Alamo on-line check-in concern

[canucktyke]

I received a great rate for a mid size SUV, $256 for 14 days in mid May. Being the eternal optomist I tried on-line check-in to see if I could avoid the rental counter, and lo and behold it worked! I have the paperwork in hand that says I can go to the garage, pick out my vehicle and bypass the main rental counter. Am I going to encounter any problems, since this seems to contradict many of the messages that have been posted recently? The last thing I want to do is have a problem at the garage and have to go back inside and join the long line (potentially) to get the problem fixed.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'm interested in the responses you get, too. I've never done online checkin before but will try this with Alamo for the beginning of May.

Do you think there is any advantage to checking in online now so far away from your trip?

 

[Snurk71]

We used it this past December with no problems. I had printouts of the email confirmations just in case. It was just like EA with National.

 

[SalandJeff]

I have some additional questions on this...

It sounds as though we can check in now, even though we are not going until May 7.

Do you pay now?

What happens if you have to cancel - do you get a refund?

If you do the online check in, it would seem to take the place of having to use *********** - does that sound right?

Edited. I am not sure why, but every time I type the name of their program where you bypass the counter, it changes it to all asteriks! So that is what is supposed to be where teh asteriks are.

 

[grimley1968]

I don't have an answer, but just wanted to thank the OP for posting this. I had no idea I could do this with Alamo. I got an insane rate on a Chrysler 300 or similar luxury vehicle for 8 days in late June in California (around $235 for the trip), and would love to make sure I have some more paperwork in my hand than just the confirmation number. I'll check this out for myself.

Editing to say: DRAT! I just realized I got this rate with Thrifty, not with Alamo. Oh well, I'll check Thrifty to see if they have something similar.

 

[Snurk71]

They didn't have our credit card information until we pulled up to the gate to give them our paper work. I would not check-in until you are actually getting ready to leave (day before flight, etc.), just in case you have to make changes. I have never read the fine-print to see what it states about cancellations after checking-in online.

Also...I was very excited to just receive an email from Alamo stating that now you CAN use prepay with online check-in. That would save you an additional 15% and still avoid the counter! In Dec., we could not prepay and use online check-in together. I can't wait to hear reports of this. I hope it truly works!

 

[canucktyke]

Since I'm the OP I thought that I'd answer some of the questions (which are all good ones), from my point of view. I believe that if we use on-line check-in now, we are paying for it now - and won't get a refund if we cancel. However unless something earth shattering happens I won't cancel, I got SWA rates of $44 per person from Buffalo for that time, I have CBR and POFQ booked with a CM rate (my son is working at Epcot) and I got this great car rental rate - all too good to pass up.

 

[Snurk71]

Oops - sorry about that canucktyke. I probably did have to supply the CC# when I checked-in online and then again at the counter. I booked with no CC, but I think they may have asked for it when you go through the online check-in process.