alamo - what am I missing?

[DVCconvert]

I just happened on to seeing this.

If I go to the alamo site and search for pricing on a 7 pass mini van
starting 11/7/09 @ 1pm @ MCO returning 11/22/09 @ noon. No coupons, no prepay discount no codes it shows me the cost as $ 1169.48.

However, if I go to alamo.co.uk and do the exact same search, denominated in US dollars, pay locally (non prepay) the cost shows @ $ 649.77.

I don't quickly see anything that would prohibit a us citizen from booking thur alamo's UK site.

Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

Try using Dollar. Last week booked minivan Nov 13 to 24 for $524 with the kisse code.

 

[paulaken]

Try using contract id 211220and a 40$ off coupon for minivans AD1123NDP I think this a Visa coupon. You usually don't have to have the coupon in hand. I got this code from the faq section of this transportation area. When I tried it I got about 545$.

 

[bavaria]

It's because we foreigners are special














now, seriously, Alamo/National have been the strictest of any rental agency of insisting on seeing my official 'smelly foreigner status' documentation. National also has a blurb that providing false information may result in a void contract, or a change of rest to the prevailing rate of the day.

 

[Tara]

I just happened on to seeing this.

If I go to the alamo site and search for pricing on a 7 pass mini van
starting 11/7/09 @ 1pm @ MCO returning 11/22/09 @ noon. No coupons, no prepay discount no codes it shows me the cost as $ 1169.48.

However, if I go to alamo.co.uk and do the exact same search, denominated in US dollars, pay locally (non prepay) the cost shows @ $ 649.77.

I don't quickly see anything that would prohibit a us citizen from booking thur alamo's UK site.

Thoughts? Experiences?

They will likely ask to see UK passport at the counter and checking in via kiosk likely won't be possible.

 

[DVCconvert]

It's because we foreigners are special


now, seriously, Alamo/National have been the strictest of any rental agency of insisting on seeing my official 'smelly foreigner status' documentation. National also has a blurb that providing false information may result in a void contract, or a change of rest to the prevailing rate of the day.

Of the first part, I have no doubt!
As to the second -- if I act like I'm from another planet and don't bath for a month....suppose I could get the discount?
..........

Knowing that you know what you're speaking about, I had wondered the same thing, but I guess I missed it!

I guess I'll have to rent either a tuna can or a donkey to save a buck!!!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

At the top of the Alamo website reservation form it will ask you what country you're a resident from. If you input Great Britain and you're not from there and that's how you're getting that rate, you risk being denied the rate when you check-in. If however you're inputting that you're from the U.S. and you're getting the good rate, then you do qualify for it. There are many channels to book reservations for Alamo and the UK website is one of them. Just don't lie.

BobK/Orlando

 

[bavaria]

Of the first part, I have no doubt!
As to the second -- if I act like I'm from another planet and don't bath for a month....suppose I could get the discount?

oh, yes, you had better be scared!!!!

I was actually passing time today sitting in a random Hertz rental agency, something I rarely do as a frequent renter. They were diligently asking for ID, and were very insistent that the foreigners present their foreign ID to prove their foreign-ness. Smellyness was not sufficient ID in this case.

(on a somewhat related note, when I picked up my rental car the other night my name was not on the board, so I had to go inside, and the agent did say to me 'I notice that you are not from around here' ) All was well in the end however, and my car was sitting in Princess Parking waiting for me, at the negotiated rate.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

....and the agent did say to me 'I notice that you are not from around here' )

LOL....Hilarious!!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Lewisc]

There are countless combinations of rental agencies, codes and coupons that most of us qualify for. I'm surprised posters have the time to try foreign websites. You'll be asked for your country of residence when you try to book.

 

[bavaria]

I'm surprised posters have the time to try foreign websites.

To be fair, if one accesses a rental agency website it often defaults to the country of location. For instance, if I type in www.alamo.de and am sitting at my desk in France, it will default to the French site unless I log in with my ID.

So our OP may well have been sitting in the UK as he wrote this post (considering that he enjoys the company of 'foreigners' - or at least some of them!)

 

[Lewisc]

I go to the alamo site and search for pricing on a 7 pass mini van
starting 11/7/09 @ 1pm @ MCO returning 11/22/09 @ noon. No coupons, no prepay discount no codes it shows me the cost as $ 1169.48.

However, if I go to alamo.co.uk and do the exact same search, denominated in US dollars, pay locally (non prepay) the cost shows @ $ 649.77.

To be fair, if one accesses a rental agency website it often defaults to the country of location. For instance, if I type in www.alamo.de and am sitting at my desk in France, it will default to the French site unless I log in with my ID.

So our OP may well have been sitting in the UK as he wrote this post (considering that he enjoys the company of 'foreigners' - or at least some of them!)

Good point but the OP first got a quote from the US alamo site then checked the UK site.

I don't always have time to check all the codes I'm eligible to use let alone try other country sites, although I might be tempted to try a UK site if my rental was for a trip in the UK.

 

[bavaria]

True! I'm just trying to be the nice, kindhearted poster than I am, and stick up for the OP.

 

[TrustedTraveler]

For the 8 days we want in January Alamo wanted $742 for a minivan. I just got it through Priceline for $347 ($304 per week) all fees and taxes included. Even with all the codes and coupons I couldn't get close to that.

 

[DVCconvert]

I'll try to take some of the mystery out of this!

Despite how I exactly worded my orgn post - I did 'discover' the UK site pricing first, as I sat in the in "odiferous' ( ) backwaters of Berks called Hurley, UK.

The pricing seemed not to be what I recalled from a week or so earlier while in the US - thus prompting me to deliberately search both sites.

So, Lewis, it's no so bad as it may have seemed. But if I ever do get to the point where I have so much spare time, I'll be sure to let you know when I find a good coupon on rickshaw rentals!

 

[BYC]

For the 8 days we want in January Alamo wanted $742 for a minivan. I just got it through Priceline for $347 ($304 per week) all fees and taxes included. Even with all the codes and coupons I couldn't get close to that.

When you book through Priceline, do they give you the REAL total, with taxes and fees, etc. before you have to commit to the deal?

 

[bavaria]

I'll try to take some of the mystery out of this!

Despite how I exactly worded my orgn post - I did 'discover' the UK site pricing first, as I sat in the in "odiferous' ( ) backwaters of Berks called Hurley, UK.

The pricing seemed not to be what I recalled from a week or so earlier while in the US - thus prompting me to deliberately search both sites.

So, Lewis, it's no so bad as it may have seemed. But if I ever do get to the point where I have so much spare time, I'll be sure to let you know when I find a good coupon on rickshaw rentals!

HAH! Just as I suspected.... Not everyone here on the Transportation Board is a giant poopyhead fuelled by evil intentions.

Now, can you find me a good price on a tuk tuk rental please?

(oh, and just to reassure anyone lacking a sense of humour, I did stock up on the superpower antiperspirant in America this week which Mom/goofy4tink recommends, and I purchased a new bottle of perfume last night before I leave your scented shores for more exotic locales. No stinkiness here! - well, actually, those products and our bodily odours ARE offensive to other parts of the world, believe it or not, so really all of us are smelly foreigners to someone, somewhere)

 

[DVCconvert]

Now, can you find me a good price on a tuk tuk rental please?

I haven't found on yet but I'll surely be watchful for one and let you know!

In the meantime, should you need to rent a dogsled in Nome AK -- I've got a code for 40% the first 50lbs of feed, plus a coupon for double energy biscuts!

And the best part?....it's so cold there that no smells..body nor perfumes can waft about to bother anybody!

 

[cjnix29]

Try using contract id 211220and a 40$ off coupon for minivans AD1123NDP I think this a Visa coupon. You usually don't have to have the coupon in hand. I got this code from the faq section of this transportation area. When I tried it I got about 545$.

Where did this code come from? It gives a great rate! Just wondered if it was one of the taboo codes! Otherwise, I am ecstatic with the rate!

 

[robinb]

Where did this code come from? It gives a great rate! Just wondered if it was one of the taboo codes! Otherwise, I am ecstatic with the rate!

It is not taboo if you are a resident of Puerto Rico .