Opinions Needed!!! Rental Car Issue

[eangel12]

I have an intermediate SUV rented through my credit card company with Avis at MCO. The total cost of the rental with taxes, etc was 188.00. I booked it in February.

I then checked on Alamo site due to the fact that Avis is refusing to allow me to do the Avis Preferred...and I will have to wait in line for the vehicle. I have heard the lines are SUPER LONG...we are arriving at 11am on a Saturday in September.

When I checked the Alamo site, I can get a full size car for $222.00 for the week. I can also do the kiosk check in.

Is it worth $40.00 EXTRA to do the faster check-in?? I am thinking no, but we have a 21 month old who will probably not LOVE standing around a rental place waiting in line.

So, any opinions?? Are the lines for Avis super long?? Thanks in advance!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have walked by the car rental area when there were absolutely no people in any lines at all. Other times, there were long lines. There is no way to predict what your wait time will be.
If you don't want to worry about it, book the new reservation. It will be worth it not to have to worry about a wait in line.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

With Alamo you can check in online before you leave. Take your printed paper work with you and walk directly outside pick the car you want and show your paper work and ID at the exit booth.

 

[Brian Noble]

Is it worth $40.00 EXTRA to do the faster check-in??

On a travel day, avoiding even the possibility of annoyance is important. I don't pinch any pennies in such cases, and if I can spend a few dollars to make my life even a little more pleasant, I usually will.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[HoltDisney07]

I don't think you can do online checkin with Alamo when using coupons. I know with our reservation in Aug. we will not be able to do this. We are using a BJ's coupon. If the OP booked their rental with a discount I do not think they will be able to do an online check-in either.

With Alamo you can check in online before you leave. Take your printed paper work with you and walk directly outside pick the car you want and show your paper work and ID at the exit booth.

 

[eangel12]

I did use a coupon code for the Alamo price!!! That is another fear too...I used a coupon code I found online to get the price...and don't have the coupon with me of course. Wondering if I will have to go to the counter anyways because of this which could result in a bigger headache anyways!! I hate renting cars!!

 

[bamor]

Have never had to go to the counter using a BJ's coupon. Always check in online, go to the kiosk then out to the garage, then to the booth to leave.
I do have a BJ's membershipe but have not been asked for my card or the coupon, just an FYI. I always bring my card just in case, though.

 

[HoltDisney07]

I don't know maybe Alamo has changed their requirement for online check in... but this is from their website.

Online Check-In is not available with reservations that contain the following:

•Reservation is more than 30 days in duration.
•Reservation is "On Request".
•Additional equipment such as child seat/toddler seat/infant seat or ski racks, etc. Rentals requiring additional equipment must go to the rental counter.
•Coupon (including ecoupons) used with reservation.
•Voucher used with reservation.
•Applicant Business Account Number used with reservation.
•Central Bill Number used with reservation.


I have tried to do online check in and it tells me this...

•Online Check-In is not available for this reservation. You can still SAVE TIME at the rental Counter by providing your profile information now. Click here to complete your profile.


So for the OP...my DH and I have decided that the easiest way for us would be if he and our three lovelys just take ME (along with our luggage ) to the resort and I go get the rental at MCO along with our stroller and car seats. We have a stroller travel bag that our 1 car seat and two booster seats will fit in and will help me manage all that while getting the rental. I think having our kids take ME would be more exciting for them anyway and will avoid us all having to wait in line. I have a minivan rental for 1 hour shy of 12 days and my cost is only $348 (total), I will gladly wait in line as this is a very good deal. I am not sure if this would be an option that works for you, but I felt I would pass it along. Yes I am pretty sad that I won't be able to take ME with them, but this was a rate I couldn't pass up. We were going to just try to rent from the car center, but it was a lot more expensive. As for if the $40 is worth paying...that will have to be up to you. I am of the midset that if I can save some money and there is a work around that will not be terribly inconvienient to me or my family I will do it..thus our rental plan pick up. Oh and I did have the option of renting the mini-van for $50 more without the coupon, but I chose saving money over online check in. GL