Dollar or Avis

[kreed]

I have received the same rates on a SUV rental from both Avis and Dollar. Does anyone have experience with either one or prefer one over the other. They both appear to be located in the terminal.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Kathleen

 

[Christine]

Just picked up my van from Dollar this morning at MCO. They couldn't have been nicer. It's funny because some rental car agencies had lines (Dollar did) and some had NO ONE there (Avis was empty). I had very little wait though as I joined the Express club (free) so I was given a priority in line. It wasn't as great as National's Emerald Isle, but fine.

I got a van that has 36,000 miles on it and some dings but it is fine inside. The agent told me that ALL of the companies have cut back their fleets, are keeping their vehicles for up to 50,000 miles and you can absolutely not get a car without a ressie.

I think you'll be fine with either company. They are basically right next to each other in the terminal.

 

[kreed]

Thanks Chrisitine,
To follow up on my earlier post. I have a rate for an SUV with Avis for about 300.00 out the door. I also have a rate with Dollar for about 300.00 for an SUV but it includes Pass 24 which will take care of tolls. Any thoughts on which one I should go with and which one I should cancel. I have signed up for both Avis Preferred and Dollar Express so that is equal. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[wdwrich]

Having used both agancies in the past, I prefer Avis. We had a bad customer service experience with Dollar which keeps me from considering them at all anymore.

 

[Christine]

Thanks Chrisitine,
To follow up on my earlier post. I have a rate for an SUV with Avis for about 300.00 out the door. I also have a rate with Dollar for about 300.00 for an SUV but it includes Pass 24 which will take care of tolls. Any thoughts on which one I should go with and which one I should cancel. I have signed up for both Avis Preferred and Dollar Express so that is equal. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

I guess it depends how much driving you are going to do. I think we spent about $2 in tolls to get to Disney and will spend that on the way back.

If you are going to go up and down the toll road the pass might be worth it, if not, it's really not getting you anything.

As I said, the woman that took my reservation was really quite friendly so I cannot complain. It was very early in the morning (9:30) so I don't know how cranky they get as the day wears on! But I think that can happen from company to company. I have been to places where working with the counter person was like talking to a wall. My experience was very good today.

Between the two, I guess I"d look at each rental company's fleet and see which brand of car you like better. I always liked National because I got Toyotas. Dollar seemed to have Dodge and Chrysler products. I wonder what Avis has?

I got my van for $315 out the door (Thursday to Thursday rental). The woman told me it was a phenomenal price. Said the rental car rates right now (July) are really high.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I always rent from Avis and each time there have been no problems with their service and etc.

 

[biggroofy]

Just picked up my van from Dollar this morning at MCO.

Hi Christine,

Glad to know that Dollar worked out well for you. I have reserved a mini-van for next week there too. Since they do not required credit card at the time of booking, does it take long to fill out the paper work? I guess I can easily add car-seats, damage waiver etc at the counter?

Just curious how do you pick up the car? Do you still have to walk over to the parking lot? How would you report (if any) damages/stratches on the vehicle before you leave?

Thanks!

 

[horseshowmom]

If you use Dollar, be sure to try code OOAG to see if it helps any. It made a big difference on my daughter's rental last month.

They used Dollar Express and didn't have to wait at all. They were given the number of the space the car was parked in and walked over to the garage to get it.

They didn't say, but you generally have to drive through some kind of manned exit gate with the other rental agencies (at least the ones I've used). That's where I always inform them of any damage or problems that I see and have them mark it on the contract.

 

[biggroofy]

They used Dollar Express and didn't have to wait at all. They were given the number of the space the car was parked in and walked over to the garage to get it.

Thanks.

Here is my situation. I have booked Dollar using some other code for a mini-van to be picked up next week. I checked Dollar.com just now and all mini-van are sold out on that day.

I do not have Dollar Express, but now I intended to join. Question is, how to add my Dollar Express ID to my existing reservation (can I)?

Do I still have to visit the counter (at MCO) once I am the Dollar Express Club member? I was comparing to Emerald Club (National) which I can go straight towards the parking garage.

 

[nanceliz]

I couldn't find where you could add the dollar express number to my existing reservation.....so I just made a new reservation with the same discount code and my dollar express ID number....then cancelled my other reservation.
It was the same price.

 

[biggroofy]

I couldn't find where you could add the dollar express number to my existing reservation.....so I just made a new reservation with the same discount code and my dollar express ID number....then cancelled my other reservation.
It was the same price.

nanceliz - did you try modify existing reservation on their web site?

as mentioned - my problem is that the mini-van category is SOLD OUT on the date I picked up, thus I do not want to risk "canceling" my reservation and book a new one.

I just signed up for Dollar Express, but they send I will receive an email from them in 1-3 days. Do you guys think I can still line up in the Express queue with my Express number handy (although not hooked up with my reservation)?

 

[nanceliz]

I tried to modify/ edit my reservation first and I couldn't find where I could add an express ID number.
If they are sold out, I would keep the reservation you have. If you have an express ID number, bring it with you. Maybe you could get in the faster line. Unsure on that.
Maybe try calling the operator (toll free number)
maybe they can add an express ID to an existing reservation.
just a thought

 

[kreed]

You can call Dollar and add the express number. I called the local number on my confirmation.

 

[horseshowmom]

Thanks.

Here is my situation. I have booked Dollar using some other code for a mini-van to be picked up next week. I checked Dollar.com just now and all mini-van are sold out on that day.

I do not have Dollar Express, but now I intended to join. Question is, how to add my Dollar Express ID to my existing reservation (can I)?

Do I still have to visit the counter (at MCO) once I am the Dollar Express Club member? I was comparing to Emerald Club (National) which I can go straight towards the parking garage.

You can call Dollar and add the express number. I called the local number on my confirmation.

As kreed and the others said, call Dollar, and they should be able to add it to your reservation.

My understanding with Dollar is that you do have to go to the counter (just go to the Express line). The way it works is that when the agents see someone in the Express line, they call them up to be next. My daughter said the agent they had started to call someone from the regular line but then saw DD and her DH walk up and told the other people they would have to wait just a moment while they took care of DD.

 

[suzzzze]

I don't know how Dollar is in Orlando, but I rented from them in Denver and never again. The SUV we got full of dings, dents and rust. I was most surprised that the windows and locks were not automatic. Actually had to crank down the windows (which I haven't done in years lol) and had to remember to lock all the doors, not just push a button on the driver's door. I'm easy to please and don't let little things bother me, I was just surprised at the condition.