Dollar Lock Low and Go

[katallo]

I've noticed very good rates with this category. Anyone have experience with the type of car you receive? It's just the two of us, but we don't want to end up with a pick up truck. LOL

 

[houseofduck]

I have tried it twice.

The first time was at FLL. We were given a choice among three or four cars. I don't remember the choices, but we chose a Jeep SUV type that had a large area for our luggage.

The second time was at Port Canaveral. We were not given a choice here. We were given a Mazda 323.

 

[seashoreCM]

Note: Lock Low And Go is not the lowest possible rate.

(added way later) Namely, from time to time yet lower rates, such as subcompact, may be offered.

 

[katallo]

In our case, over Labor Day weekend it is much less expensive.

 

[Badamon]

Anyone care to share what vehicle they were offered at MCO for the Lock Low and Go rate? Today, this is the best rate I can find, but there are 5 of us....I am a bit hesitant and tempted all at the same time!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Since one of the options is an compact car I hope you don't get that with 5 people in your party

 

[Badamon]

Since one of the options is an compact car I hope you don't get that with 5 people in your party

That would be interesting! We'd be like a clown car. Two adults and three teenage boys! LOL Haven't booked yet. Was just wondering what they "typically" offer. I've heard that there aren't tons of compacts at MCO. Wonder if that's true?

 

[ACJT]

Since one of the options is an compact car I hope you don't get that with 5 people in your party

I thought it was mid size or higher. At least that's what it used to be. I've done it twice and gotten mini vans both times.

 

[ACJT]

Just checked Dollars site and Shelly is correct. It's now campact or larger.

 

[Echo queen]

I will check that out.

 

[nacho113]

That would be interesting! We'd be like a clown car. Two adults and three teenage boys! LOL Haven't booked yet. Was just wondering what they "typically" offer. I've heard that there aren't tons of compacts at MCO. Wonder if that's true?

Economy and Compact are actually the most popular sizes. They are so popular that they will quite often be sold out and the rental agency will first try to sell you an "upgrade" to something larger. If you decline the "upgrade" the larger vehicle is usually just given at no extra charge (since the smaller car is sold out)
If you watch prices on rental cars for awhile, you will often see mid-size or full-size actually renting for the same or less than Economy/Compact. This is because the demand for the small fuel efficient vehicle is high and expected to sell out (price goes up), whereas a FS or SUV may have lower demand and may not be looking to sell out (price goes down)

This is the reasoning behind the "Lock Low and Go" category with Dollar/Thrifty. You are basically renting at the Compact price and the rental company has the option to give you just about any vehicle that they have too many of at the time. This may be the Compact that you are paying for, or pretty much anything else they have in stock that isn't in demand at that time (Mid-size, FullSize, Standard, Premium, SUV, Minivan etc)

Hertz has a category called "Managers Special" that works the same way.

Alamo and National allow you to pick whichever car you want from the aisle size that you book. Nationals Emerald aisle can have just about anything on it, join their Emerald Club (free to join), book a midsize and pick anything from the Emerald aisle. Alamo's Full Size aisle will have FS, Premium, SUV, Minivan and sometimes Luxury or Sport models just depends what they have lots of that isn't renting. Each aisle has it's own size vehicles and often has larger size vehicles included (ie: Standard in Mid-Size aisle)

 

[mmouse50]

I did the lock and low in September at MCO. I was given a choice between about 5 different colors of a VERSA.

I was told to go to the compact aisle and make my choice.

I have done it in Houston before also - I was given a compact there also even though there were plenty of midsizes.