Alamo Insiders discontinuing complimentary additional driver

[trish4bruce]

Just got an email from Alamo stating "effective June 16, 2014, the Alamo Insiders program will discontinue the complimentary additional driver option".
I have sent an email to Customer Service asking if the will honour the additional driver on prior made reservations.

 

[kmermaid]

Lately when an email comes from them I would try there code for MCO and (this is minutes after receiving the email) it would states that it is sold out for that location. I'm looking into using a car service for my Universal trip this summer.

 

[sympatico]

It's kind of confusing because it states that in the email and in the beginning of the terms and conditions when you click the link to go to the site:
Members Enrolled Prior to May 12, 2014:
Please Read This Important Note: Effective June 16, 2014, the Alamo Insiders Program Rules and Conditions have been changed. The purpose of the change is to update the member discount to 5% off the retail rates for rentals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Latin America and to remove the free "Additional Authorized Driver". The privacy provisions have not been changed. Please review the amended terms and conditions, below, carefully.

But when you go further down to C. the benefits it says: 2. Members will not incur an additional fee if the rental vehicle is driven by an "Additional Authorized Driver" as defined in the rental agreement.
Can someone explain please.
I think they're making a mistake if they take this perk away. We rent from them especially for this. May have to go to Budget since a spouse is included.

 

[Ranger111]

It's kind of confusing because it states that in the email and in the beginning of the terms and conditions when you click the link to go to the site:
Members Enrolled Prior to May 12, 2014:
Please Read This Important Note: Effective June 16, 2014, the Alamo Insiders Program Rules and Conditions have been changed. The purpose of the change is to update the member discount to 5% off the retail rates for rentals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Latin America and to remove the free "Additional Authorized Driver". The privacy provisions have not been changed. Please review the amended terms and conditions, below, carefully.

But when you go further down to C. the benefits it says: 2. Members will not incur an additional fee if the rental vehicle is driven by an "Additional Authorized Driver" as defined in the rental agreement.
Can someone explain please.
I think they're making a mistake if they take this perk away. We rent from them especially for this. May have to go to Budget since a spouse is included.

What I am sure they are saying about no additional fee is that the rental agreement will say that certain things required by law (such as an additional driver for disabled clients) will be free. Also, some states, such as California REQUIRE the spouse to be a "free" driver.

Nice that they cut the discount down to 5 percent from the previous 10 percent, also.

 

[houseofduck]

Nice that they cut the discount down to 5 percent from the previous 10 percent, also.

I noticed that too!

They also say no need for coupon clipping because they will have "great" everyday low pricing. Maybe, that's why none of their coupons work anymore. ;-)

 

[katallo]

We gave up on Alamo when their website was such a mess last year and when Orlando began not accepting coupons. What the email told us was there is no point in joining Alamo Insiders.

 

[Ranger111]

....What the email told us was there is no point in joining Alamo Insiders.....

Pretty much....

But, you know, this year, unlike previous years -- for several rentals -- none of them in Orlando -- but one at Disneyland -- Alamo prices were quite high. In the range of Avis/Hertz.

Enterprise, National, Budget, etal had Alamo beat by a significant percentage.

Of course, Enterprise and National are Alamo "brands" so I am wondering if "good" changes will be forthcoming with those two agencies, also.

 

[smj2610]

I just called alamo insiders the representative stated this applies to any reservation made after June 16th she had to ask a supervisor as they had not informed there representatives of the change prior to the emails being sent out

 

[dioxide45]

We gave up on Alamo when their website was such a mess last year and when Orlando began not accepting coupons. What the email told us was there is no point in joining Alamo Insiders.

We did too. They basically butchered their website. We now go through Costco for almost all of our rentals. The rates through Costco include a free extra driver and have always beaten the rates we have gotten through Alamo.com. Though I wonder if this change will effect the Costco rates down the road?

 

[RysMomma]

Already low prices? That's the part that made me laugh the most when I saw that email this morning. National's Emerald Club allows an extra driver, correct?

 

[Ranger111]

Already low prices? That's the part that made me laugh the most when I saw that email this morning. National's Emerald Club allows an extra driver, correct?

For now. Again, Alamo and National are part of the same animal.

Would not be surprised if they went down the same road.

And, just to be clear, the extra driver has to be a spouse or "partner" living in the same domicile (with govt. issued proof of address), or a business associate.

Of course, as said there are a few other exceptions, also.

 

[sympatico]

Go on Alamo's facebook page and complain. I did and they replied and said they would send it to upper management. Whether it does any good or not remains to be seen.

 

[Lewisc]

The new policy makes sense. Customers don't pay a fee to become an "Insider". Customers don't have to be frequent renters to become an "Insider". There really isn't any difference between a regular customer and an "Insider". Is there any reason to offer special perks, such as a free additional driver, to a customer who merely signs up on the web?

 

[Ranger111]

The new policy makes sense. Customers don't pay a fee to become an "Insider". Customers don't have to be frequent renters to become an "Insider". There really isn't any difference between a regular customer and an "Insider". Is there any reason to offer special perks, such as a free additional driver, to a customer who merely signs up on the web?

Actually, Lewis, you make perfect sense.

I would not be surprised if National now moves to restrict free additional driver to Executive and Executive Elite status renters.

At least it would recognize those who show loyalty to the company.

 

[sympatico]

So what is the point in having the program at all ?

 

[laura428]

We did too. They basically butchered their website. We now go through Costco for almost all of our rentals. The rates through Costco include a free extra driver and have always beaten the rates we have gotten through Alamo.com. Though I wonder if this change will effect the Costco rates down the road?

We have a Costco opening here this Fall, so you're giving me hope for our December trip. Can you give me an idea of what you've paid in the past? I'm looking at about $375 all in for a full-size right now. I know the rates will drop at some point - managed to get under $200 for the same car and duration during Spring Break, but am curious about Costco entering our market.

 

[rbrainerd]

In reading the FB page, there is much confusion regarding this new change when it comes to additional drivers vs authorized drivers. I am getting different answers when I inquire about if I will be charged for my husband to drive our rental as well. Unfortunately I deleted my email from Alamo which defined the new changes. Does anyone have a copy of this email? If so, would you be willing to copy and paste the content of this email to the boards? Thank you.

 

[rbrainerd]

Well no sooner than I posted this my husband found the new policy online. If you are an Alamo Insiders prior to May 12 you will not incur an additional fee if the rental vehicle is driven by an "Additional Authorized Driver" as defined in the rental agreement. Finally a written answer.

 

[Ranger111]

Well no sooner than I posted this my husband found the new policy online. If you are an Alamo Insiders prior to May 12 you will not incur an additional fee if the rental vehicle is driven by an "Additional Authorized Driver" as defined in the rental agreement. Finally a written answer.

Actually, it is not so clear, indeed it is as clear as mud and I wish they would post a "real person answer."

Because, apparently, they "automatically renew" your membership each year. So, when your membership renews, at least as I see it, you have enrolled again, thereby losing the free driver benefit.

And, they supposedly, don't renew you unless you rent at least once during the year.

This is the lawyer fine print that you find if you dig around under terms and conditions and find the headings: "before May 12 enrollment" and "after May 12 enrollment". If some of you are better at understanding than I, have at it, but I think while you will be good to go until your enrollment period ends, after that I think you join the great "unwashed," even if they auto re-enroll you....:

Membership in the Program commences on the date of your enrollment ("Enrollment Date") and remains in effect until 11:59:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on December 31 of the same calendar year (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, you shall be automatically re-enrolled in the Program (each a "Renewal") for subsequent 12 month terms (each a "Renewal Term," and together with the Initial Term, the "Term") at 12:00:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on January 1 of the following calendar year (the "Renewal Date") provided you: (a) have completed at least one vehicle rental with an Alamo affiliate during the immediately preceding calendar year; and (b) you have not requested that Alamo terminate your enrollment in the Program prior to the applicable Renewal Date.

And, while Enterprise and National are all part of the same beast, I am going to assume that they are not an "Alamo affiliate," so rentals from those agencies would not count as "one rental during the year."

Aye, I am getting a headache. Time for a cocktail break....

 

[dioxide45]

We have a Costco opening here this Fall, so you're giving me hope for our December trip. Can you give me an idea of what you've paid in the past? I'm looking at about $375 all in for a full-size right now. I know the rates will drop at some point - managed to get under $200 for the same car and duration during Spring Break, but am curious about Costco entering our market.

We haven't rented for Orlando yet through Costco. Though we got great rates in Hawaii for two full size cars. Was cheaper than a mini van.

The key to Costco, is to check and recheck the rates up to day of rental. If you find a better rate, book the new rate and cancel the old reservation. This is obviously a good thing to do no matter who you rent through. Though we have found that Costco rates tend to drop at around 90 to 30 days prior to your travel dates.