We have just heard that with effect from 1st, Feb, 2012, for collections after 1st, April, 2012, the Alamo Gold insurance (our Diamond package) will only be available for bookings of 4 days or longer in Florida and the rest of the USA. Bookings already in the system will be honoured as they stand. However, as clients will now be able to opt to refuel themselves before returning the car – the impact of this change will be minimal.
Minimum Rental Period to Qualify for Diamond Insurance with Alamo
January 26th, 2012Summer surcharge lifted by Alamo
January 23rd, 2012Great news for Alamo car hire fans. Firstly there is a bit of a sale on some Alamo cars currently, for collection before 31st March 2012 – new bookings only. This brings the price of the Economy 2 door car down to just £107 a week!
Secondly, Alamo have removed the unpopular summer surcharge, this just leaves Budget with a summer surcharge for rental car collections between 20th June and 20th August – the pressure may result in this surcharge also being lifted, watch this space….
Thirdly, from April 1 st 2012, Alamo will be offering clients the choice between refilling themselves to return the car, or pre-paying for the fuel – this is the same option as currently offered by Budget.
Finally, Alamo have included a new location for us at 6211 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cape Canaveral, increasing the options for this popular cruise embarkation point. With free one-way rentals from any Florida Alamo location such as Orlando International Airport, 3 drivers aged 21 – 24 with the Young Driver Package along with excellent Toll by Plate rates, this is really good news for cruise fans!
Summer Rates Loaded
January 11th, 2012
The Iconic Ford Mustang
We now have rates loaded around to next December for Alamo car hire, Budget car hire and Dollar car hire. Budget car hire rates are unchanged from 2011 – however, there is a summer surcharge on all cars collected between June 20th and August 20th. Alamo have also renewed the summer surcharge for the same dates, but just on the larger cars.
Dollar cars remain without a surcharge this summer – and with a guaranteed upgrade from the 2 door version to the 4 door model of each category!
Lovers of the Ford Mustang convertible will be delighted to see that the model is now showing as the convertible car of choice by all suppliers. Of course we can never 100% guarantee a particular make or model – but clients are going to have the best chance ever of driving one of these iconic cars with the top down this summer. Don’t forget that with both Dollar and Alamo you can choose your own car from those available in your category at all the larger locations – particularly Orlando International Airport. A great chance to try a different model for size…
If you are aged 21 – 25 you will need the Young Driver Packages from Alamo or Budget and don’t forget that Alamo’s Young Driver Package includes 3 drivers aged 21 – 24 for the same price – fantastic value!
As always, if you have any questions, please give us a call, or use the chat facility.
Elle
Christmas Surcharges
November 10th, 2011It is a sad fact that this summer saw the first seasonal surcharge on hire cars for years, and they are back again for Christmas. December 14th to December 31st are the dreaded dates, if you need to book a car for collection during that time then you really need to get it booked. We have just received notice that Alamo are charging a surcharge on their Van fleet during this period, but at the moment normal cars and SUV’s are still surcharge free! This may not stay the case though – so if you know your dates you should book up now to protect the current rate! Budget and Dollar already have the surcharges on all cars.
Wallet Friendly Animal Encounters
November 8th, 2011Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is the official home of Winter the Dolphin, who has achieved world-wide fame in the recently released film, A Dolphin’s Tale. The true story began in 2006 when 3-month old Winter was found stranded in the Mosquito Lagoon (nr Cape Canaveral) with her tail caught up in a crab line by a fisherman. He alerted authorities and stayed with her until she was rescued which took several hours.
Once taken to the CMA Winter lost her tail, but was nurtured by staff around the clock and learnt to swim by using her movement to side to side rather than up and down. Worried about the effect of this on her spine, the CMA reached out to leading Prosthetic manufacturer Kevin Carrol. The collaborative efforts of Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., with Dr. Mike Walsh, a leading marine mammal veterinarian, took 18 months and around $150,000 of the companies own money to get the tail right. Along the way a special gel was invented to soften the impact of the tail on Winter’s skin – this has proved to be hugely effective for human recipients too!
Winter is just one of four Dolphins in permanent residence at the CMA. Hope and Nicholas were both found as orphaned babies and lack the skills of hunting that a mother would have taken years to impart. Panama is a senior citizen dolphin found stranded, anaemic, sunburnt and underweight. Once returned to health it was decided that she would be unsuitable for release because of her habit of begging from fisherman – a practise that causes much ill health amongst dolphins. Other residents, either permanent or temporary include otters, nurse sharks, turtles and sting rays. The list of released creatures makes interesting reading including 8 Atlantic bottlenose Dolphins, 2 pan-tropical spotted dolphins, 111 turtles, 9 otters and a sperm whale (in 2001)!
There are a variety of activities on offer at CMA including behind the scenes tours and sea life safaris and with general admission prices for adults at just $14-95 this will come as a welcome change from Central Florida attractions!
Orlando International Airport is 30!!
October 8th, 2011Orlando International is sited on the former McCoy Air Force Base, hence its airport code of MCO, and opened the first $300 million phase terminal complex on October 2nd 1981. Prior to construction of the complex, whilst the airport was still a shared facility with the airforce, MCO welcomed around 5 million travellers annually. In 1981 the airport served 6,072,145 passengers. But, in a demonstration of the long term vision of the planners, the terminal opened with 48 gates and facilities to handle 12 million passengers. Enough land had been purchased, 14,000 acres, to make the airport the third largest airport in the nation (behind Denver and Dallas Fort-Worth) and to allow further expansion to handle 40 million passengers. Current figures show 35,574,947 passengers through 96 gates. MCO has the second tallest control tower in the US and has been a designated emergency landing site for the now defunct space shuttles.
Part of the long term vision was to create an airport that truly represented Florida, rather than just any airport anywhere. We have all noticed the wonderful lakes, swamps, forests, palm trees and ‘Florida’ feel of the airport – this was created rather than accidental. Likewise, managers encouraged the theme park operators to come into the airport and offer both a presence and merchandise – this way passengers coming from the cold north in the middle of winter instantly know that they have arrived in Florida and can start their vacation. The developers have even taken inspiration from the theme parks for the design of the terminals, using curves instead of corners, high ceilings, fountains and palm trees – all contributing to a more spacious relaxed feel. Contrast your experience in these terminals to change-over’s in Newark/Boston or Chicago and you will know the difference. Many other airports are now looking to Orlando for inspiration and attempting themes of their own.
The terminal design of a central landside terminal connected by rail to several airside gates was first tried at Tampa and with the use of the monorail is evocative of WDW. The airport is recognised as one of the most efficient and passenger friendly airports in the US and always seems to rank in the top five airport convenience surveys conducted by J D Power and Associates, but one downside has always been international travel. The first International terminal was added in 1984, but it has always seemed a bit of a mishmash, with passengers having to either re-check their luggage after customs to get from airside to landside, or to tote it along on the monorail. With all the ‘wheeled’ luggage options available now this doesn’t seem like such a hardship any more.
Inside Orlando International
Orlando International has also taken the lead in implementing many industry firsts. MCO was the first airport in the nation to initiate the CLEAR Program, an expedited security screening for trusted travellers; companies like Guess, Oakley and Build-A-Bear Workshop opened their first airport locations at Orlando International Airport; and in 1982, MCO hosted the world’s only simultaneous landing of two supersonic Concorde jets.
Bits and Bobs
September 1st, 2011During the summer Budget tightened up regulations regarding the free additional driver included in the standard package. For all bookings made since August, the additional driver must be either ‘spouse’ or ‘domestic partner’. The important point is that the address on the driving licences must match for both drivers. We do have a different supplier that includes a free additional driver on the standard package with no such restrictions.
Rates for next year have been largely released – already in place is a surcharge for collections between July 1st and August 21st for all suppliers and from Dec 15 – 30th this year except Alamo and next year all suppliers.
We have the following feedback on our new supplier – Advantage by Hertz:
The Staff very friendly and no queue whatsoever. I would use them again. Although our car has 35000 plus miles on the clock it still feels very clean and newish… I did upgrade to a midsize car though, as they said our 3 suitcases would not fit in the small car they had available… I checked when we crossed over to the parking garage and their smallest car was definitely smaller than budgets smallest car… this will be fine with just 2 people travelling and cases but a bit tight with 3 people & cases. Their upgrade was only $5 per day though which seems reasonable.
Thank you Helen!
Meanwhile, Dollar has completed an overhaul of its operations by closing the mass of hotel locations, particularly in Las Vegas. It is now in a very different financial position to that of a couple of years ago.
EcoSafaris
July 11th, 2011Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida (www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com) is the location of a groundbreaking new ecotourism experience. The Cypress FlyCycle will take guests on a fun and relaxing cycle ride through the treetops of the 4700 acre Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area in St. Cloud, Florida. Yes you read that right, cycling through the treetops.
Opening during July 2011, the innovative new attraction will be the first of its kind in the United States. Guests will set off on a one hour journey as they pedal along on specially designed FlyCycles; think of them as reclining bicycles suspended from a network of high tension steel cables. The course will take guests on a winding journey over the pine flatwoods and through Turkey Slough, a beautiful area of forested wetland. Guests will also get to pass over a pond housing George, a popular thirteen foot alligator that has called Forever Florida home for the last sixty plus years.
Located east of Kissimmee and just one hour southeast of Orlando, Florida EcoSafaris has carved out a unique niche for itself as Central Florida’s premier eco‐tourism attraction. They made history back in 2009 when they opened the first full scale zipline canopy tour in the state of Florida. Known as the Zipline Safari, the attraction has since hosted tens of thousands of guests from around the world on a thrilling journey through the conservation lands reaching speeds up to 25 mph and heights of 55 feet. The new Cypress FlyCycle is designed to compliment the Zipline Safari, providing amazing new views of the conservation lands, relaxation and plenty of fun.
The conservation efforts at Forever Florida are largely funded by the revenue generated by visitors to Florida EcoSafaris. Forever Florida has been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a biological hotspot hosting one the highest concentrations of endangered and threatened species in the state.
The ride technology for the new Cypress FlyCycle was developed by ECO‐Adventure Technologies and has been successfully operated for 4 years at the Hidden Worlds Adventure Park in Tulum, Mexico. When it opens in July 2011, the Cypress FlyCycle will be the second FlyCycle in the world and the very first in the United States.
Tickets for the new Cypress FlyCycle will be $45 per person. Participants will need to be at least 10 years old and weigh no more than 275lbs. Adventurers will be able to save with a combination Zipline Safari and Cypress FlyCycle ticket for just $120, a $10 savings. Other adventures offered by Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida include the fully guided Horseback Safari and Coach Safari. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 407‐957‐9794 ext 1. For more information, visit www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.
Directions: Forever Florida is located at 4755 N. Kenansville Road in St. Cloud, Florida. From east or west, take US 192 to Holopaw, turn south on US 441 and drive 7.5 miles. Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida will be on the east (left) side of the highway.
Other Fun Summer ideas:
A brand new water sport has been launched in Key West with another location due to open at Marathon in the next month. The sport involves strapping on a seawater fuelled jetpack that allows the operator to fly about thirty feet above the surface of the water. Each pack trails a pipe which also tethers the flyer to the small boat that houses the pump. Flyers can circle, swoop and climb using intuititive flight controls whilst being held in an upright position. Despite the $250 price tag for a half hour session, this is bound to catch on. For further information look at www.jetpackadventures.com
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Summer Surcharges
June 7th, 2011The terrible earthquake and Tsunami that followed in Japan is now having an effect on car rental in Florida. Most car hire companies have already extended the length of time, and level of mileage that cars may reach within fleets to avoid purchasing new stock, now those older cars are being hit by a lack of parts for maintenance and repair because manufacturers in Japan cannot produce the volume. Fleet availability is tightening up, and as a result we have seen summer surcharges introduced in Florida for the first time in years.
Budget has introduced a surcharge on all vehicles collected between 20th June and 21st August. Dollar has introduced a surcharge on all Vans, all SUV’s and Convertibles for the same dates – these are already in the system. We have now received notice that Alamo are to introduce a surcharge for collections between 1st July and 21st August on all Vans, all SUV’s and Convertibles – this will take effect for all bookings made from 10th June onwards – so if you need to make a reservation for the summer, now is the time before this increase commences.
E-tolling and Sunpass systems
May 24th, 2011Regular travellers to Florida will know that the state has a good network of toll roads that allow drivers to bypass heavily loaded roads and speed on to your destination. Most drivers will be used to pulling off the toll roads to pay at the toll booths in cash while other drivers continue on their way through SunPass or E-Pass lanes without stopping.
Now, all rental car drivers can do the same thing thanks to Toll-by-plate. As the car goes through the SunPass lane a photograph is taken of the rear Tag plate (number plate). This is then matched up to the rental car company, and your rental, and then the toll is automatically billed to your credit card.
Since February 2011, the entire county of Miami-Dade has been E-tolling only – which means there are no longer any change booths available. If you fly into Miami International then you will more than likely use a toll road as to try and avoid them can lead you into some pretty seedy areas. This means that you will need to be aware of the toll-by-plate system. Once used, the system is active for the length of your rental so you can continue to use the SunPass lanes throughout Florida.
The rental companies do have different ways of billing:
For Alamo/National you will pay $2.00 per rental day, or $6.00 for the duration of your rental plus tolls. You opt in when you first drive through a SunPass lane.
For Dollar/Thrifty you will pay $6.99 per day or $36.99 for up to 30 days. This rate includes all your tolls and you must opt in to Pass 24 when you collect your car. If you fail to opt in and then go through a SunPass lane you will be charged a $25 admin fee plus the toll for EACH infraction.
For Budget/Avis you will pay $2.50 per day or $10.00 per week plus the cost of your tolls. There is no need to opt in, but once you have gone through a SunPass lane you will be charged for the length of the rental.
