Alamo? chicago trib ad? Official rental car WDW?

[mkymouse4ever]

Sunday's chicago tribune has an ad stating Alamo "the official rental car of summer & the walt disney world resort" Am I really out of the loop or is this new? They didn't have any big discount in the ad only a "free" children's character meal with rental if you give code "TRIB" when asked. So not much of deal. Seems like all the contract's must of been up. MKY

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Alamo has joined National in the Car Care Center. Both are official Disney rental car agencies.

 

[CarolMN]

Alamo and National are both owned by the same "parent" company - ANC. Alamo must have just recently taken up residence at the Car Care center - I know they were not there last December.

 

[nuthut]

Say no to Alomo!! The Orlando location has no customer service. They raised my weekly rental from $125 to $439 because I returned the car a day early. The agents behind the counter were rude and useless. The location is terrible. Just say no!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Well, this sort of explains the busses at BDL that say National/Alamo instead of just Alamo or National.
I have NEVER had a problem with Alamo and have had excellent service from them with only one exception and that was taken care of quite well.
As to returning a car early, you broke a contract. Read the contract and it covers this happening. Most especially if you went from a 5 day (which constitutes a weekly rate) contract and returned it on day 4 (which constitutes a daily rate).
I don't think it fair to bad mouth a company for implementing a contract that you signed, should have read and eventually broke.

 

[CarolA]

While I avoid Alamo at all costs, all rental car companies can change the rate if you return the car at a different time and/or location then the one specified on the agreement.

Every so often there is a thread about getting a weekly rate and turning the car in early. I am not sure if that is what happened to nuthut, but turning cars in early or late can cost you dearly!

 

[ahoff]

I saw the ad in a NY paper, $130/week with a free kid's charachter breakfast. My question is where is the Alamo booth, in the airport or is it like Hertz and you have to take a shuttle off airport property?

 

[Eeyore1954]

Alamo is off-airport, so you must take their shuttle to their location. While the rate seems great, be sure to ask about the additional fees charged: taxes, fees for taking their shuttle, airport fees, etc. This applies to any car rental company.

 

[ahoff]

Thanks for the location info, I sort of prefer an on site counter and car, but will not rule it out yet. The website also added in all the taxes and fees, so the total came to $166. Didn't book yet, still searching for rates. But still prefer a rental over a shuttle service.

I don't think the free child character breakfast is such a good incentive, unless you were already planning one. It is only around $9. It is a good way to get into a park early, though.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

As mentioned above, Alamo and National are owned by the same parent company. As National Emerald Club members, we received a mailing a few weeks ago announcing "enhanced" services in Orlando and a number of other cities. The Alamo inclusion in the Car Care Center is one part of this operation. Actually, when we flew into Jacksonville, FL in May enroute to St. Simons, GA, the National and Alamo car rental operations were totally integrated. They used the same customer service desk within the terminal and the same garage area for drop off. We used Emerald Aisle, so we bypassed the counter, but the garage personnel were helping people renting from both get to their cars. The EA cars were right by the garage booth while the rest of the National and Alamo cars were lined up together.

Ralph

 

[sgtdisney]

I have had a couple of horrible experiences with Alamo ranging from waiting in line 2+ hours for a car, to bait and switch where the friendly agent told me a mid size car was a 2 door Cavalier and I could either take it, pay more for a 'full size' car or get out of line and get back on the bus. Complaints to management and higher went unnoticed and unanswered.

When you say, don't forget the Alamo, I will never forget how I was treated and I will never use them again at any price, official agency or not.

 

[RAZ24]

I agree, "Say no to Alamo".

Bad experience at John Wayne Airport and even worse at Boston. Stayed with them in Boston cause the rate was $100.00 less. Wouldn't do it again. There social skills in these 2 places were horrible.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by RAZ24
I agree, "Say no to Alamo".

Bad experience at John Wayne Airport and even worse at Boston. Stayed with them in Boston cause the rate was $100.00 less. Wouldn't do it again. There social skills in these 2 places were horrible.

I have wondered on a number of occassions if National/Alamo's financial problems are related more to Alamo than to National.. If I remember correctly the parent company of National bought out Alamo some years back and I really wonder if Alamo is what is dragging the company down. My experiences with National could not be more different than the ones I have had with Alamo. I mean it was seriously a difference like night and day.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
....(snip)....My experiences with National could not be more different than the ones I have had with Alamo. I mean it was seriously a difference like night and day.

This is true for me, too. I will not use Alamo again.

 

[baileybrad]

A contract is a contract is a contract but just charge me for the full week or whatever even if I turn the vehicle in early and you can then find some other poor sap to rent the vehicle at walk-up rates and make a double killing. And if you want to argue or debate the point....I AIN'T even going to go there. I would not use any off-site rental company at MCO. Avis and National have always been most good to us with their service.