ANy likes or dislikes about car rentals in Phoenix. Would rather pick up car at airport. ARe there any without taking a shuttle?

rr,

I believe you will find the Phoenix Airport car rental situation about the same as just about all other major airports. You take a free shuttle (usually about 10 minutes) to the rental car area. They drop you off either at the rental office, or in some cases, at your car.

What is the problem with taking a shuttle?

Dick

FYI, Phoenix will fee you to death! The Phoenix area has exhorbitant rental car fees, surcharges, add-ons, taxes, etc. Check carefully the TOTAL price.

On our trip to Phoenix last April we found the best prices, by far, at Alamo. The desk was right there in the airport and the car was but an elevator ride away. I made the reservation on-line and found no hidden fees. The price was the exact same as I had been quoted.

I just booked at Alamo at the Phoenix airport. For 9 days, unlimited milage SUV, I'm paying $310 plus $132 in taxes and fees. What do all of you think of this price? Also, it states the SUV will be a Chevy Blazer or similar. What do you think of my chances of getting a better SUV than a Blazer? Thanks.

You can get great deals on Priceline. I just went this weekend. I got a Hertz full-sized rental car for $20 a day (plus tax and fees) and, in case you need a hotel, I got the Hilton East Mesa for $33 a night.

Hi I am arriving from UK at end of April for a 2 week tour around the canyons and want to hire a car from Phoenix. However I arrive quite late after a very long flight and have booked into a local motel to crash out and then collect a car the next morning. Does anyone know whether car rental firms will deliver to motels (near the airport) or will I have to go back into the airport to collect the next morning?

Also which firm would you recommend me booking - there is such a wider choice than in the UK and have been reading some companies try to take you for a ride with lots of hidden extras?

Many thanks for any advice

Tom,
Did you use a special rate code to get that great rate - $310 for an SUV? If so, can you share it?

I'm getting mixed answers on if the Alamo cars are right at some of the terminals in PHX or you have to take shuttle, anyone know for sure, someone mentioned a short elevator ride?

I would not recommend Alamo to Hitler himself. They usually have the lowest rates, but, they literally treat you like cattle. they herd you onto the bus, herd you off, put you in a "disney world on a really busy day" sized line, basically treat you like the loser they think you are. After doing this twice with them (I gave them the benefit of the doubt the first time) I swore never to do it again. I now pay whatever extra it costs to go to Hertz or Avis and have not been disappointed.

I booked a Chrysler Concorde through Dollar Rent-a-Car for Oct at the Phoenix airport. This is their premium car. Rate: 213.89; with taxes: 310.25. Those taxes are amazing, the highest I've seen anywhere in the US.

I actually found the price on Orbitz and tried to book through them. There were no premium cars available for my dates at that price. Went directly to Dollar's website and got that price.

Go figure.

For what it's worth, I rented from Alamo last month in Las Vegas for a week. Car was a small SUV for a rate of about $170/wk. When I went to pick it up, I was allowed to take my pick from a row of their small SUVs. Took a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, with 2,000 miles on it. Quite pleased, actually.

I'd read the comments (mostly negative,) here on the board, but figured I had time to deal with any hassles. There were't any (other than the fact that the temp registration expired during the rental, but it turned out not to be a problem.)

George-

maybe it was the time of day when I arrived. but everytime I used to rent from alamo I always got the herded cattle feeling.

Kimberly,
The $310 SUV price (not counting taxes & fees)for 9 days from Alamo Phoenix was a discounted price after using my union # from the New York State United Teachers. I also tried to use the coupon number from the Entertainment discount book, but it wasn't accepted. Last year, when I was in Las Vegas, this second coupon was taken by the agent at the car rental counter.....I'll try that again when I pick up the SUV in Phoenix.

Has anyone had similar experience with Alamo as JoeBob had?

Joebob: We arrived there Dec. 13. Apparently that period between the end of the Rodeo Finals and Christmas is the period of the year with the least business. Stayed at the Rio (wanted nice digs, wasn't worried about the strip,) with two nights at 49/night, and one at 59. And, 'cause we spent so much on the room, they threw in 3 meal twofers.

Is a tip ever appropriate for good service from the car rental agent?? How about prior to the service????

ttt

I am sorry, but I beg to differ with JoeBob in this particular instance. Alamo has their car drop off/pick up right outside the front doors of the Phonix airport. No need to ride a shuttle at all with this particular agency at this airport. I remember being totally amazed at their situation and found it VERY easy. BTW, I received my best deal (after a lot of shopping around) through 11th Hour Vacations (a .com) and received a free upgrade to a convertable. Total price was around $360 total for 8 days. Shop around - but I did like Alamo very much at Phoenix. Hope this info helps you, rr & Kate.

Happy Trails,
Paul

We also wanted to be able to pick up our rental car right at the airport. I did a lot of shopping around on the internet, and the best deal I found was by going directly to budget.com. I got a Mercury Grand Marquis for a better price than a compact car becauce of a "senior" special, $199.99/week. Yes, all the taxes and surcharges are a killer ($192.93 for 2 weeks)! The total for 2 weeks is $592.91. Does this seem like a good deal? Marie

You could also research the available rental car codes at http://www.pcpages.com/rentalcodes/

I booked with Alamo using one of the codes there and saved about $50 off the first rate I was quoted.