National vs. Alamo, 8-passenger minivan, Astro vs. Sienna, coupons

[mill4023]

When I originally looked a few weeks ago, the only place I found that had 8 passenger minivans was alamo with their chevy astro vans. Now I see that National also has a category for 8-passenger minivans and it says they have Toyota Siennas. The rates for these minivans are a little higher than the standard 7-passenger vans, but not too bad. I currently have one reserved at Alamo for a total of $611(including taxes, fees, etc.) for 14 days from March 25 - April 8 using my Costco contract ID. Using the priceless code at National, I can get a Sienna for $621. I've tried to use coupons that say they are valid for minivans, but they seem to only work for 7-passenger minivans and not for the 8-passenger vans.
So here are my questions:

Are there any good reasons to choose one of these companies over the other?
Has anyone been able to use a coupon for one of these 8-passenger vans?
Which vehicle (Astro vs Sienna) would have more cargo space when all 8 seats are being used?

 

[mill4023]

I just read another Alamo thread and it seems they don't have a very good reputation. Is it worth a few more dollars to switch to National?

 

[karrit2000]

Alamo & National are really the same company. Alamo is geared for leisure travellers while National is geared toward business travellers. When you rent from either one the cars are from the same pool. You usually pay a few dollars more through National for the same vehicle. I had sworn off Alamo many years ago after several bad experiences. I always used National for my Disney trips. Since the merger, Disney partnered with Alamo instead of National so the rates are usually better if you book through Alamo. Alamo has been a little better but many of their agents try to push the extras like insurances, you just have to be firm with them. They use to tell you you had to pay for an upgrade if a car wasn't available in you class when you tried to pick up your car if you didn't want to wait for the right class car to become available. Now Alamo does what National always did, they let you take a car in the next higher available class at no additional charge.

 

[mill4023]

If the cars are from the same pool, I'm curious why Alamo says their 8-passenger vans are Chevy Astros while National lists Toyota Siennas.

 

[SB in KY]

I would not bank on getting either one of those vehicles....I rent cars for work several times a month and I can't remember EVER getting the vehicle they told you that you would have (well maybe once or twice I got a Chevy Cavalier when renting a compact and that was the vehicle pictured)....I would not base my rental decision on what they said you would get.

I would call and make sure they even have 8 passenger mini-vans on a regular basis...because unless it is a seperate car class they would be just as likely to give you a Caravan with 7 seats... I would definately get something in writing that stated 8 passengers (confirmation, etc)

The last time we reserved a minivan from Alamo when I went to pick it up they tried to give me an SUV that seated 5....I had to take a stand before they broke down and "upgraded" me to a Durango that would seat 8.

Our experience with Alamo at MCO is VERY long lines at the counter...we always do Emerald Aisle or Reserve at National at MCO that lets us bypass the counter. Don't know if that is possible in your case or not.

BTW...we have a Sienna, and you could get 8 people in it, but I do not think there is any way you could get 8 people AND all of their luggage in it, unless everyone packs very light and you put stuff under the kids feet, in laps, etc. Not sure about Astro's cargo space though.

 

[mill4023]

Thanks.
Yeah, both Alamo and National do list 8-passenger minivans as a separate car class from the 7-passenger minivans. So our reservation confirmation says 8-passenger minivan. We will need seating for 8 for the first week of our trip, but if the luggage won't fit, that's ok. We'll just have a couple of us take a cab or something. We'll all be sticking together during the week, so we'd like to be in one rental vehicle.
We'd definitely prefer a Sienna, but even if we don't get one, I think I'll go with National since so many seem to prefer their service. We used them last time with Emerald Reserve and the service was very efficient.

 

[Jimdamedic]

One more option, I got a very good rate from Thrifty for an 8 passenger full size van. I'm paying $387 for 9 days. It is an E150 which comfortably holds 8 plus luggage. That is by far the best rate I've seen for a full size van. It is a shuttle ride from the airport but it doesn't take very long.

 

[mill4023]

One more option, I got a very good rate from Thrifty for an 8 passenger full size van. I'm paying $387 for 9 days. It is an E150 which comfortably holds 8 plus luggage. That is by far the best rate I've seen for a full size van. It is a shuttle ride from the airport but it doesn't take very long.

I just checked and the estimated total for 14 days for my dates is $811 for a full-size van. I'll keep my eyes open, because it would be nice if we could all fit with our luggage, but from what I can see now, it would be cheaper to just get a regular 7 passenger minivan for us plus have my mom and sister get a compact for the week they will be there.

 

[SB in KY]

You can always just reserve the standard mini van (for7)....and ask when you go to pick it up if they have anything available that would seat 8...lots of times they have more 8 passenger SUV's sitting around than they do minivans...and see if they will let you upgrade (maybe for free, maybe for a small fee)....Your mom could have a compact reserved and if you get a bigger vehicle she can cancel her reservation without a penalty...if you can't upgrade then she could get her compact as scheduled.

 

[karrit2000]

Are you staying on disney property? If you are maybe you should have part of your group use the free Magical Express that Disney offers. If you travel light you can pool some of the luggage to be transported with the people using the service. Also when you pick up your Van at MCO look at the signs in the vehicle pickup area & you will see Alamo & National both listed on the signs when you pick up your vehicle. I also got checked in by one of the National agents once when there was a big line for the Alamo agents but that was shortly after the two merged.

 

[mill4023]

You can always just reserve the standard mini van (for7)....and ask when you go to pick it up if they have anything available that would seat 8...lots of times they have more 8 passenger SUV's sitting around than they do minivans...and see if they will let you upgrade (maybe for free, maybe for a small fee)....Your mom could have a compact reserved and if you get a bigger vehicle she can cancel her reservation without a penalty...if you can't upgrade then she could get her compact as scheduled.

The price difference between the 7 passenger and 8 passenger minvan isn't that much and regardless of how we get to the hotel on arrival day, we'd all like to be in one vehicle for the rest of the time.

Are you staying on disney property? If you are maybe you should have part of your group use the free Magical Express that Disney offers. If you travel light you can pool some of the luggage to be transported with the people using the service. Also when you pick up your Van at MCO look at the signs in the vehicle pickup area & you will see Alamo & National both listed on the signs when you pick up your vehicle. I also got checked in by one of the National agents once when there was a big line for the Alamo agents but that was shortly after the two merged.

Currently, we are planning to stay off-site for the first 8 nights for several reasons. That's the time my mom and sister will be there and we have a lot planned, including 3 days outside disney (Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Fort Lauderdale for the King Tut exhibit), so we won't be in the room much and decided to pay $65/night to stay at Marriott Village instead of $110/night at a value resort. If some good discount codes come along, we'd definitely consider moving to a value and could have several of us use ME. But if not, we'll still need a way to get all 8 of us from MCO to the hotel. The last 6 nights (after my mom and sister go home) we'll probably be at POR since we'll have more relaxed time to enjoy it.