Alamo at MCO--Pick your own?

[mejones1115]

Okay we've rented from Alamo for most of our trips to Orlando. All but last year we were able to just go to the garage and pick our car from the row. Last year this wasn't the case, when we got to the garage they showed us to our vechile. Can anyone who has recently rented from Alamo let me know if we can pick out our own vehicle or if they pick it out for us? We're debating between the full size and premium but depends on if we can choose our own or not. Thanks.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

We rented a Cadillac from Alamo a couple of weeks ago at the Sanford Airport.
The desk attendant pointed us to the cars that were available and said, "pick one and give the papers to the attendant at the booth on your way out of the lot".
It was easy. We picked the Tan Cadillac DTS and headed for WDW.
I hope we can get the same deal April 2012.
Good luck all,
Joe

 

[debster812]

Okay we've rented from Alamo for most of our trips to Orlando. All but last year we were able to just go to the garage and pick our car from the row. Last year this wasn't the case, when we got to the garage they showed us to our vechile. Can anyone who has recently rented from Alamo let me know if we can pick out our own vehicle or if they pick it out for us? We're debating between the full size and premium but depends on if we can choose our own or not. Thanks.

We rented at MCO through Alamo in February, and were able to choose our car.

I wonder if you were picking up the car on a very busy day, and Alamo was just trying to keep closer track of what was in the garage, and what was left?

 

[Cricket2]

Was the car pulled up to the booth by chance?

 

[1tufgt]

Yeah that's weird that they showed you to a car. Usually there is one tenant in the garage right when your heading into the Alamo car section and looks at your papers really quick and tells you where to go and pick any vehicle.

 

[Lewisc]

Was it a one way rental? Alamo may have specific cars they want "moved".

 

[mejones1115]

No the car wasn't anywhere near the booth. There was a gentleman in the booth and a lady came over and looked at our papers went and grabbed keys and took us over to our car. And no it wasn't a one way...just for our vacation returning to the same place. I thought it was a little odd...and it was the beginning of May which is when we've gone before and never had this happen. I was hoping we were going to be able to choose our own vehicle.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

No the car wasn't anywhere near the booth. There was a gentleman in the booth and a lady came over and looked at our papers went and grabbed keys and took us over to our car. And no it wasn't a one way...just for our vacation returning to the same place. I thought it was a little odd...and it was the beginning of May which is when we've gone before and never had this happen. I was hoping we were going to be able to choose our own vehicle.

You should be able to pick your car from within your category. What happened to you was an aberration and not likely to happen again. If it did, object and tell the person you'll pick your own car. I've even walked over to the National side when I didn't like the Alamo selection and picked from over there.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Chia9876]

I've even walked over to the National side when I didn't like the Alamo selection and picked from over there.

BobK/Orlando

You can do that?? They don't give you any problems when your go to the booth?

 

[DizDragonfly]

You can do that?? They don't give you any problems when your go to the booth?

I just have to say, I love how Pumba and your smiley are equally aghast.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

You can do that?? They don't give you any problems when your go to the booth?

Yes, Alamo and National are the same company and as cars are returned, they are cleaned and washed and then returned to the parking spaces for either company, depending on the need. The car you drive off from Alamo could be on the National side for the next renter and v.v. Thus, when you take a car from either side and go to the booth with your rental papers, they don't know where you took the car from. They're the same fleet of cars.

This only applies at Alamo/National corporate owned locations which is nearly every major airport. But even there, Alamo and National may be in different locations away from the airport so this would not work. But in places such as Orlando International, Tampa International, Fort Lauderdale, Alamo and National are adjacent each other in the same rental garages.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Brer Chump]

Just returned a car today from a pick up last week. Used the kiosk and picked out my own car. All the cars i saw had the keys in the driver's door lock.

 

[Fire14]

I have always picked my own car when renting from MCO with alamo. No when I did it in vegas no I was told car is in spot number , At car cre center I was told a spot number.