Alamo woes at MCO

[Randman]

Just got back from MCO and wanted to pass an Alamo experience along...

Price for a Pontiac Montana was OK at $226 complete for 9 days. Alamo won't let you check in online if you use a coupon, so I needed to wait in a long line. 30 minutes in line is not a good way to start your vacation with a couple of young first time flyers/WDWer's in tow. I figured this was the price to pay to rent a car right out of the airport.

I was told that we could pick up our van out in the garage under the marked sign. The problem was that the only minivan there was locked. I had to trudge back to the Alamo booth to be told to take a van from the National lot. I returned to pickup DW, and DS5 and DS2 back at the far side of the garage. Over an hour later, we're on the road.

Now the return... First off, do not go to the gas station on Rte 436 just north of MCO with the attached Wendy's. I paid $3.49 for regular unleaded after not filling up at the Hess near the Magic Kingdom at $2.79, thinking that it was too far away. Should've found somewhere in between. Lesson learned.

Back to Alamo return. I pulled into the garage after gassing up and pulled into the garage. (Watch for the signs to Rental Cars, the entrance sneaks up on you.) There were 2 signs - "Please leave you keys in the car." and "Please take your keys." I took mine and proceeded to the Alamo booth where I waited for about 20 minutes to check in the car. There was no one out to meet me at the drop off point, I had to figure this out for myself. Check-in process was long and agonizing.

In summary, with Alamo, make sure you're prepared to wait. They're very slow and not very accommodating. Not a terrible experience, but I've had better.

I plan on going back to Thrifty, located offsite. They have you checked out/in very fast and they're only a short shuttle trip away. And most importantly, they have good prices and have been generous to me with free upgrades.

Oh, and DS5 and DS2's first Disney trip was fantastic. Trying to confince DW to go back in September. I'm certain that she'll go for it.

 

[Chuck S]

I had no problems with Alamo at all in December, with QS I went to the booth in the garage with my coupon. We were on our way in about 5 minutes. I was the first time I used them since the Natl/Alamo parent company merger. I did have bad experiences with Alamo before the merger and didn't use them for many years.

The drop off was the same as I always had with National, pull up, hop out of the car, gather the luggage and an employee showed up right away to scan the car in and check the fuel level. I always filled up at the Hess location at Disney when I leave for the airport (I top it off as best I can) and the tank always reads full when we drop off the car.

 

[keishashadow]

My DH refused to languish in Alamo's MCO line again. I called their QS telephone number 2 different times & spoke to supervisors regarding this issue. Both indicated that they do not accept coupons @ the kiosk in the garage. One cautioned that even though they may "take" the coupon, you will be charged for it on CC statement.

Not that I'm all that worried about $20, just one less thing to stress about if National's price is competitive.

 

[cdpa4d]

I never had a problem using a coupon with the Quick Silver service. I just gave it to the attendant in the garage and she took it. The price was correct when we dropped off our vehicle. Unless the policy has changed in the last couple of months it should still work.

I've literally saved an hour of waiting in line with Quick Silver each time at MCO. If they didn't take my $20 coupon then so be it. Saving an hour of my vacation is worth the $20.

 

[seashoreCM]

Just Now the return... First off, do not go to the gas station on Rte 436 just north of MCO with the attached Wendy's. I paid $3.49 for regular unleaded after not filling up at the Hess near the Magic Kingdom at $2.79, thinking that it was too far away. Should've found somewhere in between. for it.

Maybe you need to have the car in gear 3 hours before flight time, thus not saving any time over using Magical Express.

Fill up the night before so you only have to spend a few dollars topping off at super high prices if you run late.

If you returned to the airport via I-4 to 528 (Beach line; Bee line) get off at Exit 9 Tradeport, left and cross under, nice cheap gas station in plain sight and you are 2 miles from airport. After topping off get back into middle lane but face north, away from 528, Required right on McCoy and next light is 536 (Semoran) and airport entrance.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CarolA]

So did all of you "lie" to get QS? I am just personally opposed to making up some story for the right to spend money with a company.... I think it speaks volumes about Alamo's "commitment" (or lack thereof) to customer service.

 

[goofyforlife]

FYI...there are a couple gas stations about a mile north of the wendy's rip off one that have normal gas prices.... The one we go to is a Chevron on the left hand side.

 

[keishashadow]

No, I have a small business that I registered QS under, currently just part time, helps pay for travel habit I have.

I do use QS for leisure travel though, and I change the QS corporate id & category code (business to leisure).

Thanks for asking.

So did all of you "lie" to get QS? I am just personally opposed to making up some story for the right to spend money with a company.... I think it speaks volumes about Alamo's "commitment" (or lack thereof) to customer service.

 

[Chuck S]

So did all of you "lie" to get QS? I am just personally opposed to making up some story for the right to spend money with a company.... I think it speaks volumes about Alamo's "commitment" (or lack thereof) to customer service.

I did not lie at all. I emailed Alamo QS customer service and explained that I was a DVC member, a Disney AP holder and had always used National's Emerald Club, since at one time we got free EC memberships as a perk. I inquired if there was a similar perk for QS and they sent me a code.

 

[jodifla]

This is why we gave up Alamo for Avis! We are preferred members there, and didn't have to "lie" to get it, just sign up. We walk right in and get our car without the line nonsense.

Sometimes, it doesn't pay to save a few bucks.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Sometimes, it doesn't pay to save a few bucks.

Exactly. This is my personal thought on ME and waiting in line for cars...I normally (disney excluded) dont like to wait in lines to give someone my money

 

[NancyIL]

So did all of you "lie" to get QS? I am just personally opposed to making up some story for the right to spend money with a company.... I think it speaks volumes about Alamo's "commitment" (or lack thereof) to customer service.

Huh? Lie about what? I just recall filling out some online form to get QS.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Huh? Lie about what? I just recall filling out some online form to get QS.

QS is for business' only. Obviously, as you can tell, 99% of users are not using it for corprate purposes, but that is what its designed for....

 

[Chuck S]

QS is for business' only. Obviously, as you can tell, 99% of users are not using it for corprate purposes, but that is what its designed for....

Well, apparently QS is NOT for busineses only, as I did not lie, and they sent me a code. They could have simply said that QS is for businesses only and denied the QS membership to me.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Well, apparently QS is NOT for busineses only, as I did not lie, and they sent me a code. They could have simply said that QS is for businesses only and denied the QS membership to me.

Chuck,

Im not trying to "police" you or whatever. I think that Alamo, if they want the program to be corperate only, they need to express this, like you said, by making it less assesible to leisure travelers like ourselves....Sorry if i came across as rude...

 

[NancyIL]

QS is for business' only. Obviously, as you can tell, 99% of users are not using it for corprate purposes, but that is what its designed for....

I couldn't find the QS online form to fill out so called Alamo, and was directed to it online. Never saw anything that said it was for businesses only, and I didn't give a business name or address.

 

[n2mm]

We used Alamo in Feb. and in April. Used a coupon both times. We used the outside kiosk in April with a coupon, no problem. We signed up for QS. Didn't have to lie. Hubby owns his own business and will gladly produce his business license if needed. I would not have joined QS had we not qualified for it. We did not have a problem renting from them either time. Waited about 10 minutes in line in Feb. and about 5 minutes at the kiosk line in April (Side B). Picked up cars in designated areas and returned cars no problem in the National and Alamo drop off. We also used prepaid method both times and after my April trip, Alamo credited my credit card $.01, because they overcharged me a penny--strange. (Personnally I get a little nervous using the prepay and am always afraid I'll be charged twice, but so far so good.) However, we are Executive Aisle members at National, and I would not hestiate to use National over Alamo if the prices were comparable, but so far, that has not been the case for us.

 

[Twende]

We just returned from our trip and our Alamo experience could not have been more perfect!

I tried to sign up for QS but we only use a debit/credit card and they do not accept that so we had to use the line in the airport. I was really sweating it and sent half of our party on Magic Express so they would not have to wait for us.

The line was about 10 people deep but there were at least 6 stations open. We waited maybe 5 minutes to be helped. I had done the online check in about 10 days before. It was basically giving them the drivers license numbers so they could run checks on them. I gave the man waiting on us our reservation paper work and the Cosco coupon that I had printed. We asked to add a few hours to our return time so we did not have to spend so much time at the airport on our return. It was easy to do and I think added about $17 to our $97 for the week rate for a mid size suv.

We were at the desk for maybe 5 minutes and he directed us to the garage across the street and told us to pick out any vehicle that was in the Mid size suv row. We had our choice of a red Saturn Veu or a white one. We took the red as we figured it would be easier to find at Disney. The keys were in the car, we did a quick walk around to look for any scratches or anything wrong and off we went. As we exited the garage we handed the paper work to the booth and off we went.

We called the other half of our party and they were still sitting on a bench waiting for the ME bus!

Return was even easier and you simply park the car in the line of returning cars. You leave the keys in it. The attendent scans the car and gives it a quick once over. They remind you to take all your personal belongings and off you go. It literally took seconds!

I would rent from Alamo again in a blink! They car was great and they system worked super for us!

 

[pbharris4]

The line was about 10 people deep but there were at least 6 stations open. We waited maybe 5 minutes to be helped. I had done the online check in about 10 days before. It was basically giving them the drivers license numbers so they could run checks on them. I gave the man waiting on us our reservation paper work and the Cosco coupon that I had printed. We asked to add a few hours to our return time so we did not have to spend so much time at the airport on our return. It was easy to do and I think added about $17 to our $97 for the week rate for a mid size suv.

We were at the desk for maybe 5 minutes and he directed us to the garage across the street and told us to pick out any vehicle that was in the Mid size suv row. We had our choice of a red Saturn Veu or a white one. We took the red as we figured it would be easier to find at Disney. The keys were in the car, we did a quick walk around to look for any scratches or anything wrong and off we went. As we exited the garage we handed the paper work to the booth and off we went.

If you did online check in why did you wait in line? Can't you bypass the counter and go right to the car?

 

[vellamint]

I couldn't find the QS online form to fill out so called Alamo, and was directed to it online. Never saw anything that said it was for businesses only, and I didn't give a business name or address.

Any chance you still have the link for it? I too am not comfortable signing up as a small business but maybe you found an application where that is not necessary?

Thanking you in advance for your time.