Supply of rental cards at midnight??

[gmeh1]

In defense of gmeh1, the OP was asking about MCO not Jacksonville. Each airport is unique when it comes to operating hours. Some airports like MCO are pretty much a 24/7 operation because they are busier and have flights arriving and departing at all times of the day and night. Places like Jacksonville aren't nearly as busy and don't have the same kind of round the clock schedule that MCO has.

Your experience at Jacksonville isn't really relevant to the OP's question because they are two very different airports. What happens at one in no way reflects what happens at the other. It is nice that you were trying to share your experience but in this case it isn't helpful to the OP and her question (but it might be for someone travelling to JAX )

I travel all the time and I know when I am arriving on a late flight at a smaller airport that I better check times for the rental car companies because they may not be open and I have to find an alternative. Major airports almost always have rental car companies (at least the major ones) that are open 24/7/365.

Thank you!!!

 

[MrsDoubtfire]

Next month we will be arriving at MCO at midnight. We have never flown in at this time. What should we expect with the selection of rental cars?

I keep telling myself there will be plenty of cars to choose from because of all the people returning their vehicle at the end of the day.

And then I panic and say no way, all the cars will be taken and we will end up with a jalopy.

I know there is nothing I can do either way - I'll get what I get, but what is your experience?

We rented from Alamo for several years in a row now (due to GREAT rates), but last year we did end up with a jalopy (disappointing, to say the least). Our SW flight was delayed big time, and we did not arrive at MCO until after midnight. By the time we made it to the cars was probably 1 a.m.ish. We reserved in the mid-size SUV class - Ford Escape or equivalent. We ended up with some Jeep product that was awful - there were 4 of the same in the lot left and all sucked, IMO. I'm thinking no one who came before us wanted them, which was why they were still sitting there. I hope it doesn't happen this year.

 

[gmeh1]

We rented from Alamo for several years in a row now (due to GREAT rates), but last year we did end up with a jalopy (disappointing, to say the least). Our SW flight was delayed big time, and we did not arrive at MCO until after midnight. By the time we made it to the cars was probably 1 a.m.ish. We reserved in the mid-size SUV class - Ford Escape or equivalent. We ended up with some Jeep product that was awful - there were 4 of the same in the lot left and all sucked, IMO. I'm thinking no one who came before us wanted them, which was why they were still sitting there. I hope it doesn't happen this year.

I hope not either, but, IF it should happen again, go to the booth and ask if there is something else available. Oddly enough a lot of people like those Jeeps and really, they are not jalopies.