Anyone know the late charge for Alamo?

[mommy*RN]

I'm curious. I made a ressie on 12/31/08 for our upcoming vacation...and no one has been able to come close to the rate I have. The only problem is I booked when I wasn't sure of our flight times. Now the pick-up time is great, but I need to add 4hrs on the return time (have it at noon, need it for 4pm). When I try to modify my ressie it practically triples the price. Just wondering what a 4hr late fee would run me. I hope someone knows as Alamo has been completely useless in the emails and phone calls I've made.

Thanks!

 

[mareed]

Have you actually gone through to change the reservation all the way to where it shows the original reservation and modified reservation side by side on the screen? I've been able to change Alamo & National reservations before and the first screen that comes up after making the change in time shows much higher prices for all the different vehicles, but once I select the vehicle and go to the next screen where it shows original & modified reservations side-by-side it goes back to my original much lower price. It's been 3 months since I last changed a reservation this way, so it's possible they've updated their website and it no longer works, but it's certainly worth a try!

If it does really go up on that screen where it shows them side-by-side, you can back out or select to keep the original reservation and it won't really change anything.

Another thought... Does adding the 4 hours bump you to another day? In other words, what is your pick up time? If you're picking it up at 4pm or later, you're probably fine with just keeping it and returning it at 4:00. I always make my car reservations in 24 hour increments even if I expect to be returning it earlier.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Mareed's response is very accurate. Try the side-by-side comparison. Alamo does not really have a late fee but charges a hefty extra hour fee for each extra hour until after a few hours you pay for the next day instead. I think 4 hours is likely to throw you into another full day so the most you'd pay is 1 extra day for whatever car class you are in. Plus taxes and all those surcharges. It can add up.

Keep in mind that regardless of your reservation time, your clock does not begin ticking until you actually pick up the car and your 24 hour day begins then.

BobK/Orlando

 

[mommy*RN]

Thanks for your replies! I just tried modifying my ressie again and the class of car I have on my original ressie isn't even available anymore (intermediate SUV). So I tried a minivan and a standard SUV and each time the side by side comparison showed +$500 or +$700-ish. My ressie is for noon to noon...though we will probably be picking it up around 1pm and returning it around 3 or 4pm. I tried calling their 800 number to find out the cost per hour of overages...but they just kind of pussyfooted around my question and I was left with nothing. My rate is great -- $350/total for 11 days on an intermediate SUV. The only one close I've found is Budget for $400/total...so the overage charges could help me decide which ressie to keep.

 

[kksmom92]

I had the same issue with Alamo when I went to add in my coupon codes I had found after I had made a reservation with them. (Not having the mini van for us be an option) We ended up calling the Alamo we were going to be renting from directly and they were able to add it for us.

I wonder if you could get the direct phone number to them and ask them what the price difference would be versus going with the 800 number?

 

[robinb]

You should have to pay no more than the extra day fee and that amount will show on your reservation. Try to call National, they may be able to change your return time without having the reservation go haywire. You can also ask them what would happen if you returned it a few hours late.