Skip the counter car rentals

[Mle8308]

Well then. We just switched to Hertz LOL
We found a deal that was only $8 more than dollar. Seems like it worth a try to avoid any issues with Dollar. Especially since their skip the counter option at MCO seems to be inconsistent.

Just FYI, Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty are all owned by the same company.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Just FYI, Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty are all owned by the same company.

understood. my concern was being able to skip the counter which seemed to be uncertain if we used dollar. So it wasn't worth the risk.

 

[leebee]

Well then. We just switched to Hertz LOL
We found a deal that was only $8 more than dollar. Seems like it worth a try to avoid any issues with Dollar. Especially since their skip the counter option at MCO seems to be inconsistent.

We'll never use Dollar at MCO again. They have at least one agent who insists that unless you have $2M in personal vehicle insurance, you can't rent the car. Refuses to process the transaction, and the manager backs her up. Last time this happened to us, Dollar (national office) refunded our money, and CarRentalSavers, thru which we made the reservation, said if Dollar wouldn't refund us, they would. I avoid Dollar like the plague.

 

[LAS2AMS]

You can skip the counter for several companies by signing up (at no charge) for their clubs and providing your driver’s license, etc. information ahead of time.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be problems. I’m a huge fan of Avis but have had bad luck with my last two MCO rentals. Last September the vehicle they assigned me had no gas (and it was a connected car, meaning it automatically transmitted fuel, mileage, etc. to Avis - so they should have known better). It was late at night during a month with reduced staffing, so we had to make the hike to another terminal. A just a few weeks ago we were assigned a beautiful upgrade to a Mercedes…. But the car was nowhere to be found (not in assigned space), it was late at night so we had to hike back to the counter.

Happy traveling!

 

[LAS2AMS]

We'll never use Dollar at MCO again. They have at least one agent who insists that unless you have $2M in personal vehicle insurance, you can't rent the car. Refuses to process the transaction, and the manager backs her up. Last time this happened to us, Dollar (national office) refunded our money, and CarRentalSavers, thru which we made the reservation, said if Dollar wouldn't refund us, they would. I avoid Dollar like the plague.

Unfortunately, because agents receive hefty commissions from upsells like upgrades and especially insurance, many will try to take advantage of consumers - regardless of what car rental company you use.

I’m pretty well educated on the topic but I have a look that people think they can take advantage of me. Oh the stories I’ve heard! Thankfully since Covid most car rental companies allow you to completely bypass speaking with an employee, if you’ve signed up for their club and input your information in advance. The ones that do require you to check-in with an agent will give you a hard upsell. At MCO, that’s typically the offsite companies like Advantage.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Unfortunately, because agents receive hefty commissions from upsells like upgrades and especially insurance, many will try to take advantage of consumers - regardless of what car rental company you use.

I’m pretty well educated on the topic but I have a look that people think they can take advantage of me. Oh the stories I’ve heard! Thankfully since Covid most car rental companies allow you to completely bypass speaking with an employee, if you’ve signed up for their club and input your information in advance. The ones that do require you to check-in with an agent will give you a hard upsell. At MCO, that’s typically the offsite companies like Advantage.

Exactly why I started with National years ago. Had a very threatening upsell attempted on us. And I was very distress from their threats. National has always been great. No pushing for insurance even when back with the counter. Been a emerald aisle member for years. You pick your own car out of the lane you rented. And pull up given them my card paperwork & price never an issue. We've had to exchange cars twice after having them a few days. Once was a smoke issue [cigar] and in a very nice car I thought I could lysol it out and was wrong. They said just come back to the garage and we pick another car out and no issues just pulled out and was on our way. Other car issue: was a PT cruiser which had no power steering? I could hardly move my right arm after driving it a few days. Was very tough. I didn't know they still had that as an option. Again there was no issue.
I've been extremely impressed last year when we picked the car up > I left a small medical bag in the rental cart in the garage and They had it at the garage. Said just pull in like your returning it > and come to counter. They had my bag right there. They where just super.

 

[dineyvip]

If you're a member of Costco, check their website under travel -rental cars, you can often find great prices there. You can enter your loyalty number while making the reservation or afterwords because Costco will send an email with both their and the rental car companies confirmation numbers. Alamo and National have not just the skip the line but pick out your own car. At Alamo, you choose the car from a designated area consistent with the type of car you're renting, be it a minivan, compact, luxury or whatever. At National, you need to rent at minimum a midsize car, then you go to the Emerald Aisle and pick out whatever you want from the available selection. You must join the Alamo Insiders club or National's Emerald club before you get there to use bypass the counter and or go directly to pick out your car.