Alamo no longer allows Skip the Counter with Costco reserved vehicles.

[awalker1015]

When you are an Alamo member, and book thru the Alamo site (as OP said they did?), you are shifted to Costco Travel site, where it adds a valid (I think $25 right now) Alamo coupon automatically. then is asks for your Costco ID number, and completes the reservation. If OP reserved like this, the coupon should be valid.

I'm a Costco member. I booked through Alamos site and it never asked me for my Costco number, never redirected me to the Costco site.

 

[georgina]

I book on the Costco site, but log into Alamo to check in and skip the counter. Just did it Thursday and picked up my car Friday. So while the OP had an issue, it is not an across the board change.

 

[richmo]

I'm a Costco member. I booked through Alamos site and it never asked me for my Costco number, never redirected me to the Costco site.

Actually, the Alamo site does now ask for a member number, but its easy to miss and I don't think it is a required field. To see it, set up a dummy reservation at Alamo.com, put in the Costco code and continue. When you get to the "Almost Done! Review and Book it" screen, scroll all the way to the bottom and you'll see an "Additional Information" section below the Airline information that asks for a member number. That's not the Alamo insider number, but the Costco member number.

From some of the posts above, its sounding like the inability to do online checkin is more related to where the reservation was booked (at a Costco site vs. alamo.com), but perhaps they're also looking to enforce credentials for codes. I haven't rented for a few months but for my Costco discounts, I always look up the codes on the Costco website, but do the booking at Alamo.com. I'd definitely recommend adding your Costco member number as described above; it may save a step or two at online checkin time or at MCO.

 

[keishashadow]

Actually, the Alamo site does now ask for a member number, but its easy to miss and I don't think it is a required field. To see it, set up a dummy reservation at Alamo.com, put in the Costco code and continue. When you get to the "Almost Done! Review and Book it" screen, scroll all the way to the bottom and you'll see an "Additional Information" section below the Airline information that asks for a member number. That's not the Alamo insider number, but the Costco member number.

From some of the posts above, its sounding like the inability to do online checkin is more related to where the reservation was booked (at a Costco site vs. alamo.com), but perhaps they're also looking to enforce credentials for codes. I haven't rented for a few months but for my Costco discounts, I always look up the codes on the Costco website, but do the booking at Alamo.com. I'd definitely recommend adding your Costco member number as described above; it may save a step or two at online checkin time or at MCO.

Very interesting, thanks for posting re the 'new' section @ new as to member number!

Appears as though they might be cracking down on checking memberships, good idea to bring the card along if utilizing.

 

[PatMcDuck]

You can definitely set up online check in if you book on the Costco Travel site. BUT, you have to get your Costco confirmation, find the Alamo confirmation # (not the Costco one), go onto the Costco site, enter that number, and then do the online check in. I also sign in to my Insiders Account. So it is an extra step. (The Costco Travel site requires your Costco membership number.)

 

[dioxide45]

Not all Costco reservations are the same. In some cases there is also a coupon code applied and in some others there isn't. So perhaps it is the coupon preventing the skip the counter. No worries, you can still skip the counter, just use the kiosk.

 

[davper]

You answer your question in your 2nd sentence. The coupon you originally used is now invalid. They will not permit you to check in online unless it is removed.

I'm sure you booked using it when it was still active (going to guess perhaps the $35 one).

There are still $25 ones that will work.

If you cannot modify the reservation to remove the coupon, email them (information is on website) and request it be removed and the $25 one added.

I didn't use a coupon. I booked directly through Costco and you cannot enter a coupon code. My reservation was honored at the price as reserved, 6 months ago. I was just not permitted to use 'skip the counter' because I booked through Costco. So Alamo CS stated.

 

[davper]

When you are an Alamo member, and book thru the Alamo site (as OP said they did?), you are shifted to Costco Travel site, where it adds a valid (I think $25 right now) Alamo coupon automatically. then is asks for your Costco ID number, and completes the reservation. If OP reserved like this, the coupon should be valid.

I did not book directly through Alamo, I booked through the Costcotravel site.

 

[davper]

Very interesting, thanks for posting re the 'new' section @ new as to member number!

Appears as though they might be cracking down on checking memberships, good idea to bring the card along if utilizing.

They did not ask for my Costco card at the desk.

 

[keishashadow]

They did not ask for my Costco card at the desk.

Thanks for posting that info. I still would bring it. Even though an insider, twice have been asked to produce AAA card w/Alamo

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have used Costco to book Alamo dozens of times, and it always looks like Costco sticks a coupon on the reservation. I guess there are a few times there is no coupon available. But I re-book over and over as the rates usually drop after my initial booking.

 

[awalker1015]

I just did Skip the Counter for my Alamo reservation that starts tomorrow. I used my Costco membership (didn't ask me for my number) and I had no problems adding my credit card and printing my confirmation. Do plan to make sure I have the membership card with me when I pick it up

 

[Nermel9]

I just did online check in with my Alamo reservation today. I always make my reservation on the Costco website and almost always use Alamo, but this is my first time trying online check in. I was able to add my additional driver and put in my credit card info and print the skip the counter form, I'm very excited about this! Alamo always has the longest line at MCO so I'm happy to be going right out to my car and driving away lol. I'm sorry if anyone else is having issues with this, hopefully it will work out.

 

[dioxide45]

I did not book directly through Alamo, I booked through the Costcotravel site.

This doesn't mean there wasn't a coupon included in your rate. You have to look at the Terms & Conditions before making the reservation to see if there is also a coupon included. Often Costco automatically adds a coupon to find you the best price.