Just got my credit card statement. Been charged £85 by Alamo after renting on a 'Gold' fully inclusive voucher. They've put an extra insurance on the agreement in such a sneaky way that I missed it, & I'm careful! I signed for a balance of Nil which is what I expected. Hidden in the gobbledygook of figures is $132 & directly underneath cc -$132 so the balance you sign is Nil. Personal protection ins,which of course you don't need. The counter clerk did not even utter one word about it, just fully inclusive, nothing to pay! Hands up anyone who thinks I'm wound up? Been on to Alamo who promise a refund, well most of it anyway. Sending a complaint to the agent, Bon Voyage & calling Mastercard tomorrow. This is a blatant rip off.
Alamo Scam - Important.
- Thread starter Eastender
- Start date
Sweeney Todd
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
- Messages
- 48
Our friends returned from Orlando a few weeks ago and they had a vehicle on the Alamo Gold package.
There was a section on it for Personal Injury Insurance (or similar) with a per day price for it. They were not told by the guy on the desk about it either but of course read it and raised the question as to why it was there.
I suppose in a way the Alamo agents are not being deceitful by not telling you about it because it there on the agreement for you to read - but it is not exactly sporting is it?
The moral must be READ the small print and don't sign anything unless you are sure what you are signing for.
Sweeney
There was a section on it for Personal Injury Insurance (or similar) with a per day price for it. They were not told by the guy on the desk about it either but of course read it and raised the question as to why it was there.
I suppose in a way the Alamo agents are not being deceitful by not telling you about it because it there on the agreement for you to read - but it is not exactly sporting is it?
The moral must be READ the small print and don't sign anything unless you are sure what you are signing for.
Sweeney
dear sweeney, are you having a tin bath or have you got shares in Alamo ? Not being deceictful! The agent said NOTHING about ins. & believe me on this contract you would need a BIG magnifyer to see it. What he should have said is please sign for this $132 sir. Grrrrrrrrr!!!
mike230652
This'll do 'til I think of something witty to say.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
- Messages
- 414
Eastender
I hear what you're saying ( and you're right ) but the clerk at Alamo doesn't care whether you get stung for insurance you don't need, so why should he/she bother to tell you about it ? that's what they're thinking by the way, not ME!!
I've booked my car for late November with Alamo, but I've done it through their UK site ( £298 all inclusive for a 4 door Grand Am for 14 days ).
Mind you, I'll certainly be giving the rental form in the US VERY close scrutiny!!!
BTW, why are Alamo only giving you part of the monies back and not all of it?
mike230652
I hear what you're saying ( and you're right ) but the clerk at Alamo doesn't care whether you get stung for insurance you don't need, so why should he/she bother to tell you about it ? that's what they're thinking by the way, not ME!!
I've booked my car for late November with Alamo, but I've done it through their UK site ( £298 all inclusive for a 4 door Grand Am for 14 days ).
Mind you, I'll certainly be giving the rental form in the US VERY close scrutiny!!!
BTW, why are Alamo only giving you part of the monies back and not all of it?
mike230652
FRANTIC FROG
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2003
- Messages
- 106
I'm booking my Alamo car through Bon Voyage ( part of the deal for good flight prices) and was very interested to read what you had to say Eastender, I will now be prepared for this and will be able to avoid paying for something I don't need.
Thanks for passing that on and I hope you get ALL your money refunded.
Lin xxxxxxxxx
Thanks for passing that on and I hope you get ALL your money refunded.
Lin xxxxxxxxx
The word to look for is PERSPRO for which we were charged $120, refund verbally agrreed. Also added were CONRFEE & a bit of tax, which was an airport handling fee of some description which "cannot be refunded sir" Don't know what the R is but con fee is right! I thought I'd argue the toss about that later.
The main point & what I object to here is the balance which IS clear & what you look at & sign for is 00.00
The main point & what I object to here is the balance which IS clear & what you look at & sign for is 00.00
Beejayjay
Do unto others as they would do unto you... then r
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2000
- Messages
- 447
Ok, having seen this, and having, like Mike, booked my car direct thru Alamo.co.uk, I thought it would be a good idea to check the details of my reservation just to be sure.
Good job that I did ! I'll try to make this as understandable as possible.
Some time ago, I got an email from a website I subscribe to saying that Alamo have deals available for rentals in the US covering the period of our trip, Boxing day thru Jan 11th. The Email had a link to the Alamo website which I opened. It took me directly to the Alamo reservations page, and I was quoted a rate of £382 all inclusive for the 16 days. This was some £40-50 or so better than anything else I'd seen, and as it was direct to the company, and as I'd used Alamo before with no problem, I booked it.
Now, the all inclusive part, as listed on the booking page, should cover CDW, Extended protection (all necessary insurances), taxes, surcharges and a tank of gas. Having read Eastenders problem, I thought I'd better just check to see if the Extended protection is sufficient cover in case of the worst happening, and that it actually is included, with nothing else to pay.
One call to the reservations centre later and it seems that Extended protection is not part of the offer I booked under -
I informed the agent that both the online confirmation page, and the Email sent to me by Alamo to confirm my booking, show the Extended protection as being covered by the all inclusive price quoted and booked. He said that must be an error on the website and that I'd have to pay the extra for the protection in the US, at a rate of $11 a day. I don't think so....
A further call, this time to Alamo Customer Relations desk - they passed me back to a supervisor in Reservations as they can only deal with booking already taken up/under way - fair enough.
I told the suervisor about my conversation earlier and what the agent had told me. She then brought up my booking details and basically confirmed what the agent had said.
A very pleasant lady, the supervisor explained to me that, as many DIS'ers will know, each offer has a specific rate code that a customer uses to book it - the rate code on my booking is not the rate code which should include the protection. I told her that I understand that, but that when I got the quote and made the booking, from a link on one of their own adverts, I had no way of knowing that it referred to a specific rate code, and that I was never at any point asked to input a code - it just came up automatically in the code box when the reservations page opened.
I also pointed out again that I have two separate confirmations stating that the protection is included in the price at which I booked. Even if the website was wrong when it gave me that rate, their own confirmation Email said the same. If they made a mistake once it should have been corrected on the Email.
The outcome is that she has agreed, without my insistance, that Alamo will honour the agreed price with Extended protection included. I would have insisted, but she obviously realised that the error was on their part, and to her credit she acted upon that.
Right now, I am waiting for her to alter the booking confirmation page accessed thru their website, and apparently her altering that will automatically generate a new confirmation Email to be sent to me. She is due to call me to confirm that the alteration has been done later today.
So, Eastender, thanks for posting your problem, it may have saved me getting hit the same way, or at least having to argue at the pick-up desk after a long tiring day. I think our actual problems might be slightly different, but your post still made me check.
Mike, if I were you, I'd pop onto the Alamo website and check the details of your booking - if, as I suspect could be, you have the same rate code 78 as I did, you may want to contact Alamo too. Apparently the correct rate code for the offer including Extended protection is ID. I might be wrong but I remember you posting your price for your booking on another thread ( I think possibly I even recommended you try the Alamo site), and I subsequently checked to see why your price was somewhat lower than mine - it was due to our travelling during the holidays of course - but I'm pretty sure I tried that 78 rate code then and got your price for the time you are travelling.
Sorry if that makes you a bit concerned, but better to check/sort it now and be safe rather than sorry I reckon !
Nothing's ever simple is it ?
Good job that I did ! I'll try to make this as understandable as possible.
Some time ago, I got an email from a website I subscribe to saying that Alamo have deals available for rentals in the US covering the period of our trip, Boxing day thru Jan 11th. The Email had a link to the Alamo website which I opened. It took me directly to the Alamo reservations page, and I was quoted a rate of £382 all inclusive for the 16 days. This was some £40-50 or so better than anything else I'd seen, and as it was direct to the company, and as I'd used Alamo before with no problem, I booked it.
Now, the all inclusive part, as listed on the booking page, should cover CDW, Extended protection (all necessary insurances), taxes, surcharges and a tank of gas. Having read Eastenders problem, I thought I'd better just check to see if the Extended protection is sufficient cover in case of the worst happening, and that it actually is included, with nothing else to pay.
One call to the reservations centre later and it seems that Extended protection is not part of the offer I booked under -
I informed the agent that both the online confirmation page, and the Email sent to me by Alamo to confirm my booking, show the Extended protection as being covered by the all inclusive price quoted and booked. He said that must be an error on the website and that I'd have to pay the extra for the protection in the US, at a rate of $11 a day. I don't think so....
A further call, this time to Alamo Customer Relations desk - they passed me back to a supervisor in Reservations as they can only deal with booking already taken up/under way - fair enough.
I told the suervisor about my conversation earlier and what the agent had told me. She then brought up my booking details and basically confirmed what the agent had said.
A very pleasant lady, the supervisor explained to me that, as many DIS'ers will know, each offer has a specific rate code that a customer uses to book it - the rate code on my booking is not the rate code which should include the protection. I told her that I understand that, but that when I got the quote and made the booking, from a link on one of their own adverts, I had no way of knowing that it referred to a specific rate code, and that I was never at any point asked to input a code - it just came up automatically in the code box when the reservations page opened.
I also pointed out again that I have two separate confirmations stating that the protection is included in the price at which I booked. Even if the website was wrong when it gave me that rate, their own confirmation Email said the same. If they made a mistake once it should have been corrected on the Email.
The outcome is that she has agreed, without my insistance, that Alamo will honour the agreed price with Extended protection included. I would have insisted, but she obviously realised that the error was on their part, and to her credit she acted upon that.
Right now, I am waiting for her to alter the booking confirmation page accessed thru their website, and apparently her altering that will automatically generate a new confirmation Email to be sent to me. She is due to call me to confirm that the alteration has been done later today.
So, Eastender, thanks for posting your problem, it may have saved me getting hit the same way, or at least having to argue at the pick-up desk after a long tiring day. I think our actual problems might be slightly different, but your post still made me check.
Mike, if I were you, I'd pop onto the Alamo website and check the details of your booking - if, as I suspect could be, you have the same rate code 78 as I did, you may want to contact Alamo too. Apparently the correct rate code for the offer including Extended protection is ID. I might be wrong but I remember you posting your price for your booking on another thread ( I think possibly I even recommended you try the Alamo site), and I subsequently checked to see why your price was somewhat lower than mine - it was due to our travelling during the holidays of course - but I'm pretty sure I tried that 78 rate code then and got your price for the time you are travelling.
Sorry if that makes you a bit concerned, but better to check/sort it now and be safe rather than sorry I reckon !
Nothing's ever simple is it ?
Terry, somethnig very similar happened to us in 2001. We booked a BA fly-drive with Alamo Gold, and at pick up in Miami the clerk asked DH if he wanted anythnig extra and was told no but when the cc bill came throuh we were charged for extra insurance which even included a book apparently which we never received ?! We wrote it all down in a letter to BA as we had gone through them, and received a letter saying that they were investigating the matter with Alamo who themselves were conducting a full investigation, and that Alamo would refund us fully, which they did.
Let us know how you get on.
Let us know how you get on.
mike230652
This'll do 'til I think of something witty to say.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
- Messages
- 414
Beejayjay
....................??!!!!
That's me off to contact Alamo then!!
I'll let you know the outcome of my call.
mike230652
....................??!!!!
That's me off to contact Alamo then!!
I'll let you know the outcome of my call.
mike230652
Beejayjay
Do unto others as they would do unto you... then r
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2000
- Messages
- 447
Yeah Mike, do let us know how you get on.
I tried something else this evening - I'd previously looked at upgrading from a mid to a fullsize car, which it seemed would only cost an additional £50. Fortunately I decided not to bother as the longest drive we'll do is to Tampa to go to Busch Gardens, and a 4 door midsize is fine for us.
When I looked at doing that this evening, the extended protecton was not included in the quoted price. I now vaguely recall that that was part of the reason I didn't make the change previously. Instead of just another £50, the upgrade would have ended up costing about £160/170 more.
Also when I made a new reservation query after that, using the 78 rate code and for the same dates, 26/12 to 11/01, it gave me the same basic price as for my existing booking, but now that does not include Extended protection.
These two things do tend to confirm Alamo's contention that the price quoted to me included Extended protection in error.
Hopefully you got in thru the same loophole Mike, and have a confirmation to prove it.
Nice to see that these companies do sometimes make a mistake our way, even if only once in a great while...
I tried something else this evening - I'd previously looked at upgrading from a mid to a fullsize car, which it seemed would only cost an additional £50. Fortunately I decided not to bother as the longest drive we'll do is to Tampa to go to Busch Gardens, and a 4 door midsize is fine for us.
When I looked at doing that this evening, the extended protecton was not included in the quoted price. I now vaguely recall that that was part of the reason I didn't make the change previously. Instead of just another £50, the upgrade would have ended up costing about £160/170 more.
Also when I made a new reservation query after that, using the 78 rate code and for the same dates, 26/12 to 11/01, it gave me the same basic price as for my existing booking, but now that does not include Extended protection.
These two things do tend to confirm Alamo's contention that the price quoted to me included Extended protection in error.
Hopefully you got in thru the same loophole Mike, and have a confirmation to prove it.
Nice to see that these companies do sometimes make a mistake our way, even if only once in a great while...
Beejayjay
Do unto others as they would do unto you... then r
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2000
- Messages
- 447
A quick update.
I called the lady at Alamo this AM as the alteration to my booking hadnt been made as she said it would be.
She explained that after my call which brought this foul-up to their attention, Alamo looked to see if any other bookings were affected, and, not surprisingly, found quite a few which were. They are honouring all those bookings which have this error, but as it affects a lot of people's bookings, they are issuing a memorandum/web-message to the rental locations affected (detailing which bookings will be including the Extended protection), rather than making a lot of time-consuming alterations to individual bookings. As such I wouldnt need new confirmations/paperwork to present on arrival. Fine if you believe that things always go without a hitch...
I then pointed out that we arrive in Orlando at around 9.30 pm UK time on Boxing Day, so if there was some dispute over our booking, no way would we be able to contact someone here to sort it out. Hence, I asked for an Email from her with our booking details, stating what the error was, and that she, as the reservations manager, in the Uk, had agreed to honour my booking at the original price. She was happy to do it, and I've already received the Email, informing them to contact her if there is any problem AFTER we have our car.
An error in my favour, and good customer service. I can't complain really...
I called the lady at Alamo this AM as the alteration to my booking hadnt been made as she said it would be.
She explained that after my call which brought this foul-up to their attention, Alamo looked to see if any other bookings were affected, and, not surprisingly, found quite a few which were. They are honouring all those bookings which have this error, but as it affects a lot of people's bookings, they are issuing a memorandum/web-message to the rental locations affected (detailing which bookings will be including the Extended protection), rather than making a lot of time-consuming alterations to individual bookings. As such I wouldnt need new confirmations/paperwork to present on arrival. Fine if you believe that things always go without a hitch...
I then pointed out that we arrive in Orlando at around 9.30 pm UK time on Boxing Day, so if there was some dispute over our booking, no way would we be able to contact someone here to sort it out. Hence, I asked for an Email from her with our booking details, stating what the error was, and that she, as the reservations manager, in the Uk, had agreed to honour my booking at the original price. She was happy to do it, and I've already received the Email, informing them to contact her if there is any problem AFTER we have our car.
An error in my favour, and good customer service. I can't complain really...
mike230652
This'll do 'til I think of something witty to say.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
- Messages
- 414
Beejayjay
.................Got an e-mail from Alamo in response to mime!!
"I can confirm that EPI ( Extended Protection Insurance ) is an optional extra and is not necessary for your reservation.
Your deal for £298.00 includes unlimited mileage, sales, state and airport taxes, CDW and a full tank of fuel . No other insurance is required. "
So, it seems OK, but can anyone think of anything I might have overlooked?
I certainly feel happier than I did 24 hours ago!!
..................Not least because we've also just organised our villa for the Gulf week of the holiday at long last!
Beejayjay.......you're now nominated as the resident legal expert on car hire, mate!!...............Does it tally with your feedback?
mike230652
.................Got an e-mail from Alamo in response to mime!!
"I can confirm that EPI ( Extended Protection Insurance ) is an optional extra and is not necessary for your reservation.
Your deal for £298.00 includes unlimited mileage, sales, state and airport taxes, CDW and a full tank of fuel . No other insurance is required. "
So, it seems OK, but can anyone think of anything I might have overlooked?
I certainly feel happier than I did 24 hours ago!!
..................Not least because we've also just organised our villa for the Gulf week of the holiday at long last!
Beejayjay.......you're now nominated as the resident legal expert on car hire, mate!!...............Does it tally with your feedback?
mike230652
Beejayjay
Do unto others as they would do unto you... then r
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2000
- Messages
- 447
Mike,
I was initially a bit concerned at your reply - the response from Alamo doesn't list any kind of even basic insurance as part of the all inclusive rate quoted.
However a quick call to Alamo confirmed what you were told, that the cover provided as part of your quoted rate, 3rd party insurance, is adequate to satisfy their requirements, so yes, you are covered. I'd take a copy of that Email with you just in case though mate !
When I looked at Alamo's T's & C's, I wasn't sure that any insurance was included in the basic price at all, hence I was very keen to ensure I had the Extended Protection cover for our booking. As it turns out we don't need the Extended cover, but it will be nice to know we're sorted even in the worst case scenario, and without any additional cost !
It seems you have all the cover you need, nothing more to book or do.
Anyway, sorry if I got you worried unnecessarily, and I'm glad you're all set for your trip now. I'm sure you'd have no trouble leaving booking a place to the last minte if you wanted, but it's definitely comforting to know you dont have to worry about it !
All I gotta do now is order our Disney PHP's and Flex Tickets and we'll be all set, and raring to go !
I was initially a bit concerned at your reply - the response from Alamo doesn't list any kind of even basic insurance as part of the all inclusive rate quoted.
However a quick call to Alamo confirmed what you were told, that the cover provided as part of your quoted rate, 3rd party insurance, is adequate to satisfy their requirements, so yes, you are covered. I'd take a copy of that Email with you just in case though mate !
When I looked at Alamo's T's & C's, I wasn't sure that any insurance was included in the basic price at all, hence I was very keen to ensure I had the Extended Protection cover for our booking. As it turns out we don't need the Extended cover, but it will be nice to know we're sorted even in the worst case scenario, and without any additional cost !
It seems you have all the cover you need, nothing more to book or do.
Anyway, sorry if I got you worried unnecessarily, and I'm glad you're all set for your trip now. I'm sure you'd have no trouble leaving booking a place to the last minte if you wanted, but it's definitely comforting to know you dont have to worry about it !
All I gotta do now is order our Disney PHP's and Flex Tickets and we'll be all set, and raring to go !
mike230652
This'll do 'til I think of something witty to say.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
- Messages
- 414
Beejayjay
I'm pleased it's sorted!!..and YES!! I will be atking a copy of the e-mail with me!
Re : Flex tickets.. instead of Flex tickets we've just bought
IOA/US Tickets £ 65 each. ( Kids £55 ).. gives you 2 days + 5 days free ( 7 day total )
Adventure Passport - £59 each ( Kids £49 ) Covers Seaworld and Busch Gardens for 21 days.
Works out at £124 each. We don't want to go to Wet 'n Wild anyway ( very poor park IMHO )..... so it's a decent saving over a 5 park ticket...cheapest I saw was £130 each.........the savings will pay for a meal at the Beeline Diner !!
Thansk for your input Beejayjay..........I'm a lot happier than a few days back.
mike
I'm pleased it's sorted!!..and YES!! I will be atking a copy of the e-mail with me!
Re : Flex tickets.. instead of Flex tickets we've just bought
IOA/US Tickets £ 65 each. ( Kids £55 ).. gives you 2 days + 5 days free ( 7 day total )
Adventure Passport - £59 each ( Kids £49 ) Covers Seaworld and Busch Gardens for 21 days.
Works out at £124 each. We don't want to go to Wet 'n Wild anyway ( very poor park IMHO )..... so it's a decent saving over a 5 park ticket...cheapest I saw was £130 each.........the savings will pay for a meal at the Beeline Diner !!
Thansk for your input Beejayjay..........I'm a lot happier than a few days back.
mike
Beejayjay
Do unto others as they would do unto you... then r
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2000
- Messages
- 447
Anytime Mike !
Can you tell me where you ordered your US/IOA Tickets and Adventure Passports (a new one on me I think) ?
I especially like the extra days at US/IOA, I love it and would go more than once every trip if we could get extra days free. And on my one visit to Wet 'N' Wild - many moons ago admittedly - I was pretty underwhelmed too, just like you, so we wouldn't be bothered about not having the Flex pass if we can save some moolah by going your route !
I vaguely recall Universal were offering some kind of extended validity ticket deal direct through their website - is that where you got your tickets ?
Thanks,
Brett.
Can you tell me where you ordered your US/IOA Tickets and Adventure Passports (a new one on me I think) ?
I especially like the extra days at US/IOA, I love it and would go more than once every trip if we could get extra days free. And on my one visit to Wet 'N' Wild - many moons ago admittedly - I was pretty underwhelmed too, just like you, so we wouldn't be bothered about not having the Flex pass if we can save some moolah by going your route !
I vaguely recall Universal were offering some kind of extended validity ticket deal direct through their website - is that where you got your tickets ?
Thanks,
Brett.
mike230652
This'll do 'til I think of something witty to say.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
- Messages
- 414
Beejayjay
Got them from
www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk
With the Universal tickets you need to order by 31st October and start using them on or before 31st December. We went for the Adventure passport ( Busch & Seaworld ) because we aren't bothered about Wet 'n Wild so it was no big deal not getting a 5-park Flex ticket.
Hope this helps mate.
mike
Got them from
www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk
With the Universal tickets you need to order by 31st October and start using them on or before 31st December. We went for the Adventure passport ( Busch & Seaworld ) because we aren't bothered about Wet 'n Wild so it was no big deal not getting a 5-park Flex ticket.
Hope this helps mate.
mike
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