Travel Review 4/16/04

[bostonlass]

Plane Rides - We took NorthWest air from Bos to Detroit and then from Detroit to Tampa. I drove from Tampa to Orlando. On our way back on 4/22/04 we took the shuttle from Port Canaveral to Orlando and we flew NorthWest air from Orlando to Memphis and then from Memphis to Boston. I loved Northwest air and would definitely fly them again. No problems whatsoever catching our connecting flights and we were early with each flight we took. Very little turbulance and what little we had the pilot was right there on the intercom apologizing for it. I was impressed.

Car Rental - Rented SUV at Tampa and dropped off a few days later at Port Canaveral. Tampa was horrible as far as service was concerned. This is my fault but I felt jipped in the price that I paid. I reserved online for a certain amount and ended up paying almost $100 more. This is due to my lack of knowledge about insurance so I bought two days worth and also my lack of gas consumption that I needed so I bought the full tank with them. I only used 1/2 of a tank and it turns out I didn't need the insurance since mine covered me already. Also, I had no clue how to operate this car since I had never driven one. After a 1/2 hour wait for the car to be ready I was told where it was parked in the garage and that was that. We walked to the car and no one was there to tell me about how to work it. I had no clue how to open the trunk etc. Figured it out finally but could have used a little assistance. Drop off at Port Canaveral was easy and smooth and the shuttle driver who took us to the Disney Wonder was very freindly!!!

Shuttle from Port Canaveral to Orlando Airport - This was a delight! Didn't have to think and just sat there and wat ched cartoons in a nicely airconditioned bus that took us straight to the terminal.

Misc. - NorthWest had a desk at Port Canaveral so I waS able to check us and our bags in right there and not have to deal with any lines at the airport!

 

[inkkognito]

Just curious...what car rental company did you use? Were they really pushy about the insurance?
I fell for the gas thing once, too. Even if you use the whole tank, it's not a bargain because the price they quote you doesn't include taxes etc. like the price quoted at the pump does. Just another one of those nasty little tricks they like to pull on tourists. Much cheaper just to fill up at the Circle K on Boggy Creek before drop-off.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[safetymom]

I can't ever remember when I rented a car that someone showed me how to work the controls. There is usually an owners manual in the glove box.

It's not just one company they all are that way. The same thing for the gas and insurance. The agencies isn't going to explain the options.

 

[dizneycc]

Much cheaper just to fill up at the Circle K on Boggy Creek before drop-off.

Barb, Where is this? I have never seen a gas station on the way to the airport. That would be much better than getting off at Orange Blossom Trail to get gas.

Thanks!

 

[inkkognito]

We take 417 and exit at Boggy Creek. We turn the opposite way rather than towards the airport (I think that would be a right). Just go for a mile or two and the Circle K will be on your right. Their prices are very reasonable. Then make a left and follow Boggy Creek past 417 and veer left to the airport entrance road. We do that all the time for our quickie weekend trips.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[bostonlass]

Barb - This was Budget at Tampa that was pushy about the insurance. The Budget at Port Canaveral was much nicer and smoother. At Tampa I had reserved pickup at 1pm and it was definitely not ready at that time. I felt they were all stressed out and there were people who had different cars who had to wait longer. I guess it depends on the city you go to pick it up from.

safetymom - I've rented cars in my area (boston) on multiple occasions before and each and every time they have pulled the car around for you and taken about 2 to 3 minutes to show you the basics and answer any questions you might have. The places in Boston that I have used are Enterprise and Budget. I guess it depends on where you are. I think this definitely adds to the customer service aspect which is so important in that type of industry.

 

[ColoradoDis]

That's great that in Boston they show you the controls for car rentals. I've rented all over the country (Orlando, Atlanta, Birminham, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Providence, RI and LAX, etc.) never had anyone go through that with me.

 

[CarolA]

Actually, a lot of rental car companies remove the owners manaul. (People actually steal these!) I have never had anyone show me anything about a car at the airport. This has happened at local rentals, but I would not count on it at the airport. Just sit in the car and figure things out! Considering the "quality" of the average worker in the airport lot, I doubt they would know much more then you do. (They will however, be able to adjust the radio to the worst station on the dial with no effort! LOL!)


This is a reason you might consider the vehicle size when you rent. I for example, drive a smaller car, and have a hard time adapting to the large SUV's so I rarely rent them.

 

[bostonlass]

You know, I never even thought to look for the manual!! The other rental cars that I got were not at an airport so perhaps that is the difference. I rent cars when I have my own car serviced and that is the only experience that I have, though the rental agencies are not affiliated with the dealerships so I just assumed it would be the same anywhere I go.

I really wouldn't have cared since a car is a car, after all. The reason it irked me a bit was that I pressed the trunk button on the remote and only the glass part of the trunk opened. This left me having to lift the luggage and squeeze it through the small opening that I got. Since I have a chronic back problem I wasn't thrilled with this. Once we got to the hotel it only took me a few minutes to figure out how to open it all the way, but I could have used that knowledge at the airport. There are a few other extras that would have been good to know too but they didn't make or break my experience.