just back--used Dollar for the 1st time

[mishoe01]

Just got back from 3 days in Orlando.....used Dollar for the first time. I signed up for the Fastlane program before I left, but didn't get my card prior to my trip---not a problem tho.

I arrived Monday at about 11am.....went straight to Dollar - all the agents were helping people, but it went quick-I don't think I even waited 5 minutes in the Fastlane line. Was on my way into the garage w/in 10 minutes. I was given a Dodge Neon 4 door car with about 14500 miles on it (I had reserved a compact car). I personally don't like Neons, but it was a good car.

I opted to return the car w/ an empty gas tank to not have to worry about finding the closest station to refuel before returning the car. They were charging $2.05/gallon....about 9 cents more than the least expensive place I found, but less than some of the stations in LBV were charging (I found one charging $2.21 per gallon CRAZY!!).

Drove the car back to the airport this morning....had to wait behind 1 car to get my receipt, and then I was on my way. I will definately rent from them again if the price is right.

Let me know if you any ?s that I may be able to answer.

 

[cranbiz]

I did the same thing about a month ago, when the gas was scarce.

They were charging 1.90 then and the stations around the airport (that had gas) were charging 1.88 or more.

I had no wait at the dollar counter, was in and out in 5 minutes. Had a Stratus, OK car (I drive a pickup so any car is inferior).
There were a couple of problems with the first car, but the girl at the booth quickly gave me another car.

Using the mousesaver codes, they were $20 cheaper than everyone else.

Just made a ressie for Nov 11th and they were $40 cheaper than everyone else.

I will continue to use them in Orlando.

 

[vasoccermom]

Thanks for your report. We're heading down in about 3 weeks and I currently have cars reservied through Dollar, Budget and Alamo...I signed up for both Fastbreak and Fastlane and lately I have been leaning towards going with Dollar. (I think I got a rate of $103 for a compact car for the week - and that's including all taxes & surcharges).

Does Fastlane have a separate counter or simply a separate line at the Dollar counter?

Your post might help me make my decision to go with Dollar easier. I still wonder just how crowded MCO is at midnight when we arrive...should be interesting!

Karen

 

[LucyStorm]

Fastlane has a separate line, but if anyone is in that line, you go to the next available agent before anyone in the other line. I had one bad experience with Dollar and a car problem, but eventually they made it right by giving me some free rental time and an upgrade. I have used Dollar about 6 times now, and would use no one else.

 

[mishoe01]

Hi Karen,

Where in NoVa are you? I'm in Montgomery County MD now, but grew up in Burke....small world!!

Dollar just has the 1 counter but there are 2 different lines - one for Fastlane members, and the other for everyone else. I've taken the late flight on United from Dulles that gets into Orlando about 1140pm before----I used Avis that time so don't remember how the other lines looked. I don't think it should be bad, but it would probably depend on how many agents they have behind the counter.

Cranbiz....thanks for your post. $ savings mean alot to me, so this experience will make it easy for me to use Dollar again if the price is right!

 

[vasoccermom]

Hi Monica!
I'm in Bristow which was just the exit past Manassas on rt. 66 until about 15 years ago...now the whole area has grown like crazy!

We're taking advantage of the new Independence Air flights which just came out (they don't even start flying IAD-MCO until Nov 3rd). They were so cheap, I really couldn't pass them up.
However my son has a travel soccer game at 3 that afternoon in Winchester so the 9:40 flight was my only option...gets us in at 11:50 if we land on time!

THanks for all the information on Dollar. I think I'm definitely leaning towards using them unless Budget comes out with something outrageously cheap. The one thing I don't like about Dollar is they make you pay for additional drivers (alamo and Budget allow one other). Not a big deal since my DH usually does the driving...

Karen

 

[beebumble]

Thanks for the input everyone
We will be using Dollar for the first time
IN 16 MORE DAYS!
yeah
have a disney nite

 

[Tink03477]

Thanks for all the info on Dollar. I am renting from them for the first time next month. Good price, $78/5 days. I went with National my last 2 times renting.
I wonder if you can tell me "where" you go to the counter for Dollar? I'm used to going over to the garage for National, getting a car in the isle and driving over to the exit gate with my papers. From the posts here I'm getting that I have to go to a counter first in the terminal? Is it by baggage? I don't remember what's down there except for Mears. After I see the people at the counter, then I go over to the garage and get a car? 1st floor, 2nd? What if I can't find a decent car over there, do I go back to the counter or is someone over at the garage as well? Sorry for all the questions, thank you for your help!
Kim

 

[cranbiz]

Dollar is on the ground level, near the shuttles. I had no trouble finding them, getting checked out and a short walk across the road to the garage.

You can either walk out the doors to the shuttle and across the road to the garage or go down to the tunnel and up 1 floor to the Dollar garage.

 

[Tink03477]

Thanks Cranbiz!
It sounds like it is located next to National and Alamo over in the garage. I hope there are people over there who work for Dollar in case I have any problems finding a car?
Thanks again!
Kim