Dollar

[chrisd596]

What have been your experiences using dollar? We have used alamo for the past 3 years but their summer rates are WAY, WAY too high.

Thanks

 

[mishoe01]

I'm going to be using them in a few weeks - my first time. Will post when I get back and let you know.

 

[sperk99]

I've always used Dollar...good rates and good service...no issues here.

 

[chrisn]

VERY Convenient! Fast Service, nice cars, cheap rates. Use them every year and love em! Love em, love em!

 

[alecam]

I just got back last night, and we used dollar. I arrived on Sunday (19th) at the desk at 10:00 am. I was the only one in line. The gentleman who I dealt with was wonderful, and we were in our car in about 7 minutes. Great service, nice Grand Caravan. Overall wonderful experience.

 

[chrisd596]

We have used Alamo all the time. Since I booked Dollar....where are they located. We are flying in on Spirit.

Also what is the procedure for returning the cars. Alamo was pretty good with just pulling up and getting out.

Thanks
Chris

 

[chrisn]

The Dollar counter is located on the ground level just down from baggage claim. You check in at the counter, walk straight out the doors, cross the crosswalk and get your car. Upon returning, drive right up the Dollar return ramp and there is a walkup window. They give you your receipt and it's a done deal.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Have always used Dollar in the past with no problems or hassles I have 2 reservations for our November trip. One with Budget and one with Dollar. Budget is cheaper, but I am thinking I may just go with Dollar once again.

 

[KarenP99]

I have always used Dollar, until this last trip (because Budget didn't charge for my husband to drive as well).

No complaints about Dollar at all, it's always been quick & easy.

Karen

 

[Maddle]

Here are my most recent experiences with Dollar:

We usually rent a compact when it is just my husband and I. Last November 2003, there were NO CARS. Can you believe that? and not just for us - there had to be a dozen people waiting. Finally, they started to release larger cars with no increase in fees, which turned out to be a great deal for us, because we had a beautiful mini-van....although it cost us about an hour of time on our short weekend trip.

While we were waiting, my husband called their customer service 800 number and complained, informing them of the number of people hanging around. (Maybe that is what caused them to finally release some of the vehicles?) We were sent a $25 certificate to be used on a future rental.

Fast forward to September 2004. Husband to meet us in Orlando, short visit planned, and compact car reserved, great rate and plan to apply the $25 certificate. Cars were available, but not being released. (Huh?) Seems only one guy assigns the cars, although multiple desk agents are processing paperwork at the same time, and he had fallen behind. Husband complained to the desk agent and the supervisor....and he was given a fabulous Chrysler Pacifica, although he had lost another hour, more or less. (I think he only paid about $40 including the certificate for three days - what a riot.)

That's two incidents in a row.....I suppose if you have reserved a larger vehicle (less demand) the process can be smoother. I would rent from them again, as I have had good and bad experiences with a number of different companies, and Dollar's prices are fair. The cars are great. Frankly, I go with the best price I can get from any of the majors, and hope for the best. (Just read the threads on other companies.)

Best wishes - it's gonna be great! Most people have had good experiences, and they always come through.

Maddle

 

[DemoBri1]

We had no problems last December with our rental for Dollar. Got a very clean and low mileage Grand Caravan minivan. The Fast Lane service got us in and out in less than 10-15 minutes, and the return was painless. An agent met us in the garage and we had a printed receipt in about 5-6 minutes.

We are renting from them again this November, and hopefully the experience will be just as painless.

Brian

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Check the dollar site right now. Rates have gone down. I went ahead and booked for $9 cheaper than earlier today. I have to wait for my FastLane # but I can call and have my ressie added. Use the MAG code.

BTW, Thrifty has also gone down. About $2/day cheaper than Dollar (using WMRT code).

 

[chrisd596]

Can't believe the rates at ALAMO. They must be nuts. For our summer vacation Alamo is twice as expensive. So at this point we will stay with Dollar.

chris

 

[SB in KY]

Just a reminder to anyone thinking of renting with Dollar...if you sign up for the Fadtlane Program (free on their website)....you get to bypass the counterline (special line for Fastlane members so you get the next available agent) AND they send you 2 coupons for a complimentary upgrade...each time we have used one I had reserved a compact and wound up with a full size SUV or a mini-van!!

Also a reminder when you are checking rates....it is a good idea with Dollar to get your first rate quote with no codes at all because often that rate comes up cheaper than the coded rates...if you get a cheap rate just back up a screen and put in the MAG code which takes 10% off of any base rate you get. I haven't found anything to beat their rates this fall for our Nov. trip and I look often.

Also for some reason their rates seem to fluctuate more than some rental agencies....it never hurts to keep checking back with them.

 

[cdrn1]

Thanks for the suggestion to keep looking at rates. I reserved about two months ago and have checked several times and rates were always higher than I had reserved. Today I checked again and I just saved almost $60 off my original reservation!
We always use Dollar when we go to WDW. We have always been pleased with the service and it's so convenient and fast.

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

Thanks for posting cruise-o-matic and others. It is a good idea to keep checking the rates. I just made a new reservation and cancelled my old reservation. Very easy by the way. It saved me another 10$! I started with a rate of 150 and now I'm down to 112$! (After taxes for an economy). I'm up to doing this more if they will be lowering their rates again!!

I have only rented with Dollar a few times and all was fine, no problems. The rate was exactly what was estimated, no surprise fees.

 

[chrisd596]

When you get better rates do you cancell the reservation and start a new reservation or do you edit the reservation?

Chris

 

[metivier]

I start a new reservation and once I get the confirmation email, then I cancel the "old" reservation.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Dollar rates went back up today. I did notice that the base MAG rate was $1 higher than the base AAA rate, but w/MAG they took 10% off at the end and it wound up being about $3 less.

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

My MAG code base rate went up from $99 to $133 this morning. I'm glad I checked rates over the week-end! Thanks everyone here for reminding me to KEEP CHECKING!

My dates are Nov 12-18 and reserved an economy - hoping to get a free upgrade.

Thanks again for great info. everyone!