Car rentals for dummies

[pooch]

I joined Alamo's insiders program and I have a reservation for 3 days in November. The email confirmation I received has an on line check in button. Does that mean we can skip the counter and go right to the aisle? Assuming yes, can some helpful poster walk me from the SWA baggage area to my car??

 

[mjmgsssp]

Yes, if you do online checkin with Alamo, you can skip the counter.

I'm not sure which side Southwest arrives into (A or B)...but on the B side, after baggage claim, go down one level and follow the signs to the car rentals. Most are in the parking garage across the street from the lower level.

 

[pooch]

And where to go in the garage will be obvious?

 

[Wild4Walt]

Yes, once you are outside and walk across the crosswalk you will see a sign posted showing where to proceed. Both in written name and logo.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Yes, if you do online checkin with Alamo, you can skip the counter.

I'm not sure which side Southwest arrives into (A or B)...but on the B side, after baggage claim, go down one level and follow the signs to the car rentals. Most are in the parking garage across the street from the lower level.

It doesn’t matter whether you are on the A side or the B side of the terminal. There are car rental garages on both sides with all the popular rental agencies. The navigation is the same from either baggage claim area. Alamo will be clearly labeled.

When you’ve completed the online Skip the Counter form, you will be prompted to print a summary page with a barcode. You go to the appropriate aisle in the car rental center for the car class reserved, pick out your rental vehicle of choice from those available on that aisle, load up, and drive to the booth at the exit gate. Hand your barcoded form, driver’s license, and credit card to the attendant. There may also be a hang tag on the inside rear view mirror. If so, add that to the collection. The attendant will check it over, hand back your cards and a printed rental contract with an estimate of the rental charges, and open the gate so you can exit. I always compare this estimate to what it indicates on my summary before I pull away.

I rent through Costco, and those rentals include a second driver at no charge. I have to enter driver’s license information for my spouse when completing the Skip the Counter form. I always hand over her driver’s license and my Costco card along with the other stuff mentioned above. I don’t really know if both these are needed, but it’s easier for me to include them rather than having to fumble around if I’m asked for them while stopped at the exit booth.

 

[pooch]

The rental is in my name but I contacted Alamo and was told my husband could pick up the car and be the driver. I am sending him and my (adult) daughter to do this while I get the luggage and herd cats aka the grandchildren. So this has to be pretty much foolproof.

 

[nacho113]

The rental is in my name but I contacted Alamo and was told my husband could pick up the car and be the driver. I am sending him and my (adult) daughter to do this while I get the luggage and herd cats aka the grandchildren. So this has to be pretty much foolproof.

Anyone listed on the reservation as a "driver" will need to be present while leaving the parking garage to show their licences.
I point this out because; if the reservation is in your name, your licence info will likely be the default info on the reservation and you will add your husband as the second driver when you do the "online check-in".
If this is indeed the case, you will both need to be present when picking up the vehicle.
You may want to take everyone to pickup the luggage and head out to the garage together.
JMHO

 

[pooch]

Thank you, I was trying to avoid bringing everyone with us. I will contact Alamo again & see if I can have my name taken off as a driver and just his listed.

 

[pooch]

Dear Ms. Dumoulin,
Yes, there is no need to book another reservation. Your husband can pickup the vehicle with the current reservation as is.
Please contact me again if you have any questions. Thank you for contacting Alamo.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Alamo Customer Care
gail dumoulin(08/16/2017 01:15 PM)
Thank you for your quick response. So, to be clear, I can keep the reservation as it stands in my name and my husband (same last name) can pick up the car without me being present at the counter and be the primary driver as long as he pays with a credit card in his own name.
Sent from my iPhone
Kevin(08/16/2017 12:24 PM)
Dear Ms. Dumoulin,
Thank you for choosing Alamo Rent A Car for your car rental needs! My name is Kevin. I will be happy to help you today.
Your husband will be able to pickup the rental vehicle with no issue as long as your the last name on the reservation matches the last name of the Alamo Insiders member. Please note a payment method in your husband's name will be required in order for him to be the primary driver. Please contact me again if you have any questions. Thank you for contacting Alamo.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Alamo Customer Care
gail dumoulin(08/15/2017 02:32 PM)
I am an insider member and when I booked my rental, it automatically listed me as the driver. My husband does all the vacation driving as I hate driving in an unfamiliar area. Is there any way to get him listed on the reservation as the driver? He will also be the one picking up the car. Is this possible or do I need to cancel that reservation and make one in his name?

Thank you for your time

This is the information I received from Alamo.