We have reserved a great rate with Alamo thanks to a posting on this board that included a rate code which gave us a discount. However, I seems to be reminded that some folks have had difficulty with Alamo. Is the savings not worth the hassle? I'd love to hear from any of you out there who have rented from Alamo and what your experience was. Thanks

There's a pretty big thread on this site somewhere about people having problems with Alamo. I was one of the people who posted, saying I would never, ever rent from them again. That said, there were a number of people who were repeat customers of theirs and had never had a problem. Perhaps it's hit and miss. I rented from them because they did have the best rates, but to my mind it wasn't worth the hassle at all, and be aware that they lie about the amount of insurance coverage you have to buy. Check your own policy before you leave, and see what it covers. As I understand it the car rental companies make lots of money selling insurance, and they aren't very ethical about the way they do it; Alamo is probably among the worst. See if you can do a search on this board, and I will too, to see if I can top the post for you.

Car rental companies don't sell insurance. The amount they charge you for "collision damage waiver)" (CDW)goes right into the company's revenue. If you take the CDW and you have an accident you don't pay. The car rental company absorbs the repair expenses. The CDW fees collected from all customers far exceeds the total cost of all repairs.

In most cases your own insurance covers rental cars so there is no need to take the CDW.

Thanks Cindy......would appreciate any further info you come up with.

Three times so far in Hawaii, no real problems, some times (Saturday afternoons for example) are just busier than others I guess.

We had better luck with Alamo than we did with Dollar Rent a car.

I rented from Alamo this past spring in Phoenix, dropping the car off in Las Vegas. I got a very good rate. The check out desk was a bit shorthanded, but considering the money I saved, well worth the wait. I had no problems getting the car that I had reserved (I was asked if I wanted to upgrade but was by no means pressured). Check out and checking the car back in in Las Vegas went swiftly and smoothly. This was the first time that I had used Alamo but really did not see much difference between them and the others that I have used. Kim, you might get a better answer if you put in your post where you are going, maybe you will find someone that has used that specific one.

Sign up for Alamo's 'Quick Silver' program and you will never have a hassle. I have rented from Hertz and spoiled the first day of my vacation because it took so long to get the car. I also rented from Alamo with the same effect...before I became a Quick Silver Member.

Have used Alamo in Hawaii a number of times, no problems. As a matter of fact, I have booked a compact car with them on Kauai for month of Feb 2003 for 660.00, includes all taxes and fees. They had the best fare by far using a Costco Discount. Other fares ranged from 696 to 939 with other car companies for same car for same time. I'll take my chances with Alamo for that rate.

Alamo is the biggest so they probably have the most complaints. I personally won't go near Budget.

All the car rental companies suck. They post low rates and then have to do whatever they possibly can to up the price. They practically beg you to take the insurance (or 'waivers'), and play games with the rates. For instance, if you rent for 5 days and decide to return after 4 days, they can charge you a lot more. "But I'm bringing the car back EARLY! You can rent it to somebody ELSE now"! Nope, that's not the way it works.

Then there's the famous Alamo line, "you probably don't need all of our various insurances today, right? You are all set with just the basic?"

NO THANK YOU! I don't need your "basic" coverage either! I'm all covered by my regular car insurance and my AAA credit card!

Be careful when people tell you not to buy the Loss Damage Waiver that Alamo and the other companies offer. I work for a very large insurance company and we handle these types of issues daily. Many car rental companies (including Alamo, Budget, and Thrifty) are now charging you Loss of Use and Administrative Fees in the event that the rental car is damaged while it is in your possession, regardless of fault. In my experience, these charges are often inflated and the rental car company cannot prove them. This will not keep them from sending you to collection and affecting your credit rating if you do not pay what they want. Many insurance policies cover the rental car while you have it. That is no big deal. They may not cover the Administrative Fee or the Loss of Use charge in the event that the car is damaged. Buying the LDW will cover these charges but they often charge a lot of money for this "coverage". It is a decision you will have to make. I don't buy it, but I know that in Ohio, the rental car companies have to be able to document and prove their damages in a court of law in order to recover. I have never, in my 9 years in the auto claims end of the insurance industry had a rental company be able to document or prove these charges. When you sign their rental contract, you are saying you will pay these charges. Good luck.

Just my luck I had a fender bender in an Avis car. My visa covered the repair bill, but Avis charged me a $100 "administrative fee" which was not covered.

Since I rent once monthly, and have done so for 4 years without ever buying the coverages, I still come out way ahead I guess.

J, did you have to pay Avis for the damage and then recover from Visa? What is the procedure when you have an accident and make a claim on on your Visa coverage. Any problems ?