Alamo Car Rental

[Mylove2002]

Has anyone rented from Alamo at the Orlando Airport? If so, how were they? I know they are the official Rental Car for Disney. Is there a counter right at the airport. I normally use National because they are great. But when I go in Sept National's prices are double that of Alamo! I'm flying in late with 2 kids and want to go through the rental business as easy as possible. Any suggestions to rental cars would be appreicated.

[we3disneygo]

We used Alamo at MCO last Sept. and had no problems -just be sure to have a copy of the rate, they tried to give us a higher pirce than what we booked but I had my print out and they said no problem, they also did not try to sale us on the extra insurance to hard we told them we talked to our insurance agent before leaving and not to buy the extras. We had no hassle , no waiting in line, just walked over and got our car. the year before we rented with National and had to shuttle to the office which we won't do agian. good luck:earsgirl:

[tebookie]

We've used Alamo in the past and had good success.
Nice and easy now that they are right at the airport.

We will be using them again in September. They generally have some great rates too.

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by we3disneygo
the year before we rented with National and had to shuttle to the office which we won't do agian. good luck:earsgirl:

National is located in the airport terminal and has been for several years. Why did you need to take a shuttle to their office? Maybe you're thinking of another agency?

On the other hand, Alamo used to be located outside of the airport terminal and they were famous for long lines and poor customer service. Since their merge with National and their move inside the airport last year, things have reportedly improved a bit.

[speedyf]

We rented from Alamo on our last trip in May of this year. Everything ran smoothly. The line was a bit long, but they had about 10 agents working feverishly.

The rental counter was just downstairs from the luggage pick-up. I was able to send my wife to wait in line for the car while I waited for the luggage. We finished at about the same time.

I guess it just depends on what time you arrive and how many other people are there....but, our experience was overall good.

speedyf

[we3disneygo]

sorry for the confusion it must have been enterprise we rented from in 2002 and had to take a shuttle which we had to call 2-3 times to tell them we were waiting.....

[inkkognito]

We've gotten Alamo many times through Priceline. Their counters are adjacent to National, and you choose from the same cars in the garage for both of them. The lines tend to be very long, although sometimes there is no line at all (and sometimes A side can be bad and B deserted or visa versa). They tend to give a hard sell on the insurance, but other than that they're not bad.
Barb

[maraakl]

Barb,
Have you noticed if they have a *********** line? If so, how busy is that?
TIA

[mtblujeans]

I have some Alamo/Entertainment coupons if anyone can use them. PM me and I will send one out. I only have 1 of each, tho', so first PM, first sent. (I hope they help someone) I have:

Coupon #1

"up to $20 off weekend rental"

Coupon Code: DB60 2 Days $10 off
Coupon Code: DB63 3 Days $15 off
Coupon Code: DB64 4 Days $20 off

Rate Code XQ, ID # 803291


Coupon #2

"one free upgrade"

Rate Code J1 (XQ for weekend rental), Coupon Code U06B, ID #803291


Edited To Remove Coupon #3

[inkkognito]

They do have ***********, and I've only seen someone in that line once. Interestingly enough, it was in the middle of the night when the regular queue was packed and there was only one counter person working! She ignored the QS person while waiting on a couple of parties from the regular line, so finally the QS person just butted in front of everyone else. She got looks that I'm surprised didn't make her drop dead right there, but hey...she's QS so she had the right! I couldn't believe Alamo was so understaffed that night.
Barb

[momof2cuties]

I just got a rate of $156.40 (taxes, etc) for 8 days the end of this month. I have been playing around with the codes at all the different agencies, even tried priceline, and this is the best I got. I used the entertainment coupon for one free day - Request Rate Code J1, Coupon Code FB39, ID #803291 - I have one extra coupon if someone needs it.

[aprilgail2]

I used Alamo in May and it was very quick and nice to just walk across the street and pick out your car....only trouble was the only ones availble in our car class were PT Cruisers..we hung around a little while and a nice big car was returned so we took that one. I had book months ago for hte 10 days and it was 390.00 I kept rechecking every few weeks and it kept going dow nso I would cancel and rebook...the last time I did it was last week and I am now booked at 220.00 for hte week, a big savings over what we booked for orginally! I will check one more time before we leave next week!

[lawgs]

Mylove2002

do not know your dates, but National's rates for september have been falling lately ....

using priceless vacation and entertainment coupon, some have posted getting rates of 115$~ for a week including taxes and fees for an intermediate

[gottaluvdis]

I was just quoted a rate of $177 total for 5 days for an SUV in October. That's using the coupon that came with the Disney Visa mailing (20% off plus a free day). That's the best rate I've been able to get from any of the agencies, but was a little hesistant to go with Alamo because we had a horrible experience with them in Detroit many years ago. That experience was also off-airport, which I would never do again. Since Alamo at MCO is in-terminal, I'll probably go with them this time.

[arminnie]

My experience is that Alamo is severely understaffed if you are arriving late at night. I've had to wait an hour when the line wasn't all that long - maybe 15 people.

*********** doesn't seem to help late at night.

[jekjones1558]

We used Alamo *********** in June. We just went directly across the street, ground level and checked in at the kiosk. Didn't need to do any line whatsoever. This was during the day. Don't know if that's the way it works at night.

[HappyLawyer]

how do you become a *********** member?

[jekjones1558]

how do you become a *********** member?

*********** instructions (http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html#alamo)

[HappyLawyer]

thanks for all the info i booked with alamo i just got tired of looking at all the companies, i looked online first, and then i called they gave me a rate 15 bucks higher then i told her and she asked for the rate code so i gave it to her i will continue to watch the rates and codes, but i am staying off property and with shuttles, cabs and vouchers for meers, i will go way over 214 for the time im there and the 214 includes everything so i am pleased

[maraakl]

Originally posted by jekjones1558
We used Alamo *********** in June. We just went directly across the street, ground level and checked in at the kiosk. Didn't need to do any line whatsoever. This was during the day. Don't know if that's the way it works at night.

did you do this with a coupon? I will be arriving during the day.

[jekjones1558]

did you do this with a coupon? I will be arriving during the day.

I booked a car with a cheap rate and entered my *********** number. When we got to the airport we went to the *********** line but were told we just needed to go across the street to the booth where the cars are. I was GLAD because the Alamo line in the airport was very long. (See above post for how to get a *********** number.)

[lawgs]

supposedly, the rules for joining *********** are changing and they are in the process of deactivating the "kiosks" according to the Alamo *********** representative we spoke to when we were having trouble entering our *********** number for a rental this fall

there will be a mininum number of rentals you must have now in order to be able to apply

we tried to re-apply, but he said we could not until we had met that minimum ( we had not rented with alamo in the past year, that is the reason he said our number was deactivated; he also said there were thousands of people in the same situation as us )

my guess would be that those who had used the "program" within the last year still have their number "active" but in order to keep it that way will/might have to meet the minimum number of rentals in the year in order to maintain membership

[maraakl]

Originally posted by jekjones1558
I booked a car with a cheap rate and entered my *********** number. When we got to the airport we went to the *********** line but were told we just needed to go across the street to the booth where the cars are. I was GLAD because the Alamo line in the airport was very long. (See above post for how to get a *********** number.)

I have ***********. But, I also reserved using a BJ's code and coupon. I would love to avoid the line, but, was told you cannot do this with a coupon, so, that is why I asked. :)

[maraakl]

I have never used my QS number for any rental. I was having a problem getting the coupon to work with my number. So, I called QS and they removed the corporate code from my QS profile and I was able to secure a great rate with the coupon.
The initally told me that my QS number was deactivated, but, I told them that I could make reservations with it, just not with the coupon in the reservation.
I later went out to modify my QS profile and it was still there.
To do this you have to make like you are trying to enroll.
This entire procedure took about 4 months( off and on) and many, many phone calls to customer service and QS. I finally found one agent that did have some knowledge and could do more than read words off a screen.
My friend who is going at the same time also rented a car with his QS number and coupon, and had to call QS to get the corporate code removed.
Hope this helps someone.

[lawgs]

maraakl

have you had alamo rentals in the last year??

just tried using my QS # , agent on the reservation line said it was "deactivated" since we have not used it in the past year

she said we would have to re-enrol but they now have a requirement of 5 rentals before you can apply

just wonder if we are doing something wrong or if you have a phone number we can call to sort this out ( hope it does not take 4 months ), but the 5 rental minimum seems to be a "bump" in getting re instated

[maraakl]

lawgs,
No, I have never rented a car with Alamo since I joined QS in the late 90's.
They told me many times I had been deactivated but, when they actually went to a reservation screen and duplicated what I was doing, low and behold they realized I was NOT deactivated.
I called their customer service number .
Here is the complete information for that number and I hope it helps. :)

1-800-445-5664. We are open Monday
through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST or Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:30
pm.


Have you tried to make a reservation with your QS number without changing the code or adding a coupon?

also, if you are signing on via Alamo.com and your name and QS number show up, you have not been deactivated.

[lawgs]

maraakl

tried all those things and NADA....all i get is


*********** Member Id Not Found

even though it is there when i sign into alamo.com

but i see tonight they have something called Reserve Plus but cannot use it either since it requires *********** #, must be something like Quick Rent

anyhow, will call the number tomorrow to see what their spin is

[maraakl]

Very weird, indeed.
Good luck with your phone calls. :)

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by lawgs
maraakl

tried all those things and NADA....all i get is


*********** Member Id Not Found

even though it is there when i sign into alamo.com

but i see tonight they have something called Reserve Plus but cannot use it either since it requires *********** #, must be something like Quick Rent

anyhow, will call the number tomorrow to see what their spin is

I called their main number last night and just asked the guy if I was a quick silver member, he said yes and gave me the number....I tried the *********** number but they are not open 24 hours so I figured I would gine the main rental number a shot and it worked..I just added it to my reservation and I am set to go now.

[maraakl]

I called Alamo at the Orlando airport. They told me that with a QS reservation all I needed to do was go to the garage, select the car and go to the checkout kiosk and give them my license, reservation number, credit card and coupon (nothing mentioned about my QS card, but, you can bet I will have it with me). Sounds just like the procedure for National, which pleases me to no end. :)

And, just to be on the safe side, I am going to call again and ask. :)

[granmanh603]

I got an email from Alamo last week saying that they where upgrading their system Aug 16 to 22 and something about having to update your profile or it would be lost but I couldn't get into their system at all last week to do that! Hope this info helps.:earsgirl:

[maraakl]

I called again and received the same response. This sure beats the QS line.

As to the profile update thingie.
This is what it said. It has nothing to do with Quick Silver. It is about alamo.com If your profiile is current, you will be fine.


Dear Valued Member,

The Alamo.com Membership program is in the process of a system upgrade to afford Members with the best rates and features available through our Web Site. In the future Alamo.com Members will benefit from additional discounts off already low Internet rates through email and online offers. We are also working to incorporate your online experience with your offline, rental experience.

In order to participate in this Member upgrade, please ensure that your Member Profile is up-to-date with your current Driver’s License Information and Address. You may update this information by logging into Alamo.com through August 15th, 2004. Please note that between August 16th and August 22nd, 2004, we be upgrading the system and will not be able to accept updates to your profile during that time period. However, the site will be active and we will be able to process all your reservation requests. If you have not updated your Member Profile with the required information prior to Aug 16th, 2004, you will need to create a new profile when we re-launch Alamo.com Membership on August 22nd, 2004.

Alamo thanks you for your continued support.

The Alamo.com Membership Team

You have received this message because we recognize you as an active participant in the Alamo.com Membership program and this message provides an important program update. If you are not already opted in to receive promotional emails from Alamo, this message does not indicate that you have been subscribed to our Hot Deals list and we will only use this address to communicate program updates to you. If you have received this message in error or no longer wish to receive emails regarding your Alamo.com Membership, please contact the E-Business Department at the address below.

© 2004 Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc., 200 South Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

[deelovesdis]

For the great rates on National- did you got to Nationals website or to ORbitz, travelocity, etc???

I have the entertainment book and I belong to BJ's. I will use the promo codes to see what I can get for next month. $115 sounds great. I am hoping for a great rate too, will check tomorrow am.
I too had a couple bad experiences with ALamo. When they were located off airport, the shuttle never came, we kept waiting, it ended up being three hours, finally we just took a taxi to the hotel. I rented from someone else the next day. THank goodness I was able to get a good deal at the last minute. I was quite annoyed.
I went on Thrifys website, the rate is amazing, however Mousesavers had nothing good to say about Thrify.

[jekjones1558]

Also, Thrifty is not in MCO. You need to do the shuttle thing (which we really dislike).

[lawgs]

re *********** program

just got off the phone to *********** information.....to inquire about my *********** number not being recognized

she said anyone who has not used Alamo within the last year should or would have been purged from the system with the new rules introduced for ***********

in order to apply for it now, you have to be either a coporate member or have rented from Alamo at least 5 times ( which makes sense -- customer loyalty for the perk )

she said there are still some kiosks in some locationa and that the information she had on her screen said Orlando has a *********** line ( she was not sure about the "go directly to the garage" situation for Orlando )