Free extra driver from Alamo not working

[Sheilby]

I signed my hubby up as an Alamo Insider and booked a minivan under his account using the Sun Promotion deal. I was told by someone on this board that I would be able to add my FIL on as an additional driver for free when I checked in. I started the online check in just to make sure I knew what information I would need, but it said an additional driver would be 9.99 a day. Am I doing something wrong? Will it take off the charge at the end? I didn't continue on with the online check in.

 

[goofy4tink]

I rented with Alamo earlier this month. I'm the Insider. I was able to list my dh as an addtl driver easily. I did have to give them his license info, and he does live at the same address as me. That may be the difference.

 

[Sheilby]

I rented with Alamo earlier this month. I'm the Insider. I was able to list my dh as an addtl driver easily. I did have to give them his license info, and he does live at the same address as me. That may be the difference.

I hadn't even entered the info on the 2nd driver yet, the place where it said to enter the info said it would be 9.99. They would have no idea who it was at that point, could have been me (his wife). Did it claim to cost money until you actually entered the info?

 

[gmeh1]

I signed my hubby up as an Alamo Insider and booked a minivan under his account using the Sun Promotion deal. I was told by someone on this board that I would be able to add my FIL on as an additional driver for free when I checked in. I started the online check in just to make sure I knew what information I would need, but it said an additional driver would be 9.99 a day. Am I doing something wrong? Will it take off the charge at the end? I didn't continue on with the online check in.

Did you log in via the Insiders's log in? What is the sun promo? You really need to log in via the Insider's to "reap" the benefits of the Insider's program.
You will be able to add your FIL at the airport at the kiosk or at the exit booth if you cannot add him online.

 

[gmeh1]

I rented with Alamo earlier this month. I'm the Insider. I was able to list my dh as an addtl driver easily. I did have to give them his license info, and he does live at the same address as me. That may be the difference.

With alamo Insiders' the addresses of add. drivers does not have to be the same. I am thinking she did not log in via the Insider's log in.

 

[Sheilby]

Did you log in via the Insiders's log in? What is the sun promo? You really need to log in via the Insider's to "reap" the benefits of the Insider's program.
You will be able to add your FIL at the airport at the kiosk or at the exit booth if you cannot add him online.

I did, and the reservation had the insider code showing, plus it had the welcome Dave message up top. The sun promotion was on their website, I used their deal finder and it gives you 15% off a car rental in certain sunny locales.

It did give me a place to add my FIL, it just said it was going to cost me money. Maybe by using the promo code I lost the ability to add an extra driver for free?

 

[goofy4tink]

With alamo Insiders' the addresses of add. drivers does not have to be the same. I am thinking she did not log in via the Insider's log in.

Ah, for some reason I thought they did..unless it was a business partner. But I could be mixing it up with another company..wouldn't be the first time!!!!

 

[CarRentalSavers]

The additional driver benefit is attached to the Insiders contract ID. The SUNPROMO contract ID does not include an additional driver so the system charges you the $9.99/day even if you are logged in as an Insider.

You can check in online then have the charge removed at the exit booth when you show your insider card.

 

[Sheilby]

The additional driver benefit is attached to the Insiders contract ID. The SUNPROMO contract ID does not include an additional driver so the system charges you the $9.99/day even if you are logged in as an Insider.

You can check in online then have the charge removed at the exit booth when you show your insider card.

Thank you. Is it a definite that they would remove it at the gate? I won't be there with hubby and he and my FIL are just likely to pay it if someone says no rather than argue. My FIL really doesn't like to make a fuss.

I have not completed check in yet and can always cancel if it is going to be an issue.

 

[mkymouse40]

You can only add the additional driver at the pick-up site counter or garage window; not at the Kiosk either. You can not do it on line. I've been doing this for years and it has always been the same way and not a problem. They need to physically see the additional driver, their license, and the addt'l driver must sign the contract also.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Alamo, Sanford added at the counter seeing ds license information I rented, dh as driver, then added ds. I think customer service and your interaction speaks loudly.
When ds and I flew the prior March, I added him at MCO gate leaving Alamo. I have trouble night driving and wanted the second driver. He handed them his license and they took a moment to add. It was not busy, about 8:00pm.

 

[Sheilby]

You can only add the additional driver at the pick-up site counter or garage window; not at the Kiosk either. You can not do it on line. I've been doing this for years and it has always been the same way and not a problem. They need to physically see the additional driver, their license, and the addt'l driver must sign the contract also.

It gives me a place to do it online and I can add in all the info, I was just told to show the licenses at the exit to verify, the only problem I'm having is getting free, adding it in advance is easy.

 

[gmeh1]

Ah, for some reason I thought they did..unless it was a business partner. But I could be mixing it up with another company..wouldn't be the first time!!!!

Yep, you are. That is the National policy.

 

[gmeh1]

You can only add the additional driver at the pick-up site counter or garage window; not at the Kiosk either. You can not do it on line. I've been doing this for years and it has always been the same way and not a problem. They need to physically see the additional driver, their license, and the addt'l driver must sign the contract also.

That is not correct. You can add the additional driver online (usually) or at the kiosk. The bottom of the kiosk slip will tell the renter what is necessary when they get to the exit booth. Yes, the add. driver does need to be present, they need to see the licenses of both drivers.
I worked for National/Alamo, I do know the procedure inside and out.

 

[gmeh1]

It gives me a place to do it online and I can add in all the info, I was just told to show the licenses at the exit to verify, the only problem I'm having is getting free, adding it in advance is easy.

Just make sure DH has his insider's number with him. You can continue on with the online checkin. The Sunpromo, since it was theirs, should not have bumped you out. Another thing you might check, after you sign him in, is the updated reservation confirmation. It may add the driver on the left hand side, but, not carry it over to the right side of the charges. I am thinking it is a boiler plate charge, cause just about everyone, even non Insider members, can check in online. It would carry over if it was a non member and not carry over for an Insider.
Let me know how it works out for you..

 

[mkymouse40]

I copied this directly from Alamo's website regarding the additional driver. As I indicated in my earlier post, your free additional driver can only be added at the rental counter at the pickup location. I don't make things up, I read the fine print!!


Additional Driver



● All additional drivers must meet all rental requirements.


● Additional drivers must appear at the rental counter with the primary renter.


● Additional drivers must sign the rental agreement.


● An additional daily fee may apply for any Additional Drivers.

● The additional driver can only be added to the contract at the pick up location.

Note: State law in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin allow the spouse to be an automatic authorized driver as long as renter requirements are met.

 

[gmeh1]

I copied this directly from Alamo's website regarding the additional driver. As I indicated in my earlier post, your free additional driver can only be added at the rental counter at the pickup location. I don't make things up, I read the fine print!!


Additional Driver



● All additional drivers must meet all rental requirements.


● Additional drivers must appear at the rental counter with the primary renter.


● Additional drivers must sign the rental agreement.


● An additional daily fee may apply for any Additional Drivers.

● The additional driver can only be added to the contract at the pick up location.

Note: State law in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin allow the spouse to be an automatic authorized driver as long as renter requirements are met.

And, as I indicated, that is incorrect information. If that were correct you could not add them online or at the kiosk. I worked the exit booth, I know what is required. I read the fine print when I was trained. the Add driver needs to be in the car, they have to have a valid license. Simple, easy and no fuss. I am sure this is correct at locations that are not secure and don't have kiosks.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Black and white vs 'unknown source'.

You pay your money and you take your chances folks, but your only defense is what you can prove in writing not "read on the DIS"

 

[gmeh1]

Black and white vs 'unknown source'.

You pay your money and you take your chances folks, but your only defense is what you can prove in writing not "read on the DIS"

Logic tells us: IF you could only add an additional driver at the counter, then that feature would NOT be available via online check in or at the kiosk.
I am sure what was posted is correct in non secure rental locations and for those without kiosks where, you can add a driver online, but, you need to go to the counter to complete the process.
There have been many many people who have commented about adding an additional driver online, at the kiosk and even at the exit booth. But, I guess they are unknowns also. Right?

 

[gmeh1]

https://alamo.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1664/kw/kiosks


Kiosk Information



What can make the pick up process go more quickly?

Alamo Self-Service Kiosk:

This feature makes the rental process quick and easy by allowing customers to skip the rental counter and check-in at the kiosk. Renters will show the rental agreement and their driver's license at the exit booth and be on their way.


To use our kiosk service, you will need:


· Valid driver's license

· Major credit card


Kiosks also allow you to:


· Review your rental info

· Upgrade to a larger vehicle

· Add additional drivers

· Purchase items like: Prepaid Gas, Car Seats, Collision Damage Waiver, and GPS