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-   -   Car Hire Alamo (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/car-hire-alamo-1064946/)

t4ffy Jul 26th, 2015 05:22 AM

Car Hire Alamo
 
Has anyone got any tips or advice ( good or bad ) for hiring a car from Alamo at Atlanta Airport..
Cheers

Ackislander Jul 26th, 2015 05:29 AM

Commiserations on flying into Atlanta, but otherwise, Alamo is no better and no worse than any of the other major rental companies, and the performance of the staff on duty will vary by the personnel working on any individual day.

Nothing to delight, nothing to fear, other than the loathsome airport itself.

dbdurand Jul 26th, 2015 06:20 AM

J. D. Power rankings of car rental companys are here.

http://www.jdpower.com/pt-br/node/18091

clarkgriswold Jul 26th, 2015 07:31 AM

UK and Aussie citizens get great rates from National/Alamo....make sure that your quote includes Loss Damage Waiver and Liability Insurance Supplement (which it doesn't if you don't state your country of origin). And be sure that you book in advance, don't just show up at the counter on rental day.

Ackislander Jul 26th, 2015 08:45 AM

Yes, great advice from clarkgriswold.

Our UK friends and relations get much better rates than we can booking in the US, though we probably get enviable deals in the UK.

BigRuss Jul 26th, 2015 01:49 PM

Alamo is no worse or better than any other car agency. Its prices tend to be decent, much better than is misnamed corporate partner, Budget.

clarkgriswold Jul 26th, 2015 05:25 PM

Alamo & National are owned by Enterprise. Budget is owned by Avis. Hertz owns Thrifty and Dollar now. Pretty soon they'll all be charging baggage fees and change fees like the airlines, and reservations will be nonrefundable.

gb944 Jul 27th, 2015 09:34 AM

One tip about Alamo... make a (free) reservation early on, then make another later, etc. Repeat until you get a good price. Don't join their Alamo Insider (frequent renter) club, as their rates tend to be more expensive than the rates an unidentified renter can score on their website. Don't pay in advance, wait until you get to the counter.

t4ffy Jul 31st, 2015 12:40 PM

Thank you all.

mrwunrfl Aug 1st, 2015 12:43 PM

>> ... at Atlanta Airport..

Good advice above about Alamo. How about tips specifically about Alamo at ATL? Like about whether the Alamo cars are in a garage at the airport or you have to take a long ass bus ride to the lot which is hard to find when you return? Or you saw long lines at Alamo but not other agencies at ATL?

That is, does anyone have any Alamo-at-ATL specific tips?

Ackislander Aug 2nd, 2015 03:04 AM

The new car rental center seems to be opening in November. All in- terminal rentals will move to the new center, or so they hope.

http://www.atlanta-airport.com/docs/...20Brochure.pdf

If you go after that, there's your answer. If before, probably a long ride.

BritishCaicos Aug 2nd, 2015 08:43 AM

Alamo is by far the best option for European renters.

We always take an Alamo Gold contract which includes everything : tank of fuel, extra driver and full no excess insurance. The rates through AutoEurope are usually very sharp.

We had a lovely old Georgian couple reverse into us in a car park. They damaged both cars but because of the extent of the Alamo coverage we just let them drive away without bothering to take details.

Yes Ack, I agree with ATL.

It has very warm and friendly staff but on a Friday evening it's worse than a cattle market and badly needs updating. Unfortunately, we have a connection through ATL again this October : Delta from Manchester UK is just too convenient.


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