RJMC
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 5, 2012
- Messages
- 212
Hi
Just checked in online for our 'Free' included car hire with Alamo via Virgin Holidays. All very easy to do and painless, and hopefully means that I can now go straight to the car hire garage and pick out a car of my choice in my category and go, without queuing, waiting or someone trying to up sell me anything.
Well that's the theory anyway!!!
But I did notice a little swizz that I avoided doing online, and hopefully you will to. During the online check in process it asks you if you want to pre-pay your return full tank (as you have to return the car with a full tank of fuel).
It offered this at a rate of about $3.50 a gallon, which all things considered seem OK. Until you realise these 2 points.
1 - They will pre-charge you for a FULL tank based on the fuel tank size of the car, regardless how much is ion the tank when you return it (e.g. if you bring it back with half a tank, that means you only needed to add another half, but they will have pre-charged you for a full tank). So unless you are skilled enough to bring it back almost completely empty, you will be paying for fuel you don't use. Hope that point makes sense?
2- Secondly, the rate they quote is a guesstimate, and they say it may fluctuate depending on 'current gas rates' meaning you are basically giving them permission to charge what they want.
So unless you have a real issue with being able to fill up the car yourself at a local gas station on your last day (such at the one at downtown Disney, etc) do not opt for this option, as it will undoubtedly cost you more money.
As for whether the online check in will save me time and hassle when we arrive in Orlando next weekend, we will have to see!!
Just checked in online for our 'Free' included car hire with Alamo via Virgin Holidays. All very easy to do and painless, and hopefully means that I can now go straight to the car hire garage and pick out a car of my choice in my category and go, without queuing, waiting or someone trying to up sell me anything.
Well that's the theory anyway!!!
But I did notice a little swizz that I avoided doing online, and hopefully you will to. During the online check in process it asks you if you want to pre-pay your return full tank (as you have to return the car with a full tank of fuel).
It offered this at a rate of about $3.50 a gallon, which all things considered seem OK. Until you realise these 2 points.
1 - They will pre-charge you for a FULL tank based on the fuel tank size of the car, regardless how much is ion the tank when you return it (e.g. if you bring it back with half a tank, that means you only needed to add another half, but they will have pre-charged you for a full tank). So unless you are skilled enough to bring it back almost completely empty, you will be paying for fuel you don't use. Hope that point makes sense?
2- Secondly, the rate they quote is a guesstimate, and they say it may fluctuate depending on 'current gas rates' meaning you are basically giving them permission to charge what they want.
So unless you have a real issue with being able to fill up the car yourself at a local gas station on your last day (such at the one at downtown Disney, etc) do not opt for this option, as it will undoubtedly cost you more money.
As for whether the online check in will save me time and hassle when we arrive in Orlando next weekend, we will have to see!!
