Which Car Ressie to Keep?! Help!

[tink2020]

Hello! I have a question for you experienced MCO renters. Well, or experienced car renters in general, as this December will be our first time renting.

Currently, I hold 2 reservations for a car. One is through Alamo. I got a FANTASTIC deal, out of the blue, for a Premium level car for ~$160 for the week (after fees, etc). I see that they have online check-in, which allows you to bypass the counter and go straight to your car, check out, and drive off.

Since then, I read on mousesavers, used various codes, etc and got a rate through National Emerald Aisle of ~$143 for the week. This is (obviously) $17 cheaper, but only a guarantee of an intermediate-size car.

I keep going back and forth. We don't specifically NEED the extra room (5 people, but we're small and we've crammed into MUCH smaller!) of the Premium car, so I first want to go with National. However, I'm a little skeptical because of not knowing what size we'll end up with, etc and also not knowing if we'll not get our quote price since we used coupon codes for Priceless (who we don't work with) and the Entertainment coupon. With alamo's online check-in, it doesn't seem much more difficult than EA, and no loopholes to worry about.

But then there's the money, and the chance of the upgrade..... lol

Any advice?

Also, any clue as to when I need to cancel one of the ressies to not get stuck with both?!

Thanks in advance!

 

[tink2020]

bump! please help!

 

[disneyldwjr]

If you don't need the room I would go with National.
Online check in has it's downfalls, read the rules, if you have not already.
The Priceless code has been used way too many times to count by people on here and NO one has had a problem using the code. Same thing applies to code/coupon mix and match.
With National, you go to the garage, pick out your car, check it out at the exit kiosk and you are on your way.

 

[tink2020]

Three related questions

1) Are both Alamo and National located AT MCO (no shuttles)?

2) What type of cars come in the Emerald Aisle? I don't mean "what great cars have you found or heard of people finding", but what am I guaranteed? That will help decide how "crammed" we'll be with luggage, etc.

3) Any ideas when I need to cancel one or the other? I keep looking but can't find a policy.

Thanks!

 

[disneyldwjr]

Three related questions

1) Are both Alamo and National located AT MCO (no shuttles)?

2) What type of cars come in the Emerald Aisle? I don't mean "what great cars have you found or heard of people finding", but what am I guaranteed? That will help decide how "crammed" we'll be with luggage, etc.

3) Any ideas when I need to cancel one or the other? I keep looking but can't find a policy.

Thanks!

the are both at MCO, in fact they are in the same garage area.

EA has intermediates, that is what you booked and that is all they will guarantee. Intermediates are Grand Ams, Galants, Aleros and similar.

It would be wise to cancel the one you don't want at least 24 hours before the other.

National can impose a 50.00 no show fee. Alamo could impose a fee IF they have your credit card number.

 

[tink2020]

Thanks!

 

[Snoozan]

I haven't tried the new Alamo on-line check-in, but not sure if I'd want to as I'm an EA customer for National. EA has always treated us well and we've had no problems with the cars we've gotten off the EA. Sizes can vary, even on the EA. I've gotten a Grand Am, a Mitsubishi Galant, Buick Rendevous and last time - a Pontiac Vibe. My DH likes being able to pick out his own car(of course, I usually get my say!)and check-out is usually fairly quick at the kiosk. If room is an issue for people & luggage, you may want to stay with the premium car from Alamo. There's a chance you may get a car from EA that doesn't have a whole lot of luggage space(Mitsubishi & Vibe were ones).

 

[cranbiz]

My last two trips to MCO I got Pontiac G6's on EA (June and July) The G6 has a LOT of trunk space.

 

[tink2020]

That is my only concern..... I said we don't need the space because we are used to cramming The same group of 5 went to Toledo one weekend recently, with a small amount of luggage ----- in a 2-door Cavalier! So certainly we'll survive. We will have significantly more luggage (especially with the darn fickle December weather) but it will be less than an hour. I already talked to my mom about luggage space and I think we'll probably end up with:

- ourselves (4 adults (2 very small) and 1 tiny pre-teen)
- 2-3 carryons (just backpacks/totes.... no suitcase-type for that short a flight)
which can be held on laps
- 2 medium/large and 1 small suitcase for the trunk

Since our trip is short, I think we could keep the luggage to what's above...... does that seem do-able? We don't need anything luxurious, we just need the doors to close and my husband to be able to see out the windows!

These are the planning things that aren't funnnnnnnnnn

But I appreciate all of your help!

 

[cranbiz]

You may even get 1 or 2 of those cary on's in the trunk of a G6. The normal luggage would easily fit.

Now I can't speak for any of the other cars mentioned, but I have always got something from EA with simular trunk space (or no trunk space but an 8' pickup bed )

 

[tink2020]

bump! any more thoughts before i cancel one soon?

 

[mill4023]

For such a small difference in price, I'd take the bigger car and not have to worry about whether everyone and everything will fit.