Alamo Economy Car

[White_Sox_Fan]

I just returned and wanted to let people know that they shouldn't shy away from the economy cars at Alamo if they can get a great rate.

I found a rate using my Costco discount for $110.00 for an economy car for 10 days. I knew that there was no way that I was going to get my family and bags into an economy car but was banking on the fact that with Alamo you select from an aisle of cars and usually you can get a larger car than you booked. Naturally when I went to the counter the guy there wanted me to upgrade saying that I had rented an economy and they are really small and I'm a tall guy, etc, etc. I told him I would keep the economy and if it didn't work out I would come back for the upgrade.

Upon entering the garage we looked all over for the economy aisle, after not finding it we asked an employee who said there is no economy aisle and we should select from the compact aisle. In the compact aisle were several Nissan Altima's which is what I selected. We had no problem with plenty of room to spare. Had I upgraded at the counter I could have paid double for the same car that I wound up with.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

That is why I LOVE Alamo. It is so nice to be able to pick the exact car you want. I usually look for a new one, less than 500 miles on the odometer. Next time you might want to do online check in or use the kiosk. No need to stop at the counter, just go to the lot, pick a car in the class you rented, and off you go!

 

[gmeh1]

I just returned and wanted to let people know that they shouldn't shy away from the economy cars at Alamo if they can get a great rate.

I found a rate using my Costco discount for $110.00 for an economy car for 10 days. I knew that there was no way that I was going to get my family and bags into an economy car but was banking on the fact that with Alamo you select from an aisle of cars and usually you can get a larger car than you booked. Naturally when I went to the counter the guy there wanted me to upgrade saying that I had rented an economy and they are really small and I'm a tall guy, etc, etc. I told him I would keep the economy and if it didn't work out I would come back for the upgrade.

Upon entering the garage we looked all over for the economy aisle, after not finding it we asked an employee who said there is no economy aisle and we should select from the compact aisle. In the compact aisle were several Nissan Altima's which is what I selected. We had no problem with plenty of room to spare. Had I upgraded at the counter I could have paid double for the same car that I wound up with.

That was quite a nice upgrade, from Econ to full size. Usually, you go from econ to compact, sometimes there will be mini vans on the compact row. It all depends on supply and demand.

 

[dudspizza]

That was quite a nice upgrade, from Econ to full size. Usually, you go from econ to compact, sometimes there will be mini vans on the compact row. It all depends on supply and demand.

gmeh1, since you work for Alamo, can you confirm the statement that the OP made about no economy aisle?

Also, to anyone watching this, don't assume that you will get such a nice upgrade as the OP did. You could very well find exactly what you reserved on the aisle.

I am a member of National's Emerald Club and they guarantee a mid-size car, but I could possibly get an upgrade on the EA. There have been times that mid-size cars are the only thing to choose from.

I always recommend booking the car you need. If you need bigger than an economy size car, don't book economy unless you are willing to deal with it or pay the upgrade. You may get lucky, but it would be a real downer to start a vacation off on a sour note.

duds

 

[ceecee]

When I booked thru Alamo they only offered ecomony and didn't even have a compact option.

 

[gmeh1]

gmeh1, since you work for Alamo, can you confirm the statement that the OP made about no economy aisle?

Also, to anyone watching this, don't assume that you will get such a nice upgrade as the OP did. You could very well find exactly what you reserved on the aisle.

I am a member of National's Emerald Club and they guarantee a mid-size car, but I could possibly get an upgrade on the EA. There have been times that mid-size cars are the only thing to choose from.

I always recommend booking the car you need. If you need bigger than an economy size car, don't book economy unless you are willing to deal with it or pay the upgrade. You may get lucky, but it would be a real downer to start a vacation off on a sour note.

duds

I can confirm that there are, indeed, Economy sections at Alamo on both sides of the airport. However, they are usually very minimally stocked and for the ease of the customer, we usually send them to the compact section. We also have econ at National, both sides and we send folks to the compact section.

I completely agree with the your comments re: booking what you need. Too many people end up upset because they did not find an upgrade or the car is too small. READ the specs. on the car. If it holds 2 pieces of luggage and you have 5, don't book it.

 

[gmeh1]

When I booked thru Alamo they only offered ecomony and didn't even have a compact option.

Where did you book for? We always have the compact option here in Orlando.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

Only in the world of rental cars could an Altima be considered a full sized car.

If there was an economy section then it was well hidden. We found no permanent signage for economy and when we asked about it they said to go to the compact section. No doubt that an Altima in the compact section was a great deal but I could have gotten away with compact if necessary.

 

[gmeh1]

Only in the world of rental cars could an Altima be considered a full sized car.

If there was an economy section then it was well hidden. We found no permanent signage for economy and when we asked about it they said to go to the compact section. No doubt that an Altima in the compact section was a great deal but I could have gotten away with compact if necessary.

Trust me, there are economy sections on both sides for both National and Alamo. There are rarely more than two in each section. For instance on B side Alamo, they are on the left past the Mini vans past the concrete pillar opposite the convertables on a diagional. Long darn walk. It is much easier on the customer to tell them to select from the compacts.

I am not sure why they consider an Altima a full size car, but, they do. I have no idea how they rate them, and frankly, have never had enough interest to question it. They keep me busy enough with other things.