Official Car rental September 2013...advice please

[gmeh1]

I have a reservation for 9/24-9/28 with Alamo, using (I beleive, I went through so many different combos) just the costco contract code. I have an email confirmation, and it is all correct. I went in to view the reservation today, just cuz I'm neurotic like that, and it won't pull up my reservation. Not when I click on View/Modify or even when I click Check In. I get the message "Could not validate coupon, continued without coupon", on the screen where I enter my res# and name, but it won't go beyond that. gmeh1, maybe you've had eperience with something like this? I just want to be sure my reservation is still ok and valid. I imagine with an email confirmation, i'll be fine, but I don't want to have to got to the desk and deal with an issue. I want to hit the kiosk and go!!

For some reason that seems to be happening to quite a few people.. Just print your email confirmation and you will be fine. If you want to double check, give them a call. You might not be able to check in online because of the coupon, what coupon did you use? You can try the kiosk when you get there and failing that, sadly you will have to use the counter. The exit booth cannot help you in this situation.

 

[Ckmommy72]

For some reason that seems to be happening to quite a few people.. Just print your email confirmation and you will be fine. If you want to double check, give them a call. You might not be able to check in online because of the coupon, what coupon did you use? You can try the kiosk when you get there and failing that, sadly you will have to use the counter. The exit booth cannot help you in this situation.

I didn't think i used a coupon on this one, just the costco contract id, but I might have used a coupon as well, honestly not positive. LOL I will just bring the email printout with me. Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

What were the codes and coupons you used?

Didn't use any. I'm an Alamo Insider, so that got me the free upgrade to the standard car. It's only about 10 days before I go so that probably helped as well.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

Didn't use any. I'm an Alamo Insider, so that got me the free upgrade to the standard car. It's only about 10 days before I go so that probably helped as well.

Awesome, thanks for the heads up. I currently have the same thing booked but I'm 16 days out so I'll keep checking.

 

[gmeh1]

I didn't think i used a coupon on this one, just the costco contract id, but I might have used a coupon as well, honestly not positive. LOL I will just bring the email printout with me. Thanks!

LOL, well, you probably would not get that error message unless you did use a coupon (but, with Alamo's site lately, it is totally possible). The print out will show if you did or did not use one.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I just booked a minivan rental with EZ Rental through SouthWest's website, from 9/18 to 9/28, for $305.25, including taxes and fees.

Did you "Like" their Facebook page for he discount too. I had the pop up to put in the confirmation and it took off 5% more.

 

[aubriee]

I have a reservation for 9/24-9/28 with Alamo, using (I beleive, I went through so many different combos) just the costco contract code. I have an email confirmation, and it is all correct. I went in to view the reservation today, just cuz I'm neurotic like that, and it won't pull up my reservation. Not when I click on View/Modify or even when I click Check In. I get the message "Could not validate coupon, continued without coupon", on the screen where I enter my res# and name, but it won't go beyond that. gmeh1, maybe you've had eperience with something like this? I just want to be sure my reservation is still ok and valid. I imagine with an email confirmation, i'll be fine, but I don't want to have to got to the desk and deal with an issue. I want to hit the kiosk and go!!

I get the exact same message and have since midJuly. I booked for 9/14-9/22 using the Costco and Visa codes through Alamo. Thankfully I printed the confirmation off from the Alamo site as soon as I booked it, because for some reason they never sent me an email confirming it. A few days later I went to the Alamo site to send a copy of it to my email and started getting the exact same message you are getting. It showed the confirmation number under upcoming reservations in my profile, but when I click on it, it said could not validate coupon. When I called Alamo the CR said she could see it on her screen and even told me the correct price. However when she then went to the same screen we see on the site, she got the same message. She then went back and tried several times to email me the confirmation but for some reason never could get it to go through. She then said, they would probably honor it as long as I had the printed confirmation I originally printed, as the CR at MCO should be able to see it on the same screen she did. I really hate Alamo's new site. I have since reserved another reservation with Budget through the Costco site, that I am probably going to keep. I'm not sure I trust them not to charge me more, when I return the car. When I try to rebook now, it won't even accept the Costco and Visa codes, even after I clear the history and cookies on my comoputer. It just says something about coupon at capacity or not available. I really wanted to use Alamo though.

 

[ktate82]

I'm ready for the prices to drop. We have a full sized car for $191 for 9/16-9/25, so that's not "too bad", but this wait is driving me crazy!

 

[auger]

So, did anyone else receive Alamo's email yesterday for a free upgrade?
The code isn't valid because it is an expired promotion!
Book by July 31 for travel by Aug 14!
Really?!?!

 

[Ckmommy72]

LOL, well, you probably would not get that error message unless you did use a coupon (but, with Alamo's site lately, it is totally possible). The print out will show if you did or did not use one.

I tried looking and didn't see a coupon listed...where on the confirmation would it be. LOL If I did use a coupon, I want to make sure it's one I have with me (or am at least entitled to...)

This is what it says under rate information (don't see a coupon):

Rates & Charges
4 Day(s) @17.00 $ 68.00
Customer Facility Charge 2.50/day $ 10.00
Airport Access Fee 10 Pct (10.0%) $ 6.40
Tire/battery Fee .02/day $ 0.08
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day $ 8.00
Vehicle License Fee .71/day $ 2.84
Sales Tax (6.5%) $ 5.75
UNLIMITED MILEAGE INCLUDED
$rateAndChargePairObject.key INCLUDED
Total Savings -6.80

Estimated Total: $ 94.27

 

[skw444]

Checked again today and Alamo is down $14 from my last lowest rate. $136.16 for a standard from 8/31-9/7.

 

[gmeh1]

So, did anyone else receive Alamo's email yesterday for a free upgrade?
The code isn't valid because it is an expired promotion!
Book by July 31 for travel by Aug 14!
Really?!?!

August 14,2014. It is quite valid.

Free Single Upgrade + Insiders 10% Discount


In addition to your Insiders 10% discount, receive a free car class upgrade on your rental in the United States or Canada. Available on Compact through Midsize cars. Offer valid for rentals reserved by July 31, 2014, for travel from August 1, 2013 - August 14, 2014.

You have to read all of it.

 

[goofy4tink]

So, did anyone else receive Alamo's email yesterday for a free upgrade?
The code isn't valid because it is an expired promotion!
Book by July 31 for travel by Aug 14!
Really?!?!

Expires in 2014! I got the same email yesterday, and it gave me the same price that I got booking earlier...with free upgrade.

 

[westcoastgal]

Expires in 2014! I got the same email yesterday, and it gave me the same price that I got booking earlier...with free upgrade.

I got this email and will try it. So far, my best deal has been through Costco with Budget. It includes a free second driver and it does NOT have to be a spouse, partner or family member. I confirmed that it can be my friend traveling with me. We are not a couple, as an earlier poster asked, so I was worried we would have to pay $10/day to add a driver.
I have tried using Visa codes and still get capacity check code invalid messages. Part of me wants to just say screw it! And pay whatever it costs to get away from this stress and constant checking and rechecking but I know I'll kick myself if I pay too much.
I bought our DW tickets thru Undercovertourist and now wonder if their car rental discount would've been a good bet? I guess it's too late now anyways.
My concern is the reviews for Budget at MCO. I read that you must buy supplemental insurance and are charged for extras. A common complaint seems to be that the quote never matches the actual bill.
National has the best reviews but at this point, is more than $120 more expensive.
I am going to see if Budget has a "pay now" option as that could lessen the chances of a surprise charge on my bill or am I off base?
Still looking for best deal for 4 people/4 to 5 suitcase fitting car for Sept 21-29. Pick up at MCO at 1:30pm and drop off at 5:30pm. Basically charged for 9 days.
Is it better to just bite the bullet and pay more to rent through National or Alamo? Is there a big difference?

 

[aubriee]

I got this email and will try it. So far, my best deal has been through Costco with Budget. It includes a free second driver and it does NOT have to be a spouse, partner or family member. I confirmed that it can be my friend traveling with me. We are not a couple, as an earlier poster asked, so I was worried we would have to pay $10/day to add a driver.
I have tried using Visa codes and still get capacity check code invalid messages. Part of me wants to just say screw it! And pay whatever it costs to get away from this stress and constant checking and rechecking but I know I'll kick myself if I pay too much.
I bought our DW tickets thru Undercovertourist and now wonder if their car rental discount would've been a good bet? I guess it's too late now anyways.
My concern is the reviews for Budget at MCO. I read that you must buy supplemental insurance and are charged for extras. A common complaint seems to be that the quote never matches the actual bill.
National has the best reviews but at this point, is more than $120 more expensive.
I am going to see if Budget has a "pay now" option as that could lessen the chances of a surprise charge on my bill or am I off base?
Still looking for best deal for 4 people/4 to 5 suitcase fitting car for Sept 21-29. Pick up at MCO at 1:30pm and drop off at 5:30pm. Basically charged for 9 days.
Is it better to just bite the bullet and pay more to rent through National or Alamo? Is there a big difference?

For both our trips this past Oct/Nov and again in May we booked Budget through the Costco website and didn't have a problem. As soon as they started talking about insurance, I told them I didn't want it as I had rental car coverage through both my Visa cc and my regular car insurance. The lady at the desk said no problem and then offered me two different cars. We chose what we wanted then walked out to the garage, hopped in the car, showed the paperwork and our driver licenses to the gate agent and left. Yeah, the second driver was free. Return was a breeze. The lady looked the car over quickly, checked the gas gauge and we were on our way. Both times we were charged what the original quote was. Both cars were clean and low mileage. We had no problems at all with Budget and in fact my current reservation is for Budget through the Costco site. I'll be there Sept 14th-22nd with a 12N pickup and 5PM drop off so also nine days and currently have a midsize for $159.00.

 

[auger]

August 14,2014. It is quite valid.

Free Single Upgrade + Insiders 10% Discount


In addition to your Insiders 10% discount, receive a free car class upgrade on your rental in the United States or Canada. Available on Compact through Midsize cars. Offer valid for rentals reserved by July 31, 2014, for travel from August 1, 2013 - August 14, 2014.

You have to read all of it.

LOL!!!!! I read the dates, but didn't notice the year!!!

However, when I got the email, I did try to book through the link, and everytime I tried, I got an error message for the coupon.
I have not been able to get it to take.
I have tried directly through the link, as well as putting the code in myself.
That is why I went back and re-read it, and noticed the dates. Well, the first half of the dates!!!

So I wonder why I cannot get it to apply to my rentals?

 

[SAT887]

So if I need to be added as an added driver to our Alamo reservation - can I do this through the online check in? I really don't want to wait in line to avoid the charge since we made sure that my husband had an insider account with this reservation.

 

[goofy4tink]

So if I need to be added as an added driver to our Alamo reservation - can I do this through the online check in? I really don't want to wait in line to avoid the charge since we made sure that my husband had an insider account with this reservation.

I'm pretty sure you have to go to the counter. My dh will be an addtl driver in a week or so....I don't think I can do online checkin and have him added.

 

[gmeh1]

LOL!!!!! I read the dates, but didn't notice the year!!!

However, when I got the email, I did try to book through the link, and everytime I tried, I got an error message for the coupon.
I have not been able to get it to take.
I have tried directly through the link, as well as putting the code in myself.
That is why I went back and re-read it, and noticed the dates. Well, the first half of the dates!!!

So I wonder why I cannot get it to apply to my rentals?

Depends on your travel date, it may have already reached capacity for the coupon.
Just checking here, but, did you log in as an Insider? That could make a difference. What was the error code?

 

[gmeh1]

So if I need to be added as an added driver to our Alamo reservation - can I do this through the online check in? I really don't want to wait in line to avoid the charge since we made sure that my husband had an insider account with this reservation.

only one person needs to be an Insider member. You can add an additional driver online. Or, you can use the kiosk in the airport terminal. If you made the reservation via the Insider log in, then you will avoid the add.driver charge. It will show up as a charge on the left hand side of the reservation but, will not show up on the right hand side where all the charges are listed.