Bad situation with Alamo

[Tigger_Magic]

All right, singing their praises is a bit strong. But I sure as heck wouldn't be complaining about a "bad situation!" Instead, I'd be happy that Alamo had done something good for a change.

And it's so rare that this happens with them.

 

[bicker]

Some car rentals are sooo expensive that it is crazy. They are making plenty of money. She didnt have a problem paying for another day, but I think $151 is out of line.

$151 is probably the rate for the eighth day -- that does sound like a normal "regular" rate. Again, charging a high rate for the first day of each seven is standard practice for the industry.

They're making the amount of money they should be making, based on the value of the service they provide as determined by the market's willingness to pay. The tag line "They are making plenty of money," is often used as an excuse for violating agreements with company or taking advantage of leniency, generosity, or accommodation, and it shouldn't be, because that increases everyone's costs to foster unjust enrichment of the customer who applies such mislogic. Please let's not propagate that deterious perspective.

 

[debden]

We have used Alamo a few times (we also use Thrifty) and find their service and their cars to be fine.The reason we like Alamo is because they are the only car rental company that doesn't place a 'hold' on your credit card.As least that was the policy the last time we used them.
I just got back from using Thrifty and they used to have a policy that Blue Chip members do not get a hold put on their credit cards but now everyone gets the same hold.
I called my credit card company when I got back and they said it will take 4-7 days for it to be removed.
I don't mean to turn this post into a rental car 'reveiw' post but like I said above I'm quite suprised that some people don't like Alamo's service.
Debbie

 

[bicker]

It is a good point Debbie, and we all should be honest and provide full disclosure: I rented with Alamo five times and only had major problems twice. So the issue people are raising isn't that Alamo screws its customers every time, but rather that Alamo screws its customers, say 40% of the time (at least in my case), while the other companies do so only 5%-10% of the time. As with anything, we play the odds -- I prefer it when the odds are more so in my favor than not.

 

[debden]

I've rented from Thrifty quite a few times and I have problems at least 50% of the time.The only reason I rent(ed) from them was because their rates were always lower than everyone else's and they did not put a 'hold' on my credit card since I was a Blue Chip Member.(yes,that is a big issue with me.)
Now a hold is being put on my cc and I'm getting bad service. I'll probably think twice before renting from them again.
I was thinking of going back to renting from Alamo. I don't like the long lines at the airport that Alamo seems to have every time we get there.The longest I've waited it around 40 minutes but I've heard people say they were in line for almost 2 hours! Wow.
I also like the way Alamo lets you pick out your own vehicle.That's nice.
I try to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when deciding which company to rent from but I think in the end it all adds up the same.
Debbie

 

[bicker]

Thanks for the insight on Thrifty -- I've never used them.

I've found that Avis, Hertz, National and Dollar all treat me well, just about every time. Hertz, though, isn't a good choice at MCO because they're not on-airport. Avis, while providing the best service, also provides the highest prices of the rest. National is a bit more expensive than Dollar, but I've not used them enough recently to really say that they're still significantly better or worse, from a service quality standpoint, than Dollar.

 

[debden]

So the next time I rent a car I'll give National or Dollar a try. Do I get to pick out my own car with either of these choices? Which usually has the shorter line?
I know one time when we went down and got in line at Alamo (a very long line) I looked at all the other rental car lines and all of them were empty.
I don't know how they all stay around with Alamo sucking up all the business.
I really think people rent from them because they don't put a hold on your credit card.JMHO.
Debbie
Just edited to say it's more convenient not to have your cc funds tied up when your on vacation.

 

[bicker]

I never have any problems with my CCs, so I wouldn't know about that.

I don't pick out my car with any rental car company, though that doesn't mean that they don't offer that service. It's just not anything I've checked into since it doesn't matter much to me. I tend to reserve a full-size, and as long as I get a full-size, it's all the same AFAIC.

The two companies aren't immune to queues, but I often just walk right up -- i.e., no queue.

Also, I mentioned that I haven't used National much recently. I believe they and Alamo are now the same company, so I'll be avoiding National as well... so my recommendation, truly, is just for Dollar.

 

[beattyfamily]

I use National and I LOVE them so far. You can pick your own car from your aisle and you can even bypass the counter with either their Quick Rent reservations OR if you belong to the Emerald Club.

Last trip, I booked an Intermediate but got a full size SUV for 4 1/2 days total $72.

Even though they are sister companies, I haven't seen it affect National at all.

 

[safetymom]

Hertz may be offsite but the bus is always there waiting. It's a short drive away. Then do curbside check in and then return the car.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Our company gave up on Alamo a couple of years ago because of repeated problems with poor service (long lines, incorrect billing, lost reservations, and in a couple of cases no cars available). We switched to Hertz and Enterprise. I use Hertz at MCO... the bus is always waiting and as a #1 Club Gold member I get off the bus, find my car and drive away. No lines and very little waiting.

 

[seashoreCM]

Funny, I have rented from Alamo (Disney twice, other locations several times) and also from Payless (Disney something like six times) and had no problems. This board has numerous complaints about these companies.

The Payless shuttle goes out the north airport entrance, left at the first light, and skips the first Bee Line (Beach Line; 528) toll plaza when it turns into the Payless lot. With your Payless car turn right out of their lot, get onto the Bee Line (exit 9 Tradeport/Conway), using two quick lefts a mile later and complete the trip to Disney via I-4 with just 75 cents toll and no exact change hassles.

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

 

[WillCAD]

I'm really surprised at all the negative experiences people are touting with Alamo. I've rented from Alamo about 3 or 4 tiems over the years, including back in the old days when they were off-airport, and never met a rude Alamo employee or had any trouble with the car or contract.

Likewise with Thrifty, where I've rented twice. My only complaint about Thrifty was that I got a real hard sell on the isurance, but then the same employee took three coupons from me instead of two, which is the limit, and saved me about $15 extra on my rate, so I figured that was a pretty good trade-off.

 

[chasbos]

While I have only rented a car on the island of St. Martaan - and all went well. We even got to keep our car an extra day just by telling the agent early on the day it was to be returned.

Now I just read were someone had a rented a car and there was not one available. This could be because of people like the one in the OP. So now 1 customer is upset and without a car and the person who is in wrong is upset because they thought they were over charged for failing to live up to their contractual obligations!

Maybe the van she was driving was to have been rented out for 2 weeks but because she did not return it the company lost out on a 2 week rental.

I am a business owner myself and find it very difficult to do business with a lot of people these days because nobody wants to be responsible for their own actions.

I just know that when I rent something, I have it back on time or if an emergency arises, call the company and forewarn them.

But then again that is just my humble opinion.