Why is Alamo pushing SUVs?

[maps]

For awhile now, it has been cheaper to rent an SUV than a full size car at Alamo. Anyone know the rationale for that? It doesn't make sense to me. I would prefer the fullsize for feul economy and I'm sure I'm not alone. Does the cost of fuel now have any bearing on this situation?

Thanks for appeasing my curiousity!

 

[Lewisc]

I would prefer the fullsize for feul economy and I'm sure I'm not alone.

You probably answered your own question. I guess more customers now prefer the fuel economy of a car and the agency probably has an excess of SUV's. The market probably isn't that good if Alamo just wanted to sell them used so they rent them at a discount.

 

[Lucky4me]

Either that or they bought a ton of them and they weren't moving at the rates they were renting them for.
I am thrilled to have found one for December- 5 days $74- $109 total with taxes and fees.

 

[jlcbshaw]

My best thought is the gas milage that they get versus a regular vehicle. I mean 20 MPG vs 30 mpg can be a big difference if you plan on doing a lot of driving.

 

[kilee]

I really think it's because more people want the fuel economy of a small car too. I know I just found the same to be true for our January trip. I think we'll probably go the SUV route. It is what we drive at home, and I know we're always uncomfortable in the compact cars when we do rent them.

 

[goofyforlife]

I looked at the equinox's at the local chevy dealer and they said that GM will give Alamo $ to push certain cars because it is great publicity.

My DH used to drive rentals alot...He had some that were favorites and some he hated....When we went for a new car we limited our choices to ones on his favorites list....

 

[maps]

Anyone have any info on the Eqiunox? What's the gas mileage like? How much trunk space is there?

I know we skipped a free upgrade once to an SUV because the full size had more trunk space.

 

[DisneyGirl10]

Well the only reason why Alamo is doing that is yes, because of the fuel/gas prices skyrocketing. Now that is very mean because nobody is going to want to pay money to have to pay more money to fill up a rental car.

 

[helenk]

Dollar rental car did the same thing a few years ago with the Jeep Cherokee, we got a really good rate, it was a coupon deal just like Alamo is doing with the Equinox now. When we got to the counter, they were out of the Jeep and we got something compatible, but that was fine, we just wanted transportation.
I've booked with Alamo, I got the Midsize Suv for $110.00 for 6 days, if I have to pay a bit more for gas, its still more of a savings as the next priced vehicle was $150.00.

Well the only reason why Alamo is doing that is yes, because of the fuel/gas prices skyrocketing. Now that is very mean because nobody is going to want to pay money to have to pay more money to fill up a rental car.

Really, gas prices in our area have come down quite alot, I paid 2.49 for regular just this past Friday. Just before Katrina hit, we were paying 2.43, so it's getting better.
I checked the GM website and they list the mpg at 19 in the city and 25 mpg highway. Not great mileage, but not horrible. If you are only using the vehicle in and around WDW it should not be a problem.

 

[lawgs]

similar with National

we just rented over the weekend in baltimore

the Aisle and Executive selection had mostly SUV's or vans sitting on them very few "cars"

this morning when we returned, they had about half and half

people are probably not booking them cuz of the gas, and in the inverse are renting intermediate and full size cars, thus not as many cars available

supply and demand

 

[muffyn]

.
I've booked with Alamo, I got the Midsize Suv for $110.00 for 6 days, if I have to pay a bit more for gas, its still more of a savings as the next priced vehicle was $150.00..

ok how on earth did you get a rate so low?

we have $189 for 5 days minivan...with dollar

alamo wanted over $300!

 

[helenk]

muffyn,
There was a post a few weeks ago where alot of people were getting super rates from Alamo for their trips in December
We used the coupon Dc42 which gave you a mid size car or suv, but the mid size suv was the best deal, and then we used the codes from mousesavers.com Wal-Mart Customers (i.e. anyone) can get up to 20% off rentals at Alamo. Use Rate Code BY and ID# 430710.

The great prices only lasted for a few days and then went up again, but a lot of us got some really good deals

 

[lawgs]

helen k

does the contract id on the coupon code DC42 match up with ID# 430710

if not they may not honour it

alamo does not seem to allow "mixed" codes like national does

it would be best to call and verify with alamo that you are good to go with what you have used

 

[CarolA]

The other thing is that the car makers are NOT selling SUVs right now to folks like you and I so they make a deal with the rental car companies and "dump" them there.... That reduces the cost paid by the rental car company allowing them to offer you a deal.

 

[helenk]

helen k

does the contract id on the coupon code DC42 match up with ID# 430710

if not they may not honour it

alamo does not seem to allow "mixed" codes like national does

it would be best to call and verify with alamo that you are good to go with what you have used

I actually booked on the phone with Alamo as I have their Quick Silver service, they allowed me to book with the coupon and the code.

 

[lawgs]

helen k

so alamo is now allowing mixed codes ???

how does one sign up for Quik service??

are their qualifications you have to meet??

 

[Luiz_F]

Hi,
I intend to rent a Standard SUV at Alamo and pay it with my Citibank Mastercard Gold. The Bank offers me a free CDW insurance. Do you know if this benefit is valid for Standard SUV´s?

Thanks in advance.
Luiz

 

[belsam]

I got this great rate on an SUV with Alamo before fuel prices became such an issue.

 

[raven69david]

$131.00 for 7 days at Dollar. <w00t>

 

[raven69david]

Hi,
I intend to rent a Standard SUV at Alamo and pay it with my Citibank Mastercard Gold. The Bank offers me a free CDW insurance. Do you know if this benefit is valid for Standard SUV´s?

Thanks in advance.
Luiz

Most of the Citibank Gold Mastercards provide alot of benefits only if your credit line is greater than $2k. Below $2k the choices become options.

If you're not sure contact Citibank Credit Card Customer Service at 1-800-950-5114 ( 24 x 7 ) or collect at 605-335-2222.