Florida rental cars
Discussion
i'm going to florida in may landing in orlando int airport and i'm planning on renting a car.
i went a couple of years ago and we rented a mini van as there was a few of us this time though it'll be just me and my dad.
i was thinking of renting something through hertz as they don't seem bad on price, anyone had any experience of them? and what cars did they have in the impala size as they don't list all there cars on the site, mind you none of them do!
also do they charge for an extra driver as there's no where on the web site when you book to add one.
thanks!
i went a couple of years ago and we rented a mini van as there was a few of us this time though it'll be just me and my dad.
i was thinking of renting something through hertz as they don't seem bad on price, anyone had any experience of them? and what cars did they have in the impala size as they don't list all there cars on the site, mind you none of them do!
also do they charge for an extra driver as there's no where on the web site when you book to add one.
thanks!
We go to Florida quite a lot and generally book with Dollar through http://www.usrentacar.co.uk . I usually get a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
This used to be way cheaper than booking directly, but the car hire companies are getting more competitive now if you book directly through their UK sites.
If you book in the US then you have to pay loads fo different insurances, taxes and other fees which can really mount up.
If you take a Platinum package then that normally cover additional drivers.
Don't bank on getting a specific car or you'll probably be disappointed. Alamo allow you choose from whatever is there in your group, but they generally get the worst reports from Disney holidaymakers.
This used to be way cheaper than booking directly, but the car hire companies are getting more competitive now if you book directly through their UK sites.
If you book in the US then you have to pay loads fo different insurances, taxes and other fees which can really mount up.
If you take a Platinum package then that normally cover additional drivers.
Don't bank on getting a specific car or you'll probably be disappointed. Alamo allow you choose from whatever is there in your group, but they generally get the worst reports from Disney holidaymakers.
but thanks for the pointers guys!Hertz are normally very good but....
My last trip to FL had me arriving at 1am and my requested Mustang was not avaliable. They gave a Toyota Solara, which is a nice enough car, but I'd have much prefered the Muzzie though. The ladies on the counter could have cared less and said I could come back in the morning but there was no guarantee I'd get one even then. The base model Mustang is fine and doesn't scream "TOURIST!!"
Otherwise I have no problems. I advise joining the free loyalty scheme before you go though. The #1 Club queue is considerably shorter especially at peak times. The other rental companies do these too.
Have a great time!
My last trip to FL had me arriving at 1am and my requested Mustang was not avaliable. They gave a Toyota Solara, which is a nice enough car, but I'd have much prefered the Muzzie though. The ladies on the counter could have cared less and said I could come back in the morning but there was no guarantee I'd get one even then. The base model Mustang is fine and doesn't scream "TOURIST!!"
Otherwise I have no problems. I advise joining the free loyalty scheme before you go though. The #1 Club queue is considerably shorter especially at peak times. The other rental companies do these too.
Have a great time!
autoholic said:
The base model Mustang is fine and doesn't scream "TOURIST!!"
This is a joke, right? You just HAVE to be kidding.Respectfully, the base Mustang is bloody awful and absolutely hollers, "I'm a tourist and I'm not sure what to do at this intersection - where's Disneyworld?"
In summary, shaved head, football shirt, new trainers, sunburn, tattoos on neck, Ford Mustang = British Tourist.
Mopar (300, Charger or even Sebring) or anything Jap is better than a 6cyl Mustang in every respect that matters. Bring your sat/nav too.
Sat Nav is only any good if you know where you want to go. Otherwise head to good old Wal-Mart on arrival and $5 should see you with a Rand McNally roadmap. I bought one that included every State, it's tattered and in bits but I brought it home to remind me of the amazing trip we undertook.
I like to fly by the seat of my pants a bit and find things as we go, like Carhenge, an exact replica of Stonehenge but made from cars!! Don't be put off from travelling the "B" roads, this is where you'll find the real America. The highways are fine if you are in a hurry, but not very scenic.
Have a great time!
I like to fly by the seat of my pants a bit and find things as we go, like Carhenge, an exact replica of Stonehenge but made from cars!! Don't be put off from travelling the "B" roads, this is where you'll find the real America. The highways are fine if you are in a hurry, but not very scenic.
Have a great time!
I usually use Dollar when I'm visiting the US although my last dealings with them weren't so good (Dodge Magnum had obviously been in quite a big shunt at some point and refused to drive anywhere other than where it wanted to go), in general they have been very good and relatively cheap if booked in advance using Dollar.co.uk (you get lots more free this way). A couple of years back we rented a 300C and did 5600 miles in three weeks in it and I can't think of anything that I would have rather driven those miles in. We took the highways and byways rather than the interstate and did much of old Route 66 between Amarillo and Santa Monica and lots of little side trips including the Canyon and Vegas along the way, and then hairing back to Dallas to make the race at the Motorplex. The 300C was a great drive, totally comfortable in all driving conditions and like has been said already keeping off the interstates is definitely the way to see the real america and I'll second on the Rand McNally maps.
CP
CP
Mate what's funny is I lived in the US for 4 years and never switched to an American license (spelt with an 's' for comedy value).
On the only two incidents when I got pulled over they just said "Oh you're foreign" (words to that effect) and sent me on my way!!!!!
Apparently you are only meant to drive over there on your UK licence for 3 months but even if you got stopped you can just say (in best Hugh Grant english) that you've just got over there.
They also have no concept of what our licences mean so doubt they would even figure out you had points (tell them your 'endorsements' are awards you've received for skillful driving).
On the only two incidents when I got pulled over they just said "Oh you're foreign" (words to that effect) and sent me on my way!!!!!
Apparently you are only meant to drive over there on your UK licence for 3 months but even if you got stopped you can just say (in best Hugh Grant english) that you've just got over there.
They also have no concept of what our licences mean so doubt they would even figure out you had points (tell them your 'endorsements' are awards you've received for skillful driving).
Deva Link said:
GTS Turbo said:
also i just been reading the FAQ on some of the rental sites and non mention points, i have 6 points and a seperate 56day ban which i received no points, will this be a problem state side?
No.If you haven't visited this area before, you may find that sat/nav makes things a bit easier than two dimensional navigation. example - the main highway through O'town (I-4) is signnposted east/west, but actually runs north/south through this area. Most of the big renters have sat/nav options for peanuts, so why give yourself the additional hassle?
Law enforcement (in this area) are not 'baffled' by UK licenses - mainly due to the fact that something like 3 million British tourists come here each year. The old myth about not busting UK license holders because of the paperwork is long-gone. Excessive speeding (particularly in residential neighborhoods and school zones), DUI and school bus violations will get you a ticket and an escorted trip to the nearest cash machine (and a minimum overnight in the slammer, in the case of DUI). There are no fixed cameras, but speed traps are much more common towards the end of each month, so beware. Cops frequently lurk in areas loaded with unsuspecting tourists (Mall of Millenia area - Conroy Rd/Americana Blvd, Irlo Bronson Hwy in Kissimmee and in and around the airport).
Getting back onto the subject of the cars - renting a hot-rod (Corvette, Hemi-Charger/Magnum/300C, or Mustang GT) is absolutely do-able - just a little more expensive. The basic rental fodder is pretty uninspiring, but what the hell - you're on holiday. Scything through 6 lanes of traffic on I-4 on your way to Epcot is only going to make you even more visible to FHP and the State Troopers are not known for their sense of humour...
Have a great holiday, but if you're set on a 'cooking' Mustang, keep your expectations fairly low.
Matt Harper said:
Deva Link said:
GTS Turbo said:
also i just been reading the FAQ on some of the rental sites and non mention points, i have 6 points and a seperate 56day ban which i received no points, will this be a problem state side?
No.What's the deal in the US with fines/points/bans? Do you have points? As far as I know there's no paper licence in the US, so can the rental companies check a licence somehow?
I don't really think that Disney Forums are the greatest authority on stuff like this.
My info comes from a close friend who is a supervisor at Hertz on Semoran Blvd (1/2m north of OIA)
Yup, FL has a points system for bad behavior - similar to UK. You are quite correct, there is no paper element to a US license - but there is a mag strip and a bar-code on the back that contains all of the relevant info. Additionally, if your license is clean, it states so, "Safe Driver" is printed lower center on the front. If you are subject to penalty points, that statement is removed.
Cops have a card-swiper on the computers in their cruisers, which instantly tells them if you are a occasional/persistent offender and confirms if your license is actually valid. Lots of folks are driving around on suspended licenses and don't even know it (unpaid fines, toll-booth violations, failure to pay child support etc). It is very difficult to have a normal life here without a drivers license, because it is the primary form of identification. I was a little surprised by the previous poster who said he lived here for several years without a US license - not sure how you do that and have a normal existence...
My info comes from a close friend who is a supervisor at Hertz on Semoran Blvd (1/2m north of OIA)
Yup, FL has a points system for bad behavior - similar to UK. You are quite correct, there is no paper element to a US license - but there is a mag strip and a bar-code on the back that contains all of the relevant info. Additionally, if your license is clean, it states so, "Safe Driver" is printed lower center on the front. If you are subject to penalty points, that statement is removed.
Cops have a card-swiper on the computers in their cruisers, which instantly tells them if you are a occasional/persistent offender and confirms if your license is actually valid. Lots of folks are driving around on suspended licenses and don't even know it (unpaid fines, toll-booth violations, failure to pay child support etc). It is very difficult to have a normal life here without a drivers license, because it is the primary form of identification. I was a little surprised by the previous poster who said he lived here for several years without a US license - not sure how you do that and have a normal existence...
Matt Harper said:
I don't really think that Disney Forums are the greatest authority on stuff like this.
I think it's a very good authority - it contains a huge number of Brits who go to Florida and hire cars.Matt Harper said:
My info comes from a close friend who is a supervisor at Hertz on Semoran Blvd (1/2m north of OIA)
Most UK people travelling on holiday would be using Dollar or Alamo at on airport locations. Perhaps Budget would be third. I can't recall ever hearing of anyone using Hertz.Deva Link said:
I can't recall ever hearing of anyone using Hertz.
Why would they? - it's only the biggest car rental company in the world, after all. Hertz rent more cars to tourists flying into OIA than Alamo, Dollar and Enterprise put together.GTS - don't wory about your speeders. Is your ban recent and for anything really nasty? (Auto theft, DUI, Reckless Endangerment etc)
Matt Harper said:
It is very difficult to have a normal life here without a drivers license, because it is the primary form of identification. I was a little surprised by the previous poster who said he lived here for several years without a US license - not sure how you do that and have a normal existence...
Well I wasn't too far away from you living in Atlanta, Georgia.I didn't have a US license (spelt with an 's' for our brothers over the pond) and in fact only had a British paper licence.
I was stopped twice (not for anything serious) in my whole 4 years there. I travelled far and wide (made the car journey from ATL to Panama City beach twice for spring break and did ATL to Miami by car once too).
I used my british passport for any ID related issues.
As I say if you're 'foreign' (but not Mexican or one of the immigration issue related nationalities) nobody over there seems to give a s
t.I would imagine even less so for a tourist on a short stay (90 day) Visa.
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