Recent Experience w/Alamo in Orlando?

[BuzzLightYear3]

All: Anybody have any recent experience renting from Alamo in Orlando? I think I've read on these boards that they merged with National and are now on-site (which theoretically would alleviate their previous problems with being off-site and having long waits.) Any recent experiences would be appreciated. They have the best rate, but I don't want to sacrifice reasonable service.

Thanks!

 

[C.Ann]

I hadn't heard that they merged with National, but I know when Alamo was on their own I heard many, MANY horror stories about their policies, bait-and-switch techniques, strong-arm tactics to get customers to pay for extra insurance, etc.

We used National in Sept. of 2001 and they were awesome. I sure hope that merging with Alamo doesn't drag them down to Alamo's previous level..

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I did not know they merged either . But I will tell you that I also hope that National does not stoop to the level of Alamo . They are BAD BAD BAD when it comes to bait and switch . I would be leary of renting from them ever again .

 

[BethR]

I am hoping that since Alamo is now considered "The Official Rental Car of WDW" and that they are affiliated with National that their standards have been raised.

Guess we can only wait and see. Perhaps the best option would be to have a back up ressie made at a second rental company and see what more recent experiences have been.

 

[patsal]

Yes they merged, yes they are at the airport and although I did not rent form Alamo at Easter I wish I had. I used National and they share a counter, but with separate lines and separate agents. That said, the Alamo line moved quickly and effeciently with a worker for each computer terminal. National had a huge line, one worker at one computer and it took slightly over an hour to get our car. If there was no one left in the Alamo line an Alamo worker would take the next National person in line. I booked May and June with Alamo.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by patsal
I used National and they share a counter, but with separate lines and separate agents. That said, the Alamo line moved quickly and effeciently with a worker for each computer terminal. National had a huge line, one worker at one computer and it took slightly over an hour to get our car.

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That's the great thing about National though - if you sign up for their special program, you never have to go NEAR the counters AT ALL.. No arm twisitng, no hard-sell on insurance, no horror stories about what will happen if you DON'T buy the extra insurance.. You simply go DIRECTLY to the car terminal and get your vehicle (and lo and behold, it's actually the car you RESERVED!!)..

 

[OhMari]

My husband decided to go to Florida at the last minute over Easter. I was already going as a chaperone.

I had to do all the leg work. United Airlines sent me a e-mail about bonus miles if I went with Alamo.

When I called, cars were going for $84 a day ugg. I did a little whining and the guy said to me, "Hey, National is with Alamo and I can give you the same vehicle for $47. I said, Ya right, and he said, Yup. He said they are at the same counter with Alamo.

My husband flew in at noon and he walked right up to the counter on Easter Saturday, and they got their choice of vehicle and left. Husband said, it was way to easy, there had to be a catch and the guy said, nope, take your pick and they left with a Chevy Blazer.

The person that waited forever in line, sometimes it is like Murphy's Law" There is always a line somewhere. And I am usually in it. That is my luck, but not my husbands.

 

[pth]

Since they merged and they use the same counter, do you still have to get bussed to get your car? I'm leaving in 2 weeks and have a reservation with Alamo.

 

[kylara]

My mom used Alamo in January and they couldn't have been better. She did a pick up at the Dolphin and a drop off at the airport (figured she didn't need it for her time at Disney, just when she went to South Florida). She got a great rate online (well actually I got it for her) and her second driver (my dad) was free. While down in S. FL, she got injured and needed to fly home early for surgery. Since the airline couldn't get them out of at the airport down there, they decided to come back to Orlando and fly out of MCO. Airline was able to do that. When my dad dropped off the car, they asked if everything was okay since the return was 4 days early. He explained that nothing was wrong with the car, that mom got hurt and they were flying back early. Alamo credited back the days that they didn't use the car. They didn't have too, and my dad didn't ask, they offered, actually insisted. They didn't rush them out of the car, in fact they paged for a wheelchair and had her remain in the car til it came. I swear that they got a customer for life in my dad that day. He said that the Alamo staff could not have been nicer or more helpful...and given his state of anxiety over my mom, it was a great help.

 

[dahess]

We recommend Dollar. They were great each and every time we used them!!

 

[mikesmom]

We just got back last week! Had a good rate from booking online, and then checked a week before we left. They had the car 2 size larger for $15 less ( for the 4 days we were there), so we booked that. No problem at all cancelling the earlier and higher reservation.

They are now in the airport. No bussine you offsite. We walked right up, there were NO lines, took care of paperwork and were directed outside to the parking garage to pick up our car. We were told which aisle and could pick any car in the aisle.

No problems on return or checking in. Very good experience overall.