UK Car Rental Site Lower than US Equivalent

[Kristmay]

Hello - I live in NYC and do not have a car. Therefore, I don't have car insurance, and usually renting a car is cost prohibitive after adding the necessary insurance. I have found that Alamo's UK site has a great deal on a car rental, that includes insurance and all taxes and fees. Can I book it even though I live in the US?

When I do a "mock" booking, it has the United States as an option for your address (along with many other countries), so it seems to be ok.

 

[sympatico]

We're from Canada and I've used http://www.uscarhire.co.uk/ and they're a UK company. Their price includes all insurances also. As you keep going in the booking process it will only let US and Canadians use Alamo. Try it and see how the price compares.

 

[Kristmay]

We're from Canada and I've used http://www.uscarhire.co.uk/ and they're a UK company. Their price includes all insurances also. As you keep going in the booking process it will only let US and Canadians use Alamo. Try it and see how the price compares.

Thank you. The prices aren't quite as good as what I'm getting directly through the UK Alamo site, but since it is quoting Alamo, that is promising. But since your site only allows US and Canadians to book Alamo, it makes me wonder and hopeful about booking directly through the Alamo UK site to get this great price.

 

[Lewisc]

Last time this question came up I checked. The "fine print" didn't allow US citizens to book through the UK site. A UK citizen, traveling in the US, might have a US address.

Some suggestions:
1) Check your included coverage with your credit card.
2) Check optional coverage with your credit card. AMEX lets cardholder purchase primary insurance.
3) Check any travel insurance you might be purchasing.
4) Check your umbrella policy to see what's included.
5) Some of the online TA such as Orbitz have an option to purchase rental coverage through a third party. I'm sure it's cheaper then buying it from the rental agency. At one time it was free (included in the rate)

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You will most likely have to show an international form of identification when renting under a different countries website.

 

[Kristmay]

I decided to email Alamo Uk directly and just received a reply.

Here's my question and their response:

Me: Hello – Can a US Citizen with a US home address, purchase a car rental from the Alamo UK website?

UK Alamo Response: Thank you for your email. Please be advised that you are able to book on our UK website.

It looks like I am good to go.

 

[dudspizza]

I decided to email Alamo Uk directly and just received a reply.

Here's my question and their response:

Me: Hello – Can a US Citizen with a US home address, purchase a car rental from the Alamo UK website?

UK Alamo Response: Thank you for your email. Please be advised that you are able to book on our UK website.

It looks like I am good to go.

Your question to UK Alamo didn't say that you wanted to rent a car through their site, for a rental that was in the US. They could be assuming you want to rent through their site to rent a car in the UK.... I wouldn't assume you are good to go.....

Duds

 

[Kristmay]

Your question to UK Alamo didn't say that you wanted to rent a car through their site, for a rental that was in the US. They could be assuming you want to rent through their site to rent a car in the UK.... I wouldn't assume you are good to go.....

Duds

Good point Duds. So I emailed back to clarify and just got this response...

"Please be advised that it will not be a problem to book for the US on our UK website."

 

[Lewisc]

Alamo, and other rental agencies, aren't very clear with restrictions. Book a hotel room with a AAA discount. Your confirmation will say something like AAA rate. Please have you membership card available when you check in. Book a car rental with a code and there is absolutely no description. Some people may make a typo. Others may be using a code found on the internet that's being promoted as a public code. Printing something like Florida government employee rate. Please have ID and proof of business use available when you pick up the car might discourage at least some code cheats.

Similar situation with the OP. The OP checked and couldn't find any reason not to book on the UK site. He emailed Alamo and could see no reason not to book on the UK site. It wouldn't be hard for Alamo to list a UK citizenship requirement on the confirmation, if there is one.

Remove the Alamo cookies from your computer. Type Alamo.com. The first question is where you live. I don't think a person who selects United States will be routed to the UK website.

 

[sympatico]

But she can rent through the uscarhire.co.uk site. I'm Canadian and have used this site when I want the insurances included. The site will use Alamo for anyone from Canada or the US.