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Post by helenabear on Jan 31, 2024 11:43:39 GMT -5
I was doing my usual check rental car prices when I saw that I could get an intermediate EV for less than what I had booked with an intermediate at either Alamo or National. I do have a compact for like $10 less than the EV, but given the amount we would drive at Disney, I would save that in gas. When I registered the confirmation number for skip the counter and go straight to the aisle, it allowed me. I have not booked Alamo in a long time. National directly from their website has been beating Alamo for a number of years with me. So I haven’t scoped their aisles lately.
I'm used to EVs and happy to drive one around. Almost probably more comfortable than driving an automatic at this point (cars I regularly drive are my EV or spouse's 6spd manual). But what is the selection like at Alamo for an intermediate Electric? Also has anyone rented from Alamo with an EV and had issues not having enough charge straight off? Hopefully if they have more than one car that's the one thing I can check quickly to make sure I'm not given something with like 15% or less so that I don't worry about getting there safely. We're at Riviera so if I have to charge it should be easy.
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Post by DisneyPhD on Feb 2, 2024 17:10:45 GMT -5
We've rented EV's from Alamo(Leaf and Niro), Budget(Ioniq 5) and Avis(Tesla M3) at MCO. From Alamo, they were plugged into 240V chargers when we picked them up so they had full charges and at the time you could bring them back empty. That was about 2 years ago so they may have changed their policies. The Tesla from Avis was around 70% charged when we picked it up. It had to be at a certain charge state when returned but I can't remember what it was. The Ioniq 5 was at 55% when we got it and had to be at that same level when you returned it.
We've been getting EV's when we stay at our FL house so we can "charge for free" on the 110V outlet in the garage (no 240V station yet, we have a ChargePoint at our MI home). The charge cord for the Ioniq 5 defaults to 6 amps and so after 1 day had only added about 10 miles. I then figured out how to set it to 12 amps for rest of our trip and managed to get enough charge back to get to the airport and still have the reserve left. I was going to charge it at Epcot but only 1 of their 4 charges is operational and it was occupied. When we had the Tesla, we had a one night stay at Riviera. They only have one charger and both spots were plugged in by the same two cars for the 20 hours we were there.
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Post by helenabear on Feb 2, 2024 19:24:49 GMT -5
We've rented EV's from Alamo(Leaf and Niro), Budget(Ioniq 5) and Avis(Tesla M3) at MCO. From Alamo, they were plugged into 240V chargers when we picked them up so they had full charges and at the time you could bring them back empty. That was about 2 years ago so they may have changed their policies. The Tesla from Avis was around 70% charged when we picked it up. It had to be at a certain charge state when returned but I can't remember what it was. The Ioniq 5 was at 55% when we got it and had to be at that same level when you returned it. We've been getting EV's when we stay at our FL house so we can "charge for free" on the 110V outlet in the garage (no 240V station yet, we have a ChargePoint at our MI home). The charge cord for the Ioniq 5 defaults to 6 amps and so after 1 day had only added about 10 miles. I then figured out how to set it to 12 amps for rest of our trip and managed to get enough charge back to get to the airport and still have the reserve left. I was going to charge it at Epcot but only 1 of their 4 charges is operational and it was occupied. When we had the Tesla, we had a one night stay at Riviera. They only have one charger and both spots were plugged in by the same two cars for the 20 hours we were there. Thank you! Right now the Alamo pick your own car was nearly the best option price-wise. I've driven Leafs before a few times. Teslas were more than I cared to spend. When you do Alamo, do you do the pick your own car aisle? That's my bigger win for me (not having to wait or being told where to go). I'd probably not do an EV rental if I had to wait. I know we wouldn't bring back empty no matter what at least. Obviously I'm reliant on chargers at Disney too if we did need to charge it. I'll ponder more. It looks like National is back on top for Spring Break but the EV Alamo is my winner for summer so I could probably check out the aisles before we decide for summer. |
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Post by DisneyPhD on Feb 2, 2024 20:59:17 GMT -5
I book it through Costco Travel where you pick by category. The pick your own aisle isn't an option. Alamo has kiosks that I've never had to wait to use when the counter line was long. Once you get your paperwork, you go to the aisle for your category and pick any car in that category. Until recently, the Tesla through Hertz was often the cheapest option if you paid at booking (through Hertz only, they're not an option through Costco). Now that they're selling off some of their EV fleet, prices have gone up.
Funny story, I had once rented through Budget a compact non-EV since there were just 2 of us without the kids. Our flight was delayed and we arrived after 1am. I thought I had set up the express to go straight to the garage, but we got out there and no envelope. So MrsPhD waits with the luggage in the garage while I go to the counter. I hear them asking everyone in front of me if they want a Tesla since they're low on cars but they all refused. I get up there and say I'll take the Tesla. Well they couldn't find the extra paperwork necessary with the Tesla addendum about returning the car with a certain amount of charge. All they had left was a Ford Expedition Max (Huge SUV) ... for two of us! When I texted the parking spot to MrsPhD, she thought I was joking!
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Post by helenabear on Feb 2, 2024 21:32:10 GMT -5
You're talking about the same thing with Alamo, but a hint, if you take that Alamo reservation from Costco and put it in your account you can finish the paperwork and just go straight to the car. But knowing you've picked a car yourself from Alamo does help. Avis isn't winning for me cost wise. Neither is Budget. At this time  I do keep looking for each reservation of mine. I will look at Hertz but I read about them selling off fleet making prices higher. I don't have to have an EV, I just want something good enough. I think for this summer trip it would be nice though we'll be at BWV so charging would have to be done next door at the Swan Reserve which would add to the cost and make me stick to a compact. Things to think about. There was a time in Tampa I was looking for a car with the pick your own aisle. All they had left was a Cadillac SUV (don't remember which) so we laughed as we climbed in not needing anything so fancy or big for 3 of us. No where near as big as yours but still totally unnecessary! |
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Post by johnb on Feb 3, 2024 9:35:11 GMT -5
You're talking about the same thing with Alamo, but a hint, if you take that Alamo reservation from Costco and put it in your account you can finish the paperwork and just go straight to the car. But knowing you've picked a car yourself from Alamo does help. Exactly what we do. Book rental via Costco/add reservation to Alamo app/Skip the Counter option. It's super convenient. |
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Post by helenabear on Feb 3, 2024 10:00:32 GMT -5
You're talking about the same thing with Alamo, but a hint, if you take that Alamo reservation from Costco and put it in your account you can finish the paperwork and just go straight to the car. But knowing you've picked a car yourself from Alamo does help. Exactly what we do. Book rental via Costco/add reservation to Alamo app/Skip the Counter option. It's super convenient. Love it myself! I'm predominantly an Alamo or National person now because of their quick pick options. |
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Post by nrspepe on Feb 4, 2024 22:48:39 GMT -5
Same here…Costco reservation…add reservation number to our Alamo account and choose the skip the line option. Walk right to the aisle and pick the car. Usually really good prices too.
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Post by captjacksfamily on Feb 12, 2024 6:30:58 GMT -5
I just saw a posting in a forum I'm on about someone at I think BWV with a rental electric (not a Tesla) and they were having issues finding charging, they said some of the charging stations didn't work (sabotage with wires being cut). If you get in a jam DM me and if we're around on your MK day you can charge from my garage 220v (assuming the rental company gives you a cable) and we'll run you back over to the park.
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Post by helenabear on Feb 12, 2024 22:59:18 GMT -5
I just saw a posting in a forum I'm on about someone at I think BWV with a rental electric (not a Tesla) and they were having issues finding charging, they said some of the charging stations didn't work (sabotage with wires being cut). If you get in a jam DM me and if we're around on your MK day you can charge from my garage 220v (assuming the rental company gives you a cable) and we'll run you back over to the park. Seriously amazing offer! I'd offer the same to anyone in Columbus though we have our own L2 charger at home. But good to keep in mind. I personally would rather an EV since I'm used to it now! |
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I do keep looking for each reservation of mine. I will look at Hertz but I read about them selling off fleet making prices higher. I don't have to have an EV, I just want something good enough. I think for this summer trip it would be nice though we'll be at BWV so charging would have to be done next door at the Swan Reserve which would add to the cost and make me stick to a compact. Things to think about.
