Car Rental

Question

Where have you found the best prices for car rentals? Prefer to be at MCO or a shuttle to the rental. Do any of the off site companies meet you at the airport?

While we can get away with a sedan, I'd prefer a smaller SUV since its what I normally drive.

Answer

Good question! Getting a rental car at or near MCO (Orlando International Airport) can be affordable and convenient if you know where to look. Here’s a breakdown of good places and strategies for finding SUV deals, plus a few things to watch out for.

Where to Find the Best Prices for Car Rentals at MCO

Alamo (On-Airport): Alamo has counters right at MCO (Terminal A & B Level 1, Terminal C Level 4).
- They offer a “Skip the Counter” option via their kiosk or online accelerated check-in, which helps avoid long lines.
- Their SUV rates are pretty competitive — for example, a Toyota RAV4 is listed around $34.80/day on certain sites.
Enterprise (MCO): Enterprise has typical SUVs (like the Jeep Renegade or Hyundai Santa Fe) available from their MCO offshoot.
- They’re reliable and well known, though not always the cheapest — but good for quality and service.
- If you’re okay driving a little, Enterprise sometimes has better deals off–airport, but weigh that against shuttle time.
Avis (On-Airport): Their MCO location has a variety of SUVs.
- They’re often competitive when you factor in deals via their own site or aggregator sites.
- Because they are right at the airport, you don’t need a shuttle, which saves time.
Turo (Peer-to-Peer): For something more flexible and possibly cheaper, consider Turo — you’ll often find SUVs like RAV4s, Hyundai Tucsons, and more based at or near MCO.
- No traditional counter — you pick up directly from the car owner.
- Insurance and coverage are handled via Turo, so check their protection plans ahead of time.

Tips & Things to Watch Out For

Compare Across Platforms: Use aggregator sites like Expedia (or others) to compare rates from multiple rental companies. For example, Expedia currently shows SUVs at MCO for very low starting rates (depending on demand).
Skip-the-Counter Programs: If you use Alamo’s accelerated check-in or similar programs, it saves a ton of time at a busy airport like MCO.
Read the Fine Print: Make sure to check for extra fees — things like toll passes, “extras,” or insurance can add up.
Inspect the Vehicle: When you pick it up, do a walk-around and take photos/video of any damage. Many travelers recommend recording everything to avoid being blamed for existing marks.
Book Smart: Rates vary wildly, so it helps to make a few dummy reservations across different companies and cancel those that don’t work — especially if you can cancel for free.

My Recommendation:

- Start by checking Alamo and Avis for small SUVs at MCO — they’re very reliable and have on-site pickup. - If you want to save more and don’t mind a peer-to-peer model, Turo is a strong choice for getting a compact or midsize SUV for less. - Use skip-the-counter options or kiosk check-in whenever possible — it makes your rental experience much smoother on arrival.

Hope this helps you lock in a good deal! Let me know your travel dates and I can help check live rates for you, too.