So Frustrated with car rental this Trip!!!!

[Disneyfanatic108]

Here is the Deal. We are a family of 5. Last night I borrowed a friends Impala and we were able to fit all our luggage in the trunk, 2 large suit cases, and 4 carryons, and a collapse able stroller. We have a standard rented through Alamo for $125, and as I understand it, we will be directed to the the full size Isle. Are there mostly Impalas over there? If we got the ford fusion, we would not fit. We would Prefer a van, but the prices are just outrageous. I have a second reservation through national for a midsize on emerald isle at $259. Also I understand that chances are good we would at least get a fullsize car. Do we take the chance and pay $100 more for the shot at the van on the isle????? It is frustrating the you know what out of me. Those are the 2 lowest that I have now. Next would be a Jeep Grand Cherokee at Alamo for $329. Our dates are Nov. 8-18. Any suggestions are appreciated. I know you should rent what you need but the standard /full size thing is on my nerves. Thanks to all those that reply.

 

[n2mm]

I just wanted to say, that alot can happen in the 4 weeks before you need that rental. I am just 3 days away and my rates for Alamo and National JUST dropped yesterday! I had come to accept the rate I had, so am very happy to finally see better prices. Good luck!

 

[Lewisc]

You know a Ford Fusion won't be big enough for your family and luggage. You reserved a Ford Fusion (or equivalent). Every time I've checked the difference in price between a standard and full size car is minimal. You'll probably be able to get an Impala but it's not guaranteed. What will you do if you get exactly what you reserved, a Ford Focus? How much extra would it have cost to book the size you need, instead of counting on the standard giving you access to the full size aisle. My concern would be if there is a shortage of cars and Alamo decides to limit the Impalas to people who reserved a full sized car.

A mid-sized car with National is a Toyota Corolla or equivalent. Is that large enough? Don't count on getting a mini-van as an upgrade (aisle).

The carrentals price for you dates is $288.02 for a standard and $293 for a full size. Reserving a full size car when you made your reservation wouldn't have been that much more.

edited to add I don't understand why you're frustrated. $125 for 10 days is a great rate. I would have paid a few dollar more. Worse case the driver makes a second trip back to MCO to pickup whatever doesn't fit in the first trip.

Here is the Deal. We are a family of 5. Last night I borrowed a friends Impala and we were able to fit all our luggage in the trunk, 2 large suit cases, and 4 carryons, and a collapse able stroller. We have a standard rented through Alamo for $125, and as I understand it, we will be directed to the the full size Isle. Are there mostly Impalas over there? If we got the ford fusion, we would not fit. We would Prefer a van, but the prices are just outrageous. I have a second reservation through national for a midsize on emerald isle at $259. Also I understand that chances are good we would at least get a fullsize car. Do we take the chance and pay $100 more for the shot at the van on the isle????? It is frustrating the you know what out of me. Those are the 2 lowest that I have now. Next would be a Jeep Grand Cherokee at Alamo for $329. Our dates are Nov. 8-18. Any suggestions are appreciated. I know you should rent what you need but the standard /full size thing is on my nerves. Thanks to all those that reply.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

From what I gathered on searching this thread on standard vs fullsize at alamo is, there is no standard row. With Alamo I am pretty sure you would still be able to pick your own car from the full size aisle. I wish there was a snap shot of the full size isle, that would be great. Ghem1, if your out there, what do you see on the full size aisle most of the time? I know that impalas are pretty plentiful in inventory so was just wondering. I know the price difference was not alot between the two but from the information I gathered and the dutch in me said save a few bucks. If I try to modify the reservation, it is all out of whack, so that is not an option. I'm hoping that this does not come back and bite me.

 

[Lewisc]

You could take less luggage. You're not going to get a decent rate on a larger car.

Alamo could separate standard and full size cars at any time, without any notice. I would have done what you did if I wanted a full size car but not if I absolutely needed a full size car. Many people do exactly what you did. Pack light enough so luggage can go on passengers laps (if necessary and if you can't just reduce the number of bags)

 

[mickeymom1]

Just checked your dates with the alamo insider code and -$35 coupon (7015135 & either ad2724fza or ad2359fdf) and a jeep comes up around $242. For some reason the prices are really high then. I somehow got a minivan for $170 for 8 days starting November 5th, and the minivan is over $600 for your timeframe of 10 days!!

Keep checking and prices may go down even more

 

[gmeh1]

From what I gathered on searching this thread on standard vs fullsize at alamo is, there is no standard row. With Alamo I am pretty sure you would still be able to pick your own car from the full size aisle. I wish there was a snap shot of the full size isle, that would be great. Ghem1, if your out there, what do you see on the full size aisle most of the time? I know that impalas are pretty plentiful in inventory so was just wondering. I know the price difference was not alot between the two but from the information I gathered and the dutch in me said save a few bucks. If I try to modify the reservation, it is all out of whack, so that is not an option. I'm hoping that this does not come back and bite me.

I see mostly Impalas on the full size aisle, which is where the OP will be selecting her car.

 

[gmeh1]

Here is the Deal. We are a family of 5. Last night I borrowed a friends Impala and we were able to fit all our luggage in the trunk, 2 large suit cases, and 4 carryons, and a collapse able stroller. We have a standard rented through Alamo for $125, and as I understand it, we will be directed to the the full size Isle. Are there mostly Impalas over there? If we got the ford fusion, we would not fit. We would Prefer a van, but the prices are just outrageous. I have a second reservation through national for a midsize on emerald isle at $259. Also I understand that chances are good we would at least get a fullsize car. Do we take the chance and pay $100 more for the shot at the van on the isle????? It is frustrating the you know what out of me. Those are the 2 lowest that I have now. Next would be a Jeep Grand Cherokee at Alamo for $329. Our dates are Nov. 8-18. Any suggestions are appreciated. I know you should rent what you need but the standard /full size thing is on my nerves. Thanks to all those that reply.

We have a LOT of Impalas on the full size aisle, which is where you would be selecting your "standard" class vehicle.
There is a holiday in your rental time frame, I would not count on finding a mini van on the EA. I would not bet 100.00 on that.
I am really not sure why the standard/full size thing is on your nerves. You know that you will be selecting from the full size row, you have a great rate, and if you don't see an Impala, you can just ask. You can also walk over to National and take an Impala off their full size row.

 

[Rpsemont]

We've had AT LEAST 3 times that we reserved a mid sized with alamo and driven off with a mini van which was on the mid size aisle.

Your $125 is a great rate.

I would stick with that, keep checking, and hope for the best AND warn evryone that they may have to sit with luggage on their laps, under their feet, etc.

 

[corster]

National/Alamo/Enterprise always seems to have nothing but Impalas in my experience. . I'd be surprised to NOT see one there.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I wouldn't worry about it either. Most of the time we end up with car larger than booked and it's parked in the isle class that we reserved. In August we booked an econo and got an HHR. The HHR's are usually in the midsize aisle.

I have no problem with putting luggage on my lap for the drive to the hotel. I've done it a few times. We've even crushed the kids in the backseat with luggage It's a short drive so you're only going to be uncomfortable for a little while and really, to save money I'll do it every time if I have to. That's money that can be spent elsewhere.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I would keep checking...my rates have gone up and down (down for the most part though) I think I plugged in a fullsize through Alamo for Nov 1-10 and got some pretty good rates...you have to clear your cookies and use the codes Pretty good rates through Bj's and costco)

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

Thanks for all the reassuring comments. I am good with the price, I know that it is very good for the time period we have. I was more concerned with the standard vs fullsize from ford fusion to the Impala. But from the replies, my nerves have settled and I can't wait to go. I will keep checking the prices every day until we leave. I have membership in Alamo, National, and Dollar. Belong to Sams club and Costco. I pretty much have every angle covered for codes and coupons. ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR THE REASSURANCE.:

 

[Inkmahm]

We have a LOT of Impalas on the full size aisle, which is where you would be selecting your "standard" class vehicle.
There is a holiday in your rental time frame, I would not count on finding a mini van on the EA. I would not bet 100.00 on that.
I am really not sure why the standard/full size thing is on your nerves. You know that you will be selecting from the full size row, you have a great rate, and if you don't see an Impala, you can just ask. You can also walk over to National and take an Impala off their full size row.

Does this work in reverse? If we can select from National Exec and see something that we like better at Alamo, can we take something from their lot?

 

[gmeh1]

Does this work in reverse? If we can select from National Exec and see something that we like better at Alamo, can we take something from their lot?

Nope, you are pretty much limited to the exec. aisle or the EA when you make a reservation using your EC membership. Keep in mind, you are paying for a midsize car with an EA reservation, if you get something larger than a full size on the Exec. aisle, then you lucked out.
But, if you made a reservation at National for anything but the EA (exec. or regular) you certainly may go to Alamo and select from there.

 

[gmeh1]

I wouldn't worry about it either. Most of the time we end up with car larger than booked and it's parked in the isle class that we reserved. In August we booked an econo and got an HHR. The HHR's are usually in the midsize aisle.

I have no problem with putting luggage on my lap for the drive to the hotel. I've done it a few times. We've even crushed the kids in the backseat with luggage It's a short drive so you're only going to be uncomfortable for a little while and really, to save money I'll do it every time if I have to. That's money that can be spent elsewhere.

LOL, HHRs are put all over the place. They are listed as a standard car on my "cheat sheet".

 

[gmeh1]

National/Alamo/Enterprise always seems to have nothing but Impalas in my experience. . I'd be surprised to NOT see one there.

We definitely have a LOT of Impalas and Malibus, but, they are definitely NOT the only ones we have in our fleet. I would also be surprised to walk in and NOT see Impalas or Malibus.

We have; Fusions, Camrys, Chargers, Altimas, Mazda6s = full size