Official Car rental September 2013...advice please

[Ckmommy72]

You don't need to check in online in order to use the kiosk and there have been some reports that the add driver gets charged when you do that. It's not supposed to do that, but, with this new site, you never know.

Hmmm...ok, thanks for the info, should I just go to the window in the garage? Or use the kiosk, but add DH then instead of checking In online?

 

[cel_disney]

Hmmm...ok, thanks for the info, should I just go to the window in the garage? Or use the kiosk, but add DH then instead of checking In online?

We just get our car and add DH at the exit gate...this is what Alamo told us to do....I had a reservation but they told me to skip the kiosks/counter and just grab a car! Then they took care of everything including adding DH at the exit booth! They did not need DHs insider number to add him....

 

[Ckmommy72]

We just get our car and add DH at the exit gate...this is what Alamo told us to do....I had a reservation but they told me to skip the kiosks/counter and just grab a car! Then they took care of everything including adding DH at the exit booth! They did not need DHs insider number to add him....

Thanks, I've rented a couple times from Alamo at MCO, but have always used the kiosk. Of course this was before the new site, so .

Thanks for the info, I will just grab a car and go!!!

 

[gmeh1]

Hmmm...ok, thanks for the info, should I just go to the window in the garage? Or use the kiosk, but add DH then instead of checking In online?

No, use the kiosk by the rental car desk in the terminal (the booth in the garage is not for reservation check in). You can add DH there, no problem. Just have him in the car at the exit booth and have both licenses and your credit card ready to show the exit agent along with the printout from the kiosk. You could also check in online and add DH at the exit booth.

 

[gmeh1]

We just get our car and add DH at the exit gate...this is what Alamo told us to do....I had a reservation but they told me to skip the kiosks/counter and just grab a car! Then they took care of everything including adding DH at the exit booth! They did not need DHs insider number to add him....

that really is an unfair to other customers way to do things. It holds up the line for the people who either checked in online, used the counter or the kiosk. I am not sure who told you to just grab a car and go to the exit booth. I am pretty sure it is not on the site. If what you say about just go to the garage is correct, then there would not be the horrible lines with people who have a reservation inside the terminal, they would all be in the garage at the exit booth. National allows you to skip the lines if you are an Emerald Club member, but, I don't believe that Insider's allows that or didn't when I worked there last October.

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks, I've rented a couple times from Alamo at MCO, but have always used the kiosk. Of course this was before the new site, so .

Thanks for the info, I will just grab a car and go!!!

Cari, please, use the kiosk. overall it will be faster for you and more considerate of others who have waited in line or used the kiosk. The new site has nothing to do with the kiosk, thankfully.

 

[Ckmommy72]

Cari, please, use the kiosk. overall it will be faster for you and more considerate of others who have waited in line or used the kiosk. The new site has nothing to do with the kiosk, thankfully.

Ok, I will certainly use the kiosk. I assumed based on PPs post that going to the exit gate was an acceptable way to do it, not being, *obviously* well versed in these things, I was just listening to the offered advice. I would never do anything just because it was easier for me, the rest be d@mned. I will use the kiosk, as I've done the last couple of trips.

 

[SugarSpice]

Does anyone think that I will have an issue if the car is rented under my husband's name (since he will be doing all the driving) but we are paying for it with a credit card under my name (since I'm in control of the money)! I'm just worried if we try to skip the counter lines by using the kiosk that the card might be automatically rejected since it's not in his name you know?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[SAT887]

Does anyone think that I will have an issue if the car is rented under my husband's name (since he will be doing all the driving) but we are paying for it with a credit card under my name (since I'm in control of the money)! I'm just worried if we try to skip the counter lines by using the kiosk that the card might be automatically rejected since it's not in his name you know?
Thanks in advance for your help.

I believe the driver and cc that they put a "hold" on must match. This happened to us once 3 years ago. However you should be able to pay for the rental with a different card.

 

[QueenQueso]

Does anyone think that I will have an issue if the car is rented under my husband's name (since he will be doing all the driving) but we are paying for it with a credit card under my name (since I'm in control of the money)! I'm just worried if we try to skip the counter lines by using the kiosk that the card might be automatically rejected since it's not in his name you know?
Thanks in advance for your help.

In previous rentals from Enterprise, the name on the card HAD to be the person who is renting/driving the car. They wouldn't let my grandma pay for a car that I was going to be driving. We actually ended up driving (we rent in town, so we had her car there) to the bank, taking money from her account and putting it in mine so we could use my debit card to do the rental. Now that we know we can't do that, it's not a big deal to set it up properly in advance because she always pays for the car rental on our trips and we always drive it. Otherwise, the rental would have to be in her name, with SO and I listed as addition drivers at an extra charge.

We have never been to MCO, so ya never know, you might get that one agent who will let you but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[andigomeep]

How is thrifty to rent from? Got a mid-size for $168 for sept 7-12, cheapest I've found so far.

 

[K9pal]

Does anyone think that I will have an issue if the car is rented under my husband's name (since he will be doing all the driving) but we are paying for it with a credit card under my name (since I'm in control of the money)! I'm just worried if we try to skip the counter lines by using the kiosk that the card might be automatically rejected since it's not in his name you know?
Thanks in advance for your help.

YES YES YES it will be a problem!!! Happened to us this May! Car was rented in DH's name (but added me as add'l driver at kiosk). We only bring one credit card with us, and since I handle the finances, we brought the one with my name on it. It's the same card as the one we used to rent the car, just has my name on it instead of his. When we got to the exit gate, the attendant caught it. Since we didn't have the one with his name, she had to re-do the entire reservation - cancel the original, then rebook. Took about 10-15 mins. She was very nice about it, but we felt badly.

 

[gmeh1]

Ok, I will certainly use the kiosk. I assumed based on PPs post that going to the exit gate was an acceptable way to do it, not being, *obviously* well versed in these things, I was just listening to the offered advice. I would never do anything just because it was easier for me, the rest be d@mned. I will use the kiosk, as I've done the last couple of trips.

Cari, I certainly did not think you had the "horay for me and the h*ll with anyone else attitude, and I do apologize if my post gave you that impression. Having worked the exit booth and having seen a lot of stuff, the thing that gets the exit agent the most incrediby nasty comments are after they have had to wait in line because someone took a "shortcut", knowing it or not, after they have been in the line at the counter for what, I am sure, seems like forever. The last thing anyone wants on a vacation is a delay. They want to get going and have fun. Often it is because they are used to National's Emerald Aisle program where you do, indeed, just go get the car. The reason Alamo gives you three options: online, kiosk or counter to "check in" is because they want you to check in at one of those locations, not check in while you are checking out.
As an aside, I used to simply shake my head when I looked at those insanely long lines and wondered why aren't they using the kiosks they are leaning on. I was often tempted to say something, but, I really did not want to get "hung" by the counter agents. LOL.
Have a great trip and happy planning.

 

[gmeh1]

How is thrifty to rent from? Got a mid-size for $168 for sept 7-12, cheapest I've found so far.

Thrifty is now owned by Hertz, you should be fine.

 

[gmeh1]

Does anyone think that I will have an issue if the car is rented under my husband's name (since he will be doing all the driving) but we are paying for it with a credit card under my name (since I'm in control of the money)! I'm just worried if we try to skip the counter lines by using the kiosk that the card might be automatically rejected since it's not in his name you know?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Yep, you will have a problem. Put it under your name and add him as an additional driver. If you are using Alamo, join insiders then the add.driver is free. The kiosk may not pick it up, but, the exit agent will, they need to see the driver's licenses of the drivers and credit card of the renter.

 

[spacemountain1971]

I was finally able to secure a decent rate for September with Alamo despite the challenge of capacity coupons.

Dates: September 25-October 5th

Standard Vehicle
$95/week
$16.74/day for 3 extra days.
for $194.78

VISA rate code

I won't complain. Just wish those darn coupons would work. Ok, I just complained.

 

[bdtracey]

Alamo didn't want to cooperate with me so I just booked through Costco.

9/21-10/5 - Minivan - $582.52 Total

I'm hoping this comes down a bit. I'm also still on the fence whether or not we really need a minivan. 2 adults, 3 kids (2 in car seats, 1 in backless booster). We could probably get the job done in a full size but then luggage becomes and issue. We could also save a couple bucks by getting a standard SUV.

The part that worries me about a minivan is that we won't have as much room for luggage/stroller/etc as we would in an SUV. We should only have 3 suitcases and a couple carry-ons...any thoughts on this?

 

[nuzmom]

The part that worries me about a minivan is that we won't have as much room for luggage/stroller/etc as we would in an SUV. We should only have 3 suitcases and a couple carry-ons...any thoughts on this?

I feel you would have more room in the minivan than the SUV. Since you're not using all of the seating in the minivan, some of that space could be used for luggage. Suitcase sizes can vary, but 3 suitcases should fit in a full size, SUV, or minivan without issues.

 

[vivianmarie244]

I've reserved a minivan for Sept 20-28 for $324.12 from Budget. We need a minivan as we have 4 adults and 2 children in boosters + luggage. Is that good??? Or should I keep looking?

 

[ktate82]

Alamo was down this morning. Rebooked using the insider's deal and got a midsized, upgraded to a standard for 9/16-9/25 for $205.70. Now do I understand correctly that at MCO, they don't have "standards" so we will be upgraded again to a full sized? They just point us to the cars and say pick one? Another question, my DBF and I live together, but we just bought a house in IN and I still own my home in IL, so his drivers license says IN and mine still says IL, will I be able to be added as an extra driver for no fee (we booked under his Alamo account)? Or do we have to have licenses that match?