Hertz vrs Budget

[prairiesarah]

I wasn't able to get Alamo for my dates for the vehicle type I was wanting so am looking at Budget or Hertz (currently have rentals with both and need to figure which one to drop). We've only rented with Alamo before so no experience with anyone else. Reviews of ALL rental companies seem to have drastically opposing opinions - some people had a great experience but other had horrible, horrible, would never rent there again type of experiences. Now Budget seems to have slightly more of the later than others, but that's slightly less of a consideration right now because my choices are limited.

Anyway, I am looking at two considerations.

Do either/both/neither have a skip the line and go right to the garage option? Will I be able to go right to the garage, pick from a row like Alamo, then head to the exit? I am hoping for this option as it at least gives us a chance to potentially pick which one has the best leg room in the back.

And if not, is one better than the other for wait time? I did sign up for Budget Fastbreak and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.

Also just to confirm, Hertz is in terminal right? It seems to be but also want to be 100% sure on that!

 

[DLgal]

I am loyal to Hertz for over 20 years and love them. They do have skip the counter, but on your first rental, you still have to go to the counter (I think all rental companies are like that...they have to verify your drivers license and credit card).

Hertz Gold has the feature of choosing your car from a selection of that category, when you book at least an intermediate class car. You can also choose a car from any upgraded category at arrival and pay the upgrade fee. In my experience, at major airports, Hertz has great, newish, clean cars. I like the ability to choose because if the car isn't up to par, cleanliness wise, you can find one that is.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also, if you're not travelling in the next week or so, don't give up on Alamo. People cancel reservations all the time.

Speaking of which...please do make a decision and cancel the other one ASAP .

 

[Brer Chump]

In lieu of going to the counter on your first rental, you can go to your local Hertz location and get validated there before your trip.

 

[prairiesarah]

I am loyal to Hertz for over 20 years and love them. They do have skip the counter, but on your first rental, you still have to go to the counter (I think all rental companies are like that...they have to verify your drivers license and credit card).

Thank you for your help - with Hertz, do you go to the garage, pick the car, then have to show Drivers License and paperwork at the gate before you leave? Or do they have a different system for the skip the counter? It looks like they have Online Check In so I presume I do that then can go right to the garage. I will probably go to the Hertz where I live and get my info validated as @Brer Chump suggested.

Also, if you're not travelling in the next week or so, don't give up on Alamo. People cancel reservations all the time.

Speaking of which...please do make a decision and cancel the other one ASAP .

I am still checking but not thinking its likely at this point since my rental is for 2 weeks. But still have just over 2 weeks to the trip so will keep checking. I did find a pretty good rate with Hertz and not sure Alamo will come close to that as their rates are exceptionally high for my dates. This will be the most I've paid for a car rental at MCO. And yes will most definitely cancel one in the next day. Likely the Budget rental.

 

[DLgal]

Thank you for your help - with Hertz, do you go to the garage, pick the car, then have to show Drivers License and paperwork at the gate before you leave? Or do they have a different system for the skip the counter? It looks like they have Online Check In so I presume I do that then can go right to the garage. I will probably go to the Hertz where I live and get my info validated as @Brer Chump suggested.



I am still checking but not thinking its likely at this point since my rental is for 2 weeks. But still have just over 2 weeks to the trip so will keep checking. I did find a pretty good rate with Hertz and not sure Alamo will come close to that as their rates are exceptionally high for my dates. This will be the most I've paid for a car rental at MCO. And yes will most definitely cancel one in the next day. Likely the Budget rental.

Yes, you show your DL at the exit booth, but I think they did away with paperwork.. It's all electronic. They will email you the rental agreement. They have barcodes on the sides of the car that they scan when you exit. Same deal when you return the car. It's super easy. You pull up, there are people with handheld scanners who scan you in and you're good to go immediately. Everything is handled electronically.

I use the app on my phone and they will send you text messages and notifications letting you know where to go to get your car (either the stall number or the area to pick from). Then you just get in to your pre aasigned car or pick from the Hertz Choice area (if you booked that option).

I would definitely do the gold member enrollment and stop by a local Hertz to verify the drivers license and credit card. The credit card is really the most important thing, so make sure you give them one you plan to keep for a long time and that you will ALWAYS use for car rentals. You may want to check to see if any of your credit cards offer car rental insurance collision coverage included so you can always turn that down when you rent. If you have that coverage, use that card. Also, keep in mind, if you ever have that card compromised and get issued a new card number, you will have to re verify it with Hertz Gold again before another rental. That happened to me and I had to visit the airport near me to get that done ahead of a trip. It's a super quick process, but you have to do it in person.

 

[Jimsig]

I wasn't able to get Alamo for my dates for the vehicle type I was wanting ...

Keep checking back every now with Alamo. Something might pop up if/when they adjust inventory.

Also no matter who you go with once you make your reservations with keep checking the price and if it goes down rebook at the lower price. Of course -that only works if you didn't pre-pay a non-refundable rate.

 

[prairiesarah]

I would definitely do the gold member enrollment and stop by a local Hertz to verify the drivers license and credit card. The credit card is really the most important thing, so make sure you give them one you plan to keep for a long time and that you will ALWAYS use for car rentals. You may want to check to see if any of your credit cards offer car rental insurance collision coverage included so you can always turn that down when you rent. If you have that coverage, use that card. Also, keep in mind, if you ever have that card compromised and get issued a new card number, you will have to re verify it with Hertz Gold again before another rental. That happened to me and I had to visit the airport near me to get that done ahead of a trip. It's a super quick process, but you have to do it in person.

Thanks! I will definitely go do this. Sadly my USD credit card does not include car insurance, but luckily my package policy on my vehicle does and I stopped by to get a copy of the paperwork on that today so I've got it with me.

Keep checking back every now with Alamo. Something might pop up if/when they adjust inventory.

Also no matter who you go with once you make your reservations with keep checking the price and if it goes down rebook at the lower price. Of course -that only works if you didn't pre-pay a non-refundable rate. t

I definitely will keep checking. I've been looking after my brother in laws rental as well and have re-booked his 5x now as the rate has dropped. I've got everything else organized for the trip so quite enjoy the "game" of getting the best price I can on the car rental! Last trip I managed to get my rental for 1/3 of what I had originally booked it at.