Port to Airport Rental Car Overbooking?

[trimix]

I understand that car rental agencies, like airlines, overbook because not everybody shows up.

I am now a bit nervous about getting back to the airport. I have a minivan booked through Budget, and they say they are completely sold out for the day.

What do rental car companies do when more people show up than they have vehicles for?

 

[kcashner]

I've used Budget many times and never had an issue. I did see a gentleman at the counter without a reservation trying to get a car and the manager repeatedly insisting that ALL of their cars were reserved and there was nothing she could do to help him.

It has always been my experience that if I have a vehicle reserved, they will have a vehicle at least that large waiting for me. Several times, I've been given something bigger or nicer than I'd paid for.

 

[portsofcall]

Thanks, that's good to know.

 

[tvguy]

Anyone have experience with Budget in Orlando?
It really varies from location to location.

I worked for a Budget franchisee, not a corporate location (not in Orlando) many years ago. Corporate handled all the reservations, and we regularly got reservations for types of vehicles we didn't even have in our fleet.
I got hung out to dry by Budget at the St. Louis airport 2 years ago, I reserved a car for pickup at 10 pm when my flight came in. I got to the counter at 10:20pm, and I can see my reservation envelope in the rack inside the office, but they were closed. I called the 800 number and corporate said that location is open until 1 am.......the nice Hertz lady, who rented me a car says they actually close at 9 pm, but that closed up at 7 pm that night.
And in Calgary, I reserved a mini-van at Budget, and found a line of 5 folks also with mini-van reservations, and the location had no mini-vans. The nice shuttle van driver who dropped us off at Hertz said the owners policy was that they take every reservation called in, without regard to vehicle availability!!

 

[trimix]

Anyone have experience with Budget in Orlando?
It really varies from location to location.

I worked for a Budget franchisee, not a corporate location (not in Orlando) many years ago. Corporate handled all the reservations, and we regularly got reservations for types of vehicles we didn't even have in our fleet.
I got hung out to dry by Budget at the St. Louis airport 2 years ago, I reserved a car for pickup at 10 pm when my flight came in. I got to the counter at 10:20pm, and I can see my reservation envelope in the rack inside the office, but they were closed. I called the 800 number and corporate said that location is open until 1 am.......the nice Hertz lady, who rented me a car says they actually close at 9 pm, but that closed up at 7 pm that night.
And in Calgary, I reserved a mini-van at Budget, and found a line of 5 folks also with mini-van reservations, and the location had no mini-vans. The nice shuttle van driver who dropped us off at Hertz said the owners policy was that they take every reservation called in, without regard to vehicle availability!!

Wow! Did Hertz do anything for you in the St. Louis incident, or do anything besides drop you off at Hertz in Calgary?

A few months back USA Today ran a column about somebody who had rented through Hertz in Salt Lake City, arrived to find the staff had gone home early because they ran out of cars, somehow got a car from somebody else, and eventually got a refund from Hertz for the difference between the reservation and what they ended up paying. That is the minimum amount of customer service I would expect for such a disruption - ideally I would expect them to find a rental elsewhere as well.

 

[tamman]

We have not had the best service with Budget out of MCO. Last two years, we have had to wait over an hour just to get our car....long lines and no cars available (we did reserve a car). This year, I am just doing magical express and getting a car in DTD to get us to the port.

I have never had a problem with Budget in Cape Canaveral. The wait time is minimal and they are very good about transferring you to and from the port.

 

[UK-Simon]

I have rented a couple of times from Budget Double Tree, and Canaveral, and have had great experiences every time!

 

[tamman]

UK-Simon, was it easy to get to the Budget DoubleTree from DTD?

 

[kcashner]

I've always found the 2 "off site" offices we've used in Orlando to be great. These were the Doubletree at Downtown Disney and the Cape Canaveral office.

At MCO, the line is HUGE. Before I knew about Fastbreak, I waited over 1 1/2 hours. They had 8 "stations" but only 2 people working most of the time. It was obvious that more people were there because it seemed to be "break time..." People kept coming out of the back and replacing someone at the counter. 20 minutes later, the original person would come back. After a couple rounds of this, a "suit" finally appeared and opened a third station, but he was at least the 5th face I'd seen. Ultimately he went to the back, came out, and someone appeared a few minutes later making 4 stations open. When I was finished, the line behind me was longer than it had been when I started. It appeared to me that each of the desk people was spending A LOT of time trying to sell insurance, upgrades, etc. If you have Fastbreak, you avoid this line totally during the hours that Fastbreak is open.

Also at Orlando, we got a car with a defective trunk seal--the rubber piece was literally hanging off the trunk. I went back to the kiosk to get it noted (it didn't bother me, but I didn't want to be charged for it.) They just gave me a different set of keys...didn't even look at it!

SO...do I continue to rent from Budget--absolutely. I actually rent from whoever is cheapest! But I use Fastbreak.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I understand that car rental agencies, like airlines, overbook because not everybody shows up.

I am now a bit nervous about getting back to the airport. I have a minivan booked through Budget, and they say they are completely sold out for the day.

What do rental car companies do when more people show up than they have vehicles for?

If all you are trying to do is get from the ship to the airport, why bother with a rental car? Has DCL changed the rules so that you can't just check your luggage with the airline right there at the port and take a DCL bus to the airport? Sounds a whole lot easier than trying to deal with a rental.

 

[tvguy]

Wow! Did Hertz do anything for you in the St. Louis incident, or do anything besides drop you off at Hertz in Calgary?

A few months back USA Today ran a column about somebody who had rented through Hertz in Salt Lake City, arrived to find the staff had gone home early because they ran out of cars, somehow got a car from somebody else, and eventually got a refund from Hertz for the difference between the reservation and what they ended up paying. That is the minimum amount of customer service I would expect for such a disruption - ideally I would expect them to find a rental elsewhere as well.

Hertz was the one that helped us out, even though we didn't have a reservation with them. Budget was the one in both cases with the screw ups. In St. Louis, I called to local office the next day to make sure they did not charge my credit card since I was there at the time my reservation was, they weren't. They said the car was waiting for me, and said they would look into why the reservation center said they were open until 1 am when they close at 9 pm on Saturday nights. She did say they are open until 1 am every other day of the week...go figure. She didn't have an answer for why THEY didn't catch the problem earlier...since I made the reservation months in advance.

 

[croppincolburn]

In Feb they didn't have the sadan we reserved but gave us an SUV. I'm guessing the SUV cost more. He tried to get us to upgrade to an SUV but we kept declining. Ended up with one anyway. You may not like it but some of the SUVs hold a lot of people. Their reservation policies are not the only factor. People return late or ask to keep it longer.

 

[trimix]

If all you are trying to do is get from the ship to the airport, why bother with a rental car? Has DCL changed the rules so that you can't just check your luggage with the airline right there at the port and take a DCL bus to the airport? Sounds a whole lot easier than trying to deal with a rental.

Yes, DCL transportation is easier - but it is also a waste of time and money. I fully respect there are people here who would enjoy sitting in an airport for four to six hours with nothing to do, but even as a pilot and aviation buff I would find doing so incredibly boring.

It's about $35 per person for one-way transportation, which is all we would need because we have relatives dropping us off at the port. For four people that's $140, or about the same as we could pay for a private limo to take us straight to the airport. But, as I previously stated, spending half the day in the airport doesn't sound like much fun.

The minivan we have rented should be under $70 including gas and taxes - about half what Disney and the limo companies charge. In addition to saving money we have the freedom to visit a mall (DW's favorite activity) or DTD (my choice) and we can choose any restaurant we want for lunch instead of the airport restaurants and food court.

Based on previous vacation experiences, as long as we don't have a problem with the rental car, I know exactly what is going to happen - we are going to get off the ship, get the rental car, and go have fun. Later we'll go to the airport, where we will find a few tired, worn out people who were on the same cruise but have spent the last four or five hours sitting in a crowded and uncomfortable airport. They will all be unhappy and irritable because of their situation but we will be happy because we've had a chance for a little more fun.

If we had a flight out at noon, DCL transportation would be worth the price. But I prefer fun to misery so I cannot think of one single reason to use DCL transportation on this trip.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Yes, DCL transportation is easier - but it is also a waste of time and money. I fully respect there are people here who would enjoy sitting in an airport for four to six hours with nothing to do, but even as a pilot and aviation buff I would find doing so incredibly boring.

It's about $35 per person for one-way transportation, which is all we would need because we have relatives dropping us off at the port. For four people that's $140, or about the same as we could pay for a private limo to take us straight to the airport. But, as I previously stated, spending half the day in the airport doesn't sound like much fun.

The minivan we have rented should be under $70 including gas and taxes - about half what Disney and the limo companies charge. In addition to saving money we have the freedom to visit a mall (DW's favorite activity) or DTD (my choice) and we can choose any restaurant we want for lunch instead of the airport restaurants and food court.

Based on previous vacation experiences, as long as we don't have a problem with the rental car, I know exactly what is going to happen - we are going to get off the ship, get the rental car, and go have fun. Later we'll go to the airport, where we will find a few tired, worn out people who were on the same cruise but have spent the last four or five hours sitting in a crowded and uncomfortable airport. They will all be unhappy and irritable because of their situation but we will be happy because we've had a chance for a little more fun.

If we had a flight out at noon, DCL transportation would be worth the price. But I prefer fun to misery so I cannot think of one single reason to use DCL transportation on this trip.

I can certainly understand the not wanting to wait around the airport. I recall our 1st DCL trip and we booked a leaving flight for around noon (perhaps 12:30) just to insure we had plenty of time to catch our flight. Well there were flight delays that kept us from actually getting on a plane until around 3:00. By the time we flew home and drove back home from the local airport, it had been a full day just trying to get back home. Ever since then, we've always just driven strait to the port... even though it's about a 10 to 12 hour drive. It's been really nice to just get off the ship and walk strait to your car and head home. The drive is a lot less costly than flying, and compared to that day, the time difference isn't all that great.

When you get your own rental car, are you still able to check your luggage at the port? I could really see where a rental car would make a great option IF you don't have to deal with getting the luggage to the port.

 

[trimix]

I think they used to let you check luggage regardless of transportation, but not any more. We'll have to take it to the airport ourselves.

And driving won't work for us. According to Google Maps, it would be about 48 hours of driving each way. It would be an interesting drive if I could take five or six days each way, but an absolutely miserable drive with kids.

 

[mmouse37]

I can certainly understand the not wanting to wait around the airport. I recall our 1st DCL trip and we booked a leaving flight for around noon (perhaps 12:30) just to insure we had plenty of time to catch our flight. Well there were flight delays that kept us from actually getting on a plane until around 3:00. By the time we flew home and drove back home from the local airport, it had been a full day just trying to get back home. Ever since then, we've always just driven strait to the port... even though it's about a 10 to 12 hour drive. It's been really nice to just get off the ship and walk strait to your car and head home. The drive is a lot less costly than flying, and compared to that day, the time difference isn't all that great.

When you get your own rental car, are you still able to check your luggage at the port? I could really see where a rental car would make a great option IF you don't have to deal with getting the luggage to the port.

DCL has drastically changed the program. For almost two years now there have been no airline desks outside the terminal. To participate in the OAC onboard airline check-in program you MUST either have purchased DCL transfers or DCL air and have at least one leg of DCL transportation booked (most logical the last leg). You can't just send your bags to the airport...if that was the case there would be no incentive for people to book the DCL transfers. By booking the transfers you are getting the PERK of DCL handling your luggage to your home airport after the cruise.

With the new program you also must be flying on a participating airline (if you booked air on your own) and your flight must leave after 11:20 or so in the morning. Your luggage tags and airline boarding passes will be delivered to your stateroom the night before the cruise ends and you would put your bags out and not see them again until your home airport. You do not have to claim your bags in the terminal and walk them through customs either.

But, you can't just send the bags along to the airport and take a different form of transportation to the airport...you must be on the DCL bus back to the airport.

We found the program to be great but if you wanted to sightsee or have a really late flight I would rent a car instead.

Here is the info on the program:

-----------------------------------------------

When you register for Onboard Airline Check-In, you are entitled to:
Receive your boarding passes and check your luggage for your return flight before you disembark the ship
Skip luggage claim at the port terminal
Bypass the airline check-in counter at the airport
Here's how it works: Reserve air or ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line® and sign up for Onboard Airline Check-In when you check in for your cruise at the port or a Walt Disney World® Resort Hospitality Desk. On the day prior to disembarkation, your airline boarding passes and valet luggage tags will magically be delivered to your stateroom, along with a letter answering common questions you may have. Attach the tags to your luggage and leave your bags outside your stateroom the evening prior to disembarkation. Disney Cruise Line® will collect and deliver your luggage to your airline. When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, proceed to security with your boarding passes already in hand and continue on to your scheduled departure gate. It's that simple!

Available to Guests flying out of Orlando International Airport on domestic flights (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) on AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines, United/Ted Airlines and US Airways — it's the perfect ending to a magical cruise vacation! Pre-registration is required and scheduled flights must be after 11:25 a.m. on the day your cruise ends. Guests are limited to two bags per person and each piece must not exceed 50 lbs. Additionally, some Guests may be selected to check in at the airport and unable to use this service.

 

[Brian777]

Why not just take a taxi. On my 4-day wonder last April I stressed about booking a rental or town car and I finanly said to myself I will just deal with it when I get off the ship. When I got off the ship I just walked over to the line where the cabs are and I told the cab-caller guy that I wanted to go to the aiport and what should I expect to have to pay. He told me that the cabs are negotiable all you have to do is ask. So I told him I want a minvan for the four of us and we are willing to pay $80 and no more. He called over a cab for us and asked the guy if he was willing to acept $80 and he said yes and we boarded a nice mini-van. It was a piece of cake and I didn't even have to negotiate with the driver...the cab-caller did.

 

[kcashner]

Why not just take a taxi. On my 4-day wonder last April I stressed about booking a rental or town car and I finanly said to myself I will just deal with it when I get off the ship. When I got off the ship I just walked over to the line where the cabs are and I told the cab-caller guy that I wanted to go to the aiport and what should I expect to have to pay. He told me that the cabs are negotiable all you have to do is ask. So I told him I want a minvan for the four of us and we are willing to pay $80 and no more. He called over a cab for us and asked the guy if he was willing to acept $80 and he said yes and we boarded a nice mini-van. It was a piece of cake and I didn't even have to negotiate with the driver...the cab-caller did.

You got a deal...and I'm impressed!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I think they used to let you check luggage regardless of transportation, but not any more. We'll have to take it to the airport ourselves.

And driving won't work for us. According to Google Maps, it would be about 48 hours of driving each way. It would be an interesting drive if I could take five or six days each way, but an absolutely miserable drive with kids.

Yea... the only ones that can realistically drive to DCL are those that live in the Deep South: The drive isn't so bad if you live in FL, GA, AL, or SC, and even then, it can still be a full day drive.

FL, GA, SC, AL, southern MS. LA, AR, TN, and NC would be a stretch.

For us, the drive is about 600 miles. When you include time for stops and meals, the drive takes about 11 hours. That's about equal to a full days work for me (including commute time and lunch hour).