Alamo Experience

[chrisd596]

What has been your experience using Alamo at the MCO airport been like?
thanks
chris

 

[Figment2]

I used them in January and it went very well. Just got confused when we got up to the cars as to which ones were Alamos. Once we saw the signs, no problem from there.

Cyn

 

[inkkognito]

We've gotten them twice via Priceline and both times they were okay. The wait wasn't too long at the counter...on one of the trips, there were a lot of people in front of us but there was an agent at every position so it went quickly. The worst part was the fact that you have to stop again before leaving and do more paperwork at the booth, unlike Avis where you just drive right out. Return was very fast and simple.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[debster812]

We just used them at MCO. Quick service at the counter and in the garage. No high pressure for extra insurance. Car was brand new. Oh, and we got a GREAT rate!!!

I would use them again in a heartbeat.

 

[skfulkers]

I know that many people have reported having great experiences with Alamo recently, and I can't exaclty say that we had a bad experience, but I was disappointed with their "sales pitch" for extra insurance. The line was fairly long at the rental counter, so as I approached the front, I could hear ALL of the agents hard-selling additional insurance to their customers. The agent directly in front of me practically had a lady in tears telling her horror stories of what may happen if she declined the extra insurance. So when I approached the counter, wary of the situation, the agent didn't ask me if i would like to purchase additional insurance, but rather "if I just wanted to get the basic insurance coverage as opposed to upgrading." I told her that I wanted to decline all insurance with the car, and she looked at me as if I had two heads. She told me that this was not very smart, and I just laughed and told her that I've rented more cars than I could ever hope to count, I understand the insurance/rental car process and that she shouldn't try to hard-sell to repeat customers--it's just rude. Needless to say, she was pretty unhappy with my decision. I made sure to check the rate several times after she handed me the agreement to ensure that I hadn't been charged for any insurance.
I have to say that in all the times I've rented cars for business or vacations, I've never seen this sales pitch used as much as I did this past trip.

 

[loveswdw]

Haven't used Alamo since they've moved to the airport but we did use them in 1999 off site. WORST car rental experience we've ever had! I will NEVER use Alamo again. I don't care if they are now "The Official Rental Car of Disney". Too bad.

They didn't just push the insurance on us--the sales guy wouldn't let us have the car without the insurance. Told us my insurance on my 1997 car (2 years old at the time) wouldn't cover the "new" car Alamo was giving us. Just plain lying to us!! The guy was rude and my husband was about ready to strangle him. We finally got the car (a "new" Cavalier--whooppeedoo!) and with the insurance the car cost almost $400 for 8 days. We drove it a total of 100 miles that week and when we returned it my husband spoke to the manager about the customer service and the manager did give us half back. But we still to this day have never used Alamo again. Dollar has gotten our business since the Alamo experience and has been fine. They ask you if you want the extra insurance--you say "No, I'll waive it. They say "Fine. Initial here." Then you go on your merry way to WDW!! We love Dollar-- and generally they are pretty cheap. Last FL trip we got an Intrepid for $116.99/week.

loveswdw

 

[nuthut]

Absolutely the worst experience for me. Never again will I rent from Alamo. Lousy desk help with bad attitudes. The woman in charge at MCO is a b*t*h. Charged me $420 for my one week rental when my ressie was for $124.00. Finally had to deduct it off my Discover card.

 

[cindy_k]

I just used Alamo, this past week for the first time at MCO.

They were the only car rental counter with a line and this was a Wednesday morning. I guess its good to be Disney's "Official" company.

I also noticed that the people at the counter were pushing insurance. They asked every person, "Do you want Basic or Full coverage?" Though they seemed to accept "No" for an answer.

Also they tried their hardest to get me to upgrade my reservation. I had a reservation for an economy car. The person who helped me, told me all about how small it was, that it had no power brakes, or steering and such. I simply explained I drive a similiar car at home and that it would be fine.

He gave up at that point..... and this is the thing that kills me, He then gave me an upgrade to a Compact car, anyway, for Free because he had no more economy cars left. He knew that when he was trying to get me to pay for an upgrade.

Alamo certainly doesn't seem to give a fig about customer good will. Had that man told me he was upgrading me for free in the beginning, I would be telling you how wonderful they were, instead I now think they are rather slimey sales people.

I think Alamo really is ok to use, you just have to be really really careful and make sure you check over your contracts.

Cindy in NY

 

[zulaya]

Say NO to Alamo! That's the line to remember. I know some people who are part of their QuickSilver program will say they have no problems, but you can't join anymore unless you are a business/corporate account.

Our first ever trip to WDW was a vacation package that gave us Alamo. Kids were 4 and 5 at the time. DH went to get the car and they basically told him the same that I am hearing now...you can't take the car without the insurance. At the time we weren't as savvy as we are now. I wrote Alamo after returning and got it refunded to us.

Don't just go with them because they are cheapest - in most cases they probably aren't. Pick a company that will respect you and your rental car decisions. I have never had a problem with National, even the one time I rented at the counter. Dollar also has a very good reputation for treating its customers like they have a brain.

So, shop around, look for deals and don't go with them just because they are cheapest or that they are official, unless you really want the possibility of a major headache.

 

[DMRick]

but you can't join anymore unless you are a business/corporate account.

Or unless you have rented from them 5 times in the past.

The only problem we have had with Alamo, was thye are the only people who asked if we wanted insurance. I find that if I pull out my cell phone and tell them, if they don't mind waiting, I'll call my cc company to see if we are still covered if I take Alamo's insurance..they back right off.

Last time we rented National..and the people helping us were all Alamo employee's..it was a little more confusing getting fo the aisle than in the past.

Our price for 11 days in April with Alamo is $100 less than National..so I'll put up with the insurance push LOL!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Say NO to Alamo! That's the line to remember. I know some people who are part of their QuickSilver program will say they have no problems, but you can't join anymore unless you are a business/corporate account.

You are totally correct about the Quicksilver program, BUT, anyone can be "business" owner, since they do not check, you could be called "zulaya pets" and get a QS membership.

I have yet to be pushed about insurance, I just say NO. In fact the one place I got the hard sell was Budget. I said NO there also.

They are told to push the insurance, it is a big money maker, and somehow I cannot get too annoyed with people who are only doing their jobs.

 

[Eeyore1954]

For what it's worth, our company dumped Alamo as a preferred rental car company because of their poor service over several years. I rented from Alamo in MCO many times -- suffering through the sales pitches for insurance and upgrades and rude service -- only for the price. My last experience at MCO came a few months ago -- last rental ever with Alamo. Long line, rude employee, hard sell for insurance, pushing an upgrade -- then given the wrong size car (reserved a full size, given an intermediate).

Just say no to Alamo works for me. We now use Hertz and Avis at work and they are fantastic. On leisure rentals they cost a little more, but it's worth it. Better service, better cars, and no "lip" from rude, crude reps.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

then given the wrong size car (reserved a full size, given an intermediate).

What did they end up giving you?

 

[BobH]

I have used these - National Dollar Budget Avis. No major issues. I go with the best price using whtever discounts (AARP etc) that are available to me. I used Avis most recently at Orlando International airport. The whole conversation with a very nice woman at the counter was made up of about ten words. No insurance pressure. I was in the car and gone (including the walk to the car) in ten minutes. I used Alamo once. Waited in line 45 minutes. Found a nail in the tire of the car just after I left the airport. Couldn't take another delay. I just kep an eye on the tire and fortunately it never leaked. I know something can go wrong with any rental car company but I have sen more bad words about Alamo on this board than any other company. Seems like a trend to me.