Rental Car - Timing vs. Selection

[hurleysweety]

We will be arriving at MCO at about 5:45 this Friday night. We are renting through Alamo and have a standard reserved. We've only rented once before from enterprise before 2 years ago offsite, so this will be a new experience for us.

Will our selection of cars be pretty bad aka, the ones no one else wanted, considering our arrival time?

Or does the time of day/day of week not really affect the selection since they have so many cars?

Just trying to be prepared for what to expect since we need at least a standard size car if not bigger (FIL using ECV that we need to transport). We cannot have a smaller one and I'm afraid they'll stick us with one because we look young and stupid, or don't feel nice enough to upgrade. Any negotiating tips around that?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I think Fridays afternoons will offer a good selection over all so you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Lewisc]

A standard size car is a Pontiac G6. Is that big enough for your ECV. luggage and number of passengers?

Alamo will give you a free upgrade if they don't have any cars in your category but if they're out of cars they may first offer you a "discounted" upgrade. Under those circumstances you'd get a free upgrade if you say no.

Don't count on a free upgrade. If you need a larger car reserve it.

Check with your personal auto policy and credit card coverage. Most of us decline all the "extras". You don't want any of the gas plans. Rent the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.

 

[PinkRhombus]

We usually use Hertz. I would say 4 out of the last 5 times they let us upgrade to a towncar (I like big cars) for about $5 or $10 total for the rental period.

 

[mmmgood]

With Alamo at MCO they let you select your vehicle from from the aisle of the class you reserve. The standard aisle is combined with the full size aisle so you should not have any problems finding a suitable vehicle. Last time I was there there were minivans and SUVs plus plenty of spacious cars. Is is not a super busy time so you should be good.