Irrational fears as a first timer

[Ali and boyz]

Hi Paul

Who are you flying with ? just wondering if they would phone Dollar for you

I still panic about going through immigration, hate it to be honest and this is our 10th time so you are def. not alone. we have an unusal surname and I panic they so no you can't get in. once you have done it this year you will be a dab hand at it.

they won't bother about Paul being out of school and I bet there will be loads of kids on your flight

can you not get a cc before you go. I had to get one last week and I got it within the week. I thought Dollar always had to take a imprint of your card regardless if you have paid the full insurance, however, I could be wrong.

good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[MorningGlory]

Hi Paul

Who are you flying with ? just wondering if they would phone Dollar for you

I still panic about going through immigration, hate it to be honest and this is our 10th time so you are def. not alone. we have an unusal surname and I panic they so no you can't get in. once you have done it this year you will be a dab hand at it.

they won't bother about Paul being out of school and I bet there will be loads of kids on your flight

can you not get a cc before you go. I had to get one last week and I got it within the week. I thought Dollar always had to take a imprint of your card regardless if you have paid the full insurance, however, I could be wrong.

good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hi Ali

Im not so worried now about the immigration thing now, since I know im not alone in that one

About the CC. I know its sorta cutting off my nose to spit my face, but I point blank refuse to use one so it isn't really an option (my stupid dad and the principles he instilled ).

I just hope we get to pay the cash deposit. I've been reassured enough by the people here and the girl I booked it from not to take too much notice of the ignoramus I spoke to earlier

Forgot to add, I booked the hire independently from the holiday with Virgin.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I understand your principles about a credit card but maybe you have to weigh up which is worse. Get a card - only use it for this deposit and cut it up when you get home or get to the Dollar desk, find they won't take cash and end up car less?

Personally I'd go for the former....

 

[wicket2005]

Hi Ali



About the CC. I know its sorta cutting off my nose to spit my face, but I point blank refuse to use one so it isn't really an option (my stupid dad and the principles he instilled ).

QUOTE]


Credit cards can be used sensibly. We use ours basically as a debit card and everytime we use it we just put aside that amount of money to pay for the bill at the end of the month which gets paid off in full.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Following on from what Tiggernut Jadie said - could you not get a credit card just as a back up - so still plan to pay a cash deposit - but then just have the card incase they flatly refuse the cash when you are there - at least then you do have an emergency backup option???

I can totally understand not wanting a credit card ( I wish I'd never started using one! ) and hopefully you would be able to avoid using it - but would it not be worth having it there just in case the cash deposit doesn't work - it would save alot of worry wouldn't it??

 

[Madjock]

On the CC I too would go with getting one as a back up plan, if it's not required and your cash is good enough then you could cut it up as soon as you get to your hotel room so you won't be tempted (especially with all the lovely stuff in Florida ) but at least you would have peace of mind before travelling that one way or another you will definitely be getting your car!

On the child front, seriously you have nothing to worry about, I too have travelled with both my DDs to several places including Florida without my DH and as I still use my maiden name we don't even have that in common but I have never been questioned, ever.

Go and enjoy your holiday and don't forget to come back and tell us all about it!

 

[Ali and boyz]

if it helps Paul I dont use my cc just have it for going to america. don't use it over there either but with America being, in my opinin, the cc country of the world we have always been advise to have one.

reason I got one last week is because my sons account got cleared (he is only 16) luckyly because it was fraud he got it back a week later but the bank has advised me to pay for online stuff by cc to stop this happening to me.

could you not get one and basically only use it for the car hire (as in them swiping it) only.

 

[MorningGlory]

Thanks for all the advice folks I'll definitely give it some thought over the weekend.

I'll get a pasting from my friends if I do though, as I am always taking the moral high ground on this particular subject lol.

It's nothing to do with not wanting to fall into the debt trap - I just hate the thought of giving ANY credit company any credence by using one of their products.

 

[carolfoy]

Paul - i can't believe its just 20 days for you, you must be bursting!

 

[MorningGlory]

Paul - i can't believe its just 20 days for you, you must be bursting!

Trying in vain to contain it carol

The most important thing of course, is only 10.5 working days left!!

 

[nbodyhome]

Firstly, immigration at MCO. Although I have never at any time been in trouble with the police, I have this stupid fear that somehow, for some reason, I am going to be denied entry to the US.

Be glad you aren't going through Philly - that is where I came through two weeks ago (and I'm an American). I was ready to go back to Europe after dealing with them - at least England and France welcomed me with open arms! I felt so sorry for the foreigners going through Philly.

MCO has always seemed pretty reasonable to me - hopefully it won't be a problem at all for you.

 

[Ali and boyz]

Trying in vain to contain it carol

The most important thing of course, is only 10.5 working days left!!

can't wait to read your trip report, really interested to see what you think if it all

 

[juliebro]

Be glad you aren't going through Philly - that is where I came through two weeks ago (and I'm an American). I was ready to go back to Europe after dealing with them - at least England and France welcomed me with open arms! I felt so sorry for the foreigners going through Philly.

MCO has always seemed pretty reasonable to me - hopefully it won't be a problem at all for you.

We always fly via Philly and it hasn't really been an issue - but when we went last month it did seem to take longer than normal. We definitely seemed to be in the queue for the officer who was taking the longest time with everyone. We swapped queues in the end and were among the last to go through.

Then when we finally got to the desk, the officer seemed to have a real problem with me. He kept asking me if I had ever been known by any other name. It turned out that there was no record of me having been on the flight. DH was ok - there was a record of him.

I was sent to 'secondary inspection'. It was pretty scary - I was thinking that I might get deported or be 'detained'! While I was at the desk in the seconday inspection area, a guy was marched in who was cuffed at the wrist and ankles! I heard the guards referring to him as 'the prisoner'.

Seems that my details hadn't been entered at Manchester airport! The guy on the desk then ran some checks. He said I would be ok as long as I hadn't been in any trouble with the police! I assured him I hadn't and tried to look nonchalent, but inside my stomach was churning. Finally, he seemed satisfied that I wasn't a threat to US security and allowed me through. By this time the baggage collection area was deserted and we found our bags and made our way to our connecting flight. Such a relief!

Julie

 

[nbodyhome]

Then when we finally got to the desk, the officer seemed to have a real problem with me. He kept asking me if I had ever been known by any other name. It turned out that there was no record of me having been on the flight. DH was ok - there was a record of him.

I was sent to 'secondary inspection'. It was pretty scary - I was thinking that I might get deported or be 'detained'! While I was at the desk in the seconday inspection area, a guy was marched in who was cuffed at the wrist and ankles! I heard the guards referring to him as 'the prisoner'.

Julie

Oh, my! I am sorry for your issue. I can't even imagine! You'd think a ticket would be enough proof.

I flew through Philadelphia first a number of years ago (2002) and it was fine. That was the last time, until 2 weeks ago. It was the way they were barking orders - so many of them, from the x-ray machine to where everyone was herded in for passports and such. I don't think they take into account that many people have been up a long time, and you just don't need to yell.

Then again, we had a flight attendant yelling on our flight, I should have been used to it by then.

The only problem I had with Orlando coming back in the last few years is once they went through my bag and didn't zip it. I wasn't happy about that. But I do sometimes get a "welcome back". Travelling to England and France (I prefer to fly actually into London, since it's straight over on VA or BA) is a lot friendlier and at least more effiecient than coming back here. It amazed me how quickly I landed in France and was through to my bags.

 

[scottishsue]

I remember the first time we went Paul, and afterwards I wondered what all the fuss was about. Everything went so smoothly.

No-one will question you taking your son out of school - we have taken our 2 boys out of school every time and no-one bats an eyelid !!

Wish I was going as soon as you - you have to give us a great report of your trip when you get back. I'll be looking forward to it.

Give my love to Mickey

 

[ANTSS2001]

1st ~ignorant person at the Dollar car

2nd ~Also, since I booked it through a private agent who works from her home and it will be around 12 midnight in the UK, there is probably no chance of me getting to contact her if I have any problems.

Am I worried for no reason?

answers to:

1st: I am not familiar with the cash thing... but my only advice is make sure you check your charges at the end of your trip... just sharing my previous experience with DOLLAR ... This past April, I booked with DOLLAR since they had a good deal online (I always use either ALAMO,NATIONAL,Enterprise and stupid me I got lured to do otherwise), by the time we got to the desk of DOLLAR at MCO we were told that the economy car I originally booked were out but they will upgrade me to the next level without extra fee. Which sounds really good. And also I always take the bumper to bumper insurance for the "just in case" situation. By the time we returned and was in a hurry to rush to get on board... only when I was on the plane I realized they charged me for the price of the upgrade and their insurance wAs $10 more than the other car rentals I have been to. So now I am trying to have them refund me for the upgrade but it has been a month and am getting the run around...

2nd: when are you arriving ? if you need me to grab anything online just in case your stuck I can do that for you... we do this alot, like one time... AVIS at MCO explained we dont have any reservation even after the fact that I have my paperwork with me and they did not want to honor it... I called my friend who was at work... browsed the internet grab a package .. called me for the reservation number and just moved along to the next desk... just a thought... (unless am also at the WORLD then I guess this wont work )

~timmy

 

[MorningGlory]

Thanks timmy, thats really nice of you to offer I'll have my laptop with me so if im having problems, I should be able to get online with that. Im sure everything will be fine though


Well.....sorta sure

Oh, we arrive on June 14th....2 and a bit weeks

 

[edinburghlass]

We arrive on the 10th June, two weeks today

 

[ANTSS2001]

Thanks timmy, thats really nice of you to offer I'll have my laptop with me so if im having problems, I should be able to get online with that. Im sure everything will be fine though


Well.....sorta sure

Oh, we arrive on June 14th....2 and a bit weeks

COOL... and the offer still stand just in case you need it... just PM away!! Thats what DIS Family are for And June 14th I will def'ly be in my neighborhood unless mom decides to surprise us that she wants to trek the world..

 

[MorningGlory]

Okay, now im definitely feeling much better about this!!

I was poring over the voucher earlier that I got from the agent (Florida Homes & Travel based down south), and noticed that they had done the booking through a separate company, Worldwide Cars (also based down south). I had never realised this before...

So, I had a look on their website and found a contact number. Phoned them up and spoke to a nice lady who, after speaking to her manager, assured me that they do hundreds of rentals a week through Dollar at MCO, and they definitely accept the $250pw cash deposit!!

She promised I would have no problems at all, so for that fact alone I am now convinced everything is okay. Also, I still have the transfer booked with Virgin, so we agreed that in the "highly unlikely" event that I do have a problem, I have to call her straight away the next day and she will make sure I get a car, and it gets delivered!



The reassurance from everyone on here has been great, but to hear it from the agent who was absolutely convinced I wouldn't have a problem, it has really set my mind at ease

And has removed the need for the dreaded CC