Alamo Full Size SUV

[jack'smom]

Just booked a Full Size SUV for an upcoming spring break trip. We usually rent a minivan, but this was about $150 cheaper. The description states it seats 7 and is a Tahoe or similar. We are a family of 6, including 2 car seats and a bubble bum booster seat, so it is very important we have a vehicle that seats at least 6.
Does anyone have any experience with a Full Size SUV from Alamo? Are we guaranteed something that seats 7? We will be picking the car up in Tampa, if that makes any difference.

 

[xlxo]

Another thing to consider... some of those Full Size SUV's are available with an extended length with an extra charge. Great for luggage!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

We had a Chevy Equanox in October at Sanford. I had a minivan ressie, but inquired about the SUV price match from Thrifty to Alamo and they did it. $224.00 for week. Tons of room, size of our Odysee and had regular door instead of the sliders.

 

[Woodview]

There may be a very small amount of luggage space between the 3 rd row of seats and the back window .

 

[jack'smom]

There may be a very small amount of luggage space between the 3 rd row of seats and the back window .

Do you think less than a minivan? We will probably have 4 suitcases and a double stroller (compact--Maclaren, which can go by my youngest's car seat foot area)

 

[jack'smom]

We had a Chevy Equanox in October at Sanford. I had a minivan ressie, but inquired about the SUV price match from Thrifty to Alamo and they did it. $224.00 for week. Tons of room, size of our Odysee and had regular door instead of the sliders.

Is that a full size SUV? I think that seats only 5?

 

[thewelts]

I just rented from Alamo at Shades of Green. You can easily walk there from the Polynesian or Grand Floridian. It is literally across the road from the Poly - one a paved path with a designated crosswalk. It was an easy .7 mile walk from the Grand Floridian Villas.
There was no wait. I had my car within minutes.
Super convenient
I highly recommend.

Also, be sure to re-check rates within the 2 week window. My rates dropped from $66/per day to $33/day (one way rental - drop off at FLL Airport)

 

[PatMcDuck]

OK, this brought back memories. One trip, I booked a full size SUV for our family of 6 (and we have a wheelchair). I told the kids,wait until you see what I rented! We got to Alamo, and walked around, where is the full size SUV row?? Finally we asked, and they said, they had to bring those out. We saw one, parked by the office, but that was not for us, they said. They made us wait for 10-15 minutes, and kept bring out smaller SUVs. At the time, my reservation said it was supposed to seat 7.

It was in the 90s, and so hot, DS in the WC was melting. We got into a huge argument with Alamo. I kept asking for the FS SUV, and pointed at the reservation, and they pointed to the small print "OR similar". I said, I do not care the make and model, but similar means it seats the same # of people. I should point out, we got the reservation pretty cheap, say $225/week (Costco) and I think that was the issue. Finally they said, take a minivan then. We ultimately agreed to take a large Toyota Sienna, it had a big storage area in the back for the chair. The employees were mostly awful that day, it was really bizarre. (One did apologize to us, off to the side, away from the manager)

I have rented from Alamo since many times (they are usually the cheapest via Costco, and I like to pick my own car). Never had another issue. Now I book a mid SUV for just me and DS in the WC, and I pick the car so no worries. I think this was a freaky weird event, but one I won't forget.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

A Chevy Traverse is a few inches longer than a minivan, but has much less space between the 3rd row and back of the vehicle. My parents just got rid of their Enclave (Buick version of the Traverse) and I just purchased a minivan after researching all 7 passenger vehicles. It will be a very tight fit if using all 3 rows of seats and still having to fit suitcases and strollers. Same with a Durango or Highlander. If you truly need to use 3 rows of seats AND use the trunk you need to get a minivan or larger, like a Tahoe or even a Suburban.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Do you think less than a minivan? We will probably have 4 suitcases and a double stroller (compact--Maclaren, which can go by my youngest's car seat foot area)

Yes, it is much less than a minivan.

 

[Yellowjj]

It will be a very tight fit if using all 3 rows of seats and still having to fit suitcases and strollers. Same with a Durango or Highlander. If you truly need to use 3 rows of seats AND use the trunk you need to get a minivan or larger, like a Tahoe or even a Suburban.

A Tahoe has even less trunk space than a Traverse/Acadia/Enclave. The best bet for any large SUV with luggage space is either a Suburban, Expedition EL or a Yukon XL. Of those 3, only the Expedition EL is considered a "Full Size SUV". The other two are "Premium SUV's" and cost more usually. A regular SUV can work if you put one side of the third row seating down.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Is that a full size SUV? I think that seats only 5?

Sorry late, no we had the last row lay down, but it had a third row. I could be mistaken, but I was sure we lay a third row down. It was a HUGE SUV.

 

[MommyinHonduras]

I just got quoated an 8 passenger minivan from Alamo for 11 days for $410. Best I've seen and ebates gives a 2.5% rebate booked through them. We are going in mid September. It was with a 10% Alamo saving for prepaying now.