Which one is better?

[goodferry]

I have essentially the same rate for the same size vehicle through National and Dollar, we don't rent often, actually ever, is one better then the other?

 

[RumpleMom]

Since the price is the same, check and see what brand of car each company carries. Is there one you prefer to drive more than another? I know DH has asked me to never again book a Jeep brand car, so I always look at the specific brand.

 

[rwdavis2]

Also check where the rental counters and car pickups are. At the terminal or do you have to take a bus to get the car. At MCO Dollar is a walk to the garage directly across the street from the terminal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

National is in the same garage - all the national (and some local) rental agencies are now.

I'd go with National. Why? You get to choose your car. Just fine your aisle and pick a car. Dollar, to the best of my recollection, assigns you a vehicle. Well, a parking space number and you get the car parked in it .

 

[Tara]

National is in the same garage - all the national (and some local) rental agencies are now.

I'd go with National. Why? You get to choose your car. Just fine your aisle and pick a car. Dollar, to the best of my recollection, assigns you a vehicle. Well, a parking space number and you get the car parked in it .

What she said. And with National, you can elect to use a kiosk to avoid standing in line - very fast, no-insurance-pressure way to get your paperwork. There's a link in your confirmation email that lets you "pre-register," so to speak. Then you go to the kiosk instead of the counter (or most likely, the line for the counter). Confirm info, swipe your credit card, then head out to the garage where you pick your own car from the aisle containing the size car you rented.

I really like picking my own car - I check out several before deciding because they often have a strong cleaning chemical smell and I want one that isn't overpowering. Plus I like to pick a lighter color interior when it's hot in FL.

 

[csharpwv]

Kind of a side note - I have a friend that was a corporate attorney for a number of year before it became too much for her (in more ways than one) and advises to never do business or work with any company with the word "Dollar" in their name. She says their bottom line is the almighty dollar - and Dollar rent a car does all of their repairs with reclaimed parts, and only replaces the tires with absolutely necessary.
She dealt with one legal claim against them where a family filed suit after their car had a major blowout 12 miles from the airport - and as it turns out there were 5 plugs in one tire - and instead of replacing the tire - they just kept repairing it.
The vehicle had been a one way rental from a colder climate - and the accident happened in Florida in the heat of the summer - so as soon as the tire hit the hot roads of Florida the tire plugs/patches were ineffective.

Go with National!