Dollar compared to National

[garnet1240]

Wow, rental rates out of control this year! I needed to rent mini van for our Oct trip (3-9) and always use National. I've been watching last month and the lowest I have them is $453, with Emerald and $30 coupon..ouch! I just reserved thru Dollar Express for $303.

Will I be unhappy with Dollar Express if I'm used to Emerald Club?

Thanks!

 

[PinkTink63]

National's rates are really high this year! We usually use them and love the EA, but I'm not going to pay $200 plus more just to use it! I just booked with Dollar last night, because they are having a special in Orlando. I got our 12 day rental down to $293. I have been trying with National for a couple of months and haven't been able to get it under about $540.

 

[shoes99]

We are National Emerald Aisle members. The first week of July we rented from Alamo since it was $50 cheaper for a 4 day rental. I updated DH's profile on alamo.com. When we arrived at MCO, I went to the kiosk, but the on line check in kiosk kept giving me add'l insurance. I got impatient, so I went to the counter. We only waited 5 minutes at the counter.....no problems....I rented an intermediate, went to the Alamo intermediate aisle to pick up the car and there was a full size Chevy Malibu with 10,000 miles. We took that and were very pleased. We paid $75 for a 4 day rental.

 

[MrsPMC00]

You will be fine with Dollar. We have been using them more frequently for personal trips lately for exactly the same reason you are $$$$!!!! It is not quite as speedy as EA, but if you are an express member, it is still pretty quick.

 

[SB in KY]

We have rented from Dollar at MCO several times without any problem. Generally National is my rental agency of choice and if the price difference was $5 or 10 I would use them...but not for $100!!

I have seen several posts recently for people that have gotten minivans through Priceline for dates very similar to yours for $19 or $20/day which wound up being right about $200 after taxes and fees...it would save you another $100 if you could get it and they only book at Alamo, National, Budget, Avis and Hertz (most of the posts I saw for Sept/Oct dates had gotten National or Alamo)

 

[n2mm]

We have used Dollar a couple of times and all went well. At the counter we were pressured to upgrade, which we refused and my daughter was pressured to buy insurance, which she refused. The only other big difference is that you go to the kiosk before you get your car. They give you car keys and tell you what spot your car is in. You do not get to choose your car. I have asked that it not be white and they have made sure I get a non-white one.

 

[chickie]

Don't forget to try the codes for Dollar rentals! Mousesavers.com usually has a bunch of them to try. I used KISS2 for my trip in November and got a minivan for a total of $250.00, including fees and taxes for a 6 day trip.
We love Dollar, and (knock on wood) have always been pleased with them.

 

[garnet1240]

Thanks everyone. Even though I love EA, just can't justify that much difference. You made me feel better about Dollar. I'll keep playing with codes, maybe it will come down even more. I booked Dollar with an Orlando promo rate in their Express program, seems to come up for mini vans only.

Thanks again!