$60 difference National or Alamo?

[mkymouse4ever]

I have the mid sized SUV rented with both at present. the price is about $60.00 difference. BUT national is emerald reserved and out the garage you go, and the Alamo counter (stories are mixed). Which would you pick. Pay the extra and budget somewhere else, OR save the money, its no big deal.

Our plane is due in about 10pm at nite. And out of chicago, will be packed

Thanks mky

 

[grimley1968]

I'd go with whichever is cheapest. They almost seem to be one company to me. I never see them where they're not sharing the same counter. At the Dolphin, they definitely act as though it's one company.

Having said that, we rented twice from Alamo on our 2004 trip to WDW and Beach Club, and had no issues with them.

 

[Alexander]

We haven't rented since August '05, but they most definately had seperate counters for Alamo and National at MCO.

Maybe you can decide when you arrive. The line at Alamo is almost always long, but they are pretty quick getting people through. Sixty dollars is a big difference. If it were twenty bucks, I'd say forget Alamo and go to the garage.

Time really doesn't make a difference in the line at Alamo either. We arrived at almost 1 AM and the line was huge, but did move quickly.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Alexander,

Don't you get charged for the car you don't take? Being an Emerald club member they have my info, and I think I will get charged for their car if I don't cancel it within 24hrs. But I still like the idea.

mky

 

[In a hurry]

Alamo is evil! For $60 I would avoid them like the plague! An hour and a half to stand in line, and then another 45 mins while the agent tried scaring us into additional insurance!

 

[maiyasgram]

We just got back from our trip to Disney where we rented from Alamo. We rented a mid-sized SUV and chose the prepay option. We were able to check in on line before we left home that day. This allowed us to by pass the counter, no standing in the dreaded line and go directly to the garage. It was just like the Emerald Aisle, but it was Alamo. I am not sure if online checkin was an option because we had prepaid or if you can do this with any rental. The checkin button was under the view/modify/cancel reservations tab. Check it out, maybe this will help in your decision.

Cherie

 

[Alexander]

Alexander,

Don't you get charged for the car you don't take? Being an Emerald club member they have my info, and I think I will get charged for their car if I don't cancel it within 24hrs. But I still like the idea.

mky

I too am an EC member and have made reservations and then not picked up the car. I have never been charged. I pulled up this thread because I am now in the same exact boat as you! I have an SUV booked with National for $290 and I just booked another with Alamo for $230. I am using a coupon however, so according to the website, we cannot use the online check-in. Does anyone know if this is true? We did the prepay option so they have all of my information.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I too am an EC member and have made reservations and then not picked up the car. I have never been charged.

Thats good to know!! IMO, National has my loyalty (and i love the emerald aisle) so I would stick with National. Its quick conveient, and they don't pay much attention to the condition of the vehicle (good when a cab backs into a brand new car, and leaves the yellow paint on the bumper )