E-Z rent-a-car

[lauti]

gmeh1........................OT............Father-in-law rented a fullsize off of Dollar at MCO this past Wednesday and they stuck him with a Volkswagon Passat.

Do you know if that is called Fullsize car in their fleet.

I did some quick checking and found out in the Canada Fleet that car is considered a standard size but in United States .........Dollar doesn't even carry that car in their fleet.

I'm thinking someone from Canada drove down to Disney in it and the people in Dollar just wanted to get the car out of their garage. He is returning the car to the Wyndham, on hotel row in Disney on Saturday next week.

Do you think we have grounds for a a complaint that they gave him the wrong size car and should get a refund of somekind?

The Passat is not a small car, I can see it being a full size.

 

[Autumnslight]

I think too since Ez rental will be less busy then either Budget or Alamo I might have a better chance getting one of the larger vans there. Just don't want the Kia or the Dodge Caravan, would be happy with either the Toyota or the Chrysler.

Just curious, why don't you want a Dodge Grand Caravan, but would be okay with a Chrysler Town & Country? I used to have a T&C, and currently have a Grand Caravan. They're literally the exact same vehicle, just with some different upgrades. But if it's space you're mainly concerned with, there's no difference (assuming the same model year). Both have the Stow-n-Go seating, which is AWESOME, and the same amount of cargo room.

 

[JimboCh]

Just curious, why don't you want a Dodge Grand Caravan, but would be okay with a Chrysler Town & Country? I used to have a T&C, and currently have a Grand Caravan. They're literally the exact same vehicle, just with some different upgrades. But if it's space you're mainly concerned with, there's no difference (assuming the same model year). Both have the Stow-n-Go seating, which is AWESOME, and the same amount of cargo room.

No real reason just wanted to try something different. Have rented a Dodge Caravan before.

Was really leaning toward the larger storage space with the Toyota Sienna. Just figured if the Toyota is not available I would settle for a T&C.

 

[Autumnslight]

No real reason just wanted to try something different. Have rented a Dodge Caravan before.

Was really leaning toward the larger storage space with the Toyota Sienna. Just figured if the Toyota is not available I would settle for a T&C.

Ah, gotcha. I wonder if the storage calculation for the Grand Caravan and T&C include the under-floor bins in the second row...it kind of doesn't sound like they do. If that's the case, then they'd have even more storage than the Sienna.

 

[gmeh1]

gmeh1........................OT............Father-in-law rented a fullsize off of Dollar at MCO this past Wednesday and they stuck him with a Volkswagon Passat.

Do you know if that is called Fullsize car in their fleet.

I did some quick checking and found out in the Canada Fleet that car is considered a standard size but in United States .........Dollar doesn't even carry that car in their fleet.

I'm thinking someone from Canada drove down to Disney in it and the people in Dollar just wanted to get the car out of their garage. He is returning the car to the Wyndham, on hotel row in Disney on Saturday next week.

Do you think we have grounds for a a complaint that they gave him the wrong size car and should get a refund of somekind?

JimboCh, To be totally honest, I don't know how Dollar rates their cars. I can tell you that just because they don't list it, does not mean they don't have it. Ask you FIL to look on his contract and see how they list it. Dollar is now owned by Hertz and Hertz has VW's in their fleet, so, it is possible that they have those. DId you ask what state the license plate is from?
I have no idea how Dollar handles complaints like this, but, if he is unhappy with the car, he could probably take it back and insist on something different. You could also call Dollar and see how they rate the car. Sorry I could not help more.

 

[JimboCh]

JimboCh, To be totally honest, I don't know how Dollar rates their cars. I can tell you that just because they don't list it, does not mean they don't have it. Ask you FIL to look on his contract and see how they list it. Dollar is now owned by Hertz and Hertz has VW's in their fleet, so, it is possible that they have those. DId you ask what state the license plate is from?
I have no idea how Dollar handles complaints like this, but, if he is unhappy with the car, he could probably take it back and insist on something different. You could also call Dollar and see how they rate the car. Sorry I could not help more.

I did call Dollar, couldn't really find the MCO Dollar number so I got the generic Dollar customer service person on the phone and they are the ones that told me they don't have Volkswagons in their fleet. That is what got me searching the Dollar web site.

If you go to the Dollar website at the top and click cars, then click search for cars you then plug in different airports you will see what cars they claim are the different size cars they carry.

When you plug in an airport from Canada you get a whole different list of cars compared to United States airports.

 

[gmeh1]

I did call Dollar, couldn't really find the MCO Dollar number so I got the generic Dollar customer service person on the phone and they are the ones that told me they don't have Volkswagons in their fleet. That is what got me searching the Dollar web site.

If you go to the Dollar website at the top and click cars, then click search for cars you then plug in different airports you will see what cars they claim are the different size cars they carry.

When you plug in an airport from Canada you get a whole different list of cars compared to United States airports.

Jimbo, I know how to check for cars at various sites. It does not change much from location to location. Heck they even list a Mitsubishi Galant and they have not manufactured that car for a couple of years they also list their convert. as a Sebring (in Canada), which was renamed a couple of years ago to a 200. They list the Mustang as a convert in the US and they offer the 200as well and they have more of those than anything. And, yes, different countries do have different cars. They don't list every single car they carry, just the "x or similar". And, it is pretty obvious they don't update the list very often. You could ask your FIL where the car is registered. Easy enough to look at the license plate. As I said, Hertz now owns Dollar and Thrifty, they share cars, Hertz has VW's in their fleet and it is possible that a Passant is in that mix.
Since they do list the Altima as full size, it would not be a surprise to find that the Passant is also a full size.
I found these numbers for Dollar @MCO: (407) 583-8000 and (866) 434-2227, not sure if you used these or not.
As I said previously, have your FIL check his contract, it should list the car type/class, also have him check the license plate, that will tell you where it is registered (I know, that was obvious) and give the numbers I gave you a call.
As to "does he have a complaint", I cannot say. I can say if he is not happy, I am sure they will switch it out for something he likes. I am surprised he took it in the first place, I believe Dollar allows you to change to something in the same class if you don't like what they select for you.
Wish I could be more help. Have a great day.

 

[gmeh1]

Ah, gotcha. I wonder if the storage calculation for the Grand Caravan and T&C include the under-floor bins in the second row...it kind of doesn't sound like they do. If that's the case, then they'd have even more storage than the Sienna.

I wondered about the under-floor bins too.
Both the Caravan and T&C are wonderful vans and while I would prefer the T&C (just cause of the bells and whistles) I would take either over the Sienna.

 

[JimboCh]

Jimbo, I know how to check for cars at various sites. It does not change much from location to location. Heck they even list a Mitsubishi Galant and they have not manufactured that car for a couple of years they also list their convert. as a Sebring (in Canada), which was renamed a couple of years ago to a 200. They list the Mustang as a convert in the US and they offer the 200as well and they have more of those than anything. And, yes, different countries do have different cars. They don't list every single car they carry, just the "x or similar". And, it is pretty obvious they don't update the list very often. You could ask your FIL where the car is registered. Easy enough to look at the license plate. As I said, Hertz now owns Dollar and Thrifty, they share cars, Hertz has VW's in their fleet and it is possible that a Passant is in that mix.
Since they do list the Altima as full size, it would not be a surprise to find that the Passant is also a full size.
I found these numbers for Dollar @MCO: (407) 583-8000 and (866) 434-2227, not sure if you used these or not.
As I said previously, have your FIL check his contract, it should list the car type/class, also have him check the license plate, that will tell you where it is registered (I know, that was obvious) and give the numbers I gave you a call.
As to "does he have a complaint", I cannot say. I can say if he is not happy, I am sure they will switch it out for something he likes. I am surprised he took it in the first place, I believe Dollar allows you to change to something in the same class if you don't like what they select for you.
Wish I could be more help. Have a great day.

He said what happened, he said a pretty customer service woman from Dollar walked the aisle with him and his brother and said oh here a Passat, she then said she really like these.

Then he ends up with it and then I hear about when he calls me from Old Key West in Disney to tell me how things are going.

He had the confirmation and I told him Nissan Altima is what you should be getting. I told him if he doesnt like it to go talk to the Dollar rental at the Wyndam on hotel row and maybe they can change it out for him right there instead of going all the way back to MCO.

I believe I called both those numbers already that you listed above and those numbers take you to the generic Dollar call center, not MCO Dollar itself.

 

[gmeh1]

He said what happened, he said a pretty customer service woman from Dollar walked the aisle with him and his brother and said oh here a Passat, she then said she really like these.

Then he ends up with it and then I hear about when he calls me from Old Key West in Disney to tell me how things are going.

He had the confirmation and I told him Nissan Altima is what you should be getting. I told him if he doesnt like it to go talk to the Dollar rental at the Wyndam on hotel row and maybe they can change it out for him right there instead of going all the way back to MCO.

I believe I called both those numbers already that you listed above and those numbers take you to the generic Dollar call center, not MCO Dollar itself.

To be honest, both the Altima and the Passant are very similar in size and capacity and frankly, I don't understand how they can be called full size, JMHO. It is Altima or similar(people seem to miss that tiny print). Impala, Malibu are also considered full size and they do have those in the fleet, I remember that much. Did you ask what the license plate reads?

 

[JimboCh]

To be honest, both the Altima and the Passant are very similar in size and capacity and frankly, I don't understand how they can be called full size, JMHO. It is Altima or similar(people seem to miss that tiny print). Impala, Malibu are also considered full size and they do have those in the fleet, I remember that much. Did you ask what the license plate reads?

Called the room, they are not in.

 

[gmeh1]

Called the room, they are not in.

I hope they are out having fun. I love OKW, was a charter member of DVC back when there was only OKW, sold it when I moved here.
Anyway, I am just curious as to where the car is registered, not important in reality. I hope you FIL can get this resolved to his satisfaction.

 

[JimboCh]

I hope they are out having fun. I love OKW, was a charter member of DVC back when there was only OKW, sold it when I moved here.
Anyway, I am just curious as to where the car is registered, not important in reality. I hope you FIL can get this resolved to his satisfaction.

Talked to my FIL, car has Florida tags on it.

Saw a tv commercial on while I was watching the Eagles Football Game...........The Volkswagon Passat is rated the #1 mid size car. How sweet is that. lol

 

[Lewisc]

Talked to my FIL, car has Florida tags on it.

Saw a tv commercial on while I was watching the Eagles Football Game...........The Volkswagon Passat is rated the #1 mid size car. How sweet is that. lol

Rental agencies have their own way of classifying cars. PP already told you the Altima and Passat both seat 5 passengers and have similar dimensions. They both belong in the same category.

 

[JimboCh]

They both belong in the same category.

Question is what category should that be? Mid-size or Full-size?

 

[Lewisc]

Question is what category should that be? Mid-size or Full-size?

Rental agencies have gotten "creative" the way the classify cars.

Both cars could (are?) be considered full size under the criteria used by the rental agencies. Both cars can seat 5 adults.

The time to complain is before you accept the car.

 

[gmeh1]

Talked to my FIL, car has Florida tags on it.

Saw a tv commercial on while I was watching the Eagles Football Game...........The Volkswagon Passat is rated the #1 mid size car. How sweet is that. lol

Thanks, that shows that they have Passat in their US Fleet.
Car rental agencies have their own way of rating the class of car.

 

[gmeh1]

Question is what category should that be? Mid-size or Full-size?

Well, the agency in question considers the Altima (or similar) to be full sized. Since the Passat is of similar size and capacity, then, the agency (NOT ME) would call the Passat a full size car.
Over the years I have watched them reclassify cars and left me shaking my head. IE: Chrysler 200 (aka Sebring) went from mid size to standard. The Sonata went from mid size to standard to full size. The Malibu went from standard to full size.
If your FIL wants to take issue with it, he might get some goodwill compensation out of it, but, I would not count on it.
I cannot wait to hear of your experience at EZ. They may have met their match in you. (NOT being sarcastic.)

 

[gmeh1]

Rental agencies have gotten "creative" the way the classify cars.

Both cars could (are?) be considered full size under the criteria used by the rental agencies. Both cars can seat 5 adults.

The time to complain is before you accept the car.

 

[JimboCh]

Well, the agency in question considers the Altima (or similar) to be full sized. Since the Passat is of similar size and capacity, then, the agency (NOT ME) would call the Passat a full size car.
Over the years I have watched them reclassify cars and left me shaking my head. IE: Chrysler 200 (aka Sebring) went from mid size to standard. The Sonata went from mid size to standard to full size. The Malibu went from standard to full size.
If your FIL wants to take issue with it, he might get some goodwill compensation out of it, but, I would not count on it.
I cannot wait to hear of your experience at EZ. They may have met their match in you. (NOT being sarcastic.)

haha.......funny you should say that. I looked for a stay park and fly hotel on buyreservations.com and found one for $153 which included parking for 10 days,

It's a marriott hotel..well I went on the Marriott site and the cost of the same package, same hotel was $272.

They also have on their web site a guarantee you will get the best rate by booking through Marriott.com directly or they will match the price plus give you 25% off that price you find.
https://www.marriott.com/hotel-prices/travel.mi The program is called Look No Further® Best Rate Guarantee
There is a form to fill it and the rules are detailed. Can't be priceline, wholesale company, etc. which buyreservation is neither.

Well I sent the form in and got a reply...........We are now staying there for $110 total which includes the 10 days parking the car we need, shuttle to and from the hotel is included.