Thrifty vs. Budget

[my3kids]

Is one better/quicker/easier at MCO than the other? Budget is $23 more total, but I don't mind paying more if the rental will take less time to pick up.

Anyone have experience with these companies?

 

[Kevenswife2]

No experience with them (will be using Budget in Nov.), but I wanted to let you know, in case this helps, that Budget is in the terminal and Thrifty is off-site. You'd have to take a shuttle.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Budget is located in the terminal. You have to take a shuttle to Thrifty.

I've seen posts where one spouse goes to Thrifty while the other waits for baggage and is able to get to the terminal with the car about the same time as the one with the baggage.

Either way, sign up for the Budget FastBreak and Thrifty Blue Chip programs. They're both free.

FWIW, I'm leaning towards Thrifty b/c it is cheaper. Go to the Thrifty site and find the link to East of the Mississippi specials. Scroll down to the Orlando link and put in your dates. Try using the codes from the MouseSavers site.

 

[my3kids]

So with Budget, the cars are actually outside a door from the terminal....no shuttle bus at all?

 

[Took]

That's right. The cars are right outside the terminal--very convenient.

We've been using Budget for years (we're Fastbreak and PerfectDrive members) and have had only positive experiences so far. BTW, there's a good 20% off coupon if you use your Mastercard with Budget (see the mousesavers.com website for details).

While I've heard a number of positive comments about THrifty just lately, our only bad experience renting at MCO was with a very pushy Thrifty sales rep. Never again!

 

[my3kids]

Good information! I just joined fast break, but after I had made the initial reservation. Can I call and ask them to add it to the reservation, and keep whatever good rate I find? Mousesavers made it sound like FastBreak and codes weren't as simple as one would hope.

 

[Kevenswife2]

You MUST contact them to have your Fastbreak info applied to your current reservation. You can call or do it over the internet. Bottom of their homepage has a 'contact us' button. I prefer to do it over the 'net as you get a page to printout in case of a problem.

And your good rate will stay the same.

 

[inkkognito]

Personally I would go with the cheaper rate. We have used both Budget and Thrifty several times, and Thrifty is really quite painless even with the shuttle. It's always waiting right outside so you just jump on and go. There has never been a bad line at their office, which is right outside the airport's North Exit.
Of course, we've had good experiences with Budget too.
Barb

 

[my3kids]

Thanks for the advice and information. Anyone else want to chime in??