Tell Me All About Alamo

[sammysmom]

We have been using National Emerald Aisle for the past 7 years, but their price is so high this year compared to previous trips. What can you tell me about Alamo? How does it work with the car pick up? Is there an aisle similar to Nationals? Any help/advice you can give is appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Scrappygrrl]

We're just like you! Always used the Emerald Aisle. But last year we got an AMAZING Alamo rate ($68 for the week, full size and that included the taxes and fees). While I was still a bit above $200/ week with National. No Brainer - we went with Alamo. Long like at the desk, but we were able to use the kiosk( no one else was for some reason...). Less than 5 minutes, we walked across to the parking garage, showed the lady at the desk our slip and she told us to pick anything from the Full Size Aisle - so sort of similar to Emerald Aisle service. It was mostly Impalas, there was one Nissan Altima (but I couldn't get the trunk to open so we skipped it)m, some sort of SUV that was already taken and 2 Minivans (Dodges I think). We took the minivan. It was a great deal.

 

[sammysmom]

What code did you use? That is awesome Thanks for all your info. I am glad to hear that it works kind of the same way.

 

[gmeh1]

We have been using National Emerald Aisle for the past 7 years, but their price is so high this year compared to previous trips. What can you tell me about Alamo? How does it work with the car pick up? Is there an aisle similar to Nationals? Any help/advice you can give is appreciated. Thanks!!

Alamo is similar to National in that you get to select your vehicle from rows according to size. There is nothing similar to the Emerald Aisle. If you have rented a midsize for example, you will go to the midsize row/area and select a car from that, there probably(there are sometimes exceptions)will not be anything but midsize.
You can check in online IF you are not using a coupon. If you are using a coupon, you can use the kiosk and proceed to the garage with your printout from the kiosk.
Sometimes/often the lines at the counter a long,so people find the kiosk or online checkin to be the best.
Alamo and National are owned by Enterprise and all share cars.
I recommend you join Insiders, it is free, additional driver is free and you do get discounts. The area to join Insiders is on the alamo website.

 

[Scrappygrrl]

What code did you use? That is awesome Thanks for all your info. I am glad to hear that it works kind of the same way.

Gosh - I can't remember - but I think it was one of the Frequent Flyer codes (Alaskan Air,maybe?) Costs nothing to join and you dont need to fly them. That code,coupled with a weekly discount offered at the time, plus a general price drop 2-3 weeks out, did the trick.
HOWEVER, I think I just got really lucky as well.

 

[OmegaWife5]

Thanks for the info provided. I will be using Alamo as well and am glad to know we can some what pick what we want as long as it's similar to what we reserve. Thanks again!

 

[The Mayor]

Using Alamo for the first time after years of National...$126 versus $202 for the week. Going to be using the kiosk and avoid the counter.