USA Car Hire (IAH and MCO)

[Stig]

Hi good people.

Off to the USA end of July for an extended break, starting in Houston (family there) then down to Orlando.

Any recommendations for car hire? Either aggregator sites (always used carhire3000 in the past) or direct with rental?

I seem to recall one of the rental co's just takes you to the lot and says 'take your pick' (according to size of course) - but can't remember which hire co that was?!??

Any recommends gratefully recieved - thanks all

[yellowbentines]

Alamo have always allowed me to choose whatever I wanted from the relevant group in the parking lot, though given current supply issues you might not have much of a choice!

[BertieWooster]

I'd recommend Alamo as well. I used to rent out of Denver a lot and would make a reservation online, and then call the location direct to request a specific make and model of vehicle.

[tim0409]

I've just booked a trip to Florida in September after three cancellations during covid, and was expecting the car hire to be really, really expensive, but it was surprisingly "reasonable". Pre covid a (Mustang) convertible would have been around £550 for two weeks, but this time it's £950 for 13 days direct with Alamo (book now pay later).

I've used a number of car hire companies in Florida over the last 20 years and Alamo has been the best; a decent selection of cars to choose from once you get to the garage, and on the one occasion I had an issue (BMW 3 series with a flat tyre) they sorted it really quickly and efficiently. You can also use their "straight to the garage" check in, which saves the hassle of queuing and the inevitable upsell.

Contrast that to Avis; we were getting married in FL and selected "Mustang or similar", and they tried to palm us off with a VW Beetle...

I would pay a bit extra to use Alamo just for the peace of mind.

[DJMC]

Usrentacar.co.uk

Then choose Alamo.

Upgraded us free 21st May, as they have before, at MLB this time.

[surveyor]

For Florida I could not beat these.

https://www.discountfloridacarhire.co.uk/

Actual car was supplied by Alamo, and I was able to use their fast booth etc.

Edited by surveyor on Thursday 16th June 11:03

[yellowbentines]

surveyor said:

For Florida I could not beat these.

https://www.discountfloridacarhire.co.uk/

Actual car was supplied by Alamo, and I was able to sue their fast booth etc.

You sued them?

I suppose you were in the USA, its just part of the culture isn't it

[tim0409]

surveyor said:

For Florida I could not beat these.

https://www.discountfloridacarhire.co.uk/

Actual car was supplied by Alamo, and I was able to use their fast booth etc.

Edited by surveyor on Thursday 16th June 11:03

Thanks for the recommendation, I've just priced them up for my next trip and they are £875 compared to £950 direct from Alamo.

[98elise]

yellowbentines said:

Alamo have always allowed me to choose whatever I wanted from the relevant group in the parking lot, though given current supply issues you might not have much of a choice!

Same here. I used to go for the premium class which has some interesting cars. Last 3 trips we had a Challenger, a Camaro, then a 300C.