Please tell me your favorite car rental company

[traci]

We are renting a car for the first time in a very long time for a week in July (for a vacation in Naples, Fl).

I would love to hear some feedback on who you suggest and which company we should avoid at all cost!

Any insight on discount codes is greatly appreciated as well.

 

[salmoneous]

I like Dollar - their rates are usually the lowest, or at least close to the lowest. And their service through the Dollar Express program is fantastic.

But I'm not married to them or anything. Every now and then their rates are significantly higher than the cheapest and I'll go elsewhere - as long as "elsewhere" is a major carrier located at the airport.

 

[Bob P]

My favorite car rental company is the one with the lowest rate!!!

Seriously, I feel they are all pretty similar and I always book my car rental based on price. I may use Avis one time, National another, and Budget another, all in the same city.

 

[traci]

Thanks I will start with comparing prices.

 

[welovewdw]

We always use National - you have to play with the codes, but we've always gotten a good deal and the Emerald Aisle is excellent - no waiting in line! Just grab your car & go!

 

[Kae]

We use National alot but as the others have said Go with the lowest price. Even though it is not Disney mousesavers.com Has some great deals that would apply at RSW. I am assuming you are flying into Ft Myers. My dad uses Hertz alot out of RSW.

Also if you have any question about Naples I might be able to help just let me know. I have been going to Naples for 30 yrs.

Kae

 

[DisneyWacker]

I travel farily often on business and my company has recently switched from National to Avis. My experience with National was not the greatest. There Emerald Aisle service was ok, but in all took a little longer to check out and the car selection in the Aisle wasn't always the greatest. One time National pulled the "we don't have any cars available" on me even though I had one reserved (like in the Seinfeld episode) and I actually had to stay overnight until the next morning before I could get a car (none of the agencies had one either).

My experience with Avis has been EXCELLENT. Their preferred service is outstanding. The van will usually drop you off right at the car, all paperwork and keys inside the vehicle. Then you just show your driver's license at the gate and drive on out, no waiting, no nothing.

I'm not sure about cost between the two, as we have a negotiated corporate rate, but I think they are close. I would always choose Avis based on my experience...

 

[beattyfamily]

National!

LOVE the bypassing of the counter and the excitement of what will be waiting for us on the Emerald Aisle.

 

[traci]

Thank you all for taking the time to share your advice! I appreciate it so much.

MANY THANKS!

Kae, I pm'd you regarding Naples.

 

[DVC-Don]

We usually use Dollar or Budget.

 

[safetymom]

I use Hertz quite a bit. I belong to their club so I bypass the counter. AAA has a nice discount with them.

 

[jodifla]

We USED to just go with the cheapest, but after spending hours and hours in line, we signed up with Avis preferred. LOVE IT!

It's not the cheapest, but they drop you right at your car. NO TIME IS WASTED!

And spending two hours in a car rental line with a little kid is NOT my idea of a vacation.

 

[traci]

Can you tell me more about Avis preferred? We have two very young children and after flying we don't mind paying more for quicker service with them in tow.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Cheapest BY FAR using codes from Mousesavers for our past few trips.
Try code KISS2 for your dates and see if it works.
Good Luck

 

[traci]

kiss2 worked. it shaved off $70 on a full size. thank you

 

[mom2aredhead]

Better to spend the $70 will be a few souviners at WDW!

PS - Your daughter is adorable!

 

[hddanis]

The Kiss2 code got my 9 day minivan down to $348 Very happy about that. Would love to see it keep coming down! I'm down from $412...


Then I checked Alamo using an entertainment book coupon and got it down to $333..so it's an Uplander instead of a Caravan..Even better!