Rental Cars with XM or Sirius?

[krissyh]

We rented from Budget last winter (out of SRQ) and had a car with XM.
Anyone know if National cars have it? Or any others, for that matter?

 

[dioxide45]

We have rented a full size car from Alamo and it had XM. I guess it could have been new and still in the 3 month free trial.

 

[Tisha_PA]

We rented from National at the end of Sept and our car had Sirius

 

[Tony NY]

yes some of hte cars have it but it not free but if you have an account you can get it in the car all you got to do is call xm or sirus to add it on the car .

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

At Alamo/National many cars have XM or Sirius and there is no extra charge. There is no guarantee of getting one though. However, since you get to choose the car you want from the category you booked, you can wander around and try to find a car that has it. However, do actually sit in the car and crank it and then push the XM or Sirius or SAT button and make sure it works. Some cars are not activated and only one channel will come in. Major airports let you choose your car including MCO. But I've been to some cities such as Jacksonville and Pensacola where they choose the car for you.

At Hertz you can actually include a request for XM or Sirius in your reservation but they charge $5/day extra. ($2.50 if you're AAA) This is pretty steep however you are pretty much guaranteed to get it. Once again double-check to make sure its operational before you drive off because I've had cars where the satellite radio was not activated.

Those are the only companies I've rented with during the past couple years.

BobK/Orlando

 

[dioxide45]

However, since you get to choose the car you want from the category you booked, you can wander around and try to find a car that has it. However, do actually sit in the car and crank it and then push the XM or Sirius or SAT button and make sure it works. Some cars are not activated and only one channel will come in. Major airports let you choose your car including MCO. But I've been to some cities such as Jacksonville and Pensacola where they choose the car for you.

This may not work in the garage at MCO. The signal may not reach the antenna so it may seem like the car won't get XM but when you leave the covered garage it may work fine.

 

[richmo]

The last Alamo and the last Avis rental I had both had Sirius at no extra charge (both were Dodge Calibers). Unless its something you specifically add to a rental, I think its pretty much luck of the draw. And whether its XM or Sirius will depend upon the make of car...the two services are getting pretty similar anyway.