Tell me EVERYTHING!

[nja33]

DBF and I are taking a quick trip to Florida next month and will be spending the first half of the week at his mom's in Ocala. We're renting a car from the airport and will drop it off at the Dolphin when we arrive in Disney on Wednesday. We're going to be renting from Alamo I think as their rates seem reasonable and I've found a bunch of discounts we can use (still figuring out what one's the best). I've never rented a car before and neither has DBF so we're completely clueless. So I'm looking for any advice you may have. Step by step directions would be wonderful. TIA!!!

 

[ducklite]

One question--are you over 25? If not you're going to have a difficult--and expensive--time renting a car.

I'm not sure what you need step by step directions for. You get off the plane, get your bags, go to the car rental counter, present your license and credit card, get the keys and go.

Anne

 

[Dan Murphy]

If you are set up online with Alamo, you can use the handy kiosks in the Alamo area to check out. Also good to sign up with their Quick Silver service (Alamo's 'club').

http://www.alamo.com/hotDealsTemplate.do?msg=AL_kiosk_promotion&cid=hpbkiosk

 

[Abby's Dad]

One of the areas that car rental companies make a lot of money is in the extra insurance coverage that they offer - damage waivers, etc. Check your own car insurance to make sure that you are totally covered (and depending on what your own deductible is, that would apply) while driving a rental car, and that you have broad collision coverage, and well as personal liability. Also, some credit cards cover the damage waiver part automatically if you use them to pay for the rental car. - Avoid these extra fees if you are sure that you don't need them, as they can really add a bunch. Also, make sure the rental car has whatever gas in it that you agree to (half, full, whatever), and the rate per gallon that the rental car companies charge is, shall we say, EXCESSIVE! Have a great trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Adding on to the gas thought above, best choice is to bring the car back full. Usually the worst (most costly) is the choice to bring the car back with empty tank, or not refilling it before you return. With that choice, you pay for the maximum the car gas tank holds, even though you probably have used less than 5 or 10 gallons. It is easy for their double talk to confuse you.