Experience with Dollar Express

[conniehar90]

They told me that if you don't enter your airline info in the reservation, you have to wait in line due to the A & B terminals. I think the same probably applies to Dollar.

Good info. I usually don't put my info in because I think it doesn't matter. But this makes total sense!

Has anyone switched the car they were assigned? We always go with National and my kids like to pick the car. But with $120 savings from Dollar, I have to go with Dollar!

 

[nilseks]

Dollar has 2 rental locations at the airport, one on A side and other on B side. How do you know which side your assigned car is waiting?

Thanks!

I'm wondering this too, and can't get an answer. Traveling this Saturday, got a good deal from Dollar so I signed up for Dollar Express last week. Just got my number, couldn't figure out how to link it to my rental online, so I called. They linked it up quickly and the guy was very polite but I asked him 3 different times/ways, how do I know which side my car will be on. He said 'Ma'am it doesn't matter just walk out of the terminal directly to the garage and your car will be there." Ummm, there was a bit of a language barrier and I'm not sure how I could have phrased it differently but I'm assuming they're not going to have a car waiting for me at each terminal so I still don't know where to go!!!

 

[summerrluvv]

I'm wondering this too, and can't get an answer. Traveling this Saturday, got a good deal from Dollar so I signed up for Dollar Express last week. Just got my number, couldn't figure out how to link it to my rental online, so I called. They linked it up quickly and the guy was very polite but I asked him 3 different times/ways, how do I know which side my car will be on. He said 'Ma'am it doesn't matter just walk out of the terminal directly to the garage and your car will be there." Ummm, there was a bit of a language barrier and I'm not sure how I could have phrased it differently but I'm assuming they're not going to have a car waiting for me at each terminal so I still don't know where to go!!!

I'm leaving before you, so if I get online I will let you know how it works out! I didn't give my flight info, and I don't really feel like calling back again, especially since like you said, there was a bit of a language barrier.

 

[nilseks]

I'm leaving before you, so if I get online I will let you know how it works out! I didn't give my flight info, and I don't really feel like calling back again, especially since like you said, there was a bit of a language barrier.

Thanks, please do update if you can.

Funny you should mention the flight info--after I typed this up I got to thinking maybe that's how they do it. I went into my account and almost had a heart attack--my rate and car was totally changed!!!!!! They had switched me from a convertible to a mid-size and the price had gone up $110. Oh, heck no! I got right back on the phone and said the guy must have done that when I called to link up my Express account. About 10 tense minutes later lol, the lady came back on and said they had it all fixed. Yikes! And so after all that do you think I could get an answer about where to pick up the car? Nope. She just said every airport varies and I should just go out to the garage. At that point I was just so happy to have my original reservation back at my original price, I got off the phone before she could screw up anything else!! I just went back and rechecked AGAIN and it's back to what it was. Whew!

 

[katallo]

I just signed up for Dollar Express and have a great rate for the car. But, I am afraid to try to link it for the same reason. Trying to decide if I want to try it or just register at the counter., I don't want to lose the rate.

 

[NHDisneyFan]

I'm wondering this too, and can't get an answer. Traveling this Saturday, got a good deal from Dollar so I signed up for Dollar Express last week. Just got my number, couldn't figure out how to link it to my rental online, so I called. They linked it up quickly and the guy was very polite but I asked him 3 different times/ways, how do I know which side my car will be on. He said 'Ma'am it doesn't matter just walk out of the terminal directly to the garage and your car will be there." Ummm, there was a bit of a language barrier and I'm not sure how I could have phrased it differently but I'm assuming they're not going to have a car waiting for me at each terminal so I still don't know where to go!!!

Go to the closest terminal side, A or B, they will have the car ready or get one quickly. Deep breaths here, it's going to work just fine.

 

[nilseks]

Go to the closest terminal side, A or B, they will have the car ready or get one quickly. Deep breaths here, it's going to work just fine.

LOL thanks! Argh, after dealing with this rate fiasco, I guess I'm just not having too much faith in Dollar. Have never used them before but I have my confirmation printed out and I'm not a shy gal who is afraid to speak her mind lol, so it will work out.

Katallo, I remember reading someone else had the same problem too. Seems like kind of a racket with Dollar. The crazy thing was, the changed it to a Dodge Avenger for $361. I'd had a convertible for $260. When I looked it up online at that time, I could have booked the Avenger online with no codes for $301. Seriously, Dollar? That's pretty shady. But, with that said, they did fix it and it seems to be okay in the system now. Fingers crossed.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

I have 2 reservations booked with the city special. I was able to join dollar express and add my express number to both reservations online. And the good news, neither one of the rates changed. Standard for 9 days 140.30 and a full size for 146.xx. Can someone give me an idea of what cars are in what class? Thanks. Looking forward to hearing how the going directly out to the garage works out for everyone!

 

[greenclan67]

How did you add them online. Same as you, I have two ressies and want to join them to dollar express.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

I tried it with the one I thought I would eventually cancel in case I had a problem. I went In to the modify a reservation, I believe it was at the very bottom of the modification page it says book it. Once I hit that it went to another page, then went to the loyalty or rewards page I believe it said and then added my dollar number and flight information. Then finished the reservation. I'll try to redo it to confirm it"....................

Ok modify reservation
Car options "modify"
Bottom of the next page "Go"
Under options "Loyalty Programs". Add dollar express number....you can also confirm that your rate hasn't changed then on the bottom modify

 

[Detailor]

I'm wondering this too, and can't get an answer. Traveling this Saturday, got a good deal from Dollar so I signed up for Dollar Express last week. Just got my number, couldn't figure out how to link it to my rental online, so I called. They linked it up quickly and the guy was very polite but I asked him 3 different times/ways, how do I know which side my car will be on. He said 'Ma'am it doesn't matter just walk out of the terminal directly to the garage and your car will be there." Ummm, there was a bit of a language barrier and I'm not sure how I could have phrased it differently but I'm assuming they're not going to have a car waiting for me at each terminal so I still don't know where to go!!!

Of course you can't really expect the customer service people with the car rental company to know the exact layout of the airport in Orlando when they work in Tulsa or some other far-flung location. Most airports aren't like Orlando with it's two different sides serving customers. Go to http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/images/maps/wayfinding_maps.pdf to see the airport layout - if your airlines come into gates 1 to 29 of 100 to 129, you're on the A side, your luggage goes to the A side luggage area carousels and transportation - including car rentals - are on that side for customer convenience; if your airlines come into gates 30-99, you're on the B side and the luggage and transportation serving those airlines are on the B side, too. The on-site car rental companies maintain operations on both the A and B sides of the airport. Let's say you're flying on Southwest Airlines - they come into the pod with gates 100-129 which is on the A side. You'll take the tram to the main terminal building and then just follow the signs to the Side A Baggage Claim area and then go down one level to cross over to the Side A parking garage where the rental cars are kept.

The best way to ensure that your car is ready for you when you get there is to indicate your Airline and Flight Number on your car rental reservation and the company will be ready for you on the appropriate side of the airport. But if you end up on the opposite side of the building they will be able to serve you there, too. Sometimes, though, you may have to wait a bit longer while they look up your reservation or if they've run out of a particular size vehicle on one side of the airport they may have to drive one over from the other side for you.

Dick Taylor

 

[summerrluvv]

Thanks, please do update if you can.

Funny you should mention the flight info--after I typed this up I got to thinking maybe that's how they do it. I went into my account and almost had a heart attack--my rate and car was totally changed!!!!!! They had switched me from a convertible to a mid-size and the price had gone up $110. Oh, heck no! I got right back on the phone and said the guy must have done that when I called to link up my Express account. About 10 tense minutes later lol, the lady came back on and said they had it all fixed. Yikes! And so after all that do you think I could get an answer about where to pick up the car? Nope. She just said every airport varies and I should just go out to the garage. At that point I was just so happy to have my original reservation back at my original price, I got off the phone before she could screw up anything else!! I just went back and rechecked AGAIN and it's back to what it was. Whew!

Went straight out to garage, saw my name on the board with my car space number, got in and drove off. Super easy!!!!

 

[NHDisneyFan]

I have 2 reservations booked with the city special. I was able to join dollar express and add my express number to both reservations online. And the good news, neither one of the rates changed. Standard for 9 days 140.30 and a full size for 146.xx. Can someone give me an idea of what cars are in what class? Thanks. Looking forward to hearing how the going directly out to the garage works out for everyone!

Full size is listed as an Altima but I too would love to hear what people are truly getting at MCO in the dollar full-size class.

 

[conniehar90]

I had to call to have my Dollar Express number added to my ressie. I tried to do it on-line but it kept jacking up my rate. I called and it was super easy to have it added. I also had them add my flight info so I assume they will now know which side I will be on.

Just hope we get a good car. We always go with National and it was my son's turn to pick the car. I haven't broken the news to him yet that the car will already be chosen for him. Couldn't pass up the $120 savings I got from the latest Dollar sale.

 

[profdsny]

We have Dollar as well, but are going to pick it up on Hotel Plaza (forget which place right now). I signed up for the Dollar Express also. What are people's experience with that location?

 

[bcuinohio]

Full size is listed as an Altima but I too would love to hear what people are truly getting at MCO in the dollar full-size class.

Me too except for a premium. The rates were so low the day I reserved I thought I would splurge.

 

[andrews_dad]

I called and linked my Dollar Express # to my ressie with no problem, and no language barrier. My lady on the other end of the phone was 100% American. Here is a tip, when you get your Express # you can call the Express phone line for members only. Shorter wait time and perhaps the reason I got a fluid English speaker??

 

[NHDisneyFan]

Full size is listed as an Altima but I too would love to hear what people are truly getting at MCO in the dollar full-size class.

We got the Altima. It was waiting for us on the correct side in stall 6 as an express member. Nice and quick.

 

[maciec]

We got the Altima. It was waiting for us on the correct side in stall 6 as an express member. Nice and quick.

Did you notice if there were any other kind of full size cars or were they all Altimas?

 

[NHDisneyFan]

Did you notice if there were any other kind of full size cars or were they all Altimas?

The car was pulled up front waiting for us, didn't see any other cars.

9:30 pm on Saturday was happy to bypass the lines in the terminal and at the outside booth. A quick stop at the checkout lane and we were on our way.