LInda

are any of the car rentals on-site at FLL airport or are they all off premises. I hate the shuttle buses. Is Alamo still that bad??????

BOBC

I know at the Tampa airport all the majors are in the airport.We used priceline.com and got a Ford Contour for $22.00 a day- $28.00 with all the tax and b.s. that they charge.However,when we got there, there was a wait of about 1 hour for the car so they upgraded us to a Sable with a moonroof for no charge! Not a bad deal!

Bob

I think a wait of an hour is ludicrous, regardless of this upgrade.

BOBC

I didn't wait the hour-they gave me the car immediatly.

AC

Hi Linda:
My recollection is that all the car rentals take place off site. There are a million shuttle buses and you don't wait long at all.
I never liked Alamo especially in FLL. Surly staff, dirty cars long waits and incomplete or inaccurate paperwork. Don't break down with one of their cars!! Be sure to read everything before you sign anything.
Enjoy the trip!

bm

I use Thrifty when I go to FLL. It's offsite, but easy to find when returning. AND, they seemed to always beat the others price-wise. Good Luck!

L

In 2000, there was a very "enlightening" debate about Alamo. No, they aren't terrible, and yes, they are off-site. Catch their bus outside baggage - it's a 5-minute ride. But they are booked solid for the latter half of February, as is Hertz in the terminal. Avis (in the terminal) had some cars when I rented last week - the compacts run about $55/day after taxes, airport fee, licene recovery fee, etc.

CG

JUSY BOOKED ALAMO FOR 9 DAYS IN FEBUARY. RATE OF 250.00 USING MY BJ CARD. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEM BEFORE GOING OUT OF FLL

Gina

I will never rent from Alamo in FLL again. That said, I have had good experience with Avis there.

xx

Alamo lines are very long..the shuttle bus ride is okay..join Quicksilver and you won`t have to wait..I now Avis,National and Dollar are in the airport..got my best rate this week for a week at Dollar and they have a free upgrade coupon to print at their website..the others my have coupons too..also ask for your total bill with tax and charges so you won`t be shocked..

L

I'm surprised about the reports of long lines at Alamo - I've rented there 50 plus times in the past 5-6 years, and never waited longer than 5 minutes. And for a dollar, thye have guys who will locate the car and drive it to you (beats hunting around in the parking lot with your bags). Their buses run every 5 minutes, and the drive to or from the airport is 3+ minutes. We've never had a car problem of any kind. It just happens that very third time on average I get a brand new car - I'm the very first driver. It's interesting that others have had just the opposite experience. If you can get a lower rate at Alamo, I wouldn't hesitate renting there.

tim

avis make sure you put gas in the car i got charged 25.00 for 8th of a tank

Cyndi

I must be doing something wrong! We will be flying into Ft. Myers in December and will need a car. On travelocity.com and cheaptickets.com, the best rate I can get would be with dollar @150./wk for a full or standard car. After I add taxes and charges, etc., my total week is over 650. I think I'll try Bob's idea and see what I can get on priceline. The last time we were in Florida, we used Thrifty and it cost over $750. We had a car reserved, but when we got there, they didn't have any available, so we had to upgrade at a cost of 12. a day. First time traveller, won't make that mistake again. Thanks for the advice.

peg

I used priceline to book in FLL in Feb. Got a standard @ $19/day with Alamo, total about $25/day with misc charges. Got a new Toyota Camry with sunroof--a *very* nice car.

When we returned the car, the parking lot check-out person said I had to go inside for some reason--no idea why. I did, waited about 5 minutes, and the desk clerk checked me out immediately. They had no explanation as to why I had to do this inside. That is the only "problem" (if you can call it that) that I've ever had using Priceline or any car rental company.
We did wait, however, at least 10 minutes for Alamo's shuttle at the airport, and about 20 for it on the return from the rental location.

Recommend trying priceline. If you do, read ezboard.com's priceline and expedia bidding forum first. Search travel, and you'll find it under "budget". Indispensible.

peg

Cyndi -- Just curious: $150/wk is a good daily rate, but I don't understand how that can add up to over $650 with taxes, etc. If you are adding the daily insurance, have more than one driver, etc., the fees can add up, but that total cost seems exorbitant! Did you know that if you book with certain credit cards, you do not need the LDW (optional insurance)? That can save you a bundle.

As to your experience with Thrifty--also curious about that $750/wk fee(outrageous!)--if you had a confirmed reservation, and your category wasn't available upon arrival, the upgrade should have been complimentary. This is a frequently used ploy by car rental agencies to pump up their $$. Do not fall for it.

Good luck!

Cyndi

Peg - I think one of the biggest problems that time was the fact that we were first time visitors. When the car we had reserved (in May) was not available, we were told we would have to pay 18./day (I think) for an upgrade, but since they were at fault for not having our car, we could have it for only 12.! We won't make that mistake again. Also, we didn't know that our insurance would cover alot of the expenses. They told us we had to take out insurance so if the car was in an accident, the insurance would pay for the time they could not rent that car. We have since found out that not all the insurances they want you to pay for is necessary. Thanks for your help on this. I will try priceline and the others mentioned and see what I can get. (Note: I may be calculating taxes and things incorrectly to come with my figure).