Alamo vs L&M Car Rentals

[bkrusen]

Does anyone have any recent experience, good or bad, with either Alamo or L&M car rentals? I have heard that the wait at the Alamo counter can be long, but I have also heard that some people haven't been happy with the cars they rented from L&M. Any experiences you can share would be helpful.


Thanks!

 

[pkasbohm]

We used alamo last time we went and we were very happy with it. We stood in line for about 5 or 10 min. and then we got to pick the kind of vehicle in the class we rented by going out and picking one out. We went for a colored on b/c it always seems like everyone on vacation rents white cars we thought we would outsmart, but as it turns out there were alot of gold cars--which is what we rented just couldn't win!! Goodluck!!
Pam

 

[ilovefh]

I rented from L&M last May and had a great experience with them. They had the cheapest rates I could find in the airport! I had no problem with their cars or their service! Everyone I talked to was great!

 

[BonnieA]

I rented from L&M in December and again in February. No problems. No wait in line. Best prices onsite.

 

[HOHJA]

So Alamo will let you select the vehicle as opposed to the vehicle being preassigned to you at the reservation desk??

I generally like to rent from National as they have the Emerald Isle and you can select you car.....so if one has an odor, you walk to the next one.

Wasn't aware that Alamo offer the same program at the Orlando Airport - and Alamo rates are less expensive than National.

HOHJA

 

[JoiseyMom]

L & M S*CKS! We used them this past xmas. Would never ever ever use them again. They could be giving me a car for free and I would go elsewhere. Their customer servie was HORRIBLE. It was the worst service I have ever gotten. Every person we dealt with there was nasty and rude. They messed up both my contract and my in-laws. We split our rental and were going to return cars and rent from them again, insead we just returned the cars. They didn't care. They were even rude when my husband and fil were getting the original contracts fixed. Use any company but L & M. Walk before you use them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by HOHJA
So Alamo will let you select the vehicle as opposed to the vehicle being preassigned to you at the reservation desk??

I generally like to rent from National as they have the Emerald Isle and you can select you car.....so if one has an odor, you walk to the next one.

Wasn't aware that Alamo offer the same program at the Orlando Airport - and Alamo rates are less expensive than National.

HOHJA

Correct, you select your vehicle from the aisle that you have reserved. IE: compact from the compact aisle.

Alamo and National share the same cars. In fact I believe the program is everywhere.

 

[dpratt68]

Does anyone know if the alamo minivans have dvd/cd players in them? We are taking an away day to the coast and a movie would help the kids pass the time. Any input greatly appreciated

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by dpratt68
Does anyone know if the alamo minivans have dvd/cd players in them? We are taking an away day to the coast and a movie would help the kids pass the time. Any input greatly appreciated

No, they don't have that very expensive upgrade.

 

[DiznEeyore]

We had a *terrible* experience with Alamo last October. There was no line, but I ended up with the worst counter rep I've ever encountered. He was unbelievably rude -- never in my life have I dealt with such a horrible person. Even my 10yo ds was mortified. On top of his rotten attitude, he also wouldn't put in my frequent flyer number -- said they'd do it in the garage.

When we met up with dh (he'd been picking up luggage) and went to the garage, they said they couldn't put the FF info in -- it had to be done at the counter or couldn't be done at all.

At this point, I lost it and griped about the inside guy to the one waiting on me. As I recounted what had happened, another rep (who'd been on the phone) came over and explained that he was the manager. He apologized profusely and said the employee inside would be dealt with. He said that once I got home I could contact customer service and get my miles credited. They also gave me a free tank of gas "for my trouble."

This was over 6 months ago and I'm *still* fighting with Alamo trying to get my FF miles credited. The most aggravating part is as soon as they credit, I'll have enough for a free ticket. Without those miles, I'm out of luck.

I will NEVER rent from Alamo again.

 

[Straitlover]

If it matters, i saw acommercial where Avis is also starting a program that works like the Nationa Emerald Aisle where you go straight to the cars and pick the one you want from a certain area. Can't remember the name of it, though.

 

[bkrusen]

I switched my rental to National last night. I got a really good code using rentalcodes.com and priclessvacations.com. Full-size car for 4 days for $108.00. This sounds good to me. Any suggestons?

 

[HOHJA]

You got a good rate on a full size - $108 ($27 a day) is a very competitive rate. Does your stay include a Saturday night? Generally, that's where you get the best rates from National.

My dilemna is that I'm arriving on a Sunday and can not take advantage of the Saturday nite requirement. Figured it better to arrive at WDW on a Sunday instead of a Saturday.

I also know that National is revamping their Emerald Club program in mid-April, so there may be some good specials forthcoming.

HOHJA

 

[bkrusen]

We're renting Thursday to Monday so we got a weekend deal (one free day) and 20% off for booking through pricelessvactions.com. Try looking at the discount codes on rentalcodes.com they have all sorts of deals.


21 Days and counting

 

[wdisneelvr]

Yes, the minivans we have rented from Alamo had a CD player for music and a cassette player along with AM/FM radio.

But no, they did not have a DVD player in them.

I have always rented with Alamo and have never had any problems with them at all.

L&M has been known for the switch & bait routine, quoting online price and not honoring it when picking up. They are also EZ rent a car and they use the same websites. Buyer beware with them, they also use older cars. Customer service is sorely lacking with these companies.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We picked up Sunday at 11:45 a.m.

When we got to Alamo, there was an extremely long line. Since I had taken the advice on mousesavers.com and joined their Quicksilver program, we were able to go straight to garage and check in.

Ten minutes later we were driving away in a beautiful Buick Century (full-size). There were a ton of cars to choose from, including quite a few PT Cruisers.

Join the Quicksilver program and save yourself a lot of time.

No trouble and I had rented my car through priceline.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disneyeveryyear
We picked up Sunday at 11:45 a.m.

When we got to Alamo, there was an extremely long line. Since I had taken the advice on mousesavers.com and joined their Quicksilver program, we were able to go straight to garage and check in.

Ten minutes later we were driving away in a beautiful Buick Century (full-size). There were a ton of cars to choose from, including quite a few PT Cruisers.

Join the Quicksilver program and save yourself a lot of time.

No trouble and I had rented my car through priceline.

That is extreamly interesting and news to, I am sure, many of us.
How did you find this out? Thanks for the info!!!! I will bet many will be extreamly grateful for it, I know I am. Where do you check in at the garage? Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated.