Would upgrading car class be cheaper when out there?

[r2001uk]

We got an Alamo car in our virgin package and upgraded it to the 'Intermediate SUV' class. I'm now toying with the idea of going one higher, to the Standard class to try and get a Ford Edge.

I popped into Virgin last weekend and they quoted me another £180 for the upgrade which seems a bit much. Would I get a better deal at Alamo direct when we get there? Or perhaps there's a slight chance of blagging a free upgrade somehow? I went on their site and fished for prices at the times we're going and there was only a $10 per week difference between Intermediate and Standard but that was likely excluding insurance etc.

[Plonks]

I personally would do it here with Virgin before you go, we did.
You don’t want to be negotiating after an 8 hr flight and 5 hr time difference.

[RC22]

Usually get offered worse over there - if you go to desk they’ll try and upsell and make it sound cheap ‘extra 35 dollars’ but they usually quote you a price per day so be careful.

Have a look on Alamo Brits and see if it’s worth booking direct and dropping the car from Virgin package (if that’s possible)

[welshmum]

Originally Posted by RC22

Have a look on Alamo Brits and see if it’s worth booking direct and dropping the car from Virgin package (if that’s possible)

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I would offer this same advice

Or even try Andy over at discountfloridacarhire, excellent service and prices are often much cheaper than Alamo Brits.

[martyn7836]

Get a quote from Andy at dFCH or virgin Atlantic car hire and if cheaper drop the car with virgin holidays to the smallest car they offer along with basic insurance. You will probably find you knock off enough money from your package to go rent out the class you want from elsewhere and still save money. I did this last year

[YorkshireT]

I had standard SUV with Alamo at Sanford 2 weeks ago. Upon arrival one sad looking Hyundai only to chose from. I got given a fully loaded VW Atlas with every gadget including self steering and adaptive cruise. Not bad for £450 for a fortnight. Tipped the guy $10.

[r2001uk]

Thanks all, I honestly had no idea I had the option to NOT use the included car hire! I've had a quick look at discount Florida car hire and just need to see what we'd get back from Virgin for dropping the included one to basic.

Failing that I could always try what YorkshireT did

[welshmum]

If it is not a flydrive you have booked, it may be worth dropping the car hire all together with Virgin as it would reduce your overall holiday cost.

Also, what type of insurance did you have with Virgin?

If it is just basic insurance, you will be charged extra by Alamo when you pick the car up as Virgin's basic insurance doesn't cover everything you need such as CDW etc.

[r2001uk]

I got the full gold cover with the virgin car. After looking over the holiday details, it looks like I might well be able to drop the car altogether and go elsewhere - and this intermediate SUV has already cost more than DFCH quoted for a standard with gold insurance!

[welshmum]

Originally Posted by r2001uk

I got the full gold cover with the virgin car. After looking over the holiday details, it looks like I might well be able to drop the car altogether and go elsewhere - and this intermediate SUV has already cost more than DFCH quoted for a standard with gold insurance!

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You should save quite a bit then. Go on live chat with Virgin Holidays and they will tell you exactly how much you will get back. Let us know how you get on.