Why is Alamo so bad?

[noodles]

The best deal I have found is with Alamo. An SUV for 10 days over Thanksgiving $384.29 including taxs ect, plus a childs character breakfast coupon. Its a great rate, but I just keep reading bad reviews of Alamo. What is it that gives them the bad rap? I know they are off site, but I would rather save money on the car and then I can spend more on Disney! Let me know your opinion!!

Shannon

 

[zulaya]

Well, there are rumors now that they are moving on-site so that gripe would be gone if so but...

If they are offsite, and you aren't a member of their QuickSilver program - which I didn't know about my first trip to Disney (I wasn't nearly as knowledgable as I am now), then it can literally take hours to get a car.

I was like you, went for the cheapest rate, didn'tr care if I had to ride a shuttle. The shuttle ride itself was probably 10 minutes, but loading and unloading, especially when it was full was time consuming.

The counter service people were very slow. And they were VERY hard sell on the insurance. So hard in fact that they told my husband that they wouldn't rent him a car unless he bought their insurance. Not knowing any better, and knowing that his wife and two young children, who by this time were really squirrelly about waiting about 45 minutes to an hour, he just paid it.

The cars they have are fine. My gripe is with the service you get, the hard sell that you are subjected to.

When I arrive at MCO, I know I am very excited to get to Disney. The last thing I want is to start my vacation off on a sour note wondering what kind of scam a rental car agent is going to pull.

If you'd like to put up with this kind of treatment, or at least the chance that this is what you would get, keep your ressie with Alamo.

I myself have found that I appreciate the convenience of the on site rental agencies of National and Dollar and the professional courtesy of their agents enough to spend a little more money. Saving money at Alamo and getting a headache and bad taste in my mouth for my attempt at saving a few dollars just isn't worth it for me when it ruins the beginning of what should be a great vacation.

 

[Bill From PA]

We used Alamo once and would do so again if $$ were important. It did take about 45 mins. to get our van, but the return process was done in seconds. As to the 'hard sell' approach, all car rental companies make big bucks off this item and the 'return the car and we'll fill the tank for about $2.75 per gallon' scam. To dispatch the first pitch I take a copy of my insurance card which shows that it covers rentals and credit card documentation showing that it covers the deductable, I calmly say, 'No thanks, I'm completely covered', offer the 2 pieces of paper and that's that. They've never even looked at them. Regarding the 'return it empty' scam, I simply say ,'No, I'll do it myself for a buck a gallon less'. Alamo has a gas station within sight of it, with Dollar I hit a station on rt. 535 (I think). Keep the receipt and show it on return.

Another thing to watch for is the 'trade up' offer. For a few dollars a day they offer you the next biggest car. Often, they're already out of your model and would have to give you the trade up for free. Keep your ears open for things said to the folks ahead of you in line and you may hear that your choice is gone and you're due for a better model anyway.



Bill From PA

 

[hightown]

Insurance is a HUGE profit center for car rental companies and chances are, your own personal auto policy covers you for liability in ANY vehicle you drive with permission. It may be primary or excess over other valid and collectable coverage but still, there is usually coverage.

If the rental agents hard sell you on this tell them if they say one more word you're writing to the Florida Insurance Commissioner and their manager.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If the rental agents hard sell you on this tell them if they say one more word you're writing to the Florida Insurance Commissioner and their manager.

The manager is who tells them to hard sell. I doubt it would matter on this issue, it would just tell him/her that the agent is doing their job.
I just say "no" as politely as possible and they stop. I guess if they persisted, I would ask which part of "no" they did not understand. LOL

 

[nhrenee]

The rates at alamo were great but it did take awhile to get the care. Probably about 1 1/2 hours from when we got off the plane (that includes shuttles, etc). I would have signed up for quicksilver in advance if I known about it.

 

[Kaybee]

We had terrible luck with Alamo when we used them and won't
use them again!! The car was fine, but what you go through to
get the car isn't worth it. We waited for more than 2 hrs to get
our car!! The line was huge. They herded us through the building
like cattle. The agents were very slow!! When you are tired from
your flight and have 2 children who can't wait to get to Disney
it is hard to keep saying...we will be there soon!! I prefer
Budget as they are right there in the airport. We just get the
paper work done in the airport and walk across the street and
get our car!! It took us less then 15 mins to be on our way
last May!!

 

[sgtdisney]

I had numerous problems with Alamo and had some very horrible experiences with their counter staff, including the management and again with at the national level when I wrote to complain. This kind of problem happened to us a few times, and after that I decided never again. The last time we rented with them was the worst experience. Maybe your experience will be fine.. It probably will be. However for me, three strikes and you are out. I personally would not rent with Alamo again even if the car was $1.00 per week.

Briefly here was my last experience. Took the bus from the airport, we were heading to a wedding rehersal dinner later that day.. Got to Alamo. Line out the door. We could have taken the bus back to the airport and tried other counters, but I didn't have a back up ressie. Waited in line.. waited, waited.... (And here is why I prefer on airport rental counters. I could have sent wife out scouting for a better car deal if we had been in the airport, but being off the airport we were a little more stuck.) Almost 2 hours later we got an agent. I reserved a midsize 4 door. Got the counter. Was told they had 'repositioned' the car classes and I was entitled to a 2 door cavalier. I have driven cavaliers before. They aren't midsize. I told them this. They argued. I argued. I had wife and her parents with, we needed 4 doors or at least something bigger than a Cavalier. Basically manager told me to take the cavalier, pay to upgrade, or get out of line. At this point, with 2 hours invested and no backup I really didn't have much choice we had to get to the rehearsal.. I decided to take the 'fullsize' which ended up being a Cutlass Ciera with 35000 miles on it, ripped seats and a burned out headlight. Brother in law had same problem he rented at same time. First car they gave him had lipstick or makeup all over the seat, other car had a dent. We got home, I wrote letters to all concerned. Guess what Alamo did for me. Nothing, they never replied.

Now, after that experience, I will never use them again. I know others here use them and love them. To each his own. I will not risk my vacation with that kind of headache. $20.00 isn't worth it to me.

 

[disneymom3]

I think a big difference can be if you are travelling with kids or not. The first time we went to FL with our oldest, we rented from Alamo not knowing anything about onsite/offsite etc. The bus ride with carseat, stroller, toddler, baggage was a hassle but the bus driver was GREAT and very helpful. He was the one to tip us off about doing curbside checkin and THEN returning the car. However when we got to Alamo there was of course a huge line. The big thing to keep in mind here is that you are arriving with a bus FULL of people, so if you don't book off that bus you are out of luck! Very long line! Took a good hour to get our car and then returning, ride the bus back etc was just not fun. too stressful of a way to end the vacation.

Compare that to Dollar. YOu walk up--never had more than 45 people in line in front of me and they have the same number of agents working the counter--get your paperwork filled out, and off you go to get your car, just a short walk to the parking lot. And Returning! Oh what a joy! Drive up, get your stuff out of the car, they always have bunches of those rental carts and you'r done! Soooo much better.

 

[lampy]

Unlike sgtdisney, it was one strike and you were out with us.

Here is my Alamo horror story:

Our family's first trip to Disney DS 6, DD 3, I too, did not know of the onsite/offiste conditions. I got a good deal with Alamo using a coupon. We arrive at 10:30 PM, get our baggage fine and could not find the shuttle to Alamo. Asked a few questions and used the phone in an info kiosk to find the shuttle, found the shuttle and off we were to Alamo HQ. We arrive at about 11:30 PM and the line is OUT THE DOOR. We waited and waited and waited and finally got to the counter at 1:00 AM. The Wife and Kids waited outside becaue the lobby was full of smokers. (that has probably changed). Waiting outside in a strange area at 1:00 AM was a little daunting for our "disney magic" to begin. Our car class was available and after about 30 minutes of counter time - refusing insurance and upgrades - our car was finally pulled around. I needed to prove I was covered with the proper insurance - I brought my AAA insurance policy with me (thanks to the boards.) The chevy lumina (full-size) smelled of smoke and had burn holes in the seat, didn't care we just wanted to get out of there.

The car was fine for the duration of the trip but the return was another hassle, all my fault though. I thought I could remember where the Alamo office was - I was wrong. Our flight left at 7:00 AM and we left Disney at 5:00 AM. I was on the wrong highway and could not find their offices. Getting very nervous, my son threw up in the back seat, and we still could not find their office. I was on the wrong highway. I was able to find my way back to the airport, where I dropped off the kids and luggage, took my airline ticket with me and asked the skycap for directions. The rest of the family got checked through and had to wait to see if I would make it back to the airport. I found the office, dropped off the car (hoping they would not find the "package my son left")just missed the shuttle back, got the next one, ran like OJ through the airport and just made the gate as they were closing the door.

My first thing I did upon my return was to become a National EA member and the last five trips to WDW have been a breeze.

Sorry for the long story but never again Alamo.

 

[disneymom3]

My post above was supposed to say 4 to 5 people in front of us! NOT 45. That would be bad! LOL

 

[noodles]

Thank you to everyone who replied! After reading all your comments I deceided to do a little more research. We are a large group(10) with young kids and I dont want to take a chance waiting so long at the Alamo counter. I know the kids are going to be tired already and any added wait is going to be awful on all of us!

Using the Disney Club discount, Entertainment Book Coupon, and NHOL discount with National I found a SUV for $375.16. Sounds like maybe after Alamo is onsite it might be a better option, until then National works for us!

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[mollydolly]

Im a little confused after reading these posts, anyone please help. We are going to Florida in March 2003 and have our car hire with Dollar and insurance with Alamo? or so we think. We are flying to Sanford airport and that is where we ar supposed to collect the car. It seems like there is a lot of messing about when you are getting your car, if this is so, any pointers, what to avoid etc. Many thanks

 

[manning]

Far as I know, Dollar and Alamo aren't the same company nor owned by the same. Alamo and National are owned by the same company.

As far as experience with Alamo, I had the same bad experience with them years ago and have never went back. They insisted I take the insurance and wouldn't back down until I got mad and said rent it or I leave. Then I had to go over every inch of the car to sign off on any previous damage. Saw this as a red flag and when I returned it made them go over the car again and sign off that there wasn't any new damage.

And this is Disney's recommended car rental company. Oh boy, what's next?

 

[E.Jane]

We've had two experiences with Alamo - the first was horrible, the second was a dream. I came to the conclusion that it had something to do with the time we arrived at MCO. The first time was mid morning, which is typically when most people try to arrive (after all, gives you time to tour that first day!). There were hundreds (and yes, I mean hundreds!) of people in front of us. On our second trip, we arrived mid afternoon. There literally wasn't a soul in the Alamo building. We were in and out in 5 minutes flat. So, depending on your schedule, I wouldn't necessarily count them out.

 

[nuthut]

Sorry to hear that alamo is the offical car rental co for Disney. My experience with Alamo is not good and I will never rent from that bunch crooks again................

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

nuthut,
What about making you stick to a contract that you signed make Alamo crooks?