Car Rental Question

[ph4ever]

Don and I are renting a car in a couple of weeks for a little road trip. Through his job we can get a rate with Alamo that is appx 1/3 the rates of our "normal" car rental company. It's also about $ 100 less than the other two companies he can get a discount with. We don't know anyone that has used Alamo so we thought we'd check here. Can anyone that has used Alamo Car Rental share your experience please?

[SMLCHNG]

We've used Alamo MANY times, and never had any problems with them. Cars were ok, billing fine, check in/out easy.

[ragtopW]

To be honest?? it's all like Real Estate
Location Location Location
I have never had a bad rental from an Alamo
they are pretty good.. but... but sometimes.. I have found
with other company's one place is great and the next is
Sad.. have a great time..

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I've had very good experiences with Alamo in several different cities.

[ejr]

I used to rent from them, and stopped about 10 years ago because it seemed that everytime I reserved a car with a great rate, the person helping me at the airport did everything they could to convince me that the car I had reserved was not as good, as safe, as....as could be.

That being said, I know several friends who are happy with Alamo.

[Glorfindel7]

I had two different rental cars in Vegas from Alamo, I think the only reason I don't rent from them anymore is because I like walking and parking the car is just too much of a hassle for small trips between casinos (now if I was going out to the remote areas, it might be worthwhile....)

(I don't blame Alamo, but another reason I don't rent is because of the hassle trying to find the dealership when you're late to avoid having to pay for another day...)

[phijimanOK]

Well, I'll start off by saying I work at Dollar Thrifty and haven't used Alamo in years. They are really big in Florida and my advice is to go with the cheapest. Just be aware that you will get upsold for different insurance products or the upsell to the bigger vehicle when you get there (just like at every other rental company). Be aware of what your personal insurance and credit card insurance offers so you know if you want the insurance.

At this point there are really only 4 rental car companies and that may soon be 3.

Enterprise / Alamo / National - one company
Hertz / Advantage - one company
Avis / Budget - one company
Dollar / Thrifty - one company that both Hertz and Avis are trying to buy.

Phins Up!

[mason]

during your search for the best rate, try ....www.hotwire.com they usually come up with the lowest rate. i usually rent from hertz or enterprise. i tried alamo once a few years ago in san diego for a jimmy show in chula vista. the only bad experience i had was a broken passenger door mirror. luckily i had bought the right kind of insurance. didn't me anything other than explanation as to what happened. good luck

"yes, we have been here before"

member of the parrothead nation

[nutmeg]

We used Alamo when we went down to Texas for Hoot Island. Everything was excellent.

[ragtopW]

during your search for the best rate, try ....www.hotwire.com they usually come up with the lowest rate. i usually rent from hertz or enterprise. i tried alamo once a few years ago in san diego for a jimmy show in chula vista. the only bad experience i had was a broken passenger door mirror. luckily i had bought the right kind of insurance. didn't me anything other than explanation as to what happened. good luck

"yes, we have been here before"

member of the parrothead nation

Mason.. hotwire has areas that you can get a good rate in.. other areas??
you are lucky to save $1 a day..

[Skibo]

Careful using that company rate. Make sure the billing and insurance is disconnected from his company. When I used the available company rate, there was a "billing error" and my company credit card (registered with the co) was charged even though I gave my personal CC. My company's insurance would have been hit also if there would have been a problem. I caught a little flak for using the discount for personal use.

[OttoCal]

We usually book a car with one of the cheaper companies as early as possible, and then keep checking rates- not obsessively, but periodically. Usually we get a price drop as we get closer, and the just book all over again and cancel the pricier option. If the prices do happen to go up, we're at least happy that we locked in the lower rate.
We are lucky that our NY car insurance covers our rentals and we just always decline the extra insurance while traveling in the US.

For the extra paranoid: take photos of the car when you pick it up, the milage when you drop it off, and keep your gas receipt. We got dinged for gas in Orlando earlier this year (on Thrifty, maybe) and got them to reverse that charge when I could prove I got gas 10 minutes before the car was dropped off.

[ph4ever]

Thanks everyone for your information!!! We normally rent with one company and for years that's been it. Neither of us have had any experience with Alamo. I was kinda leery wondering why a company would be 1/3 the cost of another and the old adage you pay for what you get came to mind. It sounds like we'll try Alamo!

Well, I'll start off by saying I work at Dollar Thrifty and haven't used Alamo in years. They are really big in Florida and my advice is to go with the cheapest. Just be aware that you will get upsold for different insurance products or the upsell to the bigger vehicle when you get there (just like at every other rental company). Be aware of what your personal insurance and credit card insurance offers so you know if you want the insurance.

At this point there are really only 4 rental car companies and that may soon be 3.

Enterprise / Alamo / National - one company
Hertz / Advantage - one company
Avis / Budget - one company
Dollar / Thrifty - one company that both Hertz and Avis are trying to buy.

Phins Up!

Thanks so much for your info. I've noticed that Enterprise and National basically have the same freaking website. Alamo's is a tad bit different and thought they might be sister companies or that a merger/takeover had happened.

[Snowparrot]

Well, I'll start off by saying I work at Dollar Thrifty and haven't used Alamo in years. They are really big in Florida and my advice is to go with the cheapest. Just be aware that you will get upsold for different insurance products or the upsell to the bigger vehicle when you get there (just like at every other rental company). Be aware of what your personal insurance and credit card insurance offers so you know if you want the insurance.

At this point there are really only 4 rental car companies and that may soon be 3.

Enterprise / Alamo / National - one company
Hertz / Advantage - one company
Avis / Budget - one company
Dollar / Thrifty - one company that both Hertz and Avis are trying to buy.

Phins Up!

I didn't know that!

[he came from london]

I used to rent from them, and stopped about 10 years ago because it seemed that everytime I reserved a car with a great rate, the person helping me at the airport did everything they could to convince me that the car I had reserved was not as good, as safe, as....as could be.

That being said, I know several friends who are happy with Alamo.

I use them all the time, you just get used to them trying to sell you an upgrade that is where the local staff make their commision. I say no and they move on.

[txaggirl91]

I'm on a first name basis with our Enterprise folks.

I agree with some of the other posts - there is variation from location to location.

I won't rent from the Bryan location anymore. The cars were never really clean and they became difficult to work with.

I started renting from the airport and never had a problem. It is worth the extra airport charge to have a clean car with a full tank. The hours are better too.. They are open until 10pm so on those trips I get in after 6, I'm not charged extra.

I used Enterprise in Ohio in June and again- no problem.

[The Lost Manatee]

I have rented cars from everyone out there and I have good and bad stories from all of them. The worst, based on my experience is Budget, especially internationally. I don't use Alamo/Enterprise/National very often because I find that the cars tend to have higher mileage and are the base version of the car and since most of my rentals are for long drives, I don't want any problems.

I have picked up a car at Alamo, driven off the lot and on to the highway and had to return to the lot at once due to handling problems. They argued that it was my fault until I showed them the three of the tires had steel belts showing. Enterprise has a reputation for go after people for damage that was there at the time that the car was picked up. It is vital that you do a very careful walk around the car before taking it off the lot. Make sure that you document all the damage, including tiny scratches, chips in the windshield, etc. This is your only protection against a bill later. This isn't something that you can afford not to do at any car rental agency anymore.

Generally, I go with Hertz and I find that while I may spend $5.00 to $10.00 more per day, it is worth it to me. I say generally because I have had a few problems over the years with them as well. None as bad as Budget who tried to stick me with a $10,000 charge for a broken headlight in Europe.

If you are renting a car, check with your insurance agent before hand to see if your own insurance will actually cover the potential costs of replacing a rental vehicle. I know that mine won't. I own a 1989 Jeep Cherokee and the value of my Jeep is maybe $4000.00 whereas the cost to replace the rental vehicle is significantly more. According to my agent, I'm better off either using my coverage through my credit card, even though it is secondary or taking out the CDW or LDW.