Try this with your Alamo reservation....

[kristenrice]

I was checking out rates for our vacation next week to see if Alamo has any last minute deals. I already have a mid-size booked from 1/25 to 2/1 for $83.xx so I didn't figure I could beat that. I put in my info with a pickup at 5pm and a return at 2pm and my rate came out to $74.37. Then, I realized that my original reservation had a 2:30pm return so I went to edit the return time and the rate went to $162.07! I thought that must have been a mistake or I had timed it right as they decided to raise the rates so I put in a new request with the 2pm return and, sure enough, it was $74.37. Apparently, adding that extra 1/2 hour DOUBLED the rate for the week! This makes no sense to me, but if you're making a reservation with Alamo, you might want to try shifting your times by a 1/2 hour to see if you get the same results. BTW, I used the Wal-Mart code (430710) and the e-coupon (AD1336ADK) good for $20 off a weekly rental.

 

[MnParrothead]

Thanks for the tip -- and the codes.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Coupon Code AD3829MRB will get you $25 off a rental, and it's an e-coupon so there's nothing to print.

 

[hddanis]

National does that too. If I rent at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM and return at 8:00 PM it's $69..If I try to rent at 8:30 AM and return at 8:00 PM it's $165! Makes no sense to me.

I even called them to ask about it and they couldn't/wouldn't do anything to change it.

 

[CarolA]

While you are playing with this remember to only put in times you can live with. Rental car companies WILL charge you for late returns/early pick ups. So if you put in a 2 PM return and drive in at 2:30 it's going to cost more!

 

[Vijoge]

WOW! I tried it.

For our trip, if I pick up at noon and return at 4PM I got a quote for $245.78 for a standard SUV. Not bad, so I booked it.

Then tried, for the same time frame, picking up at noon and returning at 3:30 PM and was quoted $654.32.

Then went back and tried my original times (pick up noon-return 4PM) and it quoted me $460.45.

Now I am really, really, happy I reserved when I did!!!

 

[mousemomof2]

I had a similar experience with Thrifty. Our flight home changed from 11 am to 5:30 pm. When I tried to change our rental return time it was $500 more. Outrageous!!
Needless to say I changed companies and got 2 vehicles for less than the original price of the first one.

 

[Seahunt]

While you are playing with this remember to only put in times you can live with. Rental car companies WILL charge you for late returns/early pick ups. So if you put in a 2 PM return and drive in at 2:30 it's going to cost more!

I agree - this is VERY true!

You WILL get charged more if you don't stick to the times you list when you make the res, so be extra careful!

 

[ChisJo]

no matter what I tried, the price was double than what I have reserved right now....oh well, we can't complain about our reservation (8 days compact for $81, all taxes and fees inclusive). But, it doesn't hurt to try and save a couple more bucks!

 

[tropicalgirl]

It doesn't make sense, but it's true. We rented from Alamo last year in Atlanta for 4 days. My son's team lost their game and were eliminated from their tournament. We went home a day early. When I returned the car a day early and still was willing to pay the 4 day rental, they wanted to charge me $90 more to return it after 3 days! I didn't want a rate adjustment for 3 days. I just wanted to get rid of the car and get on the plane. After about 20 minutes and finally speaking with the manager, she kept the rate the same.