Budget or Alamo?

[mumzie2three]

I have 2 10 day rentals booked. Budget for a full size, $202 and Alamo for standard, $226. Can decide who to go with.

I know with Alamo I can check in online and go right to the aisle to get the car, correct? Is Budget just as hassle free?

 

[Ed J]

Here now with another family. We used Alamo, they used Budget. We skipped the line, got in our car and headed to the exit both. From the time we got in our standard car (7 person ford flex with sat radio and navi) till we hit the road was < 10 minutes. The other party spent more than that much time just saying no to upgrades and insurance they didn't want.. They drove away 40 minutes later in a Mazda 626.

This is not the first time the scenario has played out like this. I payed less than her, but would spend more as I like to pick my car.the flex was not in the full size row, the row was filled with mini vans that night (morning really 12:45 AM) and I asked if I could get a Tahoe, and was shot down but the guy said sure when I asked about the flex.

 

[mumzie2three]

Here now with another family. We used Alamo, they used Budget. We skipped the line, got in our car and headed to the exit both. From the time we got in our standard car (7 person ford flex with sat radio and navi) till we hit the road was < 10 minutes. The other party spent more than that much time just saying no to upgrades and insurance they didn't want.. They drove away 40 minutes later in a Mazda 626.

This is not the first time the scenario has played out like this. I payed less than her, but would spend more as I like to pick my car.the flex was not in the full size row, the row was filled with mini vans that night (morning really 12:45 AM) and I asked if I could get a Tahoe, and was shot down but the guy said sure when I asked about the flex.

Thank you so much for this information! When you say the guy shot you down, is there someone from Alamo in the garage when you pick your vehicle?

And have a great vacation!!!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We joined Budgets Fast Break (or whatever it is called) under the assumption that we can skip the counter and head straight to garage to miss the upsell etc at the counter.

 

[Ed J]

Thank you so much for this information! When you say the guy shot you down, is there someone from Alamo in the garage when you pick your vehicle?

And have a great vacation!!!!

Yup, when we entered the garage there was staff pointing us towards our row. There was a guy moving cars into the full size lane as there was only a dozen or so cars in the isle. He parked a car next to the mini van we had started to loa our stuff into and that was when I asked. He was very friendly just like all the Alamo folks I spoke with that night / morning.

 

[NHDisneyFan]

We joined Budgets Fast Break (or whatever it is called) under the assumption that we can skip the counter and head straight to garage to miss the upsell etc at the counter.

You can skip the counter. Just head out to the garage.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You can skip the counter. Just head out to the garage.

Thank you!!

 

[gmeh1]

Thank you so much for this information! When you say the guy shot you down, is there someone from Alamo in the garage when you pick your vehicle?

And have a great vacation!!!!

There is always someone in the garage to assist customers and to allow spot upgrades like the one the PP received. You select your own vehicle, the greeter directs you to the proper spot. If you don't like what you see, go to the little booth in the garage and ask if there is something else available. They will do their best to make you happy.

 

[franluvsbubba]

I have 2 10 day rentals booked. Budget for a full size, $202 and Alamo for standard, $226. Can decide who to go with. I know with Alamo I can check in online and go right to the aisle to get the car, correct? Is Budget just as hassle free?

Wow! How'd you get that great rate?

 

[zamboniman333]

Thanks for the info

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Three good experiences with Alamo so far (new-ish, clean vehicles) and one disaster with Budget (high mileage, beat-up vehicle with a "smell" that caused our DS to have breathing issues/asthma attack every time we drove in it).

We love being able to choose our vehicle with Alamo. Disliked being assigned a car with Budget.

Both had good systems of proceeding right to the garage.

Budget had one chance to make a good impression and blew it. It is doubtful we will stray from Alamo again unless their price is totally out of whack as opposed to their competitors.

 

[mumzie2three]

Wow! How'd you get that great rate?

I hardly know now!

I check everyday to see if prices have changed. Alamo is with "SUNPROMO" and Budget I found on retailmenot.com. It was for a 10 day rental with an additional $40 off. The link put the codes in automatically.

Edited to add that I just checked Alamo again and got a full size for $202 so I'm going with them for sure.

 

[GoDucks]

Does anyone know if Alamo Full Size Aisle still have minivans? I'm heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks and might need a minivan....Thanks!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Does anyone know if Alamo Full Size Aisle still have minivans? I'm heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks and might need a minivan....Thanks!

If you need a minivan, book a minivan. You are only setting yourself up for disappointment in expecting an upgrade that you haven't paid for.

When we were there in August, there were full size cars in the full size aisle, and minivans in the minivan aisle.

 

[mumzie2three]

There is always someone in the garage to assist customers and to allow spot upgrades like the one the PP received. You select your own vehicle, the greeter directs you to the proper spot. If you don't like what you see, go to the little booth in the garage and ask if there is something else available. They will do their best to make you happy.

I have read that as an Alamo Insider I can have a second driver for free but I have to add them on the way out of the garage. Is that true?

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I have read that as an Alamo Insider I can have a second driver for free but I have to add them on the way out of the garage. Is that true?

We rented a minivan at MCO through Alamo this past May and if I remember correctly DH added me as the second driver ( for free as an Alamo Insider) when we checked out at the self check out kiosk before heading to the garage to select our vehicle. We had a very good experience using Alamo and got a great rate on the rental using an Alamo Insiders deal. Using the self checkout kiosk was quick and easy, and we really liked being able to choose our own vehicle which was a newer and clean Dodge Grand Caravan.

 

[gmeh1]

Does anyone know if Alamo Full Size Aisle still have minivans? I'm heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks and might need a minivan....Thanks!

Depends on the time of year and how busy they are. Don't bank on it and if you need a mini van, you really need to book one.

 

[gmeh1]

I have read that as an Alamo Insider I can have a second driver for free but I have to add them on the way out of the garage. Is that true?

No, you can add them at the kiosk. They will ask to see the second driver's license and that person needs to be in the car with you. They will also ask to see your license and credit card. You can also add them at the exit booth, but, in consideration of others, it is best to add at the kiosk or counter.