National or Alamo Rental Car at Tampa

[jeffreyml]

If you had your choice, which company would you choose? Funny thing happened to me while making my reservations for Tampa in August, Alamo e-mailed me and asked if I was going to keep my current reservations (3 to be exact) because they were having difficulties with the reservation system. I have 2 with National(1 Suv & 1 Mini-van) and 1 with Alamo for a regular SUV. I'm still not sure which way I'm going to go. I replied to her that I would be glad to drop the other reservations as long as she could garuntee me a competitive rate to lock in for my rental. Of course, she never responded back.

 

[shellbelle]

We rented from Alamo in Tampa in May. We were quite happy with the service. I would go with whichever one has the better price.

They are owned by the same company. They are located in the same building and you ride the same shuttle to get to and from the airport to their location. The shuttle ride was short. I would definately use them again.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

We rented from Alamo in Tampa in May. We were quite happy with the service. I would go with whichever one has the better price.

They are owned by the same company. They are located in the same building and you ride the same shuttle to get to and from the airport to their location. The shuttle ride was short. I would definately use them again.

I am glad you had a positive experience. We are using Alamo in Sept. and were concerned. The price has gone down several times since I first booked, so it looks like we go with Alamo.

 

[mareed]

Does anyone know for sure if some companies are at the terminal at Tampa like at MCO? It looks like this is the case when checking Travelocity. If so, I'd prefer one at the terminal. It looks like Budget, Thrifty, Avis, Dollar, Enterprise, & Hertz are at the terminal. Alamo and National appear to be the only main companies that require a Shuttle. Is this accurate? For our dates in Sept/Oct, Budget is the cheapest so that's who we're with for now.

 

[shellbelle]

I can't remember which rental car companies were located in the airport. At the time when I was checking pricing, Alamo was cheapest so I went with it. I usually do not like to shuttle either. But when we were there, Tampa airport was really easy to get around and the Alamo location was within 5 minutes away. I would go with the cheapest. Sign up with the individual websites. They send out specials all the time. Good luck!

 

[Leigha]

The airport's web site will tell you.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Does anyone know for sure if some companies are at the terminal at Tampa like at MCO? It looks like this is the case when checking Travelocity. If so, I'd prefer one at the terminal. It looks like Budget, Thrifty, Avis, Dollar, Enterprise, & Hertz are at the terminal. Alamo and National appear to be the only main companies that require a Shuttle. Is this accurate? For our dates in Sept/Oct, Budget is the cheapest so that's who we're with for now.

We flew home from TPA in May and dropped off our car at Alamo. We passed a lot of off-site rental companies along the same road as Alamo/National. I can't recall all of the names. We don't normally like to do shuttles either but this was only about a 2 min. ride. I always Google whatever airport I fly in/out of, click on "Ground Transportation" and it will list on and off site rental companies. Here is what I found at TPA's website. Good Luck





Rental Car Companies (Located at Airport)
Rental Counters are located in the Red Baggage Claim Area and across the walkway in the Blue Baggage Claim Area.
Avis (800) 831-2847
(813) 396-3500
Budget (800) 527-0700
(813) 877-6051
Dollar (800) 800-4000
(813) 396-3640
Hertz (800) 654-3131
(813) 874-3232
Enterprise (800) 736-8222
(813) 396-4000
Thrifty (800) 847-4389
(813) 348-0607

Rental Car Companies (Located Off Airport)
Courtesy vehicle service is provided from the Commercial Ground Transportation Quadrants located in all four corners of the Baggage Claim Level.
Alamo (813) 396-4140
E-Z Rent A Car (800) 277-5171
(813) 287-9787
National (813) 396-4140
Payless (813) 289-6554
Specialty Auto Rentals (813) 639-9611
U Save Auto Rental of Florida (813) 287-1872

 

[ShelbyR]

We rented from National at MCO and returned the car to Tampa last Friday. The shuttle ride is short and three buses pulled up in the 5 minutes we were waiting. Only one caveat for those returning a car to that location in the near future-- Spruce Street (location of most off-site car rental) is under construction (imagine!), so concrete barricades line both sides of the street. The National/Alamo location is a bit off by itself, and the barricades make the entrance very easy to miss!

 

[jeffreyml]

Do you think that National has the better selection or Alamo. With my National reservation it's Emerald Reserve so I can pick whatever vehicle we like on the reserved vehicle Isle. I'm not sure how Alamo does thier rentals at Tampa.

 

[ShelbyR]

Personally I would not give up Emerald Aisle/Emerald Reserve. It's just too easy.

 

[jeffreyml]

I agree. That's the way I'm leaning. It's only $23 dollars more to rent with National and use the Emerald Reserve. I'm sure Alamo would be fine but I've never had any problems with National....