Just got back from Las Vegas and Alamo and National have merged their operations there. That means Alamo has now adopted the National policy of signing up for your car and being sent out to the lot to choose your car. Of course, that doesn't do too much good when you sign up for a compact and find there are none and 5 people are ahead of you but what the hell.

Question....is this also being done at LAX and in MCO?

ttt

Are you sure you're not a competitor trying to discredit National? I'm a regular National customer and have never had this problem. The few times I was desperate enough to use Alamo, it was disastrous - dirty cars in poor mechanical shape, attempts at hidden overcharges, and lousy service to boot. I'll stick with National anytime!

Seamus, it's true. Alamo and National have indeed merged and their operations at ALL airports will eventually merge as well.

I, too, hate Alamo but love National. I'm scared to see what will happen. I just hope they keep the Emerald Aisle concept as I always rent a midsize and end up with a larger car 99% of the time for free.

That's odd because for years Alamo and National have had the same owner. It really didn't make any sense for them to be separate.

They both have the same owners. And are both in bankrupcy - have been for months. I'd feel lucky they even have cars available still. Good luck - I wouldn't go within a hundred miles of either of them.

I don't know...I've never really had that much difficulty with Alamo. They used to have lower rates than others. Of course, I have been at MCO and listened to the lies the rental agents tell to foreign renters. I love the one where they tell them that a compact car's A/C is insufficient for the Florida heat and that for only $8/day they can upgrade to a car with adequate A/C.

Or the lie they tell to people that the credit card collision insurance doesn't apply (it sure does).

Or how it is far better to take their re-fueling option. Did you ever try to return a car as close to empty as possible. If I fill it up 25 miles from the airport, the needle will still look full...

It can't have anything to do with commissions they pay their agents to get clients to upgrade would it?

Of course if you just say no, you can get a really good deal.

TTT