Back with Another Question - Rental Cars/Alamo

[Tess]

The first leg of our trip later this month arrives in Atlanta where we have reserved a rental through Alamo. Originally, we planned to return the car and fly home out of Atlanta. The thought of driving back to Atlanta from Disney (after having been to Naples) was really causing us both some concern and it seemed more prudent to spend a bit more on our flight and depart for home from MCO.

Now to the question. We need to return the rental car on the same date that we had originally booked BUT drop it at MCO pre-flight. When I attempt to modify the existing reservation we have with Alamo it tells me there are no rental cars available for pick-up on the date we arrive. I am so confused, we already have a reservation so a car better be there when we arrive. Why would modifying the drop off location affect the availability of a vehicle for pick up? We aren't modifying any dates. If I try to initiate a new reservation--those attempts also return results that there are no vehicles available for the pick up date in Atlanta.

Our son previously had an issue in Atlanta. He had a reservation and when he arrived to pick up the vehicle--there were none available despite his reservation. We certainly don't want to be in that position at the start of our vacation especially since the balance of it depends on having that car to drive to Florida.

This trip has given me more than any other I have ever planned!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Alamo seems to be limiting the availability of one-way rentals lately, persumably to control inventory in their various locations. Switching from a round-trip rental (returning to the same location) vs. a one-way rental (returning to a different location) may not be possible, even though you already have a car reserved.

The fact that trying to make a new reservation with Atlanta as both pick up and drop off location indicates no availability doesn’t really say anything about availability of the car you have reserved. It simply means they have already committed their anticipated inventory for your pick up date. Presumably, that inventory includes the car you have reserved.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Agree - it probably has to do with what would become a one-way rental. Just to verify, go in and start a new car reservation with pick-up in ATL and drop-off at MCO, see if it allows it. If not, it's probably the issue. If Alamo won't allow it, you might need to try another company, but are likely to pay a premium for the one-way.

 

[Tess]

Alamo seems to be limiting the availability of one-way rentals lately, persumably to control inventory in their various locations. Switching from a round-trip rental (returning to the same location) vs. a one-way rental (returning to a different location) may not be possible, even though you already have a car reserved.

The fact that trying to make a new reservation with Atlanta as both pick up and drop off location indicates no availability doesn’t really say anything about availability of the car you have reserved. It simply means they have already committed their anticipated inventory for your pick up date. Presumably, that inventory includes the car you have reserved.

Thanks! Much as I surmised--but doesn't make me happy.

Does that preclude us from keeping this reservation and, while traveling--advising Alamo that we had a change of plans and will not be returning in Atlanta? Hertz has availability to do as we plan, but at double the cost--so there are options. When renting vehicles, we have always used Alamo and it gives the AP discount as well. National, like Alamo, has no availability either.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Thanks! Much as I surmised--but doesn't make me happy.

Does that preclude us from keeping this reservation and, while traveling--advising Alamo that we had a change of plans and will not be returning in Atlanta? Hertz has availability to do as we plan, but at double the cost--so there are options. When renting vehicles, we have always used Alamo and it gives the AP discount as well. National, like Alamo, has no availability either.

If you have the car and then notify Alamo of your change in plans/drop off location, they may (I suspect will) reprice the entire rental, changing the cost either by using a different daily rental rate or by adding a drop off fee for the change in location. Alamo generally prices Florida rentals without drop off fees for one-way rentals, but renting in one state and dropping off in another may change the pricing algorithm being used. The Alamo rental could end up costing more than the Hertz rental in the end, and you would be flying blind, so to speak, in terms of knowing what you’ll be charged for the privilege of dropping the car off at MCO.

 

[_19disnA]

They may charge a 'drop off' fee if you try to return it to a different city then where you originally rented it after you already have possession of the car (basically changing the terms of your original agreement). It could be they are still short on inventory and don't want cars returned to a different city/state which then requires them to move around their inventory.

 

[Tess]

Thanks @Ralph&Pam and @_19disnA.

I telephoned Alamo and asked my question. I was told that I should proceed with the reservation, skip the counter and when leaving the lot, let the booth know the car will be returned in Orlando at MCO. It will not be a problem--sure hope he is right. He did place me on hold when he couldn't modify the reservation and made contact with the local at ATL. Guess my fingers will be crossed that it goes smoothly. Then again, why should it--this whole last minute plan has been a bear to pull together.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Thanks @Ralph&Pam and @_19disnA.

I telephoned Alamo and asked my question. I was told that I should proceed with the reservation, skip the counter and when leaving the lot, let the booth know the car will be returned in Orlando at MCO. It will not be a problem--sure hope he is right. He did place me on hold when he couldn't modify the reservation and made contact with the local at ATL. Guess my fingers will be crossed that it goes smoothly. Then again, why should it--this whole last minute plan has been a bear to pull together.

Good luck! Stay safe and enjoy your trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

When they say there are no cars for a certain reservation like that, they mean that they do not want that car to end up elsewhere. They want it THERE. If the prices for a one-way are very very high, it means they don't *really* want the car to end up elsewhere, but they can handle it if it does.

(your son's situation of not having a car there might very well have been caused by someone deciding to change the dropoff which caused that car to not be available for him)

Does that preclude us from keeping this reservation and, while traveling--advising Alamo that we had a change of plans and will not be returning in Atlanta?

They will charge you more.

skip the counter and when leaving the lot, let the booth know the car will be returned in Orlando at MCO. It will not be a problem

Of course it's not a "problem". But you're going to be charged more. Alamo certainly doesn't see that as a problem.

 

[Tess]

When they say there are no cars for a certain reservation like that, they mean that they do not want that car to end up elsewhere. They want it THERE. If the prices for a one-way are very very high, it means they don't *really* want the car to end up elsewhere, but they can handle it if it does.

(your son's situation of not having a car there might very well have been caused by someone deciding to change the dropoff which caused that car to not be available for him)



They will charge you more.



Of course it's not a "problem". But you're going to be charged more. Alamo certainly doesn't see that as a problem.

Thanks for the advice and information. We solved our own problem! SWA had two "wanna' get away" fares from ATL to RSW for less than a car rental/gas. We booked it and will be flying to RSW with our relatives picking us up at Ft. Meyers and we will pick up a car in Naples (cheaper and no issue with the return at MCO) to drive back to Disney and our ultimate MCO departure. Also a major plus is not driving 9-11 hours from Atlanta AND arriving in Ft. Myers/Naples far earlier than we would had we driven!

I really hate flying by the seat of my pants with travel planning, but it appears everything is falling into place! I am going to be so surprised if there are no hitches, glitches or bugaboos given all of the changes I have made. Note to self, never let your DH talk you into a last minute, "FUN!" trip and then leave the planning in your hands!

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks @Ralph&Pam and @_19disnA.

I telephoned Alamo and asked my question. I was told that I should proceed with the reservation, skip the counter and when leaving the lot, let the booth know the car will be returned in Orlando at MCO. It will not be a problem--sure hope he is right. He did place me on hold when he couldn't modify the reservation and made contact with the local at ATL. Guess my fingers will be crossed that it goes smoothly. Then again, why should it--this whole last minute plan has been a bear to pull together.

It probably won't be a "problem". But they will probably charge you MUCH more. The same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. I originally planned our trip in and out of Tampa. Got a good rate with National. Our plans changed and we were going to fly back out of Sarasota. National had "no cars available" when I tried to modify OR create a new reservation. When I called and explained what I wanted to do, they couldn't do it. So I could take a chance on modifying after I picked up the car (and who knows what they'd charge) or go to a different company. So I went with Hertz, paid over twice what I was planning with National, and didn't have a problem.

Unless you're saving a BUNCH of money, I don't know why you'd fly into Atlanta and drive to Disney. That's still a 6 hour drive. (yes, I know you changed your plans, but originally). I think you made the better choice in flying from ATL to Florida. Just because I don't want to assume, if you're flying on the same day on two different airlines, just know you'll need to collect your checked bags, check them with the new airline, then go back through security.

Note: Yes, if you're flying two different airlines on the same ticket (British Airways and Delta for example), you don't need to collect bags.

 

[debster812]

I agree with other posters. It's not going to be a 'problem' per se, because Alamo does ultimately want their car back. However, changing your drop-off mid stream to a different location, in a different state, could very likely trigger some significant uncharges for a one-way rental. I'd probably keep stalking to see if I can find something more reasonable whether it be with a different company or not

 

[Tess]

It probably won't be a "problem". But they will probably charge you MUCH more. The same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. I originally planned our trip in and out of Tampa. Got a good rate with National. Our plans changed and we were going to fly back out of Sarasota. National had "no cars available" when I tried to modify OR create a new reservation. When I called and explained what I wanted to do, they couldn't do it. So I could take a chance on modifying after I picked up the car (and who knows what they'd charge) or go to a different company. So I went with Hertz, paid over twice what I was planning with National, and didn't have a problem.

Unless you're saving a BUNCH of money, I don't know why you'd fly into Atlanta and drive to Disney. That's still a 6 hour drive. (yes, I know you changed your plans, but originally). I think you made the better choice in flying from ATL to Florida. Just because I don't want to assume, if you're flying on the same day on two different airlines, just know you'll need to collect your checked bags, check them with the new airline, then go back through security.

Note: Yes, if you're flying two different airlines on the same ticket (British Airways and Delta for example), you don't need to collect bags.

We are flying into Atlanta and spending 2.5 days with our son/daughter in law for a visit. We had originally planned to drive to FL from there because our RT was really cheap on Delta. It seemed worth the savings to make the drive and my DH really wanted to do the road trip aspect. I then was able to get a decent flight out of Orlando for the return home rather than driving back to Atlanta. We bit the bullet and changed the return flight to MCO (where we will be spending our last 2.5 days). At that point we would still need the car for the "road trip" portion to Naples.

As luck would have it, SWA had a good rate from Atlanta to Ft. Myers over the weekend. Given our concerns about the price hike for the rental car in Atlanta with the return in Orlando AND the estimated cost of gas--it was a no brainer to book the SWA flight from Atlanta to Ft. Myers. It also gave us nearly the full day with our other family in Naples.

All that said, we initially booked a car in Ft. Myers to drive to Naples and back to MCO. Our family members said they would pick us up in Ft. Myers so no need for the car until we were ready to depart their home for Disney. One thing led to another and we ultimately booked a vehicle out of Naples for our drive to Disney with a drop off at MCO.

While it seemed silly to fly into Atlanta (r/t), the purpose was to include a visit with our son/daughter-in-law whom we have not seen since pre-Covid. At the time, that visit and the subsequent road trip, seemed worth it to visit our kids. Happily, my DH caved on the road trip aspect (I was never a fan) and the stars/planets aligned to make the trip with a whole lot less driving.

 

[sam_gordon]

We are flying into Atlanta and spending 2.5 days with our son/daughter in law for a visit. We had originally planned to drive to FL from there because our RT was really cheap on Delta. It seemed worth the savings to make the drive and my DH really wanted to do the road trip aspect. I then was able to get a decent flight out of Orlando for the return home rather than driving back to Atlanta. We bit the bullet and changed the return flight to MCO (where we will be spending our last 2.5 days). At that point we would still need the car for the "road trip" portion to Naples.

As luck would have it, SWA had a good rate from Atlanta to Ft. Myers over the weekend. Given our concerns about the price hike for the rental car in Atlanta with the return in Orlando AND the estimated cost of gas--it was a no brainer to book the SWA flight from Atlanta to Ft. Myers. It also gave us nearly the full day with our other family in Naples.

All that said, we initially booked a car in Ft. Myers to drive to Naples and back to MCO. Our family members said they would pick us up in Ft. Myers so no need for the car until we were ready to depart their home for Disney. One thing led to another and we ultimately booked a vehicle out of Naples for our drive to Disney with a drop off at MCO.

While it seemed silly to fly into Atlanta (r/t), the purpose was to include a visit with our son/daughter-in-law whom we have not seen since pre-Covid. At the time, that visit and the subsequent road trip, seemed worth it to visit our kids. Happily, my DH caved on the road trip aspect (I was never a fan) and the stars/planets aligned to make the trip with a whole lot less driving.

Thanks. After I thought about it a little, I wondered if you were stopping in Atlanta for a day or two. For some strange reason I thought you had decided to just end the flight in Atlanta and drive to Florida because it would save money (probably because I would consider it for about a minute ). Totally understand what you're doing.