Orlando car hire

Hi, I've been searching previous threads on the subject of car hire and have more or less decided on USRentacar as the company has received such good reviews on this forum.

Can previous 'users' of this firm please confirm that the cars are collected from MCO and not from an off-site depot (which a friend is trying to tell me will happen if I don't book direct with Dollar themselves).

Many thanks. H

[Neil]

All the main car hire companies (and ALL of those USrentacar use) are on site at MCO airport.

We have used them a few times, with Dollar as the actual company, and not had any problems, using them again in 6 weeks also.

[mitchja]

As Neil mentions, all the car companies are indeed on site, just across the road from where the car hire desks are located in their own multi-storey parking area.

Not sure about other companies, but having just picked up an economy car from Alamo at MCO, I even got to pick which car I actually wanted. Hire desk to car was about a 2 minute walk.

The major car hire companies have not used off-site facilities for many years now at MCO.

[Neil]

As Neil mentions, all the car companies are indeed on site, just across the road from where the car hire desks are located in their own multi-storey parking area.

Not sure about other companies, but having just picked up an economy car from Alamo at MCO, I even got to pick which car I actually wanted. Hire desk to car was about a 2 minute walk.

The major car hire companies have not used off-site facilities for many years now at MCO.

Think it is only Alamo who allow the choose your own car option, never had it with Dollar.

Hertz actually only moved on site last May, which has now moved them as my number choice for MCO, they were just sold out when I booked for April.

Many thanks for your replies - I knew I would get the answer to my query on this forum y). Really grateful - I'll start pressing those buttons now.

Its funny though that during my research on the car hire, all the 'direct contact' price quotes with like with Dollar, Alamo or Budget have come out so much more expensive than using a third party agent, strange? and to book Alamo via the Virgin Atlantic/Holidays site is again pounds more than with a third party quotes. Thanks again. H

Roger and Rouella who run the site are always around to answer queries. We have had them upgrade the car car mid holiday and it worked out miles cheaper then doing it direct with supplier.

Alsways great service, never had a problem with them in 10 years of using them.

Sorry - I'm probably too late but I booked a car through the VA site, (uses Virgin Hols);

£385 for 2 weeks in May, a full size SUV with Alamo. Usually A Jeep Grand Cherokee, (too big really but when in Rome...)

Can't see that price anywhere else.

Plus the 4 x Miles with the Black AMEX and some triple miles bonus for using the site. And 1000 miles after picking the car up.

Pretty good deal I thought?

I've used USCarhire in the past - they're good too. Only a £25 deposit and the balance 8 weeks before. Worth checking out.

Sorry - I'm probably too late but I booked a car through the VA site, (uses Virgin Hols);

Sounds like you got a really good deal there. When we tried VA via Virgin Hols, they quoted £550 for a 2 week minivan on a Platinum cover with Alamo. Elsewhere its coming up £409 for same deal but with Dollar.

Many thanks for your replies - I knew I would get the answer to my query on this forum y). Really grateful - I'll start pressing those buttons now.

Its funny though that during my research on the car hire, all the 'direct contact' price quotes with like with Dollar, Alamo or Budget have come out so much more expensive than using a third party agent, strange? and to book Alamo via the Virgin Atlantic/Holidays site is again pounds more than with a third party quotes. Thanks again. H

I found booking through Dollar UK was much cheaper than via the US site! Also looked at Alamo, as I liked being able to pre-register and then not have the long wait at the desk the other end - but, their site is strange. It mentions being able to pre-register, but when you use the link, it simply says the service is no longer available!

I find that 'platinum' insurances packages don't always offer value; just the standard package is usually good enough. Alamo and dollar usually include a couple of drivers anyway so you often find yourself paying 50 quid + for a tank of fuel; its not quite that much there (yet!)

I booked an SUV through Usrentacar last week and it came cheaper for Dollar than Budget or Alamo or the UK Dollar site. You do get to choose your car with Dollar now at some locations and MCO is one of them.

Katie

If you are using dollar.com and enter the pick up point as MCO, make sure you select all car types then check out the city specials (yellow button I think) which can give you some amazing prices - the last specials seem to be full size cars (dodge charger) which were considerably cheaper than normal.

David

Hi, I always use Travelsupermarket and always find them the cheapest and good value. They use all the well known firms, such as Dollar, Budget etc.

Hi, can anyone tell me if the on-line check in facility with Virgin car hire is specific to VH. I'm aware that car's booked through VS are managed by VH, but a friend of ours told me that for the on-line check in facility, whereby one prints off the rental agreement and bypasses the rental desk is exclusive to VH. Can anyone clarify this ?|

Hi,

We're out in Florida at the moment. I booked through USRentacar, and had my Dollar Express membership number included on the voucher. Excellent service! Flew into MCO and went straight to the Dollar booth in the parking lot. They had the documentation already printed, simply checked my credit card details and gave me the keys. Nothing to sign, and no hard sell for extras. Clerk very polite and professional. The car - a brand new Ford Escape - was parked just behind the booth and had a 'VIP HOLD' tag hanging from the rear view mirror. Loaded up, quick security check at the exit from the parking lot and we were away. Less than five minutes from arrival at the the booth.

I believe Dollar do offer a self-selection on some classes of vehicle, but not SUVs which are especially popular.

Anyone planning an upcoming US visit might want to review their fuel budget. The price of petrol is increasing daily and is currently averaging more than $3.50 a gallon. Expected to go considerably higher if the current middle east situation continues, and $3.75 a gallon, or more, is forecast.

Regards,


John

[mitchja]

The online check-in is a facility offered by Alamo. Alamo offer this service to anyone who booked direct with them.

It is also available to VH and VS customers. You do need to use the specific VH/VS website though, as using the ordinary Alamo website to check-in asks you for your rental agreement number (which you wont have booking through VH/VS). With the specific VH/VS section of the Alamo website it lets you use your VS/VH booking reference.

You do need access to a printer as you have to print out your rental agreement before you leave. One thing I'm not sure about is how long before you can actually use this online check-in system, this is not mentioned anywhere ?|

Saying all this however, when I tried using this facility before leaving LGW, it would not work and I'd booked my Alamo car hire via the VS website.

VH do also have their own desks in the car hire area at MCO to process Alamo bookings (only open around the times VS flights arrive though), which I guess VS pax can also use.

As I was picking my car up the following day in the morning (VH desks closed), I just used the ordinary Alamo desk which only had a short queue anyway that time of the day.

Whilst the cost of fuel increasing, it is still cheaper here than in the UK!! Even pre-paying for fuel from Alamo only cost me $48 (£30).

I have reserved a Car directly with Alamo themselves to pick up on 14th June. I e-mailed the to enquire about the on-line check in, but they explained that it was only available to US/CAN license holders. When i saw advertised in the Virgin Florida Brochure, a new facility for on-line check-in, it made sense as a Virgin exclusive, as no other rental company i know of offer this service to UK bookers.

I've only ever used the Virgin desk when i booked a package with VH a couple of years ago. Now, i tend to book via VS, as we tend to go for odd days and stay at several properties not featured in VH Brochure. I didn't realise one could use the VH Car Hire desk if you have flight only with VS, or is that being a bit cheeky

Hi,

We're out in Florida at the moment. I booked through USRentacar, and had my Dollar Express membership number included on the voucher. Excellent service! Flew into MCO and went straight to the Dollar booth in the parking lot. They had the documentation already printed, simply checked my credit card details and gave me the keys. Nothing to sign, and no hard sell for extras. Clerk very polite and professional. The car - a brand new Ford Escape - was parked just behind the booth and had a 'VIP HOLD' tag hanging from the rear view mirror. Loaded up, quick security check at the exit from the parking lot and we were away. Less than five minutes from arrival at the the booth.

I believe Dollar do offer a self-selection on some classes of vehicle, but not SUVs which are especially popular.

Anyone planning an upcoming US visit might want to review their fuel budget. The price of petrol is increasing daily and is currently averaging more than $3.50 a gallon. Expected to go considerably higher if the current middle east situation continues, and $3.75 a gallon, or more, is forecast.

Regards,


John

I've signed up for Dollar Express, but not yet used it. I assumed there was a dedicated desk at the car rental place - is this not so? I didn't book via US rentacar, so would I be able to go to the parking lot directly?

[mitchja]

I didn't realise one could use the VH Car Hire desk if you have flight only with VS, or is that being a bit cheeky

Sorry, just to be clear, I'd booked flights only with VS but also booked car hire only via the VS website (car hire and hotel only bookings on the VS website are processed by VH as you get a standard old style xxxxxx/s11 VH booking reference)

Your car booking e-ticket email you receive has both the VS & VH logos on it.

The only other slightly confusing thing is that you need to use the car hire desks in the A side of arrivals for all VH/VS bookings on the lower level even though VS flights arrive on the B side. I think that's the case anyway, as when I exited the terminal after arriving I was on the B side even though the VS e-ticket said VS arrive on the A side!!!!! It might just be me as I always get confused when going through MCO though!!!!

I've signed up for Dollar Express, but not yet used it. I assumed there was a dedicated desk at the car rental place - is this not so? I didn't book via US rentacar, so would I be able to go to the parking lot directly?

Yup, the Dollar Express desk at MCO is across the road in the garage and turn left - its 1st class and really really quick y) - express cars are usually just behind the booth

David

one rip off to avaid is the prepay gas option. they will charge you for a full tank -and by that i mena every single drop it allegedly holds. of course you take it back wiht some left and they win. i prefer to fill up a few miles before the airport -not real close as the prices suddenly hike.

currently we are paying between 3.40 and 3.49 a gallon, there was talk the other day it might hit 4 bucks

I've signed up for Dollar Express, but not yet used it. I assumed there was a dedicated desk at the car rental place - is this not so? I didn't book via US rentacar, so would I be able to go to the parking lot directly?

Yup, the Dollar Express desk at MCO is across the road in the garage and turn left - its 1st class and really really quick y) - express cars are usually just behind the booth

David

I've also used Dollar Express; works brilliantly. Dedicated desk, often no queue. Last trip to MCO 2 years ago, massive queue for Dollar (as ever), we went to the Express queue and were called next! Brilliant! Except that I thought were about to get lynched by the angry mob who'd been waiting over an hour in some cases! We knew how long they'd been waiting because they told us - loudly.

The other thing i've noticed when picking cars up is that Americans tend to get to the desk with a vague idea that they want a car or a van but that's it. No other premeditation. And then they spend an age deciding if they want a 4-door or a 2-door or a van or a truck etc...
When we get there: here's my reservation, here's my Credit Card, now where are my keys.

I've also used Dollar Express; works brilliantly. Dedicated desk, often no queue. Last trip to MCO 2 years ago, massive queue for Dollar (as ever), we went to the Express queue and were called next! Brilliant! Except that I thought were about to get lynched by the angry mob who'd been waiting over an hour in some cases!

I've often been part of that 'angry mob' and know how it feels

I've signed up for Dollar Express, but not yet used it. I assumed there was a dedicated desk at the car rental place - is this not so? I didn't book via US rentacar, so would I be able to go to the parking lot directly?

Yup, the Dollar Express desk at MCO is across the road in the garage and turn left - its 1st class and really really quick y) - express cars are usually just behind the booth

David

Ok, thanks James, i think i understand now. I seem to remember always landing in terminal B, and then having a good treck over to baggage claim in A, and then onto Car pick up. I think i will leave my reservation with Alamo, as i've got a great price for a premium vehicle. The same vehicle with VS/VH is £130 more, which is a lot to pay for the privelage of bypassing the desk and going straight to the parking lot. Would you be able to tell me if i would still qualify for the 1000 air miles if i present my FF card at the Alamo Desk? Thanks

Sorry, i posted with the wrong quote. Newbie incompetence! I'm still finding my feet on this forum, which is fab btw!