Alamo trouble and question about other places.

[babus]

We didn`t have to wait very long at alamo, but they didn`t have the car we reserved and wouldn`t honor our coupon from them for a free upgrade. They haggled over the original cost and wanted us to purchase insurance and gas up front. We refused. They finally got us a car and it was a junker. Rattled terribly and the air conditioner only worked part time and when it did it smelled like dirty socks. I wouldn`t ever give them another chance. My question is: Do all of the rental places run out of the reserved cars and have to offer different ones? If it is reserved ahead of time, how do they not have it available?

 

[MaryT]

Unfortunately you've only reserved a car - not a specific car. (I've had trouble with hotel rooms too - reserve a room with a view and get told there's none left!) Anyway - the rental company SHOULD upgrade you to the next higher car level if they've run out of the level you reserved - at no extra cost. Of course then they might not let you upgrade again with a coupon. All the companies seem to want you to buy the insurance (I don't, but opinions differ on whether you should) because it makes them money - also they'd rather you take the full tank of gas - which is only cost effective for you if you return it empty - which is tough to do if you're only handing around DW. Just stand your ground. I personally like Budget and National. I only use Alamo when I want to use my debit card, and I'll never use Dollar again (horror story there)

 

[Pluto4President]

another vote for National. No probs. I have also used Budget many years ago without a prob, but I like National becasue of the EC & EA

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"Walt Disney World... been there, done that, GOING BACK!"

 

[Viking]

After bad experiences with Alamo and Dollar we took Hertz the last time and were so satisfied that we already reserved a car at Hertz again for Sep 2001. Fortunately we even get VIP-Treatment through our german travel agency. The Mustang we had last time was a couple of months old, had only 5000mls on the clock and looked brandnew. It even had a CD-player. This year we made reservations for a Cougar as the Mustang got very expensive, but perhaps we can get a cool upgrade as we will be there off season.

Have fun

 

[Lewisc]

Most of the free upgrade coupons specify subject to availability but if they don't have the class of car you reserved available you should have been given then next class at no extra charge.
Some of the regulars in this board have had decent luck with Alamo, however Alamo seems to have more complaints than the other agencies.