Spoke to Dollar...maybe you DISers know better...

[vasoccermom]

I made a ressie with Dollar and then signed up for Fastlane. So far, so good.
My flight gets in around midnight and want to try to expedite things as much as possible as I"ll have 2 cranky kids in tow by then. So I asked the Dollar folks (who were as nice as can be) about whether I needed to hit the Dollar counter on the way to the garage or if I could avoid that and go directly to the kiosk in the garage...
One rep told me I would need to hit the counter to sign my contract and show my license but that I could get in the Fastlane line. The next rep told me I could bypass the counter completely (even the first time I use Fastlane) and go straight to the garage. I had people in the Fastlane customer service dept on the line too and they finally admitted they were only knowledgeable about membership, not the particulars at the various airports...
Anyone out there with the definitive reply?
You guys are always so good with the correct info!

Karen

 

[LucyStorm]

You have to go to the counter first and sign the contracts and show the license. In the fast lane line this takes only a few minutes.

If there is a nice thing about coming in late, it's that they usually are out of the compact car I have reserved, and I get upgraded to something much nicer for free. Not saying it will happen to you, but it has happened to me several times. Reserved a compact and ended up with a grand caravan for 2 people!

Best wishes for a great trip!

 

[vasoccermom]

LucyStorm,
Thanks for the helpful info.
We did indeed rent a compact (the only reason we rented in the first place was it cost us less than transfers and gave us the flexiblility to go off site if needed) so maybe we will get the upgrade (I do have a BJ's coupon for free upgrade anyway). For $103 complete I don't think I could beat this deal...

I just hope they're not too short staffed at MCO at midnight...that could make the lines longer...but at least by then we'll be in Orlando and that much closer to WDW!

THanks again,
karen

 

[LucyStorm]

I have been to Orlando late at night and earlier in the day. They had the same amount of staff at Dollar each time. I was amazed at how many people fly in to MCO late at night.

 

[jctwizzer]

I guess they could have changed the procedure, but even with Fastlane we had to go to the counter in the terminal. However, they have a seperate lane for the Fastlane members and they are taken by the next available agent, regardless of how many are in the regular line. And with Fastlane, all your info should already be in the computer, so its a pretty quick stop

 

[Bill From PA]

vasoccermom,

Be aware of one little trick concerning an upgrade. You might get offered a gread rate to upgrade, say, $4 more per day, and be tempted to accept. As mentioned, they may be out of your car and HAVE to move you up anyway for free. It's a gamble. I'd refuse the offer, unless you need the bigger car, on the chance they don't have what you reserved.

Bill From PA

 

[DVC-Don]

Originally posted by jctwizzer
I guess they could have changed the procedure, but even with Fastlane we had to go to the counter in the terminal. However, they have a seperate lane for the Fastlane members and they are taken by the next available agent, regardless of how many are in the regular line. And with Fastlane, all your info should already be in the computer, so its a pretty quick stop

Yeah that. Every time I've used Fastland at Orlando, I had to go to the counter. Faster line for Fastlane anyway.

 

[vasoccermom]

Thanks everyone for your replies...and just as I suspected, a lot more reliable responses from you all!

Bill from PA...although I'm new to Dollar, I"m not new to the rental "game." We never accept an offer to upgrade if there's money involved. We've been upgraded when a vehicle is not available in our requested size and in the case of our upcoming trip, I have a coupon from BJs for a free upgrade. Since I booked the car with a BJ's code to begin with, I was told I could use this coupon with no problem. Thanks for the advice though!
Worst case scenario, even if we have the compact...we're essentially just using it to get us and our luggage from the airport to AKL! There's currently another thread running on this board saying they're short on all rental cars these days...I only hope they have something available at MCO when we arrive at o'dark hundred!
Thanks again for all your help...
I'll be looking for the lime green mickey heads in less than 3 weeks!

Karen