Flight delayed- what happens to carhire depot

[lynneharvey]

Hi
I am due to fly from Glasgow to Sanford next Saturday. I have been checking Flyglobespan arrivals/departures for the last couple of days (wish I hadn'tt!!!) and yesterday's flight which was due to depart at 1.15pm didn't actually leave until 5.07am (this morning!). Given their recent history it looks likely that my flight next Saturday will be delayed (as it has been on every single day this month, except for two days when it left on time). My flight is due to arrive in Sanford at 5.15pm next Saturday, but what happens if it is delayed say, five hours ... is the Budget 'fast track' available 24 hours as day? Sorry if it seems a really dumb question ... but I've never been delayed getting to Orlando before ... and just in case you're wondering why on earth I booked Flyglobespan ... well, all I can say is that they're the only airline to fly direct from Glasgow to Sanford ...

[blott]

When our flight was delayed 24 hours (don't ask but not FGS!) I rang the car rental company to explain and I was told that there was no problem and my car would be ready and waiting whenever I arrived.

Now, that was Dollar so whether all car rental companies operate in the same way in that sort of situation I have no idea but I would think that they probably do.

The car rental at the airports are normally open 24/7. I have just checked for you and Budget at Sanford are open:

regular hours of operation
Sun 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Mon 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tue - Thu 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Fri 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Hope that helps.

[ellie]

Hi Lynne. We were once delayed for over 36 hours and the airline allowed us to phone our car hire company to tell them that we were going to be delayed. We were also delayed once on an indirect flight and when we arrived at our first landfall the airline again allowed us to phone our car hire company to make them aware that we were going to be late.

Should such an eventuality arise I would definitely go to the airline desk in the airport and ask them to allow you to make any necessary phone calls, due to their delayed flight.

Hope it won't happen and that you are 'on time!'

[ShirleyD]

If you are 'only' delayed a few hours, then I wouldn't worry.

[lynneharvey]

Thank you for all your responses. I'm not too over-worried about the length of delay - it's to be expected these days I guess. My major concern is if the delay then goes beyong the 'opening hours' of the car rental company - in this case - Budget. We have already signed up for fast track and I'm wondering if we arrive in Sanford, say, at 11 or 12 pm (midnight), can we still collect the car from the fast track depot or do we have to wait at the airport until they open in the morning?

[ravtino]

We were delayed recently with Virgin into MCO and the budget fast track closed at 11, well we arrived at 2.30 in the morning, but there was someone on the budget desk and we went straight to desk and car was waiting for us.

[SDJ]

It is probably different at Sanford than MCO as MCO has more flights arriving throughout the evening. It would not surprise me if Budget at Sanford was totally shut until morning. I would phone them direct and ask the question just so you know and don't have even more unpleasant surprises if your flight is late!![msncry]

Sandra

[lynneharvey]

Hi Father
Yes, I know of Thomas Cook etc. but they usually only flight direct from Glasgow during 'high season' and not currently, but thanks for the info.

[LittleRabbits]

Thomson are still flying just now Lynne - we are off with them tomorrow, I hope everything goes well with your flight.

We went last year with Thomson also and had no problems - when booking we had originally looked at the FlyGlobespan flight but the travel agent advised us not to go with them as they are always delayed (this year makes 3 years in a row) - sure enough the flight leaving the same day as ours was pushed back 5 hours so we were really glad we had taken her advice.

[ukman]

We were delayed last xmas over 5 hours and there was no problem when picking car up, only issue was all our car types was out so ended with a 15 seater, with no additional cost but could have kept it for the reminder of the holiday or return next day to get one that was within the car group i wanted. Went back the next day as the wife felt it was too big to drive around, but i liked it. Men and they toys, lol.