My Experience with Alamo: Good but a little hard sell

[mermaidwannabe]

Just wanted to let you all know about my experience with Alamo 2 weeks ago. Got a great rate on a standard (12 days for $213). Based on these boards, I knew to use the kiosk, but I ended up stopping in the middle of using the kiosk because it was adding $9.99 per day for my spouse to be an additional driver, and I couldn't remember if it would show up or not. SO, went to the counter where I felt the very hard sell. He showed me a picture of a car that I'm pretty sure was not a standard to show how many people and pieces of luggage and really urged me to get something else. (I have 3 girls and their luggage was fairly small so knew from original ressie they would fit especially if I took everyone's advice to get the Impala). I said no thank you that I liked my rate, and he shook his head and said that some of us would have to have luggage on our laps. I did NOT like this guy! Anyways, because of you all, I knew we could choose from fullsize since there wasn't a standard row there, and that Impala was amazing for trunk size!! Loved that car. Just letting you all know so you don't get bamboozled at the counter. Thanks for everyone's advice!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

There's a reason I won't rent from Alamo... my sanity is worth something LOL!

 

[andrews_dad]

Here is the best way to use Alamo with no up-sell worry....

Sign up to be an Insider (free). This gets you a FREE spouse as 2nd driver. BUT, you can't add the spouse online or at Kiosk. You do it as you exit garage.

So, book online with insiders acct number and the best code you can find (costco plus the -$35 coupon best combo I found lately, I paid $257 all in for 10 days of mini van at MCO in June). When you get your confirmation email, you can click teh save time link to pre-enter your preferences and info. When you land at MCO, head to Alamo and use a Kiosk. Usually no line at the Kiosks. They will try to up sell you with some clicks at the Kiosk, but no problems clicking no. The Kiosk prints your ticket. Head to garage and pick out anything from your reserved row... I have hear of SUV and mini van in the full size row at MCO at alamo but I would not COUNT on that every time. As you exit, hand your paperwork and the spouse's Driver's Li to the man/woman at the exit gate. State you would like to add a FREE second driver with your insiders card perk. Adds about 60 seconds to the check out as they must type things in for the spouse. I was always a Budget renter before but I was VERY pleased with Alamo this time and will go with the cheaper from now on. Budget I can go straight to the garage, and I worried that alamo would add time with the Kiosk need... but that aded only 2-4 minutes to my trip total so that is no concern....

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Next time I will know to add driver at the exit, thank you! Loved the car and the rate and would not hesitate to book with them again, just didn't appreciate the hard sell at 10PM after a full day of flying. Really loved the Impala. The fullsize row was mostly Impalas and Camry's.

 

[kiki02]

Next time I will know to add driver at the exit, thank you! Loved the car and the rate and would not hesitate to book with them again, just didn't appreciate the hard sell at 10PM after a full day of flying. Really loved the Impala. The fullsize row was mostly Impalas and Camry's.

Also had the hard sell from alamo. what do you all mean by 'add the driver at the exit'? As in, do it in the parking lot, not inside airport desk? thanks

 

[TamaraQT]

I think Alamo has fixed the "glitch" in their system for adding the additional driver. It used to add the $9.99 per day when you entered the additional driver info. I have experienced it myself. However, like other post said, you can do it at the exit booth which is what I used to do. But this year, I was able to add it to the reservation. It still shows the $9.99 per day, but if you go over to the right column, you will see that no charge is added to the rental agreement. So I "ASSUME" the problem that used to exist is now resolved. I think that the $9.99 is still a line item which causes us to proceed with caution. However, to be on the safe side, I would also recommend having the agent at the exit booth add it. Because it is definitely one of the perks of being an Alamo Insiders member.

Also, to the OP, thanks for giving me info on the Impala. I have one reserved for my upcoming vacation....7/18 - 7/28. I have a full size Impala for $139!! I am loving my rate!! But I am glad to hear the Impalas are plentiful. A Camry would work for us too but I was really looking forward to the Impala. Thanks again!!

 

[gmeh1]

There's a reason I won't rent from Alamo... my sanity is worth something LOL!

All rental car companies do the hard sell thing. Just use the Insider's and the kiosk, or just the kiosk. It is not that difficult.

 

[gmeh1]

I think Alamo has fixed the "glitch" in their system for adding the additional driver. It used to add the $9.99 per day when you entered the additional driver info. I have experienced it myself. However, like other post said, you can do it at the exit booth which is what I used to do. But this year, I was able to add it to the reservation. It still shows the $9.99 per day, but if you go over to the right column, you will see that no charge is added to the rental agreement. So I "ASSUME" the problem that used to exist is now resolved. I think that the $9.99 is still a line item which causes us to proceed with caution. However, to be on the safe side, I would also recommend having the agent at the exit booth add it. Because it is definitely one of the perks of being an Alamo Insiders member.

Also, to the OP, thanks for giving me info on the Impala. I have one reserved for my upcoming vacation....7/18 - 7/28. I have a full size Impala for $139!! I am loving my rate!! But I am glad to hear the Impalas are plentiful. A Camry would work for us too but I was really looking forward to the Impala. Thanks again!!

You have a full size, Impala or similar, we don't guarantee the make of the car. However, that being said, we almost always have Impalas on the line, if not, just ask either the greeter or the customer service booth in the garage.

 

[gmeh1]

Also had the hard sell from alamo. what do you all mean by 'add the driver at the exit'? As in, do it in the parking lot, not inside airport desk? thanks

As in the exit booth as you are leaving the garage. Or, use the kiosk.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Forgot to add that bringing the car back at 5AM went very quickly. It took maybe five minutes. I'm not trying to bash Alamo - I really loved my deal and car. Just wanted to reiterate the tip to bypass the counter. Will definitely go with them again.

 

[caroli]

Here is the best way to use Alamo with no up-sell worry....

Sign up to be an Insider (free). This gets you a FREE spouse as 2nd driver. BUT, you can't add the spouse online or at Kiosk. You do it as you exit garage.

So, book online with insiders acct number and the best code you can find (costco plus the -$35 coupon best combo I found lately, I paid $257 all in for 10 days of mini van at MCO in June). When you get your confirmation email, you can click teh save time link to pre-enter your preferences and info. When you land at MCO, head to Alamo and use a Kiosk. Usually no line at the Kiosks. They will try to up sell you with some clicks at the Kiosk, but no problems clicking no. The Kiosk prints your ticket. Head to garage and pick out anything from your reserved row... I have hear of SUV and mini van in the full size row at MCO at alamo but I would not COUNT on that every time. As you exit, hand your paperwork and the spouse's Driver's Li to the man/woman at the exit gate. State you would like to add a FREE second driver with your insiders card perk. Adds about 60 seconds to the check out as they must type things in for the spouse. I was always a Budget renter before but I was VERY pleased with Alamo this time and will go with the cheaper from now on. Budget I can go straight to the garage, and I worried that alamo would add time with the Kiosk need... but that aded only 2-4 minutes to my trip total so that is no concern....

Thanks for the info. Do you know if it works exactly the same at Tampa's Airport's location?

 

[scrapper2k]

We own an Impala and loooove the trunk space. You won't believe what you can squash in there.