NEVER AGAIN…

[gparr]

…will i rent a vehicle from within the MCO terminals. We arrived last night - Terminal C. Waited in line for 1:40 for our reservation. After that was told they were closing and had to train it over to AB terminals. Went to B side and waited another 1:30 with 1 person working. Took a chance and left and walked over to the A side…literally walked right up and got my car. From now on…off property for me…cheaper and i am now guessing. QUICKER for a minor inconvenience!

 

[dizneedoll]

What car rental company was it? I use skip the line with Alamo and there isnt any waiting. Im sorry you had such ridiculous long waits.

 

[tobikaye]

I was going to say I had a breeze with National a couple weeks ago. Going directly to the car is the away to go, no lines.

 

[leebee]

If you read the reviews for the off-airport car rental agencies, you might conclude that waiting in line for an hour isn't the worst car rental related issue that can happen!

 

[_19disnA]

Probably good idea if you join one of those 'skip the line' clubs most rental companies have and you go directly to your car. I agree that offsite brings a whole other set of issues if you look at various threads on here.

 

[DLgal]

In the year 2023, nobody should be waiting in rental car counter lines.

Pick a company. Join their preferred customer program and never wait in line again. Walk to your car and leave, every time.

 

[sam_gordon]

In the year 2023, nobody should be waiting in rental car counter lines.

Pick a company. Join their preferred customer program and never wait in line again. Walk to your car and leave, every time.

I'm with Hertz. I've been to some airports that have the "big board" telling you where to go, and I've also been to other airports that don't... you HAVE to go to the counter.

 

[DLgal]

I'm with Hertz. I've been to some airports that have the "big board" telling you where to go, and I've also been to other airports that don't... you HAVE to go to the counter.

I've also used Hertz exclusively for over 20 years. I've never once had to wait in line at a counter. I've been getting my cars assigned via the app (tells me the stall number) for at least the last 7 years. Last couple years, they just tell me to pick whatever car I want from the Gold Choice aisle. I only visit Corporate owned locations.

 

[eticketplease]

I've also used Hertz exclusively for over 20 years. I've never once had to wait in line at a counter. I've been getting my cars assigned via the app (tells me the stall number) for at least the last 7 years. Last couple years, they just tell me to pick whatever car I want from the Gold Choice aisle. I only visit Corporate owned locations.

Well I’m President’s Circle and had to go to the counter at MCO during Easter as they gave our car away and there were not any large SUV’s to choose from. They did fix the issue and got one for us but we still had to go to the counter and wait. Luckily nothing like OP

 

[sam_gordon]

I've also used Hertz exclusively for over 20 years. I've never once had to wait in line at a counter. I've been getting my cars assigned via the app (tells me the stall number) for at least the last 7 years. Last couple years, they just tell me to pick whatever car I want from the Gold Choice aisle. I only visit Corporate owned locations.

I'm sure it's location specific. I just got back from a trip where I flew in Shreveport, LA. I went to the counter, they looked me up, told me spot 23 and handed me the keys. If I could have gone straight to the car, the keys would have been in the car. There was no Gold Choice/Presidents Choice, it was just spots 1-30(?).

That's my point... you can't say one should never have to go to the counter.

 

[DLgal]

I'm sure it's location specific. I just got back from a trip where I flew in Shreveport, LA. I went to the counter, they looked me up, told me spot 23 and handed me the keys. If I could have gone straight to the car, the keys would have been in the car. There was no Gold Choice/Presidents Choice, it was just spots 1-30(?).

That's my point... you can't say one should never have to go to the counter.

Maybe I should have qualified my first response about never needing to go to a counter with "at a major international airport like MCO." I have never even been to a Hertz location where the keys are not in the car all the time. I once picked up a car at the LAX location at 2:30 in the morning and there wasn't even a manned office. It was closed. I got in my car and there was exactly one employee stationed at the exit to check my drivers license, and I left. Not sure what would have happened if I needed some kind of assistance.

The point I am trying to make is, considering this is a Disney board and most people are flying into MCO, it is VERY easy to set your car rental situation up to avoid what the OP went through. This airport is a zoo 24/7/365. Two things can make your trip SO much easier and a lot of people just fail to consider them:

TSA Precheck

Joining a Rental Car company loyalty program ahead of time

Save yourself the hassle by opting into these things ahead of time.

 

[sam_gordon]

Maybe I should have qualified my first response about never needing to go to a counter with "at a major international airport like MCO." I have never even been to a Hertz location where the keys are not in the car all the time. I once picked up a car at the LAX location at 2:30 in the morning and there wasn't even a manned office. It was closed. I got in my car and there was exactly one employee stationed at the exit to check my drivers license, and I left. Not sure what would have happened if I needed some kind of assistance.

The point I am trying to make is, considering this is a Disney board and most people are flying into MCO, it is VERY easy to set your car rental situation up to avoid what the OP went through. This airport is a zoo 24/7/365. Two things can make your trip SO much easier and a lot of people just fail to consider them:

TSA Precheck

Joining a Rental Car company loyalty program ahead of time

Save yourself the hassle by opting into these things ahead of time.

Totally agree. But this board is used for locations other than Disney, AND by inexperienced travelers. I didn't want people to get the impression you can skip the counter EVERYWHERE. That's all.

I agree, when/where you CAN, it's wonderful.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

As much as I hate Hertz,
I have always just walked the garage and got in my car and left…. When down there for business…

 

[DLgal]

As much as I hate Hertz,
I have always just walked the garage and got in my car and left…. When down there for business…

A lot of people hate Hertz, but they have been amazing for us for many, many years. I always feel like we are on the verge of a terrible experience with them, given our luck up to this point. I am always a little on edge when I need to rent a car, because I hear nothing but bad things about them. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's smooth sailing with my car rental later this month.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

A lot of people hate Hertz, but they have been amazing for us for many, many years. I always feel like we are on the verge of a terrible experience with them, given our luck up to this point. I am always a little on edge when I need to rent a car, because I hear nothing but bad things about them. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's smooth sailing with my car rental later this month.

Hertz, used to be my favorite!
Then they got bought,
Now they are my last resort!
They usually are ok if you have status at a large airport…. Try them at a small airport and you’ll hate them too

 

[sam_gordon]

Try them at a small airport and you’ll hate them too

I've done Shreveport, LA and State College, PA, you don't get much smaller. Haven't had an issue.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I've done Shreveport, LA and State College, PA, you don't get much smaller. Haven't had an issue.

Try Lancaster SC
Norwood MA
Concern NH

 

[MKay]

After reading just a few posts here, please tell me the best way to rent a vehicle from MCO to Disney's Car Care Center, for just one day...and best rental agency (easiest to deal with) and how to make it all go smoothly? TIA

 

[Ralph&Pam]

After reading just a few posts here, please tell me the best way to rent a vehicle from MCO to Disney's Car Care Center, for just one day...and best rental agency (easiest to deal with) and how to make it all go smoothly? TIA

To use the Car Care Center for rental return, you will have to rent from one of the Enterprise group agencies: Alamo, Enterprise, or National, since they have the franchise for WDW’s Car Care Center. Join one of their rewards/affinity programs (Alamo Insider, Enterprise Plus, National Emerald Club) so you can skip the counter when picking up your rental at MCO. We usually book through Costco (which has agreements with Alamo and Enterprise, as well as Avis and Budget) and associate our rewards membership information with Alamo or Enterprise when completing online checkin for the rental.

 

[EACarlson]

I'm very interested in what company OP was using. Of the companies that have cars on site, the only one I wouldn't go with would be Payless. I'd take any of the other 10 over any of the off site companies. You need to research the process if you're unfamiliar.