Alamo Car Rental

[Pixie-Girl29]

I will be renting a car from Alamo for the first time in a few weeks for our trip to Orlando. And I know I need a valid drivers lic,and major credit card. On my reservations it tells the estimated amount , and Im wondering if this is pretty much the cost (its what Im planning on as far as my budget) it says fees may slightly change . I wanted to know if they stand by your reservation amount Im worried I will go to pick up the car and they will add on some unseen charge!!!! Also Im assuming that if we take our proof of insurance , we will not have to get it under them, as you can see this is my first time renting a car !! Any info or tips would be greatly appericated( info on what to expect)
Thanks a bunch, Pixie-Girl

 

[inkkognito]

I advise posting this on the Transportation board, but meanwhile, be VERY careful with Alamo. I get them via Priceline a lot, which is pre-paid so they can't play with the price. But they love to pull the old insurance trick ("Do you want deluxe coverage, or just basic?"). Of course, that implies that you HAVE to take one. They can be very aggressive about upgrades, insurance, etc., so you have to be willing to be aggressive back.
Barb

 

[Pixie-Girl29]

Thanks I will post it on a transportation forum.
So what you were saying about the insurance which one , you dont need either right if you have it. So what I have to do is tell them we dont need either, they basically just want you to pay more right!!! I dont know what I will do it they try to change the price. Thanks for the tips I will be aggressive right back to them !! on my conformation it says guarnteed base price so it better be! Thanks for your help!! Pixie-Girl

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Pixie-Girl29
Thanks I will post it on a transportation forum.
So what you were saying about the insurance which one , you dont need either right if you have it. So what I have to do is tell them we dont need either, they basically just want you to pay more right!!! I dont know what I will do it they try to change the price. Thanks for the tips I will be aggressive right back to them !! on my conformation it says guarnteed base price so it better be! Thanks for your help!! Pixie-Girl

Just say " I don't want ANY insurance" Read your contract.
Don't pay more than your confirmation. All agencies try to pull this stuff. Read, be informed and say NO

 

[Pixie-Girl29]

Thanks for all your helpful information Gail

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Pixie-Girl29
Thanks for all your helpful information Gail

You are most welcome. when it comes to the "shifty" way all agencies try to push insurance, I just say NO, they will try all sorts of ways to "con"you into it, like saying, " do you want just the basic insurance?" Very smooth, but, since there is no mention of insurance in your confirmations, you, the savy shopper that you are , will say, I don't want ANY insurance. They will try other ploys, you don't need to be aggressive, just firm.
If they get aggressive (which has been told they need to be to keep their jobs) you can then say "what part of no did you not get". That usually stops them in their tracks.
Have a wonderful and safe trip.

 

[ajksmom]

We just used Alamo and they didn't give us a hard sell on ins. at all. They made small talk with us as they were punching those keys. Just in case I always bring a copy of my policy with phone #'s on it just in case we run across someone who doesn't want to take no for an answer. I just clip it to the print-out you get when you make the reservation.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by ajksmom

We just used Alamo and they didn't give us a hard sell on ins. at all. They made small talk with us as they were punching those keys. Just in case I always bring a copy of my policy with phone #'s on it just in case we run across someone who doesn't want to take no for an answer. I just clip it to the print-out you get when you make the reservation.

That is very nice to hear. You are one of the few that has not had a hard sell from a car rental agent, anywhere.

 

[mtblujeans]

They CAN be very, very aggressive with the insurance. We stood in line one time and heard the agent tell the person in front of us that his personal insurance was unacceptable and they would not accept it and he HAD to buy their insurance. They told us the same thing when our turn came and (my husband is very, very assertive) we disputed that and refused their insurance. We have auto insurance that covers both of us no matter what vehicle we drive (I am sure most people do) and we use a credit card that also covers us when we drive a rental car. Don't let them twist your arm off!

 

[Pixie-Girl29]

Thanks ,Im so glad that I posted this question !!! Im a really easy going person, but I can be aggressive right back if I have to!! Im going to take my insurance cards,Do you think I should take the policy paperwork too????? From everybodys advice they make you think you need it , but you dont have to accept it!! And its really not in my budget to change the amount at the last minute anyway!!!!!! I just hope they take no for an answer , because we need the rental car!!!!!!! Thanks again for everybodys help , its nice to get all the good advice! Pixie-Girl

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Pixie-Girl29
Thanks ,Im so glad that I posted this question !!! Im a really easy going person, but I can be aggressive right back if I have to!! Im going to take my insurance cards,Do you think I should take the policy paperwork too????? From everybodys advice they make you think you need it , but you dont have to accept it!! And its really not in my budget to change the amount at the last minute anyway!!!!!! I just hope they take no for an answer , because we need the rental car!!!!!!! Thanks again for everybodys help , its nice to get all the good advice! Pixie-Girl

I never bring anything along with me. Just the confirmation and proof of r/t travel if I am using a debit card.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

They CAN be very, very aggressive with the insurance. We stood in line one time and heard the agent tell the person in front of us that his personal insurance was unacceptable and they would not accept it and he HAD to buy their insurance. They told us the same thing when our turn came and (my husband is very, very assertive) we disputed that and refused their insurance. We have auto insurance that covers both of us no matter what vehicle we drive (I am sure most people do) and we use a credit card that also covers us when we drive a rental car. Don't let them twist your arm off!


What agency is this? Sounds like the same line we got from Budget.

 

[Pixie-Girl29]

Thanks Gail for all your useful input! I put alot of planning into our vacations and I usually read the unoffical books for all my info,But this disscusion board gives the BEST ADVICE!! I wasnt sure if that last question was to me , but I am going through Alamo and I will take all your good advice with me
We are all really excited about our trip it is so close now!!
Thanks again
Pixie-Girl

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Pixie-Girl29
Thanks Gail for all your useful input! I put alot of planning into our vacations and I usually read the unoffical books for all my info,But this disscusion board gives the BEST ADVICE!! I wasnt sure if that last question was to me , but I am going through Alamo and I will take all your good advice with me
We are all really excited about our trip it is so close now!!
Thanks again
Pixie-Girl

Nope the last quesiton was not for you, but, I goofed and quoted you instead of the person I wanted to quote. Sorry about that and I have fixed it.
When are you going? Hope you have a great trip!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pixie-Girl29]

We are going to Universal and IOA July 26-30th!!
We cant wait

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Pixie-Girl29
We are going to Universal and IOA July 26-30th!!
We cant wait

That is great, I am sure you will have a wonderful time!!!!