Alamo Tips

[Rekenna]

Hi! I searched the forum for this but wasn't able to locate the answers to my specific questions....

So, I have only rented a car once and that was National EA (super easy). For our next trip the best deal I have found so far between National and Alamo (and I am being a diligent DISser transportation student and checking multiple time a day) is $222 (all in) for a Alamo Full-Size 10/22-10/29.

I have added my additional driver (DH) said I don't want the insurance and no other extras. So 3 questions:

*Do I want extras? I'm thinking mostly about the fuel fill-up, is this necessary or more for convienence? Sunpass for tolls? I was just planning on paying the tolls OOP b/c we will only pass them on the way from MCO to WDW and back to MCO (and really they are not that expensive).

*Are there any watchouts that I may not anticipate?

*If I do online-check in and skip the kiosk do I still get to pick any vehicle from the full-size isle?

TIA and I appreciate your help.

 

[nascargirl]

We always rent from Alamo when we fly into MCO or into Sanford. They never charge for an additional driver. We always decline to pay for the gas ahead of time. We make sure to fuel up before we drop the car back off. We also decline their insurance. We usually check in using the kiosk and you can still pick out your choice of full size vehicles. I also check multiple times and love when I can get the car price down.

 

[1tufgt]

Hi! I searched the forum for this but wasn't able to locate the answers to my specific questions....

So, I have only rented a car once and that was National EA (super easy). For our next trip the best deal I have found so far between National and Alamo (and I am being a diligent DISser transportation student and checking multiple time a day) is $222 (all in) for a Alamo Full-Size 10/22-10/29.

I have added my additional driver (DH) said I don't want the insurance and no other extras. So 3 questions:

*Do I want extras? I'm thinking mostly about the fuel fill-up, is this necessary or more for convienence? Sunpass for tolls? I was just planning on paying the tolls OOP b/c we will only pass them on the way from MCO to WDW and back to MCO (and really they are not that expensive).

*Are there any watchouts that I may not anticipate?

*If I do online-check in and skip the kiosk do I still get to pick any vehicle from the full-size isle?

TIA and I appreciate your help.

Check out the October Rental Car thread. Good information with good coupons in there.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2726792

As far as your ?:
1. I've gotten the fill up once before because we had a very early flight out of MCO and I didn't feel like stopping at a gas station but this time since our flight leaves out later, I'll more than likely fill up at the Circle K off Boggy Creek Rd which is south of 417.

2. Didn't notice anything from my past 2 rentals.

3. I believe you still have to stop by the kiosk nowadays even though you did online check in.

 

[Rekenna]

We always rent from Alamo when we fly into MCO or into Sanford. They never charge for an additional driver. We always decline to pay for the gas ahead of time. We make sure to fuel up before we drop the car back off. We also decline their insurance. We usually check in using the kiosk and you can still pick out your choice of full size vehicles. I also check multiple times and love when I can get the car price down.

Thanks for the input. Are the kiosks on the first (bottom) floor of the airport where you walk out to the car aisles?

There is a sense of satisfaction when you get a good deal-I started out at $326 and am at $222-I would LOVE to get to $150...we'll see.

Check out the October Rental Car thread. Good information with good coupons in there.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2726792

As far as your ?:
1. I've gotten the fill up once before because we had a very early flight out of MCO and I didn't feel like stopping at a gas station but this time since our flight leaves out later, I'll more than likely fill up at the Circle K off Boggy Creek Rd which is south of 417.

2. Didn't notice anything from my past 2 rentals.

3. I believe you still have to stop by the kiosk nowadays even though you did online check in.

I have been checking out the Oct thread-I also signed up for Alamo Insiders and I have an Entertainment book coupon-I love to see people save money-it's a great challenge!

Thanks for answering my questions-you both have been very helpful!

Car rental prices-diligently searching for the lowest--NEVER SURRENDER!!!

 

[nascargirl]

rekenna-The kiosk is located right in front of the Alamo counter. I think there are 6 of them. I also belong to the Alamo insiders but have been getting prices with the BJ's code. The only time the insiders were better is when they offered $40 off during my specific rental period. Since this AM the price has gone down by $20.00

 

[gmeh1]

We always rent from Alamo when we fly into MCO or into Sanford. They never charge for an additional driver. We always decline to pay for the gas ahead of time. We make sure to fuel up before we drop the car back off. We also decline their insurance. We usually check in using the kiosk and you can still pick out your choice of full size vehicles. I also check multiple times and love when I can get the car price down.

Oh, they most definitely do charge for an additional drivers. There are exceptions to this, of course, different codes, different programs, etc. But, basically, to say that they don't charge for additional drivers, is incorrect.

 

[nascargirl]

Everytime I have rented my reservation has always said one additional driver is free. I have used several different codes and coupons. Now I know other agencies do charge for additional drivers and that is why I stick with Alamo. When we went to Disneyland in July, I researched Enterprise, National, Buget and all of them had fees for 1 extra driver and Alamo did not.

 

[Rekenna]

rekenna-The kiosk is located right in front of the Alamo counter. I think there are 6 of them. I also belong to the Alamo insiders but have been getting prices with the BJ's code. The only time the insiders were better is when they offered $40 off during my specific rental period. Since this AM the price has gone down by $20.00

Thanks!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Yes, you get to pick your car at Alamo at MCO when using on-line check-in. Also be aware that the Alamo and National lots are adjacent each other and if you don't like any of the cars on the Alamo side, you can walk over to the National side and pick from the same car class there.

BobK/Orlando

 

[gmeh1]

Everytime I have rented my reservation has always said one additional driver is free. I have used several different codes and coupons. Now I know other agencies do charge for additional drivers and that is why I stick with Alamo. When we went to Disneyland in July, I researched Enterprise, National, Buget and all of them had fees for 1 extra driver and Alamo did not.

I work for National/Alamo, they do charge for extra drivers, look on their reservation page. It totally depends on what codes and coupons you use. Try running a regular reservation without any codes and see what happens when you add an extra driver.

Now, I do know that other agencies do charge for additional drivers and I also know that the company that signs my paycheck charges for them too.

From their website:

Additional Driver

Additional Drivers:
•All additional drivers must meet all rental qualifications.
•Must appear at the rental counter with the primary renter.
•Must present a valid driver's license.
•Must sign the rental agreement.
•An additional daily fee may apply for any Additional Drivers

 

[Rekenna]

Yes, you get to pick your car at Alamo at MCO when using on-line check-in. Also be aware that the Alamo and National lots are adjacent each other and if you don't like any of the cars on the Alamo side, you can walk over to the National side and pick from the same car class there.

BobK/Orlando

I'm confused. I understand that Alamo and National are like sister agencies. If you can choose any full-size vehicle from the Alamo or National aisle then why is National more $$$ than Alamo?

I work for National/Alamo, they do charge for extra drivers, look on their reservation page. It totally depends on what codes and coupons you use. Try running a regular reservation without any codes and see what happens when you add an extra driver.

Now, I do know that other agencies do charge for additional drivers and I also know that the company that signs my paycheck charges for them too.

From their website:

Additional Driver

Additional Drivers:
•All additional drivers must meet all rental qualifications.
•Must appear at the rental counter with the primary renter.
•Must present a valid driver's license.
•Must sign the rental agreement.
•An additional daily fee may apply for any Additional Drivers

Ah, so maybe it's b/c I have the Alamo Insiders that the add driver is free?

 

[gmeh1]

I'm confused. I understand that Alamo and National are like sister agencies. If you can choose any full-size vehicle from the Alamo or National aisle then why is National more $$$ than Alamo?



Ah, so maybe it's b/c I have the Alamo Insiders that the add driver is free?

Good question Rekenna, and I have NO idea why and I will bet if you go to Enterprise and do a search for a price, their price will be different from Alamo and National (Enterprise is a sister to National and Alamo).

Rekenna, I was replying to Nascar's comment that Alamo does not charge for additional drivers.........and I am pretty sure that because you are an Alamo Insider you don't see a charge for an additional driver. If you do not use your member number/id for a reservation, you can bet you would see a charge for the additional driver.

 

[Rekenna]

Good question Rekenna, and I have NO idea why and I will bet if you go to Enterprise and do a search for a price, their price will be different from Alamo and National (Enterprise is a sister to National and Alamo).

Rekenna, I was replying to Nascar's comment that Alamo does not charge for additional drivers.........and I am pretty sure that because you are an Alamo Insider you don't see a charge for an additional driver. If you do not use your member number/id for a reservation, you can bet you would see a charge for the additional driver.

Thanks again for your help and clarifications!

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks again for your help and clarifications!

You are quite welcome.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I'm confused. I understand that Alamo and National are like sister agencies. If you can choose any full-size vehicle from the Alamo or National aisle then why is National more $$$ than Alamo?

In many cities Alamo and National are franchises owned by different companies that use the Alamo and National name. In those locations the fleets are separately owned. But at many major airports Alamo and National are corporate owned and the fleet is shared. They have separate check-in counters but the cars are used interchangeably between the two companies. I can tell you from my personal rental experiences that the cars are shared at ORLANDO-MCO, FORT LAUDERDALE-FLL, BALTIMORE-BWI AND KANSAS CITY-MCI. I'm sure there are many others. At these locations I can tell you that when I've not found a car in my class that I like, I've gone to the cars of the other company and taken a car there and had no problem at the garage departure booth. The booth attendant views my contract and ID but has no idea which side I took the car from because it doesn't matter; they're the same cars from a shared fleet. I wish gmeh1 would have commented about this.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Rekenna]

Thanks KINGBOB for explaining about Alamo and National.

 

[gmeh1]

In many cities Alamo and National are franchises owned by different companies that use the Alamo and National name. In those locations the fleets are separately owned. But at many major airports Alamo and National are corporate owned and the fleet is shared. They have separate check-in counters but the cars are used interchangeably between the two companies. I can tell you from my personal rental experiences that the cars are shared at ORLANDO-MCO, FORT LAUDERDALE-FLL, BALTIMORE-BWI AND KANSAS CITY-MCI. I'm sure there are many others. At these locations I can tell you that when I've not found a car in my class that I like, I've gone to the cars of the other company and taken a car there and had no problem at the garage departure booth. The booth attendant views my contract and ID but has no idea which side I took the car from because it doesn't matter; they're the same cars from a shared fleet. I wish gmeh1 would have commented about this.

BobK/Orlando

Bob, I have commented about this a few times in different posts.

As to the National and Alamo being franchised: the majority of our rental car locations are company-owned, with the remainder owned by licensees.

Actually, you can take your Alamo reservation (for instance), pick a car from National and exit at the National booth, or visa versa. The only thing you cannot do is take an Enterprise contract to anywhere but Enterprise, they are on a different system. I don't know why and really have never asked.

 

[1tufgt]

Bob, I have commented about this a few times in different posts.

As to the National and Alamo being franchised: the majority of our rental car locations are company-owned, with the remainder owned by licensees.

Actually, you can take your Alamo reservation (for instance), pick a car from National and exit at the National booth, or visa versa. The only thing you cannot do is take an Enterprise contract to anywhere but Enterprise, they are on a different system. I don't know why and really have never asked.

That's cool to know that you can look at either agency's as long as it's the same category.

I remember Alamo is on the left entering the garage. Is National on the left?

 

[gmeh1]

That's cool to know that you can look at either agency's as long as it's the same category.

I remember Alamo is on the left entering the garage. Is National on the left?

Depends on which garage. A side: Alamo on the left, National on the right
B. Garage, both on the right. Alamo's rows are first, then Nationals then Enterprise.

 

[1tufgt]

Depends on which garage. A side: Alamo on the left, National on the right
B. Garage, both on the right. Alamo's rows are first, then Nationals then Enterprise.

We fly SW so I believe it's the A side because I remember going left to get to the Alamo Van row.