Alamo vs National Rental Car

[ttfn3]

I have always rented cars from National because I have an Emerald Card. My DH loves to pick his car of choise from the Emerald Aisle - and we like that we can both drive (second driver free) with Emerald Card (2nd driver free is a must for us). For our trip in June, I am seriously considering renting from Alamo I signed up for the free insider status. For an 8 day rental, I can save about $40 renting from Alamo. While I like saving the $$, I really like the convenience of the Emerald Aisle. For those of you that have rented from both National and Alamo in the last couple of years - can you share with me your experience in renting from Alamo (vs National)? Is renting from Alamo in Orlando a hassle in comparison to National?

Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[rbrainerd]

We always rented from National in the past also. The last time we went down to Florida, I tried Alamo since the prices were so much cheaper. Alamo is a sister company to National. We signed up for the Insiders Club before we went. We are also Emerald Club members. The process was just like we have experienced with National. We got off the plane, went to the garage, picked out a car in the price range we rented from, drove up to the exit booth, and then off we went. The car was not as nice as Nationals rentals (more miles, not as new looking) but it worked out fine for us. From what I've heard, the main difference is the mileage on the cars. We are leaving next week and decided to go with Alamo again. They were ways less expensive than National once again.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

From what I've read here on the Transport. board, Alamo, National, and Enterprise share the same pool of cars at MCO. I've not used National, but have used Alamo, and at the MCO location you get to pick your car. They're are different rows for each type and you pick from whatever models are parked there (in the class you reserved) when you arrive. Sometimes there are better/bigger in your type-row, but often its all the same type.

From what I've seen on the boards, there's no guarantee they'll be anything other than mid-sizes/fullsizes in the EA.

 

[rlduvall]

I prefer the way Alamo and National work over all of the other rental car agencies, so I always go with one or the other. All based on price. While National is the absolutely easiest to use, for Alamo, you can either check in online [if any coupons you use don't nullify this option], go straight to the garage and pick your car out. Or, if you can't do that, use the kiosk at the airport to check in, then you go straight to the garage to pick your car out. Very easy.

 

[Mersmom98]

I can't speak for Orlando just yet...but my dh and I just got back from a trip to San Francisco and Alamo was a breeze. We were able to use the kiosk and went out to the row marked Full Size and picked out the car we wanted. They even had minivans on our row. The whole process took about 15 minutes. The lines at the rental car counters for all agencies were loooonnnngggg so I couldn't have been more pleased with using the kiosk.

 

[JessM]

Alamo and National will be very similar and they are right next to each other in Orlando, as others have said they are both part of the same parent company and use the same cars. If you can save some money try Alamo!

 

[gcarney]

I can't speak for Orlando just yet...but my dh and I just got back from a trip to San Francisco and Alamo was a breeze. We were able to use the kiosk and went out to the row marked Full Size and picked out the car we wanted. They even had minivans on our row. The whole process took about 15 minutes. The lines at the rental car counters for all agencies were loooonnnngggg so I couldn't have been more pleased with using the kiosk.

Can I ask what is involved in using the Alamo Kiosk? Thanks to the help from another DIS Member I got an AMAZING deal on an Alamo car. We heard that the kiosk is the way to go to avoid lines as we are now insders as well. How does kiosk check in work?

Thank you!

 

[K9pal]

Can I ask what is involved in using the Alamo Kiosk? Thanks to the help from another DIS Member I got an AMAZING deal on an Alamo car. We heard that the kiosk is the way to go to avoid lines as we are now insders as well. How does kiosk check in work?

Thank you!

The kiosks are located right in front of the rental counter inside the terminal. You'll need your driver's license and your credit card (both in the name of the renter). It's very easy, takes about 3 mins and you're on your way!

 

[K9pal]

We used to rent from National when their prices were lower, but now we almost always end up with lower prices from Alamo. Both are pretty much the same IMO. The last few cars we've rented from Alamo have either been brand new (several hundred miles only) or fairly new (most recent rental last week was 8500). If both drivers are Insiders (with separate membership numbers), you can add the second driver for free. The second driver can be added at the kiosk and it will recognize and not charge for the additional driver.

Alamo and National are the only rental companies we use. Go with the lowest price and you'll be good either way!

 

[gcarney]

The kiosks are located right in front of the rental counter inside the terminal. You'll need your driver's license and your credit card (both in the name of the renter). It's very easy, takes about 3 mins and you're on your way!

Thank you, that's awesome. We are going to try it .

 

[richmo]

I've gone with Alamo most of the past several trips as well. I find Alamo and National to be the easiest to rent from, by far. Emerald Club may be slightly easier, but using the kiosk at Alamo is also simple and I've never had to wait for an open kiosk. I haven't done the actual checkin online with Alamo yet, but have done the "Save Time" option so I don't have to enter all the drivers license info, etc.

Another time saver: if you have checked luggage, one of you go to baggage claim and the other to the Alamo kiosk...get your rental agreement, then go back to baggage claim. You'll often be done with Alamo before your luggage comes out. (I even do this solo: go to Alamo first, then to baggage claim) One further tip: if you go to Alamo first, you'll have to take the elevator to get back to baggage claim. The escalator for that level is one way.

 

[gcarney]

I've gone with Alamo most of the past several trips as well. I find Alamo and National to be the easiest to rent from, by far. Emerald Club may be slightly easier, but using the kiosk at Alamo is also simple and I've never had to wait for an open kiosk. I haven't done the actual checkin online with Alamo yet, but have done the "Save Time" option so I don't have to enter all the drivers license info, etc.

Another time saver: if you have checked luggage, one of you go to baggage claim and the other to the Alamo kiosk...get your rental agreement, then go back to baggage claim. You'll often be done with Alamo before your luggage comes out. (I even do this solo: go to Alamo first, then to baggage claim) One further tip: if you go to Alamo first, you'll have to take the elevator to get back to baggage claim. The escalator for that level is one way.

Wow this is a huge help. Thank you.

 

[gcarney]

We used to rent from National when their prices were lower, but now we almost always end up with lower prices from Alamo. Both are pretty much the same IMO. The last few cars we've rented from Alamo have either been brand new (several hundred miles only) or fairly new (most recent rental last week was 8500). If both drivers are Insiders (with separate membership numbers), you can add the second driver for free. The second driver can be added at the kiosk and it will recognize and not charge for the additional driver.

Alamo and National are the only rental companies we use. Go with the lowest price and you'll be good either way!

We are both insiders as well, how will they recognize my name? Do I have to log in somehow? I think I might go get the car and leave my husband to get the bags, he is so not good at this and if I am the one that has talked to you all it may be in our best interest I will have to teach him how to recognize our bags, LOL (we all use the multi-colored ribbons, right?)

 

[Mersmom98]

We are both insiders as well, how will they recognize my name? Do I have to log in somehow? I think I might go get the car and leave my husband to get the bags, he is so not good at this and if I am the one that has talked to you all it may be in our best interest I will have to teach him how to recognize our bags, LOL (we all use the multi-colored ribbons, right?)

The Alamo employee that was standing near the kiosks told me to just skip past the "add another driver" since it was my spouse and according to her he is automatically included.

 

[richmo]

We are both insiders as well, how will they recognize my name? Do I have to log in somehow? I think I might go get the car and leave my husband to get the bags, he is so not good at this and if I am the one that has talked to you all it may be in our best interest I will have to teach him how to recognize our bags, LOL (we all use the multi-colored ribbons, right?)

If you're talking about making the reservation online, you can sign on with your Insiders info and it'll be attached to the reservation.

If you are both going to be driving the car, be sure to bring along both driver's licenses with you to the kiosk...just in case. Also, bring along the credit card that you will be reserving with along with your reservation number.

 

[gmeh1]

We used to rent from National when their prices were lower, but now we almost always end up with lower prices from Alamo. Both are pretty much the same IMO. The last few cars we've rented from Alamo have either been brand new (several hundred miles only) or fairly new (most recent rental last week was 8500). If both drivers are Insiders (with separate membership numbers), you can add the second driver for free. The second driver can be added at the kiosk and it will recognize and not charge for the additional driver.

Alamo and National are the only rental companies we use. Go with the lowest price and you'll be good either way!

Only the primary renter needs to be an insider member to qualify for a free additional driver. The Add. driver does not need to be an Insider, but, must have a valid license and credit card (in his or her name).

 

[gmeh1]

The Alamo employee that was standing near the kiosks told me to just skip past the "add another driver" since it was my spouse and according to her he is automatically included.

Sorry, you were misinformed, all drivers MUST be listed on the contract. This applies to Enterprise, Alamo and National. I hate that they keep telling people that. It is not correct.

 

[K9pal]

Sorry, you were misinformed, all drivers MUST be listed on the contract. This applies to Enterprise, Alamo and National. I hate that they keep telling people that. It is not correct.

Ditto. MUST be listed on the contract. I tried to add myself to the reservation on line as additional driver before we left home, but Alamo wanted to charge for me (could not find anywhere to put in my Insider number). When we got to the kiosk, I tried it again when it asked if we wanted to add another driver, and it recognized me - had to scan my DL, so I guess it picked up my Insider info since DL info is linked to my membership number. It added me as a free additional driver, we got the papers, headed out to the garage, picked out the car, and we were on our way!

 

[gcarney]

Perfect. Thank you

 

[gcarney]

Ditto. MUST be listed on the contract. I tried to add myself to the reservation on line as additional driver before we left home, but Alamo wanted to charge for me (could not find anywhere to put in my Insider number). When we got to the kiosk, I tried it again when it asked if we wanted to add another driver, and it recognized me - had to scan my DL, so I guess it picked up my Insider info since DL info is linked to my membership number. It added me as a free additional driver, we got the papers, headed out to the garage, picked out the car, and we were on our way!

From the Alamo Facebook page. I asked about this:


Yes Gretchen, as Insider's members you both get one additional driver for free on your reservations. -Megan