National Car Rental vs. Alamo - Opinions

[georgina]

When you do skip the counter with Alamo, how do you do that when you reserve on Costco? We normally don't rent a car while there, but we are this time, so want to make sure I'm doing it correctly to avoid the line lol. TIA

Your Costco confirmation also lists an Alamo confirmation number. I go to the Alamo website, click on online checkin, and enter my info using the Alamo confirmation. There is a place to click to enter the 2nd driver info also. Once checked in, there is another step to skip the counter. Once you do that it gives you a bar code, which I always print out, but you may be able to just keep on your mobile device, that you need show at the exit booth when you skip the counter, along with your driver license and credit card. I have never been asked to show my Costco membership, but I always have it along with me just in case. Then once you have your luggage walk over to the rental garage, to the Alamo aisle which corresponds to your type of car, pick one, and drive off.

 

[_19disnA]

I would check around to see which company offers you the best discount from whatever sources you happen to have (i.e. Costco, credit cards....etc) and use them. To me it just a matter of price and convenience, they all rent cars/SUV's so none of that matters, just pick the one where you get the best price. Always USED to use National, but when they combined with Alamo, noticed the service was terrible in certain cities and they frequently had longer lines then others car companies. Only use Avis now and the ability to go directly to your car saves a lot of time (although some other rental car companies also do that).

Probably all of them now have a website and making the reservation online is easy and you avoid that annoying phone maize of push 2 for this/push 4 for that you typically get at most places you call. I laugh when those automated systems ask you to enter your 27 digit account number and then when you finally get a real person they ask AGAIN for the account # ......saying they are unable to see what I entered.........LOL.