Flight arrival and rental car question?

[WendyZ]

For our vacation, our flight will arrive at 4:55 and I booked our rental car at 5:00. Is that ok? Just wondering if we will have an issue because it will be after five by the time we get out luggage and find the rental car or if god forbid our flight comes in late.
Thanks...

 

[LWQuestie]

I always book my rental car within a few minutes of flight arrival time and have not had any problems.

 

[KEVD]

You won't have a problem. They just want a general idea of when you plan to pick up your rental vehicle.

 

[BrerMama]

I think I read that it's better to book it early than late. For example, my flight lands at 11:25 am. I booked for 11:30 am because I had read about somebody reserving for noon, in my example, and getting there at 11:45 and then having to wait until noon because those 15 minutes affected the rate. It may have been a bigger difference between reserved time and the early time, but the rate is figured on when you say you'll pick up to when you say you'll drop off.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I think I read that it's better to book it early than late. For example, my flight lands at 11:25 am. I booked for 11:30 am because I had read about somebody reserving for noon, in my example, and getting there at 11:45 and then having to wait until noon because those 15 minutes affected the rate. It may have been a bigger difference between reserved time and the early time, but the rate is figured on when you say you'll pick up to when you say you'll drop off.

I had this experience last summer. I booked for 11am and was at the counter at 10:30. When the documents were handed to me to sign I checked the rate and it was double what I had on my confirmation. I questioned it and was told that because I was there early it changed the rate.....I was also told that as long as I returned the car by 10:30 it would go back to the original rate that I had booked. When I returned it did go back to the original rate and all was fine.

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks for the posts. Just wanted to check before we ended up with a mess at the counter.

 

[disney_runner]

Yep, you'll be fine with your car pick up time.

Just wanted to add that most people get their luggage first and then head down to the rental car counters. This makes for long lines. (unless you use the rental car kiosks. love those!) I always get the rental car paperwork first, then head upstairs to get the luggage. Luggage takes forever anyway, so why not fill that time by doing something useful! Just a little tip I thought I'd share.

 

[jenjolt]

Yep, you'll be fine with your car pick up time.

Just wanted to add that most people get their luggage first and then head down to the rental car counters. This makes for long lines. (unless you use the rental car kiosks. love those!) I always get the rental car paperwork first, then head upstairs to get the luggage. Luggage takes forever anyway, so why not fill that time by doing something useful! Just a little tip I thought I'd share.

WOW I never thought of that before!! That is an awesome tip!! You are right you end up waiting about 30 minutes for luggage!! I have an arrival time of 9:45pm so I booked the car for 10pm...I'm thinking I'll take your advice and head to the counter first this time!

 

[disney_runner]

WOW I never thought of that before!! That is an awesome tip!! You are right you end up waiting about 30 minutes for luggage!! I have an arrival time of 9:45pm so I booked the car for 10pm...I'm thinking I'll take your advice and head to the counter first this time!

You're welcome! The way I look at it is - the luggage isn't going anywhere, so even if it does come out quickly, it'll still be there waiting for you. Meanwhile, you get to skip ahead of all those people on your plane/MCO monorail. Win-win.

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks disney_runner, that's a great tip! I think we will be doing that.