Is there a Difference between Renting from Alamo or National?

[1FunMom]

They're sister companies, both with drop locations at the Car Care Center and at the Dolphin. But does one do a better job with more efficient Check-In at MCO, have better maintained cars, or better rental policies in the fine print? I found National will cost me $20 more, but wondering if that represented better service of some sort?

 

[DonnaL]

I don't know so much if one is better than the other. National, I believe, tends to cater to business customers a bit more.....however, maybe not so much from MCO/Orlando stations, since there is such a high volume of leisure travel.
We have used both with no problems. I go with whichever has the better price for that particular trip. However, we are Emerald Club members, so if the price for National is just a few dollars more (under 20), for convenience sake, we go with National since we can just zip right out to the garage and be on our way. When we use Alamo we always preregister (NOT prepay) our info so we can just use the kiosk to check-in rather than wait in line (which at the Alamo counter can sometimes be VERY long). DH waited in the Alamo line once (this was before they had the kiosks) for 1 1/2 hours and swore never again.......

 

[francie57]

There isn't really any difference at MCO since both counters are right next to each other and the cars are located in the same area. In fact, if one car isn't available for National they just send you to the Alamo line for it.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

At Orlando, the national fleet and the alamo fleet are the same. The emerald club is a nice benefit and free through mousesavers. The kiosk for alamo is the next best thing. When you return the car you will return to the same spot with either national or alamo.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yes. All of the above and I can't earn Southwest Rapid Rewards thru National.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The only difference between the two in most locations are the rates.....with Alamo usually cheaper. A car you rent from Alamo this trip could be placed in a National parking space when you return it and it's washed.

BobK/Orlando

 

[redrosesix]

The only difference between the two in most locations are the rates.....with Alamo usually cheaper. A car you rent from Alamo this trip could be placed in a National parking space when you return it and it's washed.

BobK/Orlando

Yes, and for smaller cars (economy and compacts) I find a HUGE difference in price. Since we always rent a compact, we end up using Alamo every time.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well I don't know what I was doing but Alamo was about $300 MORE than National for me--this was for the car care center or the airport. I recently found notes from December and it was the same way then. I booked National at the car care center for under $200 for a Monte Carlo size car.
Robin M.

 

[Maddle]

This week I have a compact Kia rented from Alamo Tuesday evening, March 31. My plane got in about 6 pm. There was a huge line at the Alamo counter, and very few people over at National. It just seemed to take forever for each customer, and they did not have all of the agents' terminals open for business. The pre-registered kiosks were mostly unused. (Why-oh-why did I not use them?)

Good luck - Maddle

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

This week I have a compact Kia rented from Alamo Tuesday evening, March 31. My plane got in about 6 pm. There was a huge line at the Alamo counter, and very few people over at National. It just seemed to take forever for each customer, and they did not have all of the agents' terminals open for business. The pre-registered kiosks were mostly unused. (Why-oh-why did I not use them?)

The kiosks are easy to use and don't give you any hard sell on extra insurance. Within 10 minutes you're on your way to the garage to pick out your vehicle. Joining Alamo's Quick club in advance is free and you thus have all your drivers license and credit card information pre-stored which makes the kiosk even faster. So no standing in that long line!

BobK/Orlando