Orlando recommendations

soupdragon

I've just dropped an email to Sixt. I've found a Mercedes Metris under the 7 seater option but the Metris actually has 8 seats (there is no 7 seat configuration) Its only $688 so thats way better, less than $50 per day and as I understand, Sixt are very good. It says it includes loss/damage waiver with a zero excess and also comes with liability insurance (which basically means I'm covered if I rear end someone and they sue my sorry ass) I think thats enough cover, or is there anything else I need insured for?

JimmyMac

One thing to be aware of is that they will always try and upsell you when you go to pick up your car

We booked originally a Hyundai Santa Fe I think it was, just a smaller SUV/crossover. We went as two families and our friends were getting a massive 7 seater thing so figured we could use that car for the most part.

Got to the airport and got the old upsell, started out silly high but eventually after a long round of haggling (quite fun haggling at that) I paid about an extra $5 per day and got monster GMC arcadia, brand new with about 500 miles on the clock, superb drive. Couldn't have got the price I did for it in advance

rustybin

Try AutoEurope - they were by far the cheapest for me. I was being quoted anything up to £450 elsewhere (including direct with Alamo). I ended up paying £140 a week for a mid-sized (with Alamo, but through AutoEurope).

Donnacha

I plan to use Avis because, thanks to work, I'm an Avis Preferred Plus member. That means I get a free upgrade and free second driver on the car we book and its ready and waiting when I walk to the car rental centre, so I can just get in the car and drive away without having to queue up at the Avis desk !! That's how it works in Atlanta anyway, hopefully the same in Washington this year and Orlando next year !

soupdragon

Last time we went we got a 7 seater and a little run about economy car. Turned the economy car into an American muscle car for an extra $10 per day

JimmyMac

yup, key is to keep haggling, i said no about 5 times, may have even got him a bit lower but felt it was a decent deal in the end

Durtranks

I always look out for collision damage waiver, so if anything happens to the car they won't charge you!

Also it's worth noting Sixt aren't located on site at Orlando international airport, it's on the other side of the 528 out the north exit so not sure how you get there to pickup the car.

That's why I like Alamo, you can skip the counter, straight to the cars, pick one out of your line, keys are in the car and off you go!

MarkyPancake

Look into the toll situation before you go.

Dollar stitched us up a couple of years ago with the toll pass system, thanks to a very rude and unhelpful agent. It cost us $104 (toll pass fee for our stay) for just $2.50 of tolls that we went through during our entire stay and they had cash buckets. Thankfully we got the toll pass cost refunded after I called them out on Twitter when we got back and provided feedback about the experience and the agent's poor attitude. Never had a problem with Dollar before, but have avoided them ever since.

Abbeygoo

Can someone clarify the situation with respect to Universal Hotel and the fast passes?

If we stay over one night do we get access to the fast passes for two days?  If so, how does it work?

Thanks guys

rustybin

You show up at the crack of the day of your booking and check in and get the fast passes for that day and the next. You'll probably not be able to get into your room until after lunch.