like that. Over $100 LESS than National's best price supposedly. And that was with me using EA too.

 

[ncbyrne]

This site has great tips and codes for rental cars in Orlando.
We are also going in September. I have a reservation with Dollar for a full size (Dodge Intrepid) for $179. The bottom line with all the added charges is $229.70 It's the lowest price I've found with any of the Orlando rental car companies.

 

[adamak]

Try FISH or ENTERTAIN. Both got me much cheaper rate in Dollars than National. I actually found the DC discount not that useful to me in National anyways, since that normally applies to bigger cars. Just keep trying.

 

[westcliffemom]

I just checked a full size car for my dates in Sept at Dollar- ENTERTAIN was $10 more than National (after the Disney club cpn/discounts) and FISH was $40 more. Plus, wouldn't you have to add to Dollar an extra driver, which you get with Emerald Aisle free? Just wondering.

 

[mbkteach]

Is there a fee associated with Fastlane at Dollar - or, is it free?

 

[TwinMom7]

When I joined Fastlane - 3 years ago - there was no fee involved. Go to their website www.dollar.com and sign up there. We've been extremely pleased each year and have always got a cheaper rate through them. Pick up and return is a BREEZE!! Last year, we had our luggage, our car and we were driving out of the airport within 30 minutes of our plane landing.

As for fees, you're usually pretty save taking the base price that Dollar quotes you, and adding on approximately $50. That will get you pretty close to what your actual amount will be (based on a 7 day rental).

Hope this helps.

 

[TwinMom7]

I just ran a quick comparison online for a convertible, which we have booked in two weeks with Dollar. All of these are "base" prices without taxes and fees. Here's the results...

Dollar $209
Alamo $325
Budget $365
National $371

National isn't even in my ballpark and after a couple of bad experiences, I'd NEVER use Alamo again.

I will be using Dollar again for the third straight year and until they do something to disappoint me, I'd highly recommend them!

 

[sweetheart2576]

I booked an intermediate car through dollar using ENTERTAIN and the price after taxes and everything was around 164 for a 7 day rental. I just checked National and was 300 and some change.