Car Rental

Question

Can anyone advise who is the most efficient/quickest to deal with lines for a car rental company operating out of Terminal C of Orlando International Airport.

We flew to MCO in April of this year and had a rental with Dollar. Although we have Express membership it was pointless. We went straight to the garage to pick up the vehicle but Dollar didn’t have a booth out there so had to come back to the desk and queue which had a lengthy line and took ages as just a small counter.

Answer

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has a large and busy car rental facility, which can make picking up a vehicle time-consuming, especially during peak travel times. Experiences vary depending on the company and whether you have membership perks.

Based on traveler feedback, some of the more efficient and quicker options in Terminal C include:

Alamo: Known for a streamlined process, especially if you have Alamo Insider membership. Many travelers report being able to go straight to the vehicle lot without waiting in line at the counter.
National: Offers the Emerald Club, which allows you to skip the counter entirely for prepaid reservations and select your own car in the lot. This is often cited as the fastest option for repeat customers.
Enterprise: Typically has multiple counters and is well-staffed, though some lines may form. Express membership can speed up the process, but peak times can still be slow.
Hertz: Offers Gold Plus Rewards, which allows skipping the counter and heading straight to the car lot. The process is generally fast and efficient.
Sixt: Often praised for smaller lines and friendly staff. Express service is straightforward and quick for online reservations.

Tips to minimize wait times at MCO Terminal C:

Book online and enroll in loyalty programs or express memberships ahead of time; this usually allows you to bypass the counter.
Consider picking up your car early in the morning or late in the evening, as lines can be shorter outside peak flight arrivals.
Check if the rental company offers a direct lot pickup option instead of a counter pickup, as some companies now have kiosks or direct-lot services.
Have all your documents ready, including driver’s license, credit card, and reservation confirmation, to speed up any counter interaction.

In your experience with Dollar, the lack of a dedicated garage booth made Express membership less useful. Companies like National or Alamo typically have clear signage and procedures that let you head straight to the car, which can save considerable time.