Help with Car rental

[sersee05]

Hey guys..I need some quick help. My plans have changed at the last minute. Basically we are leaving 11/21. I had a place to stay but never heard from the person again. So now I am scrambling to find a new place. We shortened our trip.

It ended up being a blessing since with the short trip and only having some condos to choose from...it is making it a lot cheaper than I anticipated! We originally were driving from Nj....ugh but now can get the flights.

The problem is I will have to rent a car while in Disney. I have no idea how to even go about it or what discounts are best? I saw hotwire had cars for $17 a day..but I don't know what that entails.

What is the best site to rent from? I guess I would pick it up at the airport in Orlando and return it there also. Is there any tips to discounts? I don't want to spend $500 or it might be cheaper for me to drive. Won't help my stress level though..haha.

We are staying until the 26th..possibly to the 27th if the Wed. early morning flight is cheaper(which it was last night).

We have five people(2 adults, 3 kids ages 16, 11, 9). We can fit five in my husbands car which is just a nissan sedan. The three can sit in the back so I don't necessarily need a huge car.

Thanks so much!!

 

[jmasgat]

All the major car companies (Alamo/National, Dollar, Avis, Hertz, Budget, etc) are onsite in Orlando. It's very easy to rent from any of them.

I usually book directly from one of the companies (mostly Alamo, Dollar), using any discounts that I may have. Check out mouseavers.com rental car page to see latest discounts under Transportation. Also, if you have Visa or Costco, there are coupons/discounts available.

Quick check....Alamo had a rate of $159 (tax included) for intermediate if you are a Costco member. If not, Dollar has a promo for 15% off (Promo code 5c11m) and you could get up to a fullsize for $185/week.

 

[sersee05]

oh thank you! That was helpful. I have been on mousesavers so many times ..I didn't even see the discount code pages.


Ok..I hope this gets seen...I didn't want to add another thread. But I do have lots of questions. I have been doing my best to look them up. Basically I have never rented a car before. I have had one when someone hit my car, but all I had to do is sign on the dotted line and return it with gas.

I will be picking up the car at the Orlando airport. I know it's supposed to be the more expensive way, but I don't have a choice since we are staying offsite. Basically through jmasgats help..I found some codes on Mousesavers. I found National for a midsize at $91. With taxes it was for $141. I am picking it up 11/21 and returning it 11/27 very very early in the morning. Now I haven't tried all the others which I will to get the best deal. I am scouring the internet trying to catch the best deals for flights too.


So my questions:

When you get a "midsize"(I have 5 people ) and it says (avenger) next to it..I am assuming it is just trying to give you an idea of the size of car. What kind of car seems most common?

I think my insurance(I will call to make 100% sure) says I don't need to buy the rental agencies insurance. I saw someone saying they were forced into some fuel thing. Isn't the normal rule of thumb to return it with as much gas as it had when you got it?

I was having trouble with Alamos website. I was going to put in a code but was hoping to try and put an upgrade code in also? Is that possible?

What is everyones favorite rental car company?

Are most of them at the airport?

Thanks so much!!

 

[DVC California]

So my questions:

When you get a "midsize"(I have 5 people ) and it says (avenger) next to it..I am assuming it is just trying to give you an idea of the size of car. What kind of car seems most common?

When it says midsize and shows a Dodge Avenger, that does not guarantee you will get an Avenger. You will get something comparable in size (or better if they are out of midsize).

I think my insurance(I will call to make 100% sure) says I don't need to buy the rental agencies insurance. I saw someone saying they were forced into some fuel thing. Isn't the normal rule of thumb to return it with as much gas as it had when you got it?

You can choose to return the car at the same gas level at the time of rental or prepay for the entire tank ahead of time and return it near empty. Some people like the piece of mind and convenience of not having to look for gas station just before their flight.

Make sure your auto insurance covers rental cars and have a copy available just in case the agent asks for it (rare but not unheard of). You will still be responsible for your deductible if you have an accident. However, some credit cards have some insurance that could cover that.

I was having trouble with Alamos website. I was going to put in a code but was hoping to try and put an upgrade code in also? Is that possible?

Sometimes. The website will tell you if the codes, coupons, discounts aren't combinable by a rude error message.

What is everyones favorite rental car company?

National (Emerald Aisle) and Hertz (Gold Choice).

Are most of them at the airport?

The following agencies are onsite:

• Alamo
  1-800-327-9633
  
  Avis
  1-800-831-2847
  
  Budget
  1-800-527-0700
  
  Dollar Car Rental
  Domestic: 1-800-800-4000
  
  Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  (800) 325-8007
  
  E-Z Rent A Car
  (800) 277-5171
  
  Firefly Car Rental
  (407) 859-8733
  
  Hertz Car Rental
  (800) 654-3131
  
  L&M Car Rental
  407-888-0515
  
  National
  1-800-227-7368
  
  Thrifty
  (800) 367-2277