National or Alamo Brits

[johnnysharp2]

Hi,

Previously have always flown into MCO and used Dollar, pre-booked.
But this time we are into Sanford.

My wife has checked for a quote through her AA membership and it is just £353 with National or £397 for Alamo Brits, both for a 7 seater minivan.

There is no 'skip the counter' option at Alamo and as National are really close to the terminal it makes sense to consider using them.
I don't think you can pre-pay but I thought there was online check-in, which hopefully speeds things up a bit?

Also I am assuming the queue will be smaller as the majority of renters will be heading for Alamo.

The process for Alamo Brits on here is much discussed, whereas National much less so, if you can't do online check-in with National that is obviously a downside but, we can't it seems bypass the counter anyway irrespective of who we choose.

What do you think?

[Mr Tom Morrow]

National is the sister company of Alamo and is more geared towards the business user as they offer free rentals for certain category cars after 6 or 8 rentals (I think) in a year.
I have had a National car but only as the guy in Alamo nipped next door to get one as they didn't have what I wanted!
Their desks are normally quieter than Alamo.

You can join the Emerald Club which will speed up your process but sadly not at SFB only at MCO.

[johnnysharp2]

Thanks, we want to make it as speedy as we can as our son is Autistic and we want to get on our way to the villa.

Obviously it is hard to predict how long it will take, and it seems with National as we don't pre-pay it could take longer at the counter.
That said we cannot 'skip' that anyway irrespective of where we go, so our current thoughts is to go for the cheaper quote.

I do think National will be quieter but I have seen elsewhere you can't do online check in.
We did see this link though when we looked through the AA.

nationalcar/en_US/ca...-check-in.html

[Mr Tom Morrow]

The more you can do in advance the better. Saves them manually entering all your details and thus less time hanging around.
Best of luck, triple check the $ total! I never trust any of these clerks, there or indeed here either!

[johnnysharp2]

Thanks again!

[johnnysharp2]

Sent National an email asking do they do online check in and they have replied saying the do not.

So not exactly sure what this is then?

nationalcar/en_US/ca...-check-in.html

Looking like we might just pay the extra for Alamo Brits, we can't skip the counter at Sanford but at least we can check in online, I assume this is the link, or do we just await the confirmation email if we book - which is the correct link?

alamo/en_US/car-rental/checkin.html
alamo/en_US/car-rent...ourOCI-uk.html

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Mmm. Checked the link from National and it sure looks like a check in process to me.

I can't post the link to Alamo Brits check in as I clicked on the ones on my confirmation E Mails and it's 'populating' with my details half filled in so I'm not showing that

But yes you use the link in the confirmation you get within minutes of booking. For a £44 saving I would use National.

[johnnysharp2]

ok thanks have email'd National back saying are they sure.

[johnnysharp2]

Actually Tom , through my wife's AA Alamo is cheaper than Alamo Brits at £372.
With National at £356.

I think Alamo is the safe option as we can definitely check in online, even though we cannot skip the counter and everything seems to be included:

Base Rate 372.28 GBP
Collision Damage Waiver Full (included)
Extended Protection (included)
Concession Fee 11.11 Pct (included)
Customer Facility Chg 2.25/day (included)
Tire Battery Fee .02 Day (included)
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day (included)
Vehicle License Fee .78/day (included)
Sales Tax (included)
Total Charges 372.28 GBP
Your discount has been applied.

This vehicle comes with unlimited mileage.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Sounds good to go, and the most important thing is you are happy. Well done.