March 2013 Car rentals

[JandD Mom]

Mouselovers, I'll give another disclaimer. I know you all don't want to hear it, but I'll give it one more time anyway. You'll be listening with your wallets, so feel free to ignore...

There is a difference between using valid public codes and "finding" codes in places like FlyerTalk that, frankly, you will probably get away with using.

The FlyerTalk code some of you may be using may be perfectly legitimate and public. In that case. you should feel free to use it. However, my guess is it is not a public code. The red flag to me is that it includes CDW. To me, that sounds like a corporate code of some kind that some organization has negotiated with Alamo for use by their employees or affiliates.

Can you get away with it? Probably. Alamo at MCO does seem to be very lax about checking credentials.

Personally, I would never use a code that I couldn't backup. I don't know the workings of codes as to whether the organization that contracted with Alamo has to pay something additional per rental. My guess is probably not.

I will say this, however. Use the code if you like, but you better be really sure you don't get into an accident if that CDW is "covered". Drive carefully.

Richmo and others,

The biggest concern is whether you will be in a jam if you get free CDW and you are not entitled to use it.

There is an easy fix for this: When you go through the settings to modify the reservation or to check in, you can de-select the CDW and it will be taken off. Then there is no CDW, the price is the same, and your insurance will then be the coverage.

This is what I will do.

 

[ebharris]

I am flying into Sanford and out of Orlando. I wasn't going to get a car because the prices were so high-but this thread just got me a week long rental for $164 from Sanford, drop off at MCO...During spring break. Thank you!!

 

[jkelly86]

JandDMom-
Thanks for this tip. We don't need the CDW, so I was hoping there was a way to not include it.
jkelly

 

[BigTigger]

3/21 - 3/29 I got $246 today for a midsize SUV on Alamo using code 66777D. I found the code on Flyer Talk.

For spring break that is the best rate I've found.

I also have a ressie with Budget for $316.

Not sure what to do, stay with Budget or go with Alamo and this unknown code....

Even more of a flag than free CDW on this is the:
Fees

Sales Tax (6.5%) $8.43
Customer Facility Charge 2.50/day INCLUDED
Airport Access Fee 10 Pct (10.0%) INCLUDED
Tire/battery Fee .02/day INCLUDED
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day INCLUDED
Vehicle License Fee .69/day INCLUDED

While you may get away with it, there are too many comped items for me to take the risk. I can get a discounted rate with BJ's or Costco codes right now that's $28 more for a week rental starting the end of this week and has no freebies to send up red flags.

 

[gmeh1]

I recall I did do it at the kiosk too, I also was able to have her info in the old website. The gate attendants have always asked to see her license as well as mine, very quickly too. Always a great experience as well as all of your advice from your previous employment.

Yes, the gate attendants are required to check the licenses of all drivers listed on the contract. It really causes a problem when one of the drivers is not in the vehicle when exiting. They absolutely need to be there.
I could write a book about my experiences (and those of team mates) while employed there. I will say, National/Alamo is a great company to work for.

 

[gmeh1]

Even more of a flag than free CDW on this is the:
Fees

Sales Tax (6.5%) $8.43
Customer Facility Charge 2.50/day INCLUDED
Airport Access Fee 10 Pct (10.0%) INCLUDED
Tire/battery Fee .02/day INCLUDED
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day INCLUDED
Vehicle License Fee .69/day INCLUDED

While you may get away with it, there are too many comped items for me to take the risk. I can get a discounted rate with BJ's or Costco codes right now that's $28 more for a week rental starting the end of this week and has no freebies to send up red flags.

The KLM code for National does the same thing and many people have used it without any issues.

 

[gmeh1]

Mouselovers, I'll give another disclaimer. I know you all don't want to hear it, but I'll give it one more time anyway. You'll be listening with your wallets, so feel free to ignore...

There is a difference between using valid public codes and "finding" codes in places like FlyerTalk that, frankly, you will probably get away with using.

The FlyerTalk code some of you may be using may be perfectly legitimate and public. In that case. you should feel free to use it. However, my guess is it is not a public code. The red flag to me is that it includes CDW. To me, that sounds like a corporate code of some kind that some organization has negotiated with Alamo for use by their employees or affiliates.

Can you get away with it? Probably. Alamo at MCO does seem to be very lax about checking credentials.


Personally, I would never use a code that I couldn't backup. I don't know the workings of codes as to whether the organization that contracted with Alamo has to pay something additional per rental. My guess is probably not.

I will say this, however. Use the code if you like, but you better be really sure you don't get into an accident if that CDW is "covered". Drive carefully.

Good point, however, the KLM code for National does the same thing and many people have used it without issue. But, your point is taken. Thank you.

 

[gmeh1]

Richmo and others,

The biggest concern is whether you will be in a jam if you get free CDW and you are not entitled to use it.

There is an easy fix for this: When you go through the settings to modify the reservation or to check in, you can de-select the CDW and it will be taken off. Then there is no CDW, the price is the same, and your insurance will then be the coverage.

This is what I will do.

It will not allow you to remove the CDW.

 

[JandD Mom]

You can also do this at the kiosk. At the exit gate they will want to see both people and both licenses and what ever other information is requested at the bottom of the ticket you get out of the kiosk. It is better to do this at the kiosk or counter as it does hold up the line at the exit booth and the people who have gone to the kiosk or counter really get annoyed (and take it out on the exit agent) when they have to wait, yet again, to be on their way.

So you have to have your spouse with you and Add him or her even if you are an Insider? I usually get the car while my husband gets the luggage and then I pick him up. Is this a bad idea?

 

[JandD Mom]

It will not allow you to remove the CDW.

Sorry to contradict you, but I was able to do it yesterday.

 

[puffkin]

Sorry to contradict you, but I was able to do it yesterday.

How? At the kiosk?

 

[JandD Mom]

How? At the kiosk?

I was able to do it online. I believe it's during the online Check in process or if you try to modify the reservation. There is definitely a place to "unchoose" CDW.

 

[Pembo]

I was able to do it online. I believe it's during the online Check in process or if you try to modify the reservation. There is definitely a place to "unchoose" CDW.

Just "unchose" CDW.

 

[puffkin]

I still don't see how to "unchoose" it. The box says included (i've gone in to make a new reservation and modify). On the modify one it has edit next to the CDW line...but when I click on that the box where you should be able to change it just says INCLUDED in big green letters. I can't figure it out either and I am usually really good with this type of stuff. I can add and change tons of other things on that page, but not the CDW.

 

[MH1212]

I still don't see how to "unchoose" it. The box says included (i've gone in to make a new reservation and modify). On the modify one it has edit next to the CDW line...but when I click on that the box where you should be able to change it just says INCLUDED in big green letters. I can't figure it out either and I am usually really good with this type of stuff. I can add and change tons of other things on that page, but not the CDW.

I saw it yesterday. It's after you complete the reservation and then go into the online check-in, which I got to from a link in the confirmation email. I don't know if it would have, in fact, removed the CDW, because I didn't complete the check-in. But I might try it and see.

 

[gmeh1]

Sorry to contradict you, but I was able to do it yesterday.

Really? I tried today and it would not let me.

 

[gmeh1]

So you have to have your spouse with you and Add him or her even if you are an Insider? I usually get the car while my husband gets the luggage and then I pick him up. Is this a bad idea?

Yes, you do need your spouse with you in the car when you leave the garage. Now, you can add him at the kiosk and have him with you when you leave the garage (not sure where you are going to pick him up after he gets the luggage, but, you cannot drive on the lower level). The easiest thing is to have him get the luggage and meet you in the garage if you want to add him to the contract. He needs to be on the contract if he is going to drive the car, even if you are an Insider. Something that was drilled into our heads during training.
From the website: An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.

 

[gmeh1]

I was able to do it online. I believe it's during the online Check in process or if you try to modify the reservation. There is definitely a place to "unchoose" CDW.

There is, indeed, a place to modify the reservation and an edit button, however, it did not allow me to change it. The CDW button was grayed out.

 

[gmeh1]

I still don't see how to "unchoose" it. The box says included (i've gone in to make a new reservation and modify). On the modify one it has edit next to the CDW line...but when I click on that the box where you should be able to change it just says INCLUDED in big green letters. I can't figure it out either and I am usually really good with this type of stuff. I can add and change tons of other things on that page, but not the CDW.

Exactly what I encountered.

 

[JandD Mom]

There is, indeed, a place to modify the reservation and an edit button, however, it did not allow me to change it. The CDW button was grayed out.

Hmmm. I was on the go all day but I will try it again tonight and post instructions. I made so many reservations yesterday for myself and family members that I honestly can't remember exactly how I did it. Also what browser did you use? Sometimes that can make a difference.