Is there a way to make Alamo as easy as National?

[Karlzmom]

Can someone walk me through the steps to make pickup of Alamo as easy as using the National Aisle? I can guarantee an SUV with Alamo for less money than the Aisle gamble. I really like the ease of straight to the garage that National brings but if I can make it as simple to use Alamo then I will skip the lottery and just reserve what I really would be hoping for and save some money to boot. I just can't wrap my head around the whole process as we have been loyal National people, I know they are the same fleet of cars and I don't want to pay a premium based on brand loyalty for a *maybe* when I can lock it in.

TIA!!

 

[rbrainerd]

We use rentals at MCO about 3-4 times a year. We had always used National but last year tried Alamo due to lower rental prices. Alamo has a plan much like National. It is the Alamo Insider which is similar the the Emerald Aisle. I joined the Alamo Insider and gave it a try. I made my reservation and printed out a copy. I went to the car garage and looked for a sign which corresponds to my rental and picked a car from that section. Get in the car, drive to the exit, show them my information I printed and off I go. An additional driver is free with the Insider as well. The only difference I noticed was the reduced price and the condition of the car. National cars I think are better and do not have as many miles on them. Come to find out, I heard National and Alamo are partner companies and once a car hits certain mileage it goes to Alamo (that can form a Hertz employee we know) We rent from either Alamo or National now depending on what rates we can get.

 

[pigletto]

We find Alamo very very easy. If you are using a coupon on your reservation you will have to stop at the kiosk. There are several of them just out in front of the Alamo desk. It's super quick to punch in your details, add extras or decline them, print your paperwork and head out to the garage. I love being able to skip the counter and use the kiosks and I've never had a line.

If you aren't using a coupon you can do online check-in (which I just did about an hour ago actually!) and will have a "Skip the line option". That just requires you to fill out all your info ahead of time and print it. When you land you will literally walk out to the garage after you get your bags. As the poster above mentioned, you choose a car in the row that corresponds with what you rented (SUV in your case), get in, and show your license, credit card and paperwork to the attendant in the booth on your way out. Easy as pie and out in 5 minutes.

You will have several vehicles in that row to choose from. Take your time to check them out. We've only had one dud and that was a car that had a very musty smell when you turned on the air. I can only assume someone had left the windows open in the rain. Every other time we've used them the cars have been nice, the mileage has been low, and there have been no issues at all.

 

[rbrainerd]

I have used coupons with my past 3 rentals and never go to the kiosk. I do check in online. I have just went to the garage and picked up my car. They have never questioned me doing this either. Maybe I've been lucky? When I put the info in for the online rental I do include my coupon info and contract id maybe that's why I don't have to stop. I'm not sure.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Online check in before you leave home or use the self serve kiosk which takes 10 minutes to rent from.

Pick our your car, show your rental agreement, DL and CC at the exit booth

 

[pigletto]

I have used coupons with my past 3 rentals and never go to the kiosk. I do check in online. I have just went to the garage and picked up my car. They have never questioned me doing this either. Maybe I've been lucky? When I put the info in for the online rental I do include my coupon info and contract id maybe that's why I don't have to stop. I'm not sure.

Hmmm. Interesting. It could have been changed since the last time I used them? I've always been given the option to check in online, and then proceed to the kiosk in my reservation confirmation. This week was the first time I was ever given the instruction to go out to the garage, but it was also the first time I didn't use a coupon.

 

[ready123go]

I just joined Alamo Insider. I booked through Costco, I believe I can check in on Alamo's site. Is this correct?

We are flying separately this year. DH is flying in 5 days after me. How do I add him as a second driver?

 

[Karlzmom]

Thanks all. Sounds like it is not a problem at all. Might be worth it for the $20 savings to guarantee the Int SUV - of course I'm worried about luggage v. the trunk of a full size car and it would completely remove some of the potential *options* such as the minivan we got last time. I know its never a sure bet, but the Aisle has been good to us over the years. Just don't know about traveling the week before Christmas....

Too bad National has a cancel fee that would negate any savings from the Alamo ressie or I'd be tempted to keep both, look at the Exec Aisle and if I don't see anything I like then move over to Alamo for the SUV [of course then I'd need to go back to the kiosk as I couldn't have checked in yet...]

 

[debknight]

Too bad National has a cancel fee that would negate any savings from the Alamo ressie or I'd be tempted to keep both, look at the Exec Aisle and if I don't see anything I like then move over to Alamo for the SUV [of course then I'd need to go back to the kiosk as I couldn't have checked in yet...]

Since when does National have a cancel fee? What exactly does that mean?

 

[ms1031]

Since when does National have a cancel fee? What exactly does that mean?

From Nationals website:

Guaranteed Reservations: Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

"No show"Customers: If the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time, National will charge a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented.

 

[debknight]

Thank you for the information.