Alamo Quicksilver - is it like EA at National?

[luckytso]

From another thread, it seems that I can pick up my own car. Is it like National that I can pick up any car in a particular area? For example, if there is a minivan available, even though I have a reservation for a full-size car, can I pick that up? Thanks

 

[mochabean]

I am fairly certain that it is NOT this way. At MCO, you can take your pick from any of the cars they have IN THE CLASS YOU RESERVED. Thus, if you rent a minivan, you can pick from all the minivans they have on the lot. However, you cannot pick a minivan if you reserved a 4-door premium. The main advantage to Quicksilver is that (if they have a self-service kiosk) you can insert your card and it will print your rental info, then you go to get your car and drive away, not waiting in lines at the counter. Last I heard, MCO does not have a kiosk, but they may be getting one soon. For airports w/o kiosks, there is a dedicated Quicksilver line which should be shorter.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

For example, if there is a minivan available, even though I have a reservation for a full-size car, can I pick that up? Thanks

Nope.
You may, do exactly what the previous poster said.
And, you can only do this if you have Quicksilver or after you have checked in at the counter.
I think you are asking if Alamo has an Emerald Club/Aisle equal and the answer is no, they do not.

 

[DIGGER68]

Thanks Gail.

I am a EA member and had the same question. I guess sticking with EA as long as the price is close will my plan.

 

[luckytso]

Gail,

Thanks very much.

I just cancelled my quicksilver alamo car rental and booked with National under EA. With a little more, at least there is a chance that I can get something a little bigger than a full size.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

luckytso
Hi, you might be able to whittle that rate down a bit by using the 15.00 coupon anyone can use from www.vacationoutlet.com
Or...if you have a BJs membership, there is a 20.00 coupon in there for National.
Also, try the rate with and without the NHOL rate code. Sometimes is less expensive without the NHOL code.
I finally got a great rate by spending WAY too much time playing with rate codes, coupons and other things. I am paying 138.34 for the week including every tax and fee known to vacationers in FL. I used the AARP number and the 20.00 bj's coupon. This is for a full size on the Aisle.
I do need to get a life. LOL

DIGGER68,
Glad I could help.

 

[luckytso]

Gail,

Thanks for the tip, I just saved $10 by using your coupon. Somehow I can't find BJ's, but the vacation club's worked. Thanks again.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Always happy to help, you are more than welcome. BJ's, btw, is in the brochure you pick up in the store.

 

[beattyfamily]

Can you tell me, then, the benefits of joining Quicksilver in Orlando if there is no kiosk (sp?)??

The special counter line? So it is more like Dollar's Fastlane?

Maybe, in the future, they will make it more like EA where you DON'T have to go to the counter.

As long as they have your CC it should be simple enough!

Also an unrelated question...for those of you who use an Entertainment coupon, do you have to show the card or just the coupon?

Thanks so much!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Also an unrelated question...for those of you who use an Entertainment coupon, do you have to show the card or just the coupon?

Both the card and the coupon. Eventually, I am told, there will be a QS kiosk at the airport.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Both the card and the coupon.

Is this only with Alamo because at National I've used my Disney Club for part of the discount and then my Entertainment coupon for another part of my discount and only showed the Disney Club card and gave them the Entertainment coupon and did not show my Entertainment card.

Would it be the same with BJ's Club? You need to show your membership card AND the coupon?

This makes me wonder about those getting the Walmart and Vacation Outlet discounts...obviously, they can't show a Walmart of Vacation Outlet card and can only print out the coupon...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I have used the entertainment coupon with DC code and they have asked me for: the coupon from entertainment and the card and the DC Card. This was for National.
You cannot mix codes and coupons with Alamo, somehow it simply does not work.
I have no idea how it will work with BJs, but, I have the coupon and I have the card and I also have the AARP card. I used their number.

This makes me wonder about those getting the Walmart and Vacation Outlet discounts...obviously, they can't show a Walmart of Vacation Outlet card and can only print out the coupon...

since you don't have to be a member of anything to use these, I doubt you need more than the coupons. These are coupons anyone can use. Not so with Entertainment, BJ's or AARP, etc. These are deals for members. There is a difference.

 

[sueg]

Gail,
I read several of your posts about using the AARP code for big savings. DH just turned 50 & I made him join AARP, primarily for the discounts. But I have been disappointed w/ AARP discounts for National & Alamo. I went to the AARP website to get the codes & the prices that resulted seemed the same as Vacation Outlet codes & definitely required NHOL. I'm paying a little over $200 for 8 days in March. Any suggestions. I tend to prefer National, because we're in EA, but I'll try Alamo if its $$$ worth it. Thanks

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I have used the entertainment coupon with DC code and they have asked me for: the coupon from entertainment and the card and the DC Card. This was for National.
You cannot mix codes and coupons with Alamo, somehow it simply does not work.
I have no idea how it will work with BJs, but, I have the coupon and I have the card and I also have the AARP card. I used their number.


since you don't have to be a member of anything to use these, I doubt you need more than the coupons. These are coupons anyone can use. Not so with Entertainment, BJ's or AARP, etc. These are deals for members. There is a difference.

Thank you. I was a bit confused. I'm used to National. I'm starting to think the $20 extra at National EA is worth it not to have to go to the counter...but maybe things will change before our Nov/Dec trip!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I'm paying a little over $200 for 8 days in March. Any suggestions. I tend to prefer National, because we're in EA, but I'll try Alamo if its $$$ worth it. Thanks

First, ditch the NHOL code. Secondly, use this contract # 5066952 and this coupon 10008198. This is exactly what I used until I got the Bj's coupon. Keep checking as the rates just may fall, they sure did for me. With the above mentioned contract # and bj's coupon, I am paying 138.34 for the week, including all taxes, full size on the EA. When I first started this "quest" it was up to almost 190.00.

With the NHOL code my rental is almost 200.00. Not a lot of savings there.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

but maybe things will change before our Nov/Dec trip!

Oh, I expect they will change by then. You might be a touch early on this one.

 

[sueg]

Gail,
Thank you for the advice. I tried the contract & coupon #s & I reduced my price by $33. My total costs (inc. those dreaded taxes & surcharges) is $199 for 8 days - full size car. I was paying $233 before. I'll also follow your advice about checking back periodically, but I'm real happy being under $200. I'll probably stick w/ National for this trip because of my familiarity w/ them & because of EA. Thanks again! SGG

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Sue,
That is good news, good for you!!!! BTW, if are a member of BJ's, they have a 20.00 coupon in their winter "catalog". Wishing you some nice rate drops.

 

[DMRick]

Just back, and nothing exciting on the Aisle. However, be careful, since the Alamo and National people both work together, and the Alamo people don't have the Aisle down pat yet. The man on the Aisle told me I could take any car on the aisle, however, if I took something bigger than I requested, I would be charged the difference when we checked out. I them explained EA to him, and he said that although he'd only worked there a few weeks, that wasn't how they explained it to him.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Interesting DMRick. Guess if I encounter this problem I will show them the printout that states "proceed directly to the Emerald aisle to choose your vehicle". For most, that should explain it all.
I am sure there are "bugs" that will need to be ironed out between National and Alamo, anything new always has them.