National VS Alamo

[rav4lcrv]

I called Alamo since we had an AP rate available and I was quoted an additional $35 drop charge for picking it up at the airport & drop off at the Dolphin, I told the staff member I would get back to her after checking with National, She said I can do that for you right here, National has no drop charge (I'am not sure why she didn't tell me this right away)- they seem very disorganized

 

[DebbieB]

I think eventually they will merge under 1 name. It doesn't make sense to operate both companies separately under the same roof.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by rav4lcrv
I called Alamo since we had an AP rate available and I was quoted an additional $35 drop charge for picking it up at the airport & drop off at the Dolphin, I told the staff member I would get back to her after checking with National, She said I can do that for you right here, National has no drop charge (I'am not sure why she didn't tell me this right away)- they seem very disorganized

she didn't tell you this right away because you did not ask. They are separate companies. She works for Alamo and therefore would not cut that companies profit margin voluntarily.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
she didn't tell you this right away because you did not ask. They are separate companies. She works for Alamo and therefore would not cut that companies profit margin voluntarily.

Are the employees working for separate companies? My impression was that they work for Alamo/National, the combined company. The attendants in the garage work for both, they share cars, the shuttle at WDW is for both. They may be assigned to work for one or the other (like the counters). If she had access to National's computers ("She said I can do that for you right here"), then she is actually working for the combined company. Of course, she wasn't going to volunteer information to save you money.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

they are actually separate companies, paid by separate companies. It is very confusing. But, try and get in a National line for an Alamo reservation and see how long you last there.

 

[DebbieB]

Then who do the garage attendents work for (exit booth, return line, car washers)? They are processing cars for both companies at the same time. I would suspect that the counter people & phone operators are also cross trained on both systems.

The original post said the operator who answered for Alamo could also access National rates. I doubt they could or would also check Avis or Hertz.

It's like someone who works for Pontiac & someone who works for Buick. In the end they both work for GM.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DebbieB
Then who do the garage attendents work for (exit booth, return line, car washers)? They are processing cars for both companies at the same time. I would suspect that the counter people & phone operators are also cross trained on both systems.

The original post said the operator who answered for Alamo could also access National rates. I doubt they could or would also check Avis or Hertz.

It's like someone who works for Pontiac & someone who works for Buick. In the end they both work for GM.

that I cannot answer, but, I can tell you that the counter people and the reservation people are separate. As to cross training, I would imagine you are correct, but, I would not call Alamo to make a reservation for National.