Recent Budget Experience MCO

[rdsx28]

Hi All,
We just returned from WDW on 4/4. Please be sure to ask questions when renting a car with Budget. We got a decent rate through Costco. I did not pay in advance in hopes that prices would come down further which they did not. My husband went to the desk to complete the paperwork and was told that he would have to purchase a toll transponder or he would be fined each day on top of the toll payment. My husband then explained that we have been visiting for over 20 years and have always just paid cash for tolls. The rude agent then asked “what he was complaining about he paid tolls everyday to get to work”. He then continued to talk about other customers lack of funds to pay for vehicles extremely u professional in my opinion. We were not complaining just asking a question as we literally drive from the airport to Disney and in the local area only. My husband finally gave in as this agent insisted we needed this. Arriving at the garage our car was not in the designated spot and there were 3 other families in the same boat no car! Finally, we went to the booth in garage and after 3 attempts to find a car we got one and were also refunded the money for the transformer as the lovely agent in the garage verified that we were correct cash payments are accepted. We have always used Alamo in the past with no issues. Next time I will pay more for much better service. I submitted my complaints to the office but just wanted to warn others to ask questions don’t just accept what your being told by agents.

 

[Liquidice]

They aren't allowed to force you to use their toll transponder. Next time, you could look into getting a Visitor Toll Pass ( https://visitortollpass.com/ ) which is completely free and you don't get charged extra for the tolls. There is now a vending machine to get your Visitor toll pass I believe. They give you a hangtag which is supposed to charge your credit card directly and your license plate is scanned as you exit the rental car garage and they text you to make sure the plate matches - just in case the hangtag doesn't read correctly. Then when you return to MCO there is a drop box to return the hangtag.

If they try to force you to use their toll transponder, you could tell them you already have a Visitor Toll Pass.

 

[katallo]

The Visitors Pass is a good way to deal with tolls especially if you do not have your own transponder. The check in desk is always trying to "sell" things. Unfortunately, it just aggravates most people. You might want to condier signing up for the loyalty programs with the rental companies. We have it with several including Budget and you go to the garage and usually they have a car waiting for you.