Dollar? What do you think?

[disneysmyhappyplace]

I have been reading a lot of comments lately on people having bad experiences with Dollar rent a car at MCO. Just wondering what your experiences have been lately? I have a mini van rented through them for our late August trip as they have been the cheapest, but I was getting nervous after reading reviews. We have rented through them before and not had problems . Please share your recent experiences. Thank you

 

[mdsd8700]

We have used them several times at MCO, the last time was October. So not exactly recent, but within the last year. We had reserved a mini van and there were none so they upgraded us to a full size SUV at no cost. In all the times we have used them in the past we have not had an issue.

Since things have always gone well for us, I would not hesitate to use them again and already have Dollar booked for a possible November trip as I got a decent rental price.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[sarmat1]

I have been reading a lot of comments lately on people having bad experiences with Dollar rent a car at MCO. Just wondering what your experiences have been lately? I have a mini van rented through them for our late August trip as they have been the cheapest, but I was getting nervous after reading reviews. We have rented through them before and not had problems . Please share your recent experiences. Thank you

Never had a problem with them. Ignore the reviews - for every car rental company, you'll see a whole bunch of good and a whole bunch of bad. I actually wish they'd come down in price for next month, so I could go with them.

 

[PSUGuy]

Never had a bad experience with them, I'll be looking to them for out Oct trip. My BIL and SIL joined us last Oct and got a car from them for a week for a great rate. Also, twice we were upgraded for no reason and without my asking.

Bill From PA

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

Thank you so much for all your responses. We have never had a problem with them either. I think I will stick with the reservation I have as I can't come close to the price from any other company.

 

[SamSam]

We use Dollar most of the time regardless of where we travel because their rates are generally the best. Never had any issues and will continue to use them.

We've also used Alamo, National, and Avis, our biggest problem was double charges from Alamo....so, yes complaints can be found for all car rental agencies.

I do wish Dollar had a spouse as a second driver for free, but we've managed to get by without it so far.

 

[wdwaholic]

we too have rented a minivan from Dollar for our August trip-was searching around for a cheaper rate just now and couldn't believe the outrageous prices others are charging-Budget was over 1700 for same,National was $1057 base,-closest was Alamo at$930 total-Dollar is $794 for 9 nites
Still was sticker shock -never paid this much
Trish

 

[bookwormde]

I was not comfortable with their approach it felt to scammy so I walked away form a reservation I had and ended up going with one of the majors the next day.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

I was not comfortable with their approach it felt to scammy so I walked away form a reservation I had and ended up going with one of the majors the next day.

Can you please elaborate on what felt scammy? Just curious. Thanks

 

[GrnMtnMan]

My feeling is that Dollar lies to play 'gotcha' more than other companies, and incentive-izes its employees to tack on as many fees as possible...even more than the other companies which play this game too.

Can you please elaborate on what felt scammy? Just curious. Thanks

Scammy thing 1:

I do wish Dollar had a spouse as a second driver for free

Dollar is notorious for having no way to get out of this fee and it just leaves a very bad taste, as there are many ways with at other companies to have spouse added for free. In some states charging for a spouse is illegal, so its really nickel and dime-ing.

Dollar is also part of a lousy/gouging toll service. Dollar's service is $8.99 flat fee per rental day, even if you don't go through a toll. Plus if you mistakenly go through an auto-pay lane, "a $15.00 administrative fee + toll is assessed for each infraction to a maximum fee of $105.00. These fees and tolls are charged separately after the completion of the rental."

For comparison, Alamo, National and Enterprise only charge a fee on days you use a automatic toll, and a nominal fee at that: $3.95 fee per usage day, with a $19.95 rental period maximum.

 

[horselover]

My feeling is that Dollar lies to play 'gotcha' more than other companies, and incentive-izes its employees to tack on as many fees as possible...even more than the other companies which play this game too.

Dollar is also part of a lousy/gouging toll service. Dollar's service is $8.99 flat fee per rental day, even if you don't go through a toll. Plus if you mistakenly go through an auto-pay lane, "a $15.00 administrative fee + toll is assessed for each infraction to a maximum fee of $105.00. These fees and tolls are charged separately after the completion of the rental."

You could join Dollar Express then you never have to go to the counter.

I use Dollar pretty much exclusively since Alamo seems to have stopped accepting all coupons. I like the rental companies that allow you to bypass the counter & head right to your car. Dollar's rates are consistently the lowest. I've never had a problem with Dollar & I've rented with them as recently as March & May of this year.

I've also never been charged a daily toll fee. I always bring a bag of quarters with me & go through the cash lane. Never had a problem. Not saying you haven't had a problem but my experiences have all been good & I rent from them 3-4 times a year at MCO.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

You could join Dollar Express then you never have to go to the counter.

National and Alamo both have ways to avoid counters, and I've used both. I even added my wife as an additional driver (for free!) at an Alamo kiosk last year.

Dollar's rates are consistently the lowest.

Lowest until you add on extras, like a fee to have your spouse drive the car too. At first glance, Dollar is cheapest for my trip in October, but adding $10 a day makes it uncompetitive. If you're used to companies that waive this fee for spouse, or in places where its illegal to have the fee, its a nasty surprise when you pick-up the car.

From Mousesavers:

Be aware that most Dollar Rent a Car locations, including the Orlando airport location, charge a premium on additional drivers, even if they are a spouse or domestic partner. Typically the cost is about $10 per day.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

You could join Dollar Express then you never have to go to the counter. I use Dollar pretty much exclusively since Alamo seems to have stopped accepting all coupons. I like the rental companies that allow you to bypass the counter & head right to your car. Dollar's rates are consistently the lowest. I've never had a problem with Dollar & I've rented with them as recently as March & May of this year. I've also never been charged a daily toll fee. I always bring a bag of quarters with me & go through the cash lane. Never had a problem. Not saying you haven't had a problem but my experiences have all been good & I rent from them 3-4 times a year at MCO.

I have never been charged for tolls or the sunpass system? It isn't needed yet in the Orlando area. However, in other areas if Florida you must have a sun pass because that is the only way to pay. Maybe that is why others were charged for the toll system? Other rental companies also charge for the toll system in other area of Florida too not just dollar. I agree with you that dollars rates are consistently lower. I cannot beat their rate on a mini van this year! At $64 dollars per day I haven't seen any other company come close! Minivan rental cost are crazy this year!

 

[keishashadow]

I have been reading a lot of comments lately on people having bad experiences with Dollar rent a car at MCO. Just wondering what your experiences have been lately? I have a mini van rented through them for our late August trip as they have been the cheapest, but I was getting nervous after reading reviews. We have rented through them before and not had problems . Please share your recent experiences. Thank you

reviews are subjective, other than a glaring issue, often negative car rental ones come from those who aren't frequent renters of vehicles. not to say their complaints aren't accurate, but moreso it's the nature of dealing with rental companies in general

As to aggressive sales tactics at the counter, easy way to avoid is to approach it and state up front that you are declining all extra charges. No need to repeat yourself or go thru each option as an line item. rental car companies are in business to make money. If they can upsell an uninformed consumer they will, same as any other industry. Rarely, do people pay the same rate for most travel components of a trip (air, car, hotel, even food via coupons/groupons).

That said, is Dollar the company requesting the gas receipt upon return? Found my lowest price thru them recently for upcoming trip.

My feeling is that Dollar lies to play 'gotcha' more than other companies, and incentive-izes its employees to tack on as many fees as possible...even more than the other companies which play this game too.

Scammy thing 1:
Dollar is notorious for having no way to get out of this fee and it just leaves a very bad taste, as there are many ways with at other companies to have spouse added for free. In some states charging for a spouse is illegal, so its really nickel and dime-ing.

Dollar is also part of a lousy/gouging toll service. Dollar's service is $8.99 flat fee per rental day, even if you don't go through a toll. Plus if you mistakenly go through an auto-pay lane, "a $15.00 administrative fee + toll is assessed for each infraction to a maximum fee of $105.00. These fees and tolls are charged separately after the completion of the rental."

For comparison, Alamo, National and Enterprise only charge a fee on days you use a automatic toll, and a nominal fee at that: $3.95 fee per usage day, with a $19.95 rental period maximum.

I received an email in May that Alamo would start to charge for extra driver/spouse early June. No idea if National is following suit. Last I looked Budget still offered the extra driver 'free' but rates I've found negated any savings.

It was my understanding that that the FL toll proviso didn't apply to Orlando as stated below\/

I have never been charged for tolls or the sunpass system? It isn't needed yet in the Orlando area. However, in other areas if Florida you must have a sun pass because that is the only way to pay. Maybe that is why others were charged for the toll system? Other rental companies also charge for the toll system in other area of Florida too not just dollar. I agree with you that dollars rates are consistently lower. I cannot beat their rate on a mini van this year! At $64 dollars per day I haven't seen any other company come close! Minivan rental cost are crazy this year!

we had issue with finding a reasonably priced minivan rental for past January. booked via hotwire (got hertz) and saved hundreds of $s. Received a new mini van, only issue was waiting in long line in the terminal.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

I was looking at Hotwire, definitely cheap but I got nervous because you don't know what rental company you are going to get. I don't want to end up with a no name rental car company

 

[keishashadow]

I was looking at Hotwire, definitely cheap but I got nervous because you don't know what rental company you are going to get. I don't want to end up with a no name rental car company

check their site for current list of participating

a google produces this:

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar (International only), Hertz and National.

For nondiscounted regular-rate rentals, Hotwire offers cars from a broader range of car-rental agencies. You will see the agency name prior to completing your reservation

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I received an email in May that Alamo would start to charge for extra driver/spouse early June. No idea if National is following suit.

Alamo took the free additional driver away as an automatic perk in its 'Alamo Insiders' loyalty program. There are still may codes out there that include a free driver, like Costco.

National has not yet followed suit, and a free additional driver is still listed as a perk of its Emerald Club loyalty program.

Even Hertz, Dollar's parent company, has free driver as a perk of their free loyalty program.

The bottom line is that Dollar stands pretty much alone in making people pay this fee.

 

[keishashadow]

Alamo took the free additional driver away as an automatic perk in its 'Alamo Insiders' loyalty program. There are still may codes out there that include a free driver, like Costco.

National has not yet followed suit, and a free additional driver is still listed as a perk of its Emerald Club loyalty program.

Even Hertz, Dollar's parent company, has free driver as a perk of their free loyalty program.

The bottom line is that Dollar stands pretty much alone in making people pay this fee.

If another rental car company's best rate is $10 a day higher than what Dollar or Alamo will charge, it's a wash. Even better for those who don't require a 2nd driver. I'd rather have them eliminate it/make it ala carte if they would lower the rate accordingly...as if they would lol.

thanks, no Costcos in my neck of woods. other codes I've found for Alamo that offer the free driver haven't produced a good rate for me, even the car & driver one that used to work well.

Rental cars used to be the one component of travel you could snag a great deal with some research. Hertz, Avis & National's rates (non KLM code) have been crazy high even with various codes in MCO market for some time. Even factoring in Dollar's extra driver fee they are substantially less expensive for my travel dates YMMV.

 

[WiscMomof2]

That said, is Dollar the company requesting the gas receipt upon return? Found my lowest price thru them recently for upcoming trip.

In June we were not asked for a receipt when we returned our car (we had it just in case!)

 

[GrnMtnMan]

If another rental car company's best rate is $10 a day higher than what Dollar or Alamo will charge, it's a wash. Even better for those who don't require a 2nd driver. I'd rather have them eliminate it/make it ala carte if they would lower the rate accordingly...as if they would lol. thanks, no Costcos in my neck of woods. other codes I've found for Alamo that offer the free driver haven't produced a good rate for me, even the car & driver one that used to work well. Rental cars used to be the one component of travel you could snag a great deal with some research. Hertz, Avis & National's rates (non KLM code) have been crazy high even with various codes in MCO market for some time. Even factoring in Dollar's extra driver fee they are substantially less expensive for my travel dates YMMV.

my beef with this fee is that it is a pure money grab. In virtually every other aspect of life, a husband-and-wife are a single legal entity. We are on the same car insurance policy, share a checking account, a single tax return, own a home jointly, and would both be held liable in the event of some sort of accident. Legally, we are not adding any more risk to the car rental transaction by having both of us listed as authorized drivers.

Some A la carte travel fees at least make some sense, because putting a bag in the cargo hold, for example, involves an employee doing something additional for a customer, relative to other customers. Dollar does nothing additional when both my wife and I drive a car, but wants to be paid for allowing us to do so. That stinks.

I would pay the fee if I found that the daily rates were that much less expensive than dollars competitors. But I think the case most often in Orlando is that people see the low-price. And dollar is banking on uninformed tourists not paying attention to the fine print and then being able to charge a pretty hefty premium that makes Dollar quite a bit more expensive than other providers who have similar, at first glance, rates.