question about alamo (expert help needed)

[tomjul811]

I was trying to make a res. for 2/1-2/8 11am-9am (6days and 22 hours) and get a price of $230. If I extend the res. by 2 hours (7 days) i save $75. My question is if I pick up the car slightly late and drop off the car slightly early (book 10am to 10am but pick up at 11 am and drop off at 9am) will they default me to a different rate.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The rate class you are booking is specific to rentals that are over 7 days (thus the change when the hours change). Failing to meet the rate requirements could result in your rental being modified to the original rate (or another rate category).

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I don't think you will default to the higher rate. No one rents for exactly 7 days, down to the minute or even the hour. Yet reservations are booked that way. I am frankly surprised by what you're describing here because a 6 day, 22 hour rental should be charged the 7 day rate because a few hours after you cleared 6 days exactly their hourly rate exceeded the price for a full day and it defaults to the 7 day rate. That is very odd that 6d22h is coming out higher than 7d00h. Late flights are common and returning a few hours before departure time is routine.

I'd recommend you book the full 7 days if that's what gets you the best rate and I really doubt returning the car 2 hours prior to the drive-out time will result in the rate resetting. I've only heard of this occurring for people who booked a rental that required renting part of a weekend day and then returning early and not including that weekend day. In that case it defaults back to a non-weekend rate. I've also heard it happen to people who had a 6-7 day rental and got the benefit of a weekly rate but then return after just 5 days. It then defaults to 5 single days rates which is more than the weekly rate. But I've definitely not experienced what you've described.

BobK/Orlando

 

[linzbear]

I don't know that I'd risk it. It's all computerized, there may be a grace period, but none of us actually know that. That may be something to ask alamo about (but don't say that you know you'll be late/early, say that it will be cutting it close and what will happen if your flight in arrives late?). Even then know that the people on the phone may just tell you what you want to hear, and not what will actually happen (they may not know).

 

[SuzyQue]

Yeah Alamo's rates are screwy like that. We're going from 2/2 - 2/9, pick up at 5:00 pm, drop off at 10:00 am. I get a rate of $230 ish. If I drop it off later in the day on 2/9, the rate goes up, but if I add on an extra day, the rate drops to $171, go figure.

 

[tomjul811]

just as an update I found a standard size suv at enterprise for $213 after %15 coupon i found online. I think I'm going to take that because of the size difference and then I wont have to worry. thanks for all the replies

 

[dioxide45]

Read the Alamo T&C, I think they have a condition that if you return more than 24 hours early which causes the price to drop, there is an additional fee. Be careful though if you are using a contract ID for your booking as they have special rules and returning early could cost you.