My Dollar Minivan Experience

[JenLovesPooh]

On June 20th, my family rented a minivan from Dollar for 11 days. We got to the counter about 5:30pm and there was one person in line so we didn't need to use fastlane. As previously reported by others, the rental clerk asked if we would like to upgrade to the Town and Country for $5/day. For us that would mean $55 extra, so we declined. We received a Dodge Sport Caravan. It was a sportier caravan, but not a grand caravan. It had two integrated child car seats. Everything was fine with it, no complaints. They tried to sell us the insurance, telling us it was $10. (Yeah right). Ten dollars per day was what she really meant. We said no, and that was the end of that. My husband did get the fuel thing where you don't have to fill up the tank before you return it. It cost $2.11 per day for that, I know we could of filled our tank for less but we had an early flight home and didn't want to screw around looking for a gas station. We used the fish code ($209/wk) and with fuel option and taxes for 11 days we paid around $480. Drop off was quick and efficient. It took us longer to unload our luggage than to get a receipt. We had a very good experience.

My only complaint is when reserving online, I was not given the choice of regular or grand caravan. In the past I always received a grand caravan and thought it would be the same. Had I not read these boards before I left I would have been ticked off about having to pay extra to receive the grand caravan. Instead, I packed more effeciently and took smaller suitcases that would fit more easily into the "regular" minivan. I plan to email dollar to suggest they make it more clear on their website which kind of minivan you are renting so there are no surprises at the rental counter.

 

[jennybobenny]

Thanks for sharing. We need to rent a minivan in November so I'm just starting to look into prices and companies. It's good to know what is being offered and for about how much money. Glad you had a positive experience.

 

[kenman64]

JenLovesPooh,

I am a little confuses regarding the regular and grand caravan. So you said that we have to pay extra if you choose a grand caravan? We going down in Aug. and had reserved a mini-van from dollar $205 week. Thanks

kenman64

 

[JenLovesPooh]

Yes, you have to pay extra now if you want the larger minivan. (I was offered the Chysler Town & Country).

In the past when I rented from Dollar I automatically got a grand caravan (I think that's all they had). This past trip I made a reservation online like I always have, but when I went to the rental counter I was asked if I would like to upgrade to the grand size caravan for $5/day.

It's basically a trunk issue. If you have alot of luggage and a stroller you might need the extra storage because its a tight squeeze in the "regular" size minivan. I'm just warning people to pack and/or budget accordingly.

 

[zulaya]

You need to actually call the 800 number and ask them to make a note in your reservation that you want an extended size. They said that they can do that but it's only a reguest and not a guarantee.

The extra money for the Town& Country is because it's considered a luxury van - leather and all the bells and whistles - not because of the extneded length

 

[travelcoupons]

Just got back from renting with Dollar.

I booked minivan online at $209/wk. Agent was very friendly and even said "boy...you sure got a good rate...they usually are a LOT more".

They gave me a GRAND caravan (my choice of color) without even requesting it. I noticed they had a lot of vans in the lot...so maybe that has something to do with it??

 

[sgtdisney]

We just got back and also used Dollar. I picked up in Ft. Lauderdale and dropped off in Orlando. We had the van for 2 weeks. I also had to pay extra for the extended length van. I kind of expected this, after what I had read here on the DIS before I left. I was told that I would get a regular length Caravan unless I wanted to upgrade to an extended length. I was offered a Grand Caravan for 5.00 extra per day. The agent explained to me that all you are confirmed for when you book a minivan is a regular length Caravan. After a little discussion, she dropped the rate to 3.50 extra per day for the extended length, so I took it as this was still cheaper than my backup reservation. When I dropped off the car in Orlando yesterday, I had to go into the counter to complete paperwork (this was unrelated.) Next to me was a couple who was being told the same thing I was told in Ft. Lauderdale. They would be given a regular length Caravan unless they wanted to pay more for the extended. It seems as if this is Dollar's new policy. The couple was even arguing that they had always rented with Dollar and never had to pay more but the agent wouldn't budge.

Bottom line, if you need the extended length and choose Dollar as your rental car company, I would plan on paying the extra if you have to have the longer van. It sounds like this is hit or miss as to how Dollar charges you. If you get the extended length and they don't charge you, consider it a plus.

I do plan on emailing Dollar on Monday to ask if this is their new policy. If it is they really need to change their website as the vehicle description for the minivan on the webpage says the vehicle has 23 cubic feet of cargo space and I know for a fact the regular length vans only have about 14 cubic feet according to Dodge's website, while the extended length is the van Dodge claims to have 23. If Dollar doesn't change this, I would think they would be opening to false advertising claims.

 

[mirlow]

Wow, that would mean that their full size car has more trunk space with 18.4 cubic feet? We leave on Tuesday and have a minivan reserved. I wonder if we should just go with a full size car instead?

 

[minnie56]

You really do need to shop around and keep shopping around!
I just had a Blazer, through Alamo, for 1 week. Picked up in Tampa.....dropped off in Orlando.
Total including fuel...was $169!!!!!!!
I had it originally booked for $229 (not with fuel) and it just went down each time I checked back!

 

[Deb8821]

I have always used national Emerald Aisle - is Dollar located right at the airport or do you have to take a shuttle to an off site location? thanks.

 

[mirlow]

Dollar is located in the airport. You go to the counter in the terminal to get your paper work and then walk across to the parking structure to pick up your car.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by mirlow
Wow, that would mean that their full size car has more trunk space with 18.4 cubic feet? We leave on Tuesday and have a minivan reserved. I wonder if we should just go with a full size car instead?

The fullsize car probably does have more cargo space than a regular length caravan if you are going to fill all the seats in the minivan with people... If you only need room for 4 or possibly 5 you can fold down the rear seat in the minivan and open up more room for luggage. However, if you do fold down the rear seat you will only have seat belts for 4 people... In my situation we needed seating for 7 and luggage for our trip from South Florida to Orlando, so I had to go with a van and I had to get the extended van.