Alamo and Insurance4carhire

[alisonbestford]

We rented a 7 seater minivan, from Alamo, using the Walmart code and got a great rate

The guy on the desk did his best to try and upgrade me to a 5 seater with a bigger boot to the cost of 'only $10/day more.
Obviously this would be a considerable amount over 21 days so I politely declined and stood my ground

Next he tried to sell me full cover (to make up for what he couldn't get me to spend on the rental I guess )

Once again I politely declined and flourished my Ins4carhire certificate at him which he read through and gruntingly accepted

So now I've used the insurance with Dollar and Alamo - no probs

Thought I'd post, just in case anyone is still a little wary.
Rental of a 7 seater minivan, for 21 days, and annual insurance cost me £330

 

[princess jackson]

We are due to use ours insurance4carhire policy on Wednesday, i am a little weary.

What will i expect when we arrive, we are on a flydrive, and understand that Dollar will block $1500 on our Visa card.

 

[alisonbestford]

When we rented from Dollar they just accepted the policy and swiped the credit card.

At no time was any money debited from my visa - I checked the statements when we returned home

 

[princess jackson]

Was this a flydrive, we have been informed that we will be charged for rental taxes.

DH is taking his Visa for the $1500, i still feel a little dubious, as using the for the first time.

 

[alisonbestford]

Dollar was a flydrive and we were charged state taxes etc - I can't remember how much exactly but not extortionate- about £35-£45 for 19 days?

With Alamo, which wasn't a flydrive, the taxes were included in the £220 rental charge.

I took a credit card which I never usually use for the car

 

[princess jackson]

Thanks for the info.

What about the petrol, normally we buy the tour operators insurance which includes a full tank of petrol.

Are we able to bring it back with a full tank rather than pay upfront for the petrol.

The first time we hired a car 1998, we got stung for the petrol, used our Visa and when we returned home our bill was waiting and the charged us over £30. We filled it up too and cost no way near that.

Fingers crossed we get a nice person at the desk. DH is firm when it comes to them trying to get us upgraded. NO NO NO NO.

 

[alisonbestford]

You can bring it back full and not pay at the desk I believe

The only slip up I feel I made was paying to bring it back empty!
Ok, so the cost/gallon was the same as at the petrol stations but I later realised that they'd charged me around $60 to fill up a tank that would only take $30.........

 

[Miffy2003]

Alison - thank you for posting that! It's always good to hear first hand

 

[gavvy]

Alison this is great- I am using Alamo next month with the insurance4carhire policy too, im glad you did not have any problems, this policy has saved me loads!

Thanks

 

[gavvy]

Forgot to ask Alison, what was the wait like at the Alamo desk, did you have to wait a long time?

 

[alisonbestford]

Absolutely no wait at all

You register, give your passport and cc details and then go along to choose your own car from a line of several - all with keys in the door

We chose the one with the biggest luggage space.
We didn't realise it was only a 5 seater until we met up with friends during the week and tried to put up the extra seats!

 

[scojos]

i can t get the insurance4carhire site to work, anyone got a link?
thanks
tracy

 

[alisonbestford]

http://www.insurance4carhire.com/

 

[gavvy]

Absolutely no wait at all

You register, give your passport and cc details and then go along to choose your own car from a line of several - all with keys in the door

We chose the one with the biggest luggage space.
We didn't realise it was only a 5 seater until we met up with friends during the week and tried to put up the extra seats!

Thats what I wanted to hear! - was you on the virgin flight or BA- ive heard that most BA holidaymakes use Alamo while Virgin use Dollar

 

[alisonbestford]

We were on the Virgin flight.

Landed around 14.50 and collected the car about 15.40 by the time we'd cleared customs etc

 

[mdeloughery]

Hi Allison,

Do you remember what the walmart code is? I am going to the states in a couple of weeks and am having trouble getting a decent deal on car hire.

Many thanks.

Michael Deloughery.

 

[alisonbestford]

There are two Walmart codes on Mousesavers:

Wal-Mart Customers (i.e. anyone) can get up to 20% off rentals at Alamo. Use Rate Code BY and ID# 430710. MouseSavers.com reader Jennifer B points out that "the Wal-Mart codes for Alamo include a free additional driver."
Another Wal-Mart code: Use Rate Code BY and ID# 428448 at Alamo. Source: Wal-Mart edition Rand-McNally Atlas. Thanks to Joe J for info. MouseSavers.com reader Jennifer B points out that "the Wal-Mart codes for Alamo include a free additional driver."


I used the first one - BY 430710

Hope you can get a good deal

 

[mdeloughery]

Alison,

Thanks very much for all the information and also for replying so quickly.

Best Wishes.

Michael Deloughery.

 

[alisonbestford]

You're welcome

 

[gavvy]

I will be useing the Insurance4carhire and alamo next sunday- hopefully I will get the same experence as Alison. I will report my experence when I get back!