Alamo questions

[gmeh1]

gmeh1....just wanted to offer up a huge thank you for your excellent contributions to this board. You never hesitate to chip in with information on car rentals, and I hope you know how much its appreciated by so many of us.

We are renting again from Alamo this August and your updates are (for a second time) proving to be exceedingly helpful .

Wow, Gina, thank you!!! I am glad I could help.

 

[gmeh1]

@ GMEH1 - I second what Gina said ! Part of the reason that I rent from Alamo is your feedback. I also thought you were a male - not that it ever mattered, and I have no clue why I even thought that. You ROCK and so does your info ! TY as always

I am very glad you rent from Alamo. I work for National. (sister company).
Thank you for your kind words. You and Gina have made my day!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Nope, you would only pay for one "pricey key". But, if there were two and you separated them and lost one, you would pay for one.

This rule goes for National and Enterprise too, since we do share cars. Have a great day!!!

well i'll call that 'a deal' since i know how much it costs to replace a car key

 

[gmeh1]

well i'll call that 'a deal' since i know how much it costs to replace a car key

I am glad you know how much a key costs to replace, I, for one, have NO idea. I only know what is printed on the back of the ID card for the car that is attached to the keys (most of the time).

 

[Shagley]

would deprive the next owner of two sets of keys.

Oh, that makes sense. I understood the part about the inventory nightmare with all those keys, but I couldn't figure out why they gave 2 sets of keys to start with. I forgot about the cars being sold after a while, and I guess a new owner would want 2 sets of keys. I get it now. Thanks!

 

[gmeh1]

Oh, that makes sense. I understood the part about the inventory nightmare with all those keys, but I couldn't figure out why they gave 2 sets of keys to start with. I forgot about the cars being sold after a while, and I guess a new owner would want 2 sets of keys. I get it now. Thanks!

You are welcome. Love the picture of the "big wheel" btw.

 

[onyx8]

I always cut the keys apart with wire cutters. I never lose the id tag and just put them back together on a metal key ring or tie with a string before returning the car. Frequently I find the 2nd key in the glove box anyway, not attached to the other key. I only rent from National.

 

[gmeh1]

I always cut the keys apart with wire cutters. I never lose the id tag and just put them back together on a metal key ring or tie with a string before returning the car. Frequently I find the 2nd key in the glove box anyway, not attached to the other key. I only rent from National.

I am glad that you never lose the key or ID tag, however, you are not supposed to do that and we do appreciate it when you do not. BTW, National and Alamo are owned by Enterprise. You should not be finding keys in the glove box, they should be attached. I know I check the glove boxes and have yet to find one in there and I check a LOT(100s) of cars every single day. There is a specific reason they are attched the way they are and that is to prevent them from being separated.

 

[keishashadow]

I am glad you know how much a key costs to replace, I, for one, have NO idea. I only know what is printed on the back of the ID card for the car that is attached to the keys (most of the time).

don't know how you keep them straight, would have to be very detail oriented.

fyi my recent quote from dealer was close to $175 to order the key for my Dodge Avenger and another $150 for the remote. I'm told the fob types are even more. I haven't verified it but was told by clerk at auto parts store that if you have 2 keys in hand for the vehicle and are the owner, a locksmith can cut a key for far less $ for many models. Apparantly, depends on if they have the technology and the codes for specific vehincle.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Onyx - That's a great idea! I frequently rent locally, and have access to my tools. Sadly, I'm not yet crazy enough to take tools in my checked luggage on vacation.

 

[gmeh1]

don't know how you keep them straight, would have to be very detail oriented.

fyi my recent quote from dealer was close to $175 to order the key for my Dodge Avenger and another $150 for the remote. I'm told the fob types are even more. I haven't verified it but was told by clerk at auto parts store that if you have 2 keys in hand for the vehicle and are the owner, a locksmith can cut a key for far less $ for many models. Apparantly, depends on if they have the technology and the codes for specific vehincle.

I don't have to keep them straight, thank goodness. As detail oriented as I am, I would find it a nightmare.

Thanks for the info. Yes, you can have a key cut from a local locksmith or even WalMart, but, that is pretty much for a plain old key. Not sure about the ones with the controls on the actual key or restoring the separate fob.

 

[gmeh1]

Onyx - That's a great idea! I frequently rent locally, and have access to my tools. Sadly, I'm not yet crazy enough to take tools in my checked luggage on vacation.

Actually it is a bad idea and one that could be costly. There is a reason those key rings are somewhat tamper proof and it is appreciated when you respect that.

 

[jkennedy626]

gmeh, you can rent with a debit card if you have roundtrip airfare, correct? Do they put a hold as deposit? Thanks! I keep trying to call, but the wait has been really long and then I get disconnected.

 

[gmeh1]

gmeh, you can rent with a debit card if you have roundtrip airfare, correct? Do they put a hold as deposit? Thanks! I keep trying to call, but the wait has been really long and then I get disconnected.

Yes, you can rent with a debit card with proof of a round trip. The exception, if you live in FL you cannot rent with a debit card. No, they will put a hold for the amount of your rental nothing additional. And, before someone asks, they will need to see proof of the round trip.
Hope this helps.

 

[jkennedy626]

OK, thanks for the quick info!

 

[jkennedy626]

And one more thing....do you pay when you arrive or leave?

 

[gmeh1]

And one more thing....do you pay when you arrive or leave?

You will give your card to the agent at the counter (or exit booth if you checked in on line or at the kiosk) and they will run it for the hold. When you return the car, the return agent will give you a receipt and at the point your card will be "zapped", you don't have to show it to the return agent.

 

[jkennedy626]

OK, sounds good!

 

[ibob52]

I wish rental car companies would ...

take into consideration *the customer* Really

Does Not appreciate having to carry two bulky

*key fob thingies* in their pocket (belt loop,etc)

throughout their vacation ... (for the purpose: ease of inventory)

 

[The Mayor]

gmeh1....just wanted to offer up a huge thank you for your excellent contributions to this board. You never hesitate to chip in with information on car rentals, and I hope you know how much its appreciated by so many of us.

We are renting again from Alamo this August and your updates are (for a second time) proving to be exceedingly helpful .

So glad you and others notice the amount of knowledge gmeh has on rental cars (and she is somewhat of a Southwest expert as well). She has been saving me money and aggrevation in renting cars for a long time now on these boards