Orlando is basically the car rental capital of the world. It’s chaotic. You step off the plane at MCO, the humidity hits you like a wet blanket, and suddenly you’re staring at a sea of signs for dozen of different companies. Among them, Advantage Rental Car in Orlando occupies a weirdly specific niche. It’s not the massive corporate behemoth like Hertz, but it’s also not a "rent-a-wreck" fly-by-night operation. It’s the middle ground.
Getting a car here matters. If you’ve ever tried to rely on ride-sharing apps to get from a Disney resort to Universal Studios during a peak surge, you know the pain. You’re looking at $60 for a fifteen-minute drive because it’s raining. It always rains. Having your own keys is freedom, but only if the rental process doesn't eat your entire first day.
What's the deal with Advantage at MCO?
Honestly, the logistics of Orlando International Airport (MCO) are a bit of a nightmare right now due to the massive Terminal C expansion and ongoing renovations. Advantage operates primarily as an off-airport provider here. This is the first thing people get wrong. They expect to walk across the skybridge to the garage and find their car. Nope. You’re hopping on a shuttle.
Is that a dealbreaker?
For some, yeah. If you have three screaming kids and fourteen suitcases, a shuttle is the last thing you want. But here’s the trade-off: off-airport rates are almost always lower because they aren't paying those astronomical airport concession fees directly to the city. You’re trading fifteen minutes of transit for enough money to buy a few extra churros at Animal Kingdom.
The shuttle pick-up is usually at Level 1 (Ground Transportation). You look for the "Off-Airport Parking/Rental Car" signs. It’s a rhythmic cycle. The vans come every 10 to 15 minutes, though in the Orlando heat, that feels like an hour. Advantage shares some of its infrastructure with E-Z Rent-A-Car, as the two brands have a long-standing corporate relationship under the same parent umbrella. Don't be surprised if the shuttle or the counter has both logos plastered on it.
The Reality of the "Economy" Price Tag
Let’s talk money. You’re searching for Advantage Rental Car in Orlando because the price looked suspiciously good on a travel aggregator. It probably was. But you have to be smart about how they structure these deals.
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The base rate is low. That's the hook. Where people get grumpy—and where the 1-star reviews come from—is the "add-on" phase at the counter.
- The Insurance Pitch: They will ask. They might even be pushy. "Florida is the lightning capital, and the drivers are crazy," they’ll say. They aren't lying about the drivers, but you should check your credit card benefits or your personal auto policy first. Most premium cards (like Chase Sapphire or Amex) offer primary or secondary rental coverage. Know this before you stand at the desk.
- Toll Pass Mania: Orlando is a city built on tolls. The 528 (Beachline Express) and the 417 are unavoidable. Advantage offers a flat-rate toll product. If you’re driving to Miami or hitting the coast, it might be worth it. If you’re just bouncing between a hotel on International Drive and the theme parks? You’re better off bringing your own SunPass or Uni transponder. Or just paying the "toll-by-plate" fees, though rental agencies usually tack on a daily administrative fee for that.
- The Deposit: They will hold a chunk of change on your card. Usually $200 to $500. If you’re using a debit card, this can be a huge headache because that money actually leaves your account and takes 5-10 business days to return. Use a credit card. Always.
Why the "Shuttle Experience" Changes Everything
Most travelers don't realize that MCO is basically two different airports. If you land at Terminal A or B, the Advantage shuttle is a standard affair. If you land at the new Terminal C (JetBlue, many international carriers), the trek to the shuttle area is significantly longer.
Advantage’s off-site location is situated on TPC Blvd, just a few miles north of the airport. It’s a industrial-looking area. It’s not glamorous. But the upside is that the line is often shorter than the "on-site" brands where three jumbo jets just deplaned simultaneously. I’ve seen the line at the in-terminal Hertz counter look like the queue for Space Mountain. At the off-site Advantage lot, you’re often dealing with a much smaller pool of travelers.
Fleet Quality and What You’ll Actually Drive
You aren't getting a luxury sedan here. Well, you can, but that's not why people use Advantage. Their fleet is heavy on the "Standard" and "Full Size" categories. Think Toyota Corollas, Kia Rios, or if you’re lucky, a Chevy Malibu.
In Orlando, the minivan is king.
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If you are booking a minivan through Advantage, do it early. These are the first to sell out because every family of five has the same idea. A tip: check the tires when they hand you the keys. Florida roads are hot, and the "Florida turnpipe" can be brutal on rubber. Just a quick glance to make sure they aren't bald. If they look sketchy, ask for a swap immediately. They usually have a few extra "run of house" cars in the back.
Common Misconceptions About Advantage in Central Florida
People think "off-airport" means "unreliable." That’s not necessarily true. Advantage has been through some corporate restructuring over the years—including a bankruptcy or two in the late 2010s—but they’ve stabilized. They aren't a boutique brand; they are a volume business.
Another myth is that you can’t use them if you’re under 25. You can, but the "Young Renter Fee" is real and it is steep. In some cases, that fee can double the cost of the rental. If you’re 21-24, sometimes it’s actually cheaper to rent from a "premium" brand that has a corporate discount code (like AAA or USAA) which waives that fee, rather than going with a "budget" choice like Advantage.
Navigating the Return Process
Returning the car to Advantage Rental Car in Orlando requires a bit of foresight. You can't just follow the "Rental Car Return" signs at the airport. Those lead to the garages. You have to GPS back to their specific lot on TPC Blvd.
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Pro tip: Fill up the gas tank about 5 miles away from the airport. If you wait until the stations right next to the airport entrance, you’re going to pay a "tourist tax" of about $1.00 extra per gallon. There’s a Wawa and a 7-Eleven on Semoran Blvd that are usually fair.
Give yourself an extra 45 minutes. Between checking the car in, waiting for the shuttle, and the shuttle ride back to your specific terminal, time evaporates. If the shuttle just left when you pulled in, you're waiting. Don't cut it close if you have an international flight.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Rental
If you've decided to go with Advantage to save some cash, follow this checklist to ensure you don't end up as a cautionary tale on a travel forum.
- Document Everything: Before you leave the lot, take a 360-degree video of the car on your phone. Get close-ups of the rims and the windshield. Orlando is notorious for gravel pings and "mysterious" scratches. Having a timestamped video is your insurance against false damage claims.
- Check the AC Immediately: It sounds obvious, but this is Florida. If that AC isn't blowing ice-cold within 60 seconds of starting the engine, go back to the desk. You cannot survive a July trip to Epcot with a lukewarm blower.
- Skip the Pre-paid Gas: Unless you plan on coasting into the lot on absolute zero, the pre-paid fuel option is a loser. They charge you for a full tank even if you return it half full. Just fill it yourself.
- Join the Rewards Program: Even if you only rent once a year, being in their system (Advantage Awards) can sometimes get you into a shorter "members only" line at the counter. It costs nothing.
- Verify the Hours: While MCO is 24/7, some off-site shuttle services get thin in the middle of the night. If your flight arrives at 2:00 AM, confirm that the shuttle is still running at full frequency.
Orlando is a high-volume, high-stress environment for car rentals. Advantage provides a necessary service for the budget-conscious traveler who doesn't mind a little extra effort in exchange for a lower bill. Just go in with your eyes open, your credit card ready, and your own insurance paperwork in hand. Be firm at the counter, check your car thoroughly, and you’ll have more money left over for the things that actually matter—like overpriced theme park bottled water and those iconic turkey legs.