Who Has Rented a Car from Dollar?

[carol-lamb]

I always rent a car through Alamo and today I plugged in the numbers and used a coupon from the Entertainment Book for my upcoming trip April 1st through April 8th. The price I got for a mid size was about $530. I checked out Dollar and using an offer they had on their web site, I was able to get a full size car for $199. That is a big price difference and seems almost too good to be true. It says Dollar is located at the airport so I'm assuming it is walking distance just like Alamo? I'm interested hearing from anyone who has used Dollar. Thanks!

 

[webworm]

I always rent a car through Alamo and today I plugged in the numbers and used a coupon from the Entertainment Book for my upcoming trip April 1st through April 8th. The price I got for a mid size was about $530. I checked out Dollar and using an offer they had on their web site, I was able to get a full size car for $199. That is a big price difference and seems almost too good to be true. It says Dollar is located at the airport so I'm assuming it is walking distance just like Alamo? I'm interested hearing from anyone who has used Dollar. Thanks!

All the major car rental companies are located in the garage at Orlando with the exception of Hertz which requires a shuttle. They are directly across from where you pickup your luggage. Thrifty has a good rate as well using the Orlando Magic Card corporate ID 004m001010. You can get a full size for a total of $222.60 and it includes the free additional driver which normally runs $10/day extra at a lot of the rental agencies.

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/index.cfm?searchCategory=transportation

 

[MinnieForMe]

We have used Dollar. We have never had a problem with their vehicles but I hate using them. The lines to check in have been huge and have taken over an hour every time we use them. They also have pressured us to either change vehicles (upgrade for more money -- they will tell you that your luggage won't fit in) or try to convince you to upgrade insurance because they want to get you for a larger dollar amount than you reserved. We won't use them again on principle! The last stray was when they made us wait for two hours for a reserved car at midnight.

 

[pocohontas2004]

webworm:

I saw the "free driver" thing on Thrifty with the Magicard discount. I made the reservation and didn't see anything on it about the free driver. I called and they said it wasn't free, it would be $9.95 or $9.99 per day for the 2nd driver. I'm sure I used the Magicard code. I have not picked up the car and I'm skeptical if it will really include a free 2nd driver as it isn't noted in the reservation info.

Just a caution. I do hope it works, though.

 

[englishteacha]

Dollar has a City Special going on for when we'll be there in June. You will only see the City Special if you enter NO codes on the first page.

Make sure to join Dollar Express. It's free and the express line is very short! We rented from them in 2007 and we had an excellent experience.

 

[scrappingizlife]

Do not do not do not! I had the worst experince with them. I got a quote of $169 and ended up paying over $400. They tried to upsell us, I told them no. I tried to pay with my credit card and they told me that they are were going to put a $400 hold on the account. Then even though my car insurance covers rental cars, they still made me get the insurance. Then they gave us the c#$*@#iest car seat ever, the first one was broken, and the guy knew it when he handed it to me, because I saw him pause while he was looking at it, he was going to turn around and grab another, and changed his mind. They charged $30 a day for a carseat that is only $30 at Target. Then I get to the car and there is gum on my seat! When we were leaving, there was a couple on the trolly back to the airport going to rent from somewhere else because of the way they had been treated. I was so livid at the end, that I wrote a long letter to the corp office. The response I got, was "you signed the contract" Like the horrible customer service I got and the difference in price was no big deal. I will never use them again.

 

[webworm]

webworm:

I saw the "free driver" thing on Thrifty with the Magicard discount. I made the reservation and didn't see anything on it about the free driver. I called and they said it wasn't free, it would be $9.95 or $9.99 per day for the 2nd driver. I'm sure I used the Magicard code. I have not picked up the car and I'm skeptical if it will really include a free 2nd driver as it isn't noted in the reservation info.

Just a caution. I do hope it works, though.

Yes it includes the free additional driver. I have used the Orlando Magic Card code before. You must have entered it incorrectly. I copied from the Orlando Magic Card below. You can also see free additional driver when you make reservation on Thrifty website.

Thrifty Car Rental provides on-airport service along with great cars and great rates! Other features include: frequent flyer miles, express check out and more. GPS and Express Pass services also available.

Use corporate number 004M001010 and receive discounted rates, free unlimited mileage, free additional driver fee, plus receive Blue Chip Express Rewards.

Advance reservations required.

Below I copied from Thrifty website when making reservation:

Car & Rate Welcome
MAGIC CARD OOCCVB CD# 004M001010 Corporate Rate Includes:

•Any applicable additional driver fees
•Unlimited mileage within contiguous states

 

[kehlyrsmom]

We have rented a Mini-Van from Dollar every year since 06 and never had a problem with them. I have always gotten the best rate from them. I do always take in a copy of my confirmation that shows my rate and the code I used to get that rate. They have had a couple of problems with the rates at times but they always made it work. They have always asked if I wanted additional items but have never tried to push them on us. We have maybe waited a 1/2 hour in line, this has always been over Labor day weekend in Sept.

 

[Detailor]

We've rented from Dollar at Orlando over a dozen times with very good results. Easy and quick at the reservation desk with Dollar Express, fast pick up in the garage. We've had good experiences with the cars and good, responsive customer service when we've needed to ca11 (like the time our rental car was hit by another vehicle in a parking lot).
I do not hesitate to recommend Dollar.

Dick Taylor

 

[Bobo912]

I've found their employees to be rude. They pressure you to upgrade and to pre-purchase gas from them, and then try to make you feel stupid if you resist. When we returned the car they entered an enormous amount of miles driven into their system, that was about 700 miles more than we had driven. Not sure what that was about, because our rate was the same regardless. But it just seemed strange and dishonest. The car was okay (the one they told me was so terrible to try to get me to upgrade). I will never use them again.

 

[splashmt]

We had used Dollar for a mini van for about 3 years in a row. A few years ago, after a bad flight, I get to the Express Lane line (or whatever its called for special customers) and they tell me they have no minivans. I was furious. They were going to have to have one driven in from DAytona. Another family was standing by, waiting for one as well. I took the reservation to another agency and they wanted my business, and so gave me the same rate i had with Dollar. I haven't gone back to Dollar since. There is a reason they are so cheap. Not good service.

 

[chrisn]

We have rented with Dollar every year since 2000 and are doing so again next month. We have never had an issue and have almost always been offered an upgrade. Yes, they do try to sell the gas and insurance. Have always gotten past that with a very firm NO from my husband. I've been very satisfied with Dollar. I do have to say though, rates are OUTRAGEOUS this year. I've never paid even close to what I am paying for our full size rental next month...with a code! WOW!

 

[livie1205]

They ARE very rude and have very bad customer service but they have the best rates so that is where I rent from..I always get the lock low and go rate and when I get there they let me pick the car I want even minivans!

 

[Disnydad]

I rent from Dollar quite often. I use Dollar Express so the wait is short and all my preferences are pre-set so I don't get asked to add on coverages.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

I rent from Dollar quite often. I use Dollar Express so the wait is short and all my preferences are pre-set so I don't get asked to add on coverages.

Thank you, you just answered the question I was going to ask! I was debating to join Express or not since we travel very little, but I thought, heck, if it is going to avoid the hassle of the pushy prepaid gas and insurance questions it would be well worth it.

So thank you !

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Thrifty and Dollar - no thanks.