Can you tell me about Alamo in MCO?

[mzspaz]

This rental car thing is starting to give me quite a headache.

We have had our reservation with National for quite a while. I am an emerald club member and we have rented from National before.

But in checking around at different companies, I was able to get a better rate with Alamo.

So what can you tell me about Alamo? Is there an extra fee for additional drivers? Any other hidden costs I may not be seeing on the estimate?

Not sure if a 20 dollar difference is enough to make us consider using Alamo. Thanks!

 

[tracys2cents]

Alamo and National have merged into one company called Alamo/National. But they still sort of have separate identities. Alamo has a QUICk silve r program that is similar to Emerald Club. The policies vary from location to location and change from time to time, so it's best to call them to see if there is an additional driver charge associated with your particular reservation.

For instance, national sometimes has an additional driver charge,....but is probably waived for your spouse since you are emerald club.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Even though they've merged, and they share the same facilities and the same cars - National line is pretty much always shorter/faster than Alamo.

 

[miamimama]

We definitely got an additional driver charge with Alamo in the spring - didn't have problems otherwise, though.

 

[mommy*RN]

What codes did you use for your Alamo rental? If you use the Walmart code it gives you an additional driver for free along with 10% off (430710/BY). I hope you get more answers...I've never dealt with Alamo personally, but I have read comments on the boards here that they aren't all that.

Good luck!

 

[Disneyhappy]

I've rented with MCO Alamo three times this year so far with no problems. Others have complained. Two times was with ***********. National and Alamo share an office in the rental car parking garage. I used to use National until the Alamo became more economical.

 

[miamimama]

Just reserved a midsize SUV through ALAMO for Thanksgiving week with the Walmart code and a $20 coupon from their website - total with taxes was $214 with a free addl driver. I haven't found anything better, but I'll keep looking.

 

[mzspaz]

Maybe I am missing something then. I thought I used the Walmart code but didn't see mention anywhere about the additional driver on my confirmation?

I'll have to go back and look.

We got a standard (pontiac G6) for 9/29 to 10/7 for $123. That is 2 dollars cheaper than the national rate that I had for 9/30 to 10/7 for the same car.

 

[Randman]

I've used Alamo a few times over the years, but the last time in May 2006 will be my last time. Long lines (30+ minutes) to get the car and a hastle to return it (no one was out to check me in when I pulled into the garage. Took 20+ minutes to return it.)

One applicable observation was that the National line was non-existent and they were taking folks out of the Alamo line and servicing them. Would be worth $20 to me considering that you get the same cars and have less potential to stand in a long line.

 

[gduvall]

I rented in July from Alamo, dropoff was at Disney car car center. Alamo allows you to check in online ahead of time. I believe the day of. This allows you to bypass the counter and go straight to car, similar to Emerald Eisle. I just went straight to parking garage and picked a mini van that I had reserved, keys were in the van, and I drove to booth to check out, absolutely perfect. I was in van and on my way within 20 minutes of landing.

 

[mzlee]

I rented in August with Alamo with no problems. I was hesitant at first because of the comments I read on this board and my SIL experience last year about the long lines but I decided to try them for myself since the rate was the best one found. We got to MCO on a Saturday afternoon and to my surprise when I arrived to the rental area there was no line. Even though I prepaid through priceline they still tried to sell me the insurance which was not a problem refusing (sometimes they can be persistent). I was quite pleased with the Pontiac G6 we had and the return was no hassle also.

 

[Luv2CDisney]

I used a Costco code. I went to their site for travel and clicked on the rental cars. I received up to 25% off, $25 off a weekly rental of a minivan and an additional driver for free! I am going to pay $213.32 from Sept.21-28. I am sooooooo excited!

 

[miamimama]

I had to look for it, but on the confirmation it mentions the free additional driver. $123 sounds really good though! I'm now thinking of taking Magical Express and just renting for a few days while at Disney - that seems quite a bit cheaper.

 

[keishashadow]

After waiting in Alamos terminal line in Feb '05 for an hour, I wouldn't rent from them again unless I used QS kiosk.

they & Nat. are 2 peas in a pod IMHO as long as you use their preferred customer check-in.

will say that alamo used to be more pickey as to stacking IDs/dis. codes/coupons - as in they had to match..walmart ID/coupon, exception of web coupons. Last 2 times, we had no problem mixing & matching (still makes me nervous though).

national's rates for our travel dates have been very high this year, not sure if it's due to their reward program percs or not.

 

[labdogs42]

I used Alamo last time I went and it was great! I checked in online, went right to my car, and was outta there! I'm renting from them again tomorrow. I give them a (if you check in online -- I can't stand waiting in any kind of line for a car!)