Official Car rental September 2013...advice please

[gmeh1]

Good!

One of their coupons they say is at capacity is one of the Visa ones I got ON THEIR WEBSITE! They provided it and said here, this will save you an extra $15 off your rental....wait, no...you don't get that one, sorry, our bad. What? How does that work? That is like Walmart giving you a coupon as you walk in the door to use, then at the register saying no, we have decided we gave too many out.

No, it is not like walmart giving you a coupon. These coupons are capacity controlled. And, if you read the terms and conditions of these coupons, you would see verbage like this. I just grabbed a coupon offer for illustration. "This offer is available for the rental of an Economy car or higher at participating Alamo locations in the US and Canada; not valid in Manhattan, NY. Valid for rentals July 27 through September 8, 2013. Minimum three-day rental required, with a five-day maximum. Rental must include a Saturday overnight stay. Offer cannot be combined with another and standard rental qualifications apply. Drivers under age 25 may have to pay higher rates. The dollars-off amount is prorated against the base rate for the length of your rental. Here are some things that might cost you extra: taxes, government charges of up to 23%, recoupment fees of up to $2 per day or $3 per rental, airport fees of up to $6 per day or $19 per rental, refueling, additional driver fees, one-way rental charges, and optional items (e.g., CDW Waiver Savers up to $30 per day). Check your insurance policy and/or credit card for rental vehicle coverage. Availability is limited. This offer may change without notice. And, unfortunately, blackout dates may apply. Offer void where prohibited."

 

[spacemountain1971]

My only point about coupons with Alamo is that these capacity codes are new in my experience. I have used coupons in December, June and September for the past several years with no difficulty. This year there is not a single week in September that I can find that will allow me to use either Alamo's internal coupons (Insiders) or the recently released VISA coupon for that time period.

And yes September is seeing an increase in activity in Orlando but I would say that it is still lower capacity than summer. The Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld would agree with me.

 

[Gruff320]

I just tried Alamo again with the Visa coupon and Southwest code and had no errors. It went to the second page that lists all the car categories and prices. No errors and I figured out why: I'm booking a rental from the Disney Car Care Center. I tried to see if I could book a car from MCO with the codes and I received the Capacity Check error. So the coupon is still available at other locations, just not at the Orlando Airport.

 

[K9pal]

I just tried Alamo again with the Visa coupon and Southwest code and had no errors. It went to the second page that lists all the car categories and prices. No errors and I figured out why: I'm booking a rental from the Disney Car Care Center. I tried to see if I could book a car from MCO with the codes and I received the Capacity Check error. So the coupon is still available at other locations, just not at the Orlando Airport.

Interesting. I can't help but think Alamo monitors these boards and is well aware of how we share info, and maybe trying to crack down on it. Lots of changes in the past year, none of them good for customers IMHO.

 

[aubriee]

OK, now I am confused. For the last couple of weeks when I enter the AD2338FDF coupon I've gotten the Capacity reached message. However, back on July 2nd, I was able to combine that coupon with the Costco ID and got a nine day ressie for a Standard for $174.66. For some reason they never sent it to my email, but I was able to pull it up online on the Alamo site and print it. I then tried to email it to myself, but for some strange reason still couldn't get it to go through to my email. I do still have the print out I did from the Alamo site though. I just now went to the Alamo site to look at it again under my account, upcoming reservations and it won't pull up. Instead, I'm getting a message there that the capacity for the coupon is reached and is now unavailable. Will Alamo honor the print out I have, even though I can't pull it up now on their site?

Aubriee, I really in all honesty cannot answer that question. I hate to make it seem like I am dusting you off, but, you really need to call Alamo. Please, let me know the outcome of this.

OK, I just called Alamo. The rep was able to look up my reservation and even quoted me the right price. However, she also said that when she looked on the site that we see, that she got the same coupon is unavailable screen and it won't let her look at the reservation there either. She tried twice to email it to me from the first page she was looking at, but couldn't get it to go through to either of my emails. She told me it would probably be honored though, since I had the Alamo print out, that I printed the day I made the reservation. What the heck? I don't want a probably. I want to know the price they quoted me back on July 2nd will be the price I pay in Sept. It looks like if I have the original print out, my Costco card, and pay with a Visa that they would have to honor the price. Since they can't seem to email me the confirmation and I can't pull up the reservation on their site anymore, even though the confirmation number shows up under upcoming reservations, I am sure glad I printed off the confirmation from the Alamo site, as soon as I booked it earlier this month. I sure wish Alamo would get the kinks worked out of their site. I hate their new website.

Oh one other strange thing she said: she said she saw whereI booked through the Costco website. No I booked through the Alamo site using my Costco ID and a Visa coupon.

 

[katallo]

OK, I just called Alamo. The rep was able to look up my reservation and even quoted me the right price. However, she also said that when she looked on the site that we see, that she got the same coupon is unavailable screen and it won't let her look at the reservation there either. She tried twice to email it to me from the first page she was looking at, but couldn't get it to go through to either of my emails. She told me it would probably be honored though, since I had the Alamo print out, that I printed the day I made the reservation. What the heck? I don't want a probably. I want to know the price they quoted me back on July 2nd will be the price I pay in Sept. It looks like if I have the original print out, my Costco card, and pay with a Visa that they would have to honor the price. Since they can't seem to email me the confirmation and I can't pull up the reservation on their site anymore, even though the confirmation number shows up under upcoming reservations, I am sure glad I printed off the confirmation from the Alamo site, as soon as I booked it earlier this month. I sure wish Alamo would get the kinks worked out of their site. I hate their new website.

Oh one other strange thing she said: she said she saw whereI booked through the Costco website. No I booked through the Alamo site using my Costco ID and a Visa coupon.

I think everyone does! If you don't have a problem with Dollar, check their website. Last night, that had great pricing by just using City Specials. I really liked Alamo, but have given up. We are trying to secure two completely different reservations and each time we have to clear all cookies and history in order to proceed.

 

[gmeh1]

My only point about coupons with Alamo is that these capacity codes are new in my experience. I have used coupons in December, June and September for the past several years with no difficulty. This year there is not a single week in September that I can find that will allow me to use either Alamo's internal coupons (Insiders) or the recently released VISA coupon for that time period.

And yes September is seeing an increase in activity in Orlando but I would say that it is still lower capacity than summer. The Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld would agree with me.

And, having worked at MCO for National/Alamo, I would, respectfully, disagree with the Unofficial guide. Yes, it is lower capacity, but, not that much lower.
What are your dates? Did you try cleaning your cache? I will admit, this does seem odd.

 

[gmeh1]

OK, I just called Alamo. The rep was able to look up my reservation and even quoted me the right price. However, she also said that when she looked on the site that we see, that she got the same coupon is unavailable screen and it won't let her look at the reservation there either. She tried twice to email it to me from the first page she was looking at, but couldn't get it to go through to either of my emails. She told me it would probably be honored though, since I had the Alamo print out, that I printed the day I made the reservation. What the heck? I don't want a probably. I want to know the price they quoted me back on July 2nd will be the price I pay in Sept. It looks like if I have the original print out, my Costco card, and pay with a Visa that they would have to honor the price. Since they can't seem to email me the confirmation and I can't pull up the reservation on their site anymore, even though the confirmation number shows up under upcoming reservations, I am sure glad I printed off the confirmation from the Alamo site, as soon as I booked it earlier this month. I sure wish Alamo would get the kinks worked out of their site. I hate their new website.

Oh one other strange thing she said: she said she saw whereI booked through the Costco website. No I booked through the Alamo site using my Costco ID and a Visa coupon.

I would say they will honor your printed quote. If she can pull it up, then the folks at the airport can too. Maybe cause you used the Costco code it reverts back to Costco making it look like you rented via them. Can you access reservations on the Costco site? If so, check there. Just trying to help here.

 

[gmeh1]

I just tried Alamo again with the Visa coupon and Southwest code and had no errors. It went to the second page that lists all the car categories and prices. No errors and I figured out why: I'm booking a rental from the Disney Car Care Center. I tried to see if I could book a car from MCO with the codes and I received the Capacity Check error. So the coupon is still available at other locations, just not at the Orlando Airport.

Makes sense. Capactiy reached at MCO, not other places.

 

[gmeh1]

Interesting. I can't help but think Alamo monitors these boards and is well aware of how we share info, and maybe trying to crack down on it. Lots of changes in the past year, none of them good for customers IMHO.

The only change has been the design of their web site, which I totally dislike. The "bug" of having to clear history and cache is a pain in the neck. Capacity codes have always been in the mix, nothing new there. BUT, with all the complaints, I am thinking it is more than just having reached capacity. They monitor, for sure, just not as much as one would think they should.

 

[ktate82]

No, it is not like walmart giving you a coupon. These coupons are capacity controlled. And, if you read the terms and conditions of these coupons, you would see verbage like this. I just grabbed a coupon offer for illustration. "This offer is available for the rental of an Economy car or higher at participating Alamo locations in the US and Canada; not valid in Manhattan, NY. Valid for rentals July 27 through September 8, 2013. Minimum three-day rental required, with a five-day maximum. Rental must include a Saturday overnight stay. Offer cannot be combined with another and standard rental qualifications apply. Drivers under age 25 may have to pay higher rates. The dollars-off amount is prorated against the base rate for the length of your rental. Here are some things that might cost you extra: taxes, government charges of up to 23%, recoupment fees of up to $2 per day or $3 per rental, airport fees of up to $6 per day or $19 per rental, refueling, additional driver fees, one-way rental charges, and optional items (e.g., CDW Waiver Savers up to $30 per day). Check your insurance policy and/or credit card for rental vehicle coverage. Availability is limited. This offer may change without notice. And, unfortunately, blackout dates may apply. Offer void where prohibited."

That's fine that they limit them, but when they are done, they should be taken off the Alamo website is all I'm saying. The coupon code I got was off their site.

 

[nuzmom]

I don't get the error code. We are renting with Alamo from Aug 31 to Sept 14. I am able to book a new reservation using the Visa coupon without the capacity error.
Maybe the dates you are looking for are blacked out? (but don't know why that would be the case)

 

[Ckmommy72]

Just got a great rate from Alamo with the Edvantage discount, 20% off plus a double upgrade. Not sure what kind of discount this is (direct link to book on the Alamo site came up in google when searching for discounts), but I read the terms and conditions and it doesn't say anything about any required memberships, coupons, etc.

Sept 24-28, compact upgraded to a standard for $98.xx all in. I have a slightly better rate booked with dollar ( which I will keep just in case), but with Alamo, we get an upgrade from standard to full size due to the lack of standard aisle at MCO and DH can drive for free since I'm an insider.

Anyway, it's contract id 7015360 and Coupon Code AU4224FDC.

 

[Belle599]

Just got a great rate from Alamo with the Edvantage discount, 20% off plus a double upgrade. Not sure what kind of discount this is (direct link to book on the Alamo site came up in google when searching for discounts), but I read the terms and conditions and it doesn't say anything about any required memberships, coupons, etc.

Sept 24-28, compact upgraded to a standard for $98.xx all in. I have a slightly better rate booked with dollar ( which I will keep just in case), but with Alamo, we get an upgrade from standard to full size due to the lack of standard aisle at MCO and DH can drive for free since I'm an insider.

Anyway, it's contract id 7015360 and Coupon Code AU4224FDC.

Not certain, but I believe that Edvantage is a discount program to Ontario teachers/educators.

 

[gmeh1]

That's fine that they limit them, but when they are done, they should be taken off the Alamo website is all I'm saying. The coupon code I got was off their site.

The capacity is set for each location, so, if MCO is at capacity and CCC is not, why would they take it down. Those coupons are good for all locations, taking it down because one location is at capacity would make no sense.

 

[gmeh1]

Just got a great rate from Alamo with the Edvantage discount, 20% off plus a double upgrade. Not sure what kind of discount this is (direct link to book on the Alamo site came up in google when searching for discounts), but I read the terms and conditions and it doesn't say anything about any required memberships, coupons, etc.

Sept 24-28, compact upgraded to a standard for $98.xx all in. I have a slightly better rate booked with dollar ( which I will keep just in case), but with Alamo, we get an upgrade from standard to full size due to the lack of standard aisle at MCO and DH can drive for free since I'm an insider.

Anyway, it's contract id 7015360 and Coupon Code AU4224FDC.

Did you sign in via the Insider log in? If not you will need to let them know you are an Insider otherwise they will charge you for the add. driver.

 

[mla973]

I was thinking about renting a convertible for one day of our Sept trip... Mostly for fun. We are staying at BCV so I was thinking that renting from the Dolphin would be the easiest. I received a rate of $155 (inc taxes). Does that sound reasonable for one day?

 

[Ckmommy72]

Did you sign in via the Insider log in? If not you will need to let them know you are an Insider otherwise they will charge you for the add. driver.

I did, thanks! My insider # is listed on my confirmation email. I will also check in online and give DH's info so we can use the kiosk.

 

[gmeh1]

I was thinking about renting a convertible for one day of our Sept trip... Mostly for fun. We are staying at BCV so I was thinking that renting from the Dolphin would be the easiest. I received a rate of $155 (inc taxes). Does that sound reasonable for one day?

No, not at all.

 

[gmeh1]

I did, thanks! My insider # is listed on my confirmation email. I will also check in online and give DH's info so we can use the kiosk.

You don't need to check in online in order to use the kiosk and there have been some reports that the add driver gets charged when you do that. It's not supposed to do that, but, with this new site, you never know.