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Collecting your Hire Car - Florida and US Car Hire FAQ

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1. Do all drivers have to be present when collecting the car?
2. What do I need to take with me when collecting the car?
3. Do I need to have a credit card for deposit when collecting the car, and why?
4. Do I need Optional Personal Insurance?
5. What happens if we want to upgrade or change the type of car when we collect?
6. Car Delivery - Is it possible to have cars delivered to our accommodation?
7. Are Thrifty on-airport at Orlando International (MCO)
8. Budget Fast Track - How does this work?
9. Budget Fast Track - What is my Budget Reservation Number?
10. Budget Fast Track - How do additional drivers register?

Do all drivers have to be present when collecting the car?

• All drivers must show their license and sign the contract before being legally allowed and insured to drive.

  If you have additional drivers arriving after you have collected the car, these can be added part way in to the rental at any local depot. Make sure you take along your paperwork (received when collecting the car) as well as a copy of your original voucher. In this case it is best to print multiple copies before you go, as you will hand in 1 copy when the car is initially collected.

What do I need to take with me when collecting the car?

• You need to present your pre-paid voucher (that we send you once payment has been received in full), a valid driving license for each driver (presented in person by each driver) and a credit card that will be 'swiped' by way of deposit.

Do I need to have a credit card for deposit when collecting the car, and why?

• Drivers must have a major credit card in their name when collecting the car.

  Most major cards are accepted including Master Card, Amex and Visa. Visa Debit is generally accepted (excluding Electron cards). Switch / Maestro / Solo cards are not accepted.

  The rental company will 'swipe' the card, usually for around $500. The rental company will authorise and lock off this amount, but don't actually take the payment from your account. Once the car is returned, the deposit amount is then released.

  The card used for the deposit will be the card used at the end of your rental to take payment for the tank of fuel (on Silver Option with Dollar, Thrifty and Alamo) and will also be used to charge for any optional extras you agreed to on collection of the car, such as child seats. Your card will also be debited in the case of returning your car late, and if you had any unpaid fines or citations during your rental (such as speeding fines, parking violations and passing tolls without payment).

Do I need Optional Personal Insurance?

• This is only required if you have no travel insurance (which is very unwise!). This is the only insurance not included in our rates since most customers have travel insurance that includes personal cover.

  If you do not have travel insurance then you can opt to purchase Personal Protection cover when you collect the car. This option will be clearly stated on the paperwork you complete with the rental company, and the associated costs will be listed. Typically, personal insurance is around $5 - $10 per day.

  If you DO have travel insurance, then when you collect your car, double check you are not signing to accept this optional insurance from the rental company. The item will be clearly stated along with the cost.

What happens if we want to upgrade or change the type of car when we collect?

• You can upgrade or change to a different car type on collection (subject to availability), but we strongly advise against this. Doing this will almost certainly result in a fairly costly local charge by the car rental company even if the car you change to is cheaper had you booked through ourselves initially.

  It is much better to choose the correct size and type of car before you arrive.

  In the unlikely event the rental company do not have the car type you booked, they are obliged to give you an equivalent or better / bigger car free of charge.

Car Delivery - Is it possible to have cars delivered to our accommodation?

• None of the car rental companies will deliver to your accommodation. However if you book Dollar through us, and you are staying in a hotel within 5 miles of the following depots then Dollar will collect you free of charge and take you to the depot to collect your car. Kissimmee 192 (opposite but near the Celebration Turning) Lake Buena Vista (near Down Town Disney) International Drive (at the Holiday Inn) To do the above, simply book the car from the required depot, then call the number (that will be on your voucher from us) shortly before you need the car to arrange collection.

Are Thrifty on-airport at Orlando International (MCO)

• Thrifty are now on-site at Orlando MCO so no need for a shuttle bus.

Budget Fast Track - How does this work?

• Budget Fast Track allows you to pre-register for rentals from Orlando MCO and Sanford as well as other select locations, to avoid the queue at the rental desk. This is only available for bookings of 28 days or less.

  When you arrive you can then go straight to the car park and collect your car keys from the Kiosk. Any applicable free upgrades will also be processed at the kiosk.

  You can pre-register as soon as you receive your pre-paid voucher. You can only pre-register up to 5 days prior to rental after which time you will receive an 'Advanced Notification Error' when you try to log in.

  Budget Fast Track is a service offered by Budget (not by us) and is subject to availability. Any questions or issues with the service must be made directly to Budget.

Budget Fast Track - What is my Budget Reservation Number?

• When you sign up for Budget Fast Track, you will be asked for your 'Budget Reservation Number' and 'Last Name' of the lead driver as specified on your order.

  You will find your Budget Reservation Number on your voucher under the heading 'Confirmation'. The number is typically several numerical digits followed by 'GB' then another digit.

Budget Fast Track - How do additional drivers register?

• When you complete the Budget Fast Track, only the lead driver will need to pre-register. Additional drivers are added at the kiosk in the car park (where they will need to show their driving license and passport), so there is no need to go to the main rental desk.