Alamo Pick up time question

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
We are arriving in Orlando at 11:30 pm. We are hoping SW gets in early as usual. I booked our rental car with Alamo with a pickup time of 11:30. Will I be penalized (lose the car or anything) if we are a few minutes late? I don't want to put in a midnight pick up in case we are early.

Thanks.

 

[dioxide45]

Hi:
We are arriving in Orlando at 11:30 pm. We are hoping SW gets in early as usual. I booked our rental car with Alamo with a pickup time of 11:30. Will I be penalized (lose the car or anything) if we are a few minutes late? I don't want to put in a midnight pick up in case we are early.

Thanks.

It should be fine. I have picked up a half hour early and I am sure a half hour late. Haven't had any problems.

 

[kgle]

Hi:
We are arriving in Orlando at 11:30 pm. We are hoping SW gets in early as usual. I booked our rental car with Alamo with a pickup time of 11:30. Will I be penalized (lose the car or anything) if we are a few minutes late? I don't want to put in a midnight pick up in case we are early.

Thanks.

Normally the websites have an option to add your flight information so they know in case of a delay.

I have picked cars up early before and never had a problem- as long as they have that car in the lot. I would go ahead and add your flight info though just so they know.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Hi:
We are arriving in Orlando at 11:30 pm. We are hoping SW gets in early as usual. I booked our rental car with Alamo with a pickup time of 11:30. Will I be penalized (lose the car or anything) if we are a few minutes late? I don't want to put in a midnight pick up in case we are early.

Thanks.

There is someone posting on flyertalk as a representative of National/Alamo and I asked him almost this same question: how late is so late that the reservation is revised?

Her agreed that there should not be any problems with a pickup several hours late or a little early. One exception is if the early pick up means that you end up changing the number of 24 hour periods you keep the car; you will be charged for the extra time beyond a very short grace period. The other exception invloved things like weekend rates where you cannot pickup before a certian day or after a certian day.

He also agreed that inputting your flight information would help a lot, as would calling if you end up on a different flight at the last minute.

Finally, it has been widely reported that Alamo rates are usually higher if the pick up time is on the half hour, so you may pay less if your choose Midnight as you pickup time.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

finally, it has been widely rep

 

[MinnieForMe]

Thank you all so much. I will input my flight information. There was no price difference between 11:30 and midnight but it was worth the try!

I plan on using the Kiosk to check in but can you check in online from home before your flight?

One more question, we got a great minivan rate for ourselves but now I'm looking for a great rate for my parents. They want a car instead of a minivan. Am I safe to wait two week's before the flight to find a better deal?

 

[dioxide45]

One more question, we got a great minivan rate for ourselves but now I'm looking for a great rate for my parents. They want a car instead of a minivan. Am I safe to wait two week's before the flight to find a better deal?

I would book them the cheapest rate you can find. If you wait what will you do if the rates are higher at the two week out mark? Best to book now and you can cancel and rebook if you find a lower rate.

 

[tkldisney]

Based on arrival times I always allow 30-45 min. to book rental pick up time.
Land at 11:30 p/u car at midnight (I round to nearest hour). By the time you walk through terminal, stop and use restroom, and get your bags it's at least 30 min. If there is no difference in price I'd add the extra time and like you said put in your flight info so it's on file.

You can check in online from home if you are not using a coupon of any kind, including e-coupons. The kiosk is easy and quick and located right next to their counter.

I agree with above post, book car for your parents now, then watch for lower price and re-book then cancel the other one.

 

[southtown]

I have picked cars up early before and never had a problem- as long as they have that car in the lot. I would go ahead and add your flight info though just so they know.

I have a question. How much earlier did you pick them up?

I have a ressie with a great rate through Alamo and I was able to change my flight with SW so I arrive 5 hours earlier. So my 8pm pickup time would now be more around 3:30pm. I wanted to change my Alamo res. but it went up around $60, so I really dont want to change it if I dont have to.

A previous post mentioned about there could be a charge if it affected how many 24 hours periods I have the car,but my drop off time is 10am so that isnt a factor.

So I guess my main question is, do you think four and a half hours early is pushing it?

 

[tkldisney]

Most likely. Some of them will give you 1 to 2 hours but that just depends. If your arriving that early I'd change your reservation to reflect that. Use 4PM pickup time (usually better rate using hourly time) and just watch for rate drops before you go.
If you just pick up early the hourly charge may cost you more than 60.00 for 4 1/2 hrs.