I'm pricing car rentals for a trip to Orlando for a conference. I arrive on 4/15 midday and leave 4/17 at night. The quotes I'm getting from Thrifty for a mid-sized car are nearly 40% cheaper than their competitors. I as quoted $103 for 3 days which nobody could match. So this works for me.

But here's the question....is the Thrifty at MCO a good one? Do the shuttles pick up often, can I rent a car quickly (or are the lines terribly long), and is the return quick and easy? I'm wondering if they are slower than the other rental car companies in terms of returning us to the terminals. I guess I'm trying to figure out why they are so much less? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. : )

Analise, bonjour!

Comment ca va? Hope you enjoyed your recent visit to Paris. Sorry to have missed you, but maybe you should've gone a week earlier! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

While I can't comment specifically on Thrifty at MCO, I can give you some comments regarding my recent rental experiences with them.

Used them for a four day rental from CDG a few weeks ago. Upon check out was told that they didn't have a car in the category that I had reserved, nor anything available in a higher category. Only vehicle available was in the next LOWER category! However, they did offer me a very good rate for the smaller car, and since I was pretty much stuck, I took it. The car turned out to be fine, and with only two of us travelling, afforded just enough luggage space. At check in, the agent was nowhere to be found, so we just left the paperwork with the agent at the Budget desk next door. The final billing on my CC statement was as advertised.

Last week I used them again, this time in CLE for a one day mid-week rental. There, all car rental agencies are served by one bus (central rental location), so no difference from Avis, Hertz, etc. Check out was a little slow but OK. They had the vehicle group that I had requested, but if I had requested a non-smoking car (I'm not sure if i did), it was not. A little bothersome. Otherwise, the car was fine except for a dirty windshield, on the inside (foggy). Check in was also a little slow, but not terrible. But then I wasn't rushing to catch my flight either. And the final bill was a little lower than expected.

I'll be renting from them again next week-end, in STL, so I'll pass along any new info. In all cases they offered the lowest rate. In general worth it, IMHO. Also they have a pretty good deal with Radisson Gold Points, resulting in ultimately significantly more airline miles per rental than the majors.

Bonne chance et a bientot!

Arkangel

Arkangel! Ca va bien, merci. Et vous? I just loved Paris. My first time there and even with a bit of inclement weather, I loved every minute of it, thank you. I went to the same restaurant you all enjoyed the previous week. blairvanhorn said the lunch was a great success. While you were lunching, I was in Ibiza sunning. I did think of you all though. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I asked Blair to give my regards to you and Mrs. Arkangel which he told me he did.

Thanks for your info on Thrifty. Looks as if they disappointed you especially at CDG. I would be curious to know how things go for you in STL. I am leaning toward renting with them because of their phenomenal rate. I wish somebody would match them though.

All the best to you!
Analise

[Edited for excessive usage of smiley faces. Funny, I never realized how often I used them until I saw the post. Yikes, way too many.]

[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 03-18-2002).]

analise --
My STL rental was fine. The lot was a two to three miles off site, so it took a little longer than normal for transportation to/from the airport, but not a big deal. I got a PT cruiser for my mid-size reservation, which I thought was kinda neat. On returning, I was running late, arriving at the counter only half an hour before my departure, and at the airport 12 min. prior. But security, fortunately, was a breeze and I got to the gate and on to the plane, and a rendezvous avec mrs. arkangel, 3 min. before the door closed!

If you give it the thumbs up, I'll trust them too. Thanks for letting me know. Glad you made your plane too! Very lucky indeed.