sross

Anyone rented from Alamo at the Vegas airport recently? We're going for a week in January and they seem to have the best rental rates so just wondering how the service and shuttle are. thanks

tracys2cents

The shuttle is fine but they are a couple miles further away from the airport than Avis, Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty. Lines at the counter can be 30 min wait, but usually less than 10. Rates are very competitive in Vegas so they try hard at the counter to get you to upgrade, or to take their added insurances. Alamo even goes so far as to have an attendant out in the parking lot, as you are getting into your car, making one last plea to get you to upgrade. Sort of like...as you're driving off..."wait! I can bring that down to just $5 extra per day!" They just won't give up.

Alamo has huge, precise maps and directions in the cars, because so many people have gotten lost on the way back to drop off the car. Actually it is not very difficult, unless you take a wrong turn.

Check with your personal car policy at home to see if you're covered for a car rental. Most people are covered, and don't need the extra coverage. It can add up to an extra $25 per day. Some Gold cards and Amex cards cover the insurance too, but you need to check with your credit card company. And be prepared for the hard-sell at the counter. Not all agents do it, but Alamo and Enterprise are famous for putting the fear of God into people who don't purchase their extras.

Patrick

I can't speak for Alamo at Las Vegas, but generally Alamo seems to get the most complaints everywhere else. I refuse to go Alamo again after too many problems as well as the general nastiness and hard sell that tracy mentions.

antlori

I have never rented from Alamo in Las Vegas either but have used them other places and have been so unhappy I will never use them again. Terrible cars, terrible service, obnoxious staff, in addition to hard sell on the insurance.

sross

Sounds like we'd be better off with one of the other companies. Dollar and Thrifty seem to have the next best rates. Any comments on their service at the Las Vegas airport? Thanks for all the great feedback.

Patrick

We used Dollar for three rentals recently including a return of an LAX car at Las Vegas. They are efficient and offer good rates (although I actually booked on the AA site and got better rates than I could find through one of the discount code sites. One word of caution, though. If renting from Dollar, be sure to sign up on line for the FASTLANE membership which is free and will let you bypass the long lines if they have them at check-in. In addition you will get a couple coupons for free upgrades.
If you don't do that, please don't come back here later and complain about the long lines picking up a car there.

Lori

We have rented several times from Alamo in 'Vegas and had no problems whatsoever - anytime. No long waits, no hard sell .. no trouble. As for location, they are a mile or two further via shuttle but it is easier to get in and out of their lot then it is Hertz (who we did rent from in June due to a great deal/upgrade coupon,etc). No one tried to chase us out of the Alamo lot attempting to get us to upgrade or anything else - in fact all the personnel in 'Vegas were very nice, including the shuttle driver. The cars were clean and in good working order as well.

I believe people can have one bad experience with a company and then bad-mouth it for years afterward. I see this frequently on the Europe board as well. In the past we have gotten dirty cars from Hertz, and twice we had to exchange cars due to mechanical difficulties from Avis - those were isolated incidents and can happen anyplace/anytime with any company.

placeu2

I had good experience with Alamo in Vegas. I like their location because I think it is easy to get to for the return.

Patrick

No offense, placeu2, but can you name any of the rental firms which AREN'T easy to get to in Vegas?

placeu2

Patrick,

No offense taken, you are correct. I just mentioned that because of tracys2cents post above. Come to think of it, nationally speaking they are all easy if you pay attention when you leave. My wife however is directionally challenged and none are easy for her.

joesorce

Shortcut Vegas car rental return for Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar:

Come down Tropicana East and turn right onto Paradise Road towards the airport. STAY IN THE RIGHTMOST LANE. Your second right will be Gus Guthrie. Turn right on Gus Guthrie and first left is car rental return.

sross

Thanks everyone!

antlori

I didn't have just one bad experience with Alamo, I had many before I gave up on them, and not just in one location. I gave Alamo many chances before giving up on them. They have great prices but even that couldn't make up for the terrible service.

Carrabella

Coming from Australia, we have often used Alamo, being strong against their upgrading offers, and last September, we had a good experience where it really counted.. Having overturned and written off our Cavalier (rented from LA),unhurt, on Route 66, we were supplied with a replacement car from Vegas on the same day, and were able to continue happily on our way. Marvellous service! No extras to pay either.