Alamo or Dollar?

[diznygirrl]

The prices I have from these 2 companies for my August trip are essentially the same -- so which one do you think is better? I was leaning toward Dollar until I read on another thread that they put a $200 additional charge (hold?) on your credit card at the time of pick-up. Does anyone know whether Alamo does the same thing?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Alamo puts the entire amount of your rental on your card at the time of pickup. They do not put an additional hold on your card.
Dollar does either 200.00 or 15% whichever is greater.

I also like the fact that Alamo allows you to use a debit card if you have r/t airline tickets. Dollar allows this also, but, runs a credit check and if you don't pass, you don't get the car. I don't think I want some agent passing judgement on my credit (which btw, is spotless).

 

[Hillbeans]

I rented from Alamo in May and it was very easy. They charged to the penny what my original quote was and I had no hardsell of insurance whatsoever.

 

[inkkognito]

I've rented through Alama several times via Priceline and have never had a bad experience. I prefer Avis because they assign you a car and you can leave directly from the garage rather than having to stop on the way out. Also, the cars used to be rather dinged up, but they seem to be nicer now that Alamo and National have merged. The last one I had didn't even have a thousand miles on it yet and still had that new car smell
The counter line can be long, but whenever that's happened, they've had enough people working to keep it moving. I've heard they sometimes give a hard sell on the insurance, but they haven't been too bad with me. Last time, we even got an upgrade because they were out of cars in the class I'd rented (some had been brought in but weren't ready to send out yet). I'd go with them if the price was right.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by inkkognito
I've rented through Alama several times via Priceline and have never had a bad experience. I prefer Avis because they assign you a car and you can leave directly from the garage rather than having to stop on the way out. Also, the cars used to be rather dinged up, but they seem to be nicer now that Alamo and National have merged. The last one I had didn't even have a thousand miles on it yet and still had that new car smell
The counter line can be long, but whenever that's happened, they've had enough people working to keep it moving. I've heard they sometimes give a hard sell on the insurance, but they haven't been too bad with me. Last time, we even got an upgrade because they were out of cars in the class I'd rented (some had been brought in but weren't ready to send out yet). I'd go with them if the price was right.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

I have "won" both Avis and Alamo via priceline. Not a problem with either, but, we did have to wait in line at Avis with the priceline booking. We were able to use th QS counter for the Alamo priceline.

 

[diznygirrl]

Thanks everyone! I wish I too could use priceline, but we're picking the car up in Fort Lauderdale so that we can visit family before heading to WDW and our cruise. Priceline, unfortunately, does not allow you to bid on rentals that are returned to a city other than the one you picked up in. Sooooo, I think I will be going with Alamo because I do not like the idea of Dollar putting an additional hold on my cc. Thanks again!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by diznygirrl
Thanks everyone! I wish I too could use priceline, but we're picking the car up in Fort Lauderdale so that we can visit family before heading to WDW and our cruise. Priceline, unfortunately, does not allow you to bid on rentals that are returned to a city other than the one you picked up in. Sooooo, I think I will be going with Alamo because I do not like the idea of Dollar putting an additional hold on my cc. Thanks again!

Don't worry about not using Priceline, they are not really accepting anything you cannot get with coupons and codes. In fact, I am paying much less than their suggested bid for a full size car.