Alamo 8 seater car hire question

[edie w]

The travel agent has just phoned me to say we (or actually my SIL) are being forcibly upgraded from a 7 seater to an 8 seater. Some ****-up on the booking front. We only booked a year in advance

Last time she had a Dodge caravan 7 seater - very nice and not too dissimilar from her Galaxy. All the pictures of 8 seaters show what appears to be a Transit type van. Don't think she'll be too keen.

I'm prepared to make a big fuss if necessary (They say we'll lose 70% if we cancel the cars. I say they are in breach of contract if the replacement car isn't suitable etc. etc.)

However if any of you guys can reassure me about the 8 seater (interior comfort, how it handles etc.) then we shall just be pleased about the extra luggage space!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[edie w]

That apparently 4 letter word was not swearing and had no fs in it. Just Northern useage. Sorry guys.

 

[Beejayjay]

Edie,

I am assuming your censored word was something to do with a male chicken ?

As for your "upgrade", a look at the cars available on Alamo's website seems to suggest you'd be going from a 7 seater to a 15 seater ! Size-wise thats a big difference, and I'd agree it could be said to be a less than desirable change - upgrade would be a very loose term in this instance in my opinion.

As for the actual vehicle, these big MPV's are usually as plush internally as their smaller brothers, so from that viewpoint I wouldn't be concerned. The fact that it will be a good half again as big as the original vehicle could be a concern.

As such I think you'd be quite justified in wanting to cancel, and that their suggestion that you lose a chunk of your payment is distinctly unfair. The actual legal stance I am unsure of (you'd expect the law to back you on this but we know that isn't always how it works), as you say, they appear to be breaching the contract here, not your good self.

They probably have some extremely loosely defined clause in their T'S & C's to cover this eventuulity, but I'd definitely still get back to Alamo and suggest you'll be taking legal advice about this. The implicit threat in situations like that will often "persuade" them to back off - modern corporations are very publicity conscious, and these things have a way of making it into the press and TV (a letter to one of the Beeb's consumer programmes might help) - and dont be worried about possible consequences of going that way, they cant do anything to penalise you except maybe cancel your booking, and hey, that wouldnt be a problem now would it ?

My advice is always to play hardball as far as you can with these companies if need be - I'm that fairly rare example of a Brit who doesnt mind causing a scene if I feel I'm not being fairly treated. I will happily throw a grade A strop if it seems appropriate !

Oh, and I'd normally ask to speak to a manager/supervisor when you call - speak to the organ grinder, not the monkey... ( I believe that's both a Northern and Southern expression...).

Sorry I cant help you more.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Hi edie

We had an 8 seater from Alamo on our trip in February 2002. It was a Chevrolet Astro Van, and to be honest I don't think they are as plush as the 7 seaters, but it still had all the goodies like cruise control. It had sliding doors, and the kids could stand up inside it and walk up and down!! The driving height was good too - and I didn't feel like I was driving a Transit

We liked it, because of the extra space - we decided to upgrade from a 7 seater on arrival, because we thought it might be a bit of a squeeze.
Overall we had no problems with it!!

Hope you get it sorted!

Cath

 

[neilybealy]

yep, agree with cath

we had an 8 seater chevvy astro van and loved it

it was really easy to drive and had plenty of boot space for us (mind you we did have 2 vans and a full size car in all for 10 of us)

it was also the first time i had driven on the wrong side of the road and got on very well

 

[Mike Jones]

.. we had an 8 seater something or other this year, from Alamo.. we HAD pre-booked, as a party of 6, to ensure luggage space. It turned out to be similar to our own 7 seater Chrysler Grand Voyager (can be seen in US as a Dodge caravan or similar) and accordingly didnt have any more apparent space... the extra seat was really just created by 2 three seat benches in rows 2middle & rear... so I guess you could get anything! (it was fine to drive, and when we had a 15 seater 3 years ago (party of 10) from Alamo, THAT was fine too, with cruise etc.. and the carparks are that big, no probs there!). Probably best to make a fuss! Good luck!

 

[edie w]

Thanks everyone.

I think we'll go for the 8 seater and only make a fuss if necessary. The extra luggage space will be useful anyway.

Yes, Beejayjay, it was a chicken reference. They were even using it on Radio 2 today!

 

[poohstix]

Hi edie w

Thought I would put in my few $ worth.

Do not worry. I am sure you will get a chevy Astrovan as we did and many others.
I am used to a normal family car and I was a bit worried about driving a large size Mini van for the first time in the US. I had no problems. As said before, no problem parking as the spaces are just huge and the roads are just as big.

Also believe me the extra baggage space is a godsend, especially if you like shopping as much as my DW does.

Just go and enjoy yourself and have a great time.