Livid at Alamo & Prepay

[drgnfly30]

I got what I thought was a great rate for a 10 day minivan rental (pre-pay of $355.95), I posted the other day about their Additional Driver fee not being disclosed. Well after I added the additional driver to the reservation they finally disclosed the fee of $8 per day.. fine, still cheaper than my quote from Avis but when I checked my credit card not only did they charge the initial $355.95 but they also charged me the new total of $437.48. I called & was transferred, then I was disconnected, then I called back & was told I needed to address it at the counter (huh?! My rental isn't until June & what if it wasn't a local pick up location?!) I was transferred again where the woman insisted I was not billed twice (duh I work at the credit card company where my card is issued & I can see everything including the authorization codes) she puts me on hold for 10 minutes & finally disconnects the call... Livid I called back & cancelled the reservation & was 'assured' that any & all charges including any cancellation fee would be credited to my accounts. While I'd love to believe that I'm writing a letter of dispute today... Their customer service is non-existent, they are the only company that is charging for spouses as additional drivers that I know of... While you guys might be getting good rates with Alamo, be very careful with those pre-pays! Never again! I just reserved with National for $413.00 (all inclusive).....

Thanks for the vent!

 

[mmouse37]

We just prepaid gas for our Alamo minivan and I know prices are high but we were charged $71.00....that sounded very high to me.

 

[LoveToDisney]

We just prepaid gas for our Alamo minivan and I know prices are high but we were charged $71.00....that sounded very high to me.

We never prepay gas...it's a rip off. They charge you for the amount of gas the tank will hold. My minivan holds more than 30 gallons. You would have to run your tank totally empty to get your money's worth.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

drgnfly, I believe Alamo and National are owned by the same company, so be careful.

We use the coupon from BJs when we rent from Alamo and the addl driver fee is included in the price. I keep all my paperwork with me as there are often discrepencies at pick up.

Good luck.

 

[Brutie]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad time with Alamo. I have personally never used them but have been in the emerald club with National for several years now and just love them. I've never had a problem and on top of my lower rates I can always use a coupon there for extra savings. I love being able to rent at least an intermediate size and then take whatever I want from the lot. Usually I have been lucky enuf to get an SUV for up to 2 weeks and not pay over $200.00, but that doesnt happen each and every time, though I sure wish that it did..lol

Think of joining the Emerald Club at National. When I joined you had to pay for it, but right now they are having free signups to join.

I'd never prepay for gas, it is a rip off. They charge you wayyyyy more a gallon than you could get it for yourself. I'd cancel that if you could and just fill it up yourself.

 

[drgnfly30]

I am an Emerald Club member so even if they are owned by the same Co. the club membership allows me to have my spouse as the additional driver at no additional cost. Plus National allows me to stack codes/coupons whereas Alamo didn't. Not to mention that National didn't require I pre-pay to get the lower prices.... That way I can continue to shop for lower rates as my trip approaches without penalty... lesson learned.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I am an Emerald Club member so even if they are owned by the same Co. the club membership allows me to have my spouse as the additional driver at no additional cost. Plus National allows me to stack codes/coupons whereas Alamo didn't. Not to mention that National didn't require I pre-pay to get the lower prices.... That way I can continue to shop for lower rates as my trip approaches without penalty... lesson learned.

I just stacked coupons and codes (three in fact) when i reserved with Alamo. Unless I'm not understanding your use of the word 'stack'.

So.. you can stack coupons and codes.

J

 

[drgnfly30]

I just stacked coupons and codes (three in fact) when i reserved with Alamo. Unless I'm not understanding your use of the word 'stack'.

So.. you can stack coupons and codes.

J

You cannot Prepay & use a coupon or affiliate code. I used a promo code they listed on their website & with Prepay got a quote of $355.95. When I called to inquire on the Additional Driver fee & if there was a way around it I was told that if I were a Costco member (which I am) their codes included the addt'l driver fee... problem is as soon as I put that code it raised the promo rate to $899.99 - even with their promo code. When I called I was told, you have a choice of the Costco code or Prepay NOT both.

 

[CarolA]

I despise Alamo.

I do realize that Alamo and National are the same company but so far the SHIFTY techniques use at Alamo haven't gotten to National... when they do I will mark them off my list too.

I vote with my pocketbook and Alamo will never get another penny from me.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We just prepaid gas for our Alamo minivan and I know prices are high but we were charged $71.00....that sounded very high to me.

You do not want to prepay for gas, a costly mistake. The pruice per gallon is generally maybe a dime less than what the current price is that you can buy at a station, however, they do charge you for the FULL capacity of the gas tank, every drop. If the tank is 20 gallons, you pay for 20, even though you most likely will return it with at least a few gallons in the tank, if not many. You still pay for a FULL tank. They will usually post the price per gallon as well as the local current prices, and it will be lower, so looks like a deal, but in reality, it is the worst deal. Just an FYI.

 

[FayeW]

Think of joining the Emerald Club at National. When I joined you had to pay for it, but right now they are having free signups to join.

.

Is there a link and/or a code for the free signup?

 

[vellamint]

Is there a link and/or a code for the free signup?

I was just checking out prices on the website yesterday and am almost positive I saw a link right at the top of a page....probably the home page.....for the free sign up.

 

[drgnfly30]

I was just checking out prices on the website yesterday and am almost positive I saw a link right at the top of a page....probably the home page.....for the free sign up.

I saw that link yesterday too... I signed up through a link on Mousesavers some time ago that provided free membership.

 

[ACDSNY]

We've always had great experiences with both Alamo and National. If you're a Costco member and use their codes the additional driver is free and unlimited mileage.

 

[we3disneygo]

we have always had good service.

 

[drgnfly30]

If you're a Costco member and use their codes the additional driver is free and unlimited mileage.

Not possible unless I wanted to bring my rate from $355.95 to $899.99

You cannot Prepay & use a coupon or affiliate code. I used a promo code they listed on their website & with Prepay got a quote of $355.95. When I called to inquire on the Additional Driver fee & if there was a way around it I was told that if I were a Costco member (which I am) their codes included the addt'l driver fee... problem is as soon as I put that code it raised the promo rate to $899.99 - even with their promo code. When I called I was told, you have a choice of the Costco code or Prepay NOT both.

 

[suevee]

Here is what I got in June through BJ's and a e-coupon. Second driver is free. I was told I could pay on-line, but not get the Pre-pay discount. I was told the pre-pay discount is 15% and the BJ's discount is 20%.

I have paid online before using the BJ code, everything was fine until I checked in and they tried to charge me for the second driver. I had my paperwork and took care of it at the kiosk. All went well. Hope this helps.

Dates June 9 to 20 at MCO
Vehicle Type:
Minivan - 7 Passenger/Automatic/Air - Chevrolet Uplander Or Similar


Base Rate - Minivan (USD)
(1) Week Rate ($150.19/week) $150.19
(4) Day Rate ($25.03/day) $100.12
Rate/Product Code BYW3
Contract I.D. 430710
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
(1) Additional Driver Included
Unlimited Miles Included

Subtotal.............................................$250.31

Discounts
Entertainment.com 2006 Web Offer ($25.00)

Subtotal............................................($25.00)

Taxes, Surcharges and Fees
Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 % $22.13
Tire/battery Fee .05/day $0.55
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day $22.00
License Recoupment Fee .43 Usd/day $4.73
State Tax (6.50%) $17.86

Subtotal..............................................$67.27

Estimated Total......................................$292.58

 

[cbbi]

I am sitting here on the floor near the Alamo counter with my sleeping 3 year old on my lap. (Silly boy - he thought he was going to Disneyworld but instead was going for an Alamo campout.) We prepaid - signed up for silver whatever service and are still told we have to wait in this 2 hour line (because computers are down). Also told a refund at this stage is not possible. I heard the complaints about Alamo but thought "won't happen to us." Should've listened to all of the warnings. Never - ever again -- ANY car rental agency but Alamo. Tell Mickey and Minnie we said hi - looks like we won't ever be leaving the airport.

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I am sitting here on the floor near the Alamo counter with my sleeping 3 year old on my lap. (Silly boy - he thought he was going to Disneyworld but instead was going for an Alamo campout.) We prepaid - signed up for silver whatever service and are still told we have to wait in this 2 hour line (because computers are down). Also told a refund at this stage is not possible. I heard the complaints about Alamo but thought "won't happen to us." Should've listened to all of the warnings. Never - ever again -- ANY car rental agency but Alamo. Tell Mickey and Minnie we said hi - looks like we won't ever be leaving the airport.

I hope you made it out of the airport

 

[HappyLawyer]

I am sorry it happened to you, i use alamo and i have never had a problem with them, after the first disconnect, i would have disputed it with the credit card company.