hoppo

Regarding your question on car hire.

Something else I thought of was about car upgrades. Unless you really can't manage without a particular size car I wouldn't prepay for an upgrade. Been with Virgin 3 times and always accepted the basic sized car, which would be OK for 2 adults and 2 kids, smallish boot/trunk. They very rarely seem to have this smallest car available (think its called a compact, 2 door?) so we seem to get the next grade up without paying for it. If you are unlucky and they have one and it looks too small for your party, you can upgrade at that time.
Checked what I paid last time and it was actually only 280pounds for the fortnight. This was for LDW, UMP, State taxes, Airport handling fees etc. I dont know what half of these are I just know you must have them. Virgin use Dollar. Not sure if it will be the same with Thomson but might be similar.

Thanks for the info guys so far, is all becoming a bit clearer.

I had a Chrysler 300 when I was over there last week.

I fell in love with that car!

There's acres of room in the car-but my daughter reckoned that the boot was no bigger than a stratus.

There were just me and my daughter, her baby in a baby seat, my wheelchair ,1 overlarge holdall, 1 medium suitcase, 2 flight bags, my computer and a small holdall. The medium case went on the front seat and nearly caused an accident!!!

On the way back we had a heavy, boxed radio flyer and my daughter had her legs curled up till we were able to unload them at downtown disney.

If you keep your suitcases to an average type and weight-maybe more floppy than the rigid sort then you should be fine-if a bit squashed from the airport.

It's only a question of getting to and fro the airport-so one could always travel with excess luggage in taxi -if there's a problem.

hiya i was wondering, i have been checking prices for car hire, and suncars are working out the cheapest, i work for a travel agency so i am getting a good discount and everything seems to be included. i just want to know if anyone has had any first hand experience with suncars. i just want to know what they are like and whether there are any 'hidden extras' to pay when you get there, its going to work out £210 approx for 2 weeks economy 2 door with aircon, its just for the 2 of us. i thought the price was great, but am yet to book. can anyone help me??

thansk
Leanne

You would be hard pressed to find any cars in the US built in at least the last 10 years that DON'T have air conditioning.

Never heard of Suncars, sorry.

just looked at their website and you can pick one up from orlando airport-
However their compact 4 door car is £20 more than the firm I use for the same options and amount of cover

CLICK HERE.

suncars are part of first choice. and i never mentioned anything about not getting aircon, i mentioned that it came with aircon. I have been to florida many times before this but we have always just used the transfers and fancied a change. we are travelling with first choice anyway, so think i'll just go with this car hire. Don't fancy booking online with us car hire as it doesn't work out any cheaper.
thanks
leanne

Hi Leanne

Ive used suncars a few times when we have holidayed with First Choice and they have been fine. 210pounds for 2 weeks is a good deal.

I think your idea to book with them is sound, especially as the one given above is 246pounds for 2 weeks! As you say what is the point in booking with US car hire on line if it doesn't work out any cheaper anyway.

hi doepsmc

thanks, it made me feel better to know that you have been with them a few times and to know they are ok!

suncars are part of first choice. and i never mentioned anything about not getting aircon, i mentioned that it came with aircon.

Yes I know. My point was that it's a given that any car you hire (or buy) in the U.S. will come with air conditioning. It's a bit like saying you got a Happy Meal and, surprise to end all surprises, it came with fries. I jus wanted to point out that almost all U.S. cars come with air conditioning. It's not the big deal that it is in England.

Air con is not a 'big deal" over here either. My last three cars have had it!

Leanne was just highlighting the deal she had secured.

Leanne, from what I remember Suncars are a 'broker' and just pass the reservation on to Dollar, so I guess its the same as booking with dollar anyway, but presumably Suncars get discounts for bulk booking which it seems they may have passed on to their FC customers.

Air ???? is not a 'big deal" over here either. My last three cars have had it!

Leanne was just highlighting the deal she had secured.

I realize that but you may as well mention the fact that the car comes with a steering wheel or windshield since they are just as standard as air conditioning in the U.S. But it really isn't important so let's drop it, shall we?

We seem to have gone rather here

Please keep it friendly and show courtesy to other members as per the T&Cs of the forum.

Pippy

Hi There,

Going back to Orlando in October 06 with our 2 teenage sons (15 & 16) and wondered if anyone had any advice on good deals on car hire? We usually go with a package but this time we are doing it independantly. We have got the flights and the villa sorted out, just the car hire to go.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

we are going to florida in april and will be accompanied by our 20 year old son and his girlfriend. we really had to shop around to find a car hire co. that would insure him, we found that car hire usa would for an extra $20 a day. they are not on site but apparently when you land you tel phone them (they are about 10 mins away) and they pick you up. has anyone ever used them?

hi there, we really had to shop around as our 20 year old son and his girlfriend are coming to florida with us in april. Car hire USA would insure him for an extra $20 per day, apparently they are off airport and you ring them when you land and they are there to collect you in 10 mins, to take you to their office. it all seems a bit too simple - we shall see

Dollar charges $20 a day too-and they are on airport.

Hi Bigtone

I have just booked our car hire for three weeks in June for £306 (econ 4-dr) with holiday autos - they are slightly dearer than this but when I phoned them and told them I found a cheaper price on carhire4less they matched the price. Also holiday autos partner in Orlando is Alamo so they are a reputable company that I have used before. Hope this helps

Hi everyone

We have used the following company on many many occassions - great value and cars supplied via Dollar or Alamo

http://www.uscarhire.co.uk/?villa=502

Robert