Warning: Long Lines at MCO Alamo

[maraakl]

Manning,
Alamo and National have been "sister" companies for years. They were both purchased last Sept./Oct. by Vanguard (I think I spelled that right).
Most rental agencies make a huge amount of money on the insurance and they instruct their agents to push it, in fact, the agents have a quota they have to fill.
The new computer system was supposed to improve service online, somehow I think they failed miserably in that department.

 

[manning]

Alamo has been the worst (and still is) in this area. At one time they insisted you had to take insurance to rent. I knew someone who owned a travel agency. He didn't use Alamo. When I told him about it, he wouldn't believe me. Later he told me I was right and wasn't using them.

The time I used Alamo and wouldn't take insurance they walked around the car and I made them note every scratch. Good thing because they tried to nail me for them.

Never used them again.

 

[inkkognito]

If the Alamo line is bad on A side, have one member of your party check B (or visa versa). I get them quite a bit through Priceline, and although I've actually since the line minimal-to-non-existent (yes, it does happen), usually it's a zoo. On one trip, the line on A side had to be at least an hour, but hubby went to B and called me on our cell phone to report he was the only one there.
They are TERRIBLE about the insurance. They like to say, "Do you want the deluxe coverage or just the basic," implying that you have to take one of the two. I am assertive, so they back down quickly, but you should hear how they really lay into some of the poor international customers. Some agents are much worse than others; I've had some very low key ones too.
At times, I've seen National help with the Alamo line. At other times, they refused even though they were empty and Alamo was full.
Barb

 

[Lexxiefern]

We arrived the day before you (aug 27th) and the alamo line was out to the elevator also. I was so glad we had National EA booked! I waited in a long line (over an hour) once with a toddler and then I found out about national's emerald aisle. I will never wait in line again if I can help it! I would rather pay more $$ than wait with a fussy child.

Sorry you had to endure that!!

 

[rlduvall]

I have a big concern here. I was originally booked with Dollar Fastlane as I know about Alamo and I am a totally type A person; can't stand lines. Then I began reading here about National's EA service (and Mary Waring highly recommended them). Sounded just up my alley, so I joined and changed my reservation to National. Now I find out that National and Alamo share the outside Kiosk for exiting the garage and the lines are very long. ARGH. Wish I would just have stuck with Dollar; which is now much higher. Is this true about the long line of cars outside? Also, I am reading above where people are allowed to go over to National's EA (with an Alamo rental) and take a car. Maybe that's why there are never any nice cars there anymore. HELP!!!! (type A is coming out)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Originally posted by rlduvall
I have a big concern here. I was originally booked with Dollar Fastlane as I know about Alamo and I am a totally type A person; can't stand lines. Then I began reading here about National's EA service (and Mary Waring highly recommended them). Sounded just up my alley, so I joined and changed my reservation to National. Now I find out that National and Alamo share the outside Kiosk for exiting the garage and the lines are very long. ARGH. Wish I would just have stuck with Dollar; which is now much higher. Is this true about the long line of cars outside? Also, I am reading above where people are allowed to go over to National's EA (with an Alamo rental) and take a car. Maybe that's why there are never any nice cars there anymore. HELP!!!! (type A is coming out)

I don't think you should worry about National. The only reason I went over to National was because I was directed to do so by staff when full size Alamo cars were all gone (you can't just go over independently and take a National car). There were no long lines at the garage kiosk, only inside the terminal. I rented from National at MCO not long ago and it was excellent. I rented from Dollar last year and the car was dirty AND I had to wait in a long return line inside the terminal. Stick with National, it will be ok.

 

[LIFERBABE]

What the OP says about Alamo is true. That line is wrapped tighter than BTMRR without a FastPass.

National on the other hand, never seems to have a long line. Besides, if you are a Emerald Aisle customer, (even with a coupon) proceed to the parking garage (follow the signs) and pick out your vehicle. The gate attendant takes care of your ressie and coupons, and you are quickly on your way.

Alamo and National have separate counters at MCO. I have National booked for our trip later this month as well as next year. With EA I have never been asked about Insurance or gas extras.

On the way to the terminal, there was a couple behind me complaining to each other how Disney used the worst rental car company ever and that they were going to write Disney to complain. I really do feel bad for those that have to wait in that Alamo line.

For anyone considering Alamo or any rental car company, PLEASE visit their site and sign up for their rental programs.

 

[jiminy14]

My sister just rented from Alamo on our recent trip and she experienced nothing but headaches. To begin with, her flight was cancelled due to Hurricane Charlie. She contacted Alamo and explained that the earliest she might be able to get a flight was Saturday afternoon. No problem said the girl on the phone, we'll honor your rate and subtract one day. My sister made sure to get her name and also made sure that this info was logged into the Alamo computer.
After spending all day and night Friday on the phone, she was able to get on a flight out Saturday afternoon. She got to the Alamo counter and of course the line was very long. She finally got to the front of the line with her confirmation. The clerk refused to honor the reservation and the price of $206.00 for the intermediate car she reserved. He told her that the price was now $256 for the same car but with one day less. She tried to explain that this was all taken care of over the phone the day before, but he said that there was no record of it in the computer. Then he basically said that you can either take it or leave it. He told her that with the hurricane she was lucky to even get a car. Since she had no other option she took the car.
She then spent the next two days on the phone with Alamo customer service trying to fix the problem. By the second day, she finally got a decent individual on the phone who was willing to help her. She had to fax her original confirmation to him. After waiting another day, he got back to her and was able to give her the original price minus one day plus 10% off her next rental.
The only reason she rented from Alamo was that she was scheduled to arrive late on Friday night with two children. She felt that it was safer and more convenient to rent at the airport. After this experience she said that she would never rent from Alamo again.

 

[Mark P.]

Sounds like Alamo needs to get its act together.
If only the other companies accept Debit Cards...

 

[nuthut]

Say no to alamo. The worst car rental company in Orlando. Nothing but a bunch a theives.

 

[CarolA]

I have only rented from them once and it was in Atlanta. After an hour wait in line I found they had no cars and it would be another hour. I had a class to teach. I was SO MAD! I wound up taking a ride back to the airport with a total stranger and taking a cab from there.

Once burned twice shy. I have never given them one penny anyplace else and the few times I have done Priceline I hold my breath that it is not Alamo. (so far so good!)