Just got back from the big island. Wanted to warn everyone that ALAMO is the WORST CAR RENTAL there.

The employees are incompetent and rely too much on their computer system to correctly calculate fees and taxes. I asked them to show me the calculations they used to come up with their fees, and they couldn't even do it themselves on a calculator. You absolutely MUST make sure they're charging you correctly (eg, they charged us $56 for an "additional driver" that we did not have), and THEN double check their math (we caught an error they missed, and they had to credit $200 to our account... took 30 min).

Also, fixing any minor changes to your rental (add a driver, etc.) takes waaaay too much time. The first day we went to pick up the car, we were there for over an hour.

On top of it all, they were extremely rude. If you ask questions, they interrupt you. If you ask them to explain the bill, they'll say, "SIR/MA'AM, IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE, THERE'S NOTHING TO EXPLAIN." Their attitude alone has given us enough reason to never go back!

(But we did have a nice trip, and thankfully we won't have to deal with them again!)

I agree !!

We picked up our car with ALAMO in Kona and dropped off in Hilo. I had 100% FULL coverage so I had no reason to lie when I said that I had not done any dent on the side of the car. It was immediately discovered by the lady on a bottom remote edge of the car, almost invisible, therefore not reported when I picked up the car.
But she said that she perfectly knew that I had done it !!
I replied that she already perfectly knew that specific car and she was trying to keep someone responsible for it !!

Odd..just rented from Alamo in Kona..no math errors, correct number of drivers, correct price, etc.

Maybe it was that shirt you were wearing?????

I had no problem to rent in Kona but to return it in Hilo !!

By the other side I generally find friendly and competent staff by Alamo in whole USA

Never used Alamo before, but I am partial to Budget. Have had good experiences with them.

Maybe it's coincidence, maybe not, but on two occasions Alamo tried to charge me for an extra driver without my OK. When I challenged the charge, they removed it immediately, as if they were expecting a complaint. For that reason, I won't use Alamo -- there are many other options.

I rented from Alamo several times and the only problem I've had was that they try to strongarm me into buying insurance, but they're dealing with a will of iron so they can forget about that.

I think the OP's experiences are more a reflection on a certain location, or even a handful of employees on duty that day than an indictment of the entire chain. Or maybe a reflection on the upcoming workforce, many of whom can't count back simple change.

We rented from Alamo through Priceline and had no trouble. They changed primary drivers for us with no fee and we ended up with a brand new SUV.

I know a lot of other people have had trouble with Alamo. I'm glad the rest of your trip went well!

My only two experiences with Alamo were in San Diego and in Los Angeles -- both disasters. Maybe they now take the clerks who qualify the rudeness and incompetance standards and "promote" them to work in Hawaii?

Just got back from Maui and went to priceline to rent car - got matched with Alamo - full size at $20 a day - we arrived with our reservation number - were in/out in 5 minutes....this is the second time we were matched with Alamo in Hawaii and were very happy.

I belong to Budget's Fast Break, but my travel agent booked Alamo for one of my trips to Honolulu. It was the worst experience in renting a car and I won't use them again. The line took over 90 minutes of standing and waiting. After being on a long airplane ride from the mainland, people were very upset. To add to the frustration, the office is located outside of the airport, so finding the office to return the car was difficult.

We've rented from Alamo at KOA several times and had a problem only once (a lost reservation, for which we were upgraded free of charge). I can't say their clerks are overly friendly, and they do like to push their insurance, but otherwise they've been ok.

I've had trouble with Alamo in both Phoenix and Orlando, but no problem in San Francisco. The Phoenix rental was so bad I vowed never to use them again. The agent there was incredibly rude and insensitive (not to me but to the guy ahead of me). But, due to price, I've booked with them in Kona later this year! I hope I don't run into the same employees that ipako got.

OffLady, none of the car rental companies at Kahului airport are in the airport.

Are there any car rental companies at HNl airport or are they all off site. Just turned a car in yeterday at Alamo in HNL and it was a pain. Location is hard to find. Car was all dented up when we got it. They tried to say we added more dents, but the manager didn't charge us. Line was long when we got there...but it moved quickly and we didn't have to wait too long to get our car.

To rent from Alamo in Orlando is a mistake--they give big deals to folks from Europe, especially the UK, then can't handle the throngs of people waiting in line. I spent 1 and 1/2 hours in a line, on my feet, after a long trip; can't imagine how the Europeans felt, esp. with kids in tow! Never ever again. (Meanwhile, I watched people breezing through all the other car rental counters--saved a whole $12/day, wasn't worth it!)

Plenty of car rentals in HNL airport you usually get a break by going off sight to alamo. That was always my understanding but I could be wrong.

BI WE PAID THE MOST ON THE BI for our car rental. We did book at the last minute but just thought the high cost would have been reflected on all islands not just big island. I am not the driver so I don't recall the company just remember everyone being shocked at the total cost for second rate van that was not clean. Luck of the draw I suppose.

In the past on Kauai and Honolulu we were always happy with rentals. You are always going to have that one bad experience that sours your time.

But Ipako we want to hear about waipio vally and the fun time you had too.

We rented with them in Maui and they were AWFUL--kept us waiting for hours in a crowded office 'til we got our car. Would never rent from them again (or Hertz).

Yes--the Alamo in Honolulu is a pain to find. Getting there is easy because the van picks you up at the airport and you aren't paying attention to the direction, it's just a noticeably longer than usual drive to get the car.

But upon returning the car, beware--you shouldn't take the airport exit off the freeway because that just makes it harder to find. Locating it is a pain and if you didn't give yourself extra time to check-in, getting lost before a flight is no fun.