SEPTEMBER 2016 Car Rental Watch

It's basically to confirm you are picking up the car and you add in all credit card info. You bypass the Counter and go out and choose your vehicle from the designated row.

The only Alamo staff you have to speak to is at the exit where you show ID and the credit card that was entered during online check-in. Super easy - we've done this many times in Orlando and Miami!

Sounds quick and easy! Now, if we did the prepaid reservation (pay online deal), I assume the CC info is just a repeat for confirmation? Does it matter how early (i.e. 30 days in advance vs. 5 days) you go through online check-in? Thanks!
 
@SBWB48 ~ If you've prepaid then it shouldn't matter how far out you confirm by check-in. Print out the confirmation and show that at the exit.
 
...Now, if we did the prepaid reservation (pay online deal)...

Prepay is generally a bad idea, especially this far out. If you go that route, very carefully read the terms and conditions to see if you can back out without penalty. The reason is that often rental rates will go down as your arrival date gets closer. Usually the best rates are found in the last 3 weeks or even 2 weeks before you arrive. Often the best plan is to hold a reservation (not prepay) at current rates, then keep checking as the trip gets closer. If you get a great prepay rate very close to departure date, go for it, but otherwise you're usually better off holding off.
 
I rebooked my minivan 9/3-9/10--saved $20 on rental rate and got a $20 Costco cash card that will be mailed to us after rental. I booked on Costco's website. I could have saved $30 by booking Budget, but we have always had a good experience with Alamo so I don't want to save $10 to try something new.
 
Prepay is generally a bad idea, especially this far out. If you go that route, very carefully read the terms and conditions to see if you can back out without penalty. The reason is that often rental rates will go down as your arrival date gets closer. Usually the best rates are found in the last 3 weeks or even 2 weeks before you arrive. Often the best plan is to hold a reservation (not prepay) at current rates, then keep checking as the trip gets closer. If you get a great prepay rate very close to departure date, go for it, but otherwise you're usually better off holding off.

There is a lot of variability on this. I normally don't prepay either but I did for our upcoming September trip. I booked in March and don't really expect to get a better deal than the $105 I got for our visit. I can get a full refund up until 48 hours prior to pickup so I still keep checking but I'm glad that I prepaid (at least up to now I'm glad).
 
Prepay is generally a bad idea, especially this far out. If you go that route, very carefully read the terms and conditions to see if you can back out without penalty. The reason is that often rental rates will go down as your arrival date gets closer. Usually the best rates are found in the last 3 weeks or even 2 weeks before you arrive. Often the best plan is to hold a reservation (not prepay) at current rates, then keep checking as the trip gets closer. If you get a great prepay rate very close to departure date, go for it, but otherwise you're usually better off holding off.

The cancellation fee is $5 for our prepaid reservation, which isn't bad at all. Actually been checking every week still and rates have only gone up seemingly. We booked for 8 days at $152, and now a compact is up to $203. Will still be checking closer to 2-3 weeks out and if there's anything better, we will make the change and eat the $5. The rate was low enough when we booked last month that I was comfortable eating the $5 of needed; $5 hedge, not bad :)
 
The Vegas Brazil code has been posted in a couple of older threads and continues to be valid as far as I can tell: 7016427
 
The usual disclaimer on the Vegas Brazil code (7016427): It was likely discovered because someone transposed two of the digits in the Costco code (7014627). It is true that in Orlando, they (Alamo) usually don't check credentials to see if you're a valid user of that code. For example, I usually use the Costco code, but I can't remember being asked at checkin if I'm a Costco member (I am) (although recently they've been asking for the Costco member number on the initial reservation). I don't know what the Vegas Brazil code means. It could be a public code, for example, something like an Orlando MagicCard code, that anyone can use. Or maybe a membership code (AAA, Costco, BJ's, Entertainment, etc.). It could also be a corporate employee code, intended for employees of something called Vegas Brazil (if that even exists).

Does it matter? Probably not. When it could be an issue is if: Alamo in Orlando all of a sudden decides to check credentials (not likely, unless Alamo corporate tells them to), or, if you get in an accident with that vehicle. That's when things can get sticky. One hint: I don't think its the case with Vegas Brazil, but if you ever see rates from some code that includes all insurance as part of it, its best to stay away...that would definitely be a corporate code and you might wind up getting involved with that corporation if you get in an accident.

I'm not going to tell you to not use Vegas Brazil, or any other code. That's entirely up to you. Personally, I prefer having the security of being able to justify (have credential) for any code or coupon I use.
 
The usual disclaimer on the Vegas Brazil code (7016427): It was likely discovered because someone transposed two of the digits in the Costco code (7014627). It is true that in Orlando, they (Alamo) usually don't check credentials to see if you're a valid user of that code. For example, I usually use the Costco code, but I can't remember being asked at checkin if I'm a Costco member (I am) (although recently they've been asking for the Costco member number on the initial reservation). I don't know what the Vegas Brazil code means. It could be a public code, for example, something like an Orlando MagicCard code, that anyone can use. Or maybe a membership code (AAA, Costco, BJ's, Entertainment, etc.). It could also be a corporate employee code, intended for employees of something called Vegas Brazil (if that even exists).

Does it matter? Probably not. When it could be an issue is if: Alamo in Orlando all of a sudden decides to check credentials (not likely, unless Alamo corporate tells them to), or, if you get in an accident with that vehicle. That's when things can get sticky. One hint: I don't think its the case with Vegas Brazil, but if you ever see rates from some code that includes all insurance as part of it, its best to stay away...that would definitely be a corporate code and you might wind up getting involved with that corporation if you get in an accident.

I'm not going to tell you to not use Vegas Brazil, or any other code. That's entirely up to you. Personally, I prefer having the security of being able to justify (have credential) for any code or coupon I use.


7106427 --- COMMON code found here, those who used it ?. Which line are you entering it on? thanks
 
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7106427 is not being accepted on line Alamo. Which line are you entering it on? Won't work for us. Thanks.
The codes mentioned above and those like them, go on the Contract ID line. Have no idea what 7106427 is...
 
The codes mentioned above and those like them, go on the Contract ID line. Have no idea what 7106427 is...
I think they probably meant 7016427 (the Vegas Brazil code), but yes it goes in as the contract ID.

Make sure when you copy and paste coupon codes or contract codes that there aren't any leading or ending spaces. I've had that happen and it tells me invalid code or coupon. Once you delete the extra space it works.
 
I think the Vegas Brazil thread morphed into referring to outdated $50 coupons. The $25 coupon that's in this thread works as well as the Vegas Brazil code.

Thanks for reporting no problems with any of the codes! :)
Thanks hiroMYhero!!!! I used same codes just now!
 
Good morning! I have a Mid-size with Alamo for 9/25 - 9/28 for $129.51 using the AS1 product code (alamo insider) and the $25 of coupon. that's more than I would like to pay for a 4 day rental so I'll keep checking. For information, those who booked long ago with the code for the $50 off coupon, many people who used that in July had issues once they got to MCO. Some were taken care of by visiting the rental counter or dealing with Alamo after the fact. I used the $25 coupon in July and had no issues. Worth paying an extra $25 not to have to hassle.

Also using the AS1 product code gets one the same prices as using the Vegas Contract ID
 
My trip is Sunday, Sept 18th - Saturday, Sept. 24th. I just booked an Intermediate car at Dollar Car Rental (At Terminal) through CarRentalSavers dot com, for $140. Also the booking site CarRentals, has similar prices for Dollar Car Rental.
 
Good morning! I have a Mid-size with Alamo for 9/25 - 9/28 for $129.51 using the AS1 product code (alamo insider) and the $25 of coupon. that's more than I would like to pay for a 4 day rental so I'll keep checking. For information, those who booked long ago with the code for the $50 off coupon, many people who used that in July had issues once they got to MCO. Some were taken care of by visiting the rental counter or dealing with Alamo after the fact. I used the $25 coupon in July and had no issues. Worth paying an extra $25 not to have to hassle.

Also using the AS1 product code gets one the same prices as using the Vegas Contract ID

After reading Glendamax's response, I decided to check carrentalsavers (which I swore I already checked!). Got a full size from Alamo for 9/25 - 9/28 for $107.96! Will be happy to be back in my Nissan Altima!
 
After reading Glendamax's response, I decided to check carrentalsavers (which I swore I already checked!). Got a full size from Alamo for 9/25 - 9/28 for $107.96! Will be happy to be back in my Nissan Altima!

YAY!!!!! :D
 
FYI, using AD3868JST and AS1 while logged in as an Alamo Insider, I was able to book a Mid-Size SUV for $255 for 9 days 9/9-9/18 WITH a one way rental MCO to TPA. Coscto was $100 more for the same rental. AS1 seems to give the same pricing as the Vegas Brazil code for me so I went with the AS1 code.
 
The prices have gone back up on CarRentalSavers dot com. So if you missed it, try again next week.
 

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