Complain about a product or service

Alamo Car Rental

Louisa of Wanaque, NJ February 27, 2009

Louisa of Wanaque NJ (02/27/09)
What is this new business where rates are advertized and then you find out that they charge for an extra driver? 10.00 a day!!! It took a lot of calling and finally was assured that I would get no extra charge for my husband to drive. then, the old bait and switch and when I tried to pre register to save time at the airport...surprise!! I was going to be charged the 10.00 a day. After calls and going through several supervisors we got them to drop the fee only after we gave our AARP number! what happpens to other people who aren't as lucky or aren't as persistent as we are? I fully expect to get other hidden fees when we arrive. Can't there be a full disclosure up front?? How can you compare prices when they are not what the actual charges are.

This takes a lot more time and effort and money than should be required to rent a car for a VACATION!!

Candace of San Carlos, CA February 20, 2009

Candace of San Carlos CA (02/20/09)
My brother passed away and I needed to fly to MN. Picked up a car at the airport January 27th. Returned the car the mornng of February 1st. They noticed a scratch on the front bumper. Told me to go in and talk to the counter person. I told her I didn't have any idea how the scratch had gotten there. She took the info, printed out my receipt and I left thinking it was taken care of. Yesterday in the mail, Alamo claim. 645.74. I called - all I got was you didn't walk around the car, blah blah. Never again.

Jack of West Hollywood, CA February 18, 2009

Jack of West Hollywood CA (02/18/09)
I recently received an email from Alamo Rent A Car offering a free one class upgrade on my next rental. As I was traveling to Denver soon, I booked an Intermediate Size car and received the Free Upgrade to a Full Size car. Upon arriving at the Denver Airport Alamo location, I was informed that the upgrade was only for a two door and that the four door would cost an extra 11 a day plus applicable taxes.

Since there is no price difference on their website for Two Door versus Four Door cars, I was somewhat taken by suprise. As there were five adults in my party, I felt forced to pay the difference in order to receive my Free upgrade. I find this practice misleading, deceptive and a scam to lure customers into a higher priced vehicle. I have written to Alamo regarding this practce and will no longer be using them for my rental car needs.

I felt forced to pay the 33.00 plus applicable taxes and fees.

Julie of Pearland, TX February 3, 2009

Julie of Pearland TX (02/03/09)
I rented an intermediate car from Alamo at LAX. Upon my arrival on 1/15/2009 at 10PM, I was called to the reservation desk and went through all the formal questions regarding renting a vehicle. I did not puchase insurance or additional coverage from Alamo. I was informed by the Alamo employee to pick an intermediate car in that row in the garage. The keys are in them. I was never given an inspection sheet nor did an employee come out to inspect the vehicle with me. There were a couple of cars in the lot and I seletected a Ford Fusion with Colorado license plate.

I completed the walk-through of the oustide and inside prior to leaving the garage and found no damages. Before exiting the premise, I had to go through the security gates and was greeted by a worker. Handed her my paperwork and driver's license. She reviewed everything and let me out. Upon returning the vehicle on 1/18/2009 at 4PM, I was greeted by an employee. The keys were left inside the vehicle. A complete walk through was conducted and he scanned the bar code and printed the receipt. No damages or misconduct to the car was reported at the time.

 On 2/2, I received a letter from Alamo claiming that I owe 783.70 for damages to the car. The odd thing is that the mileage upon return was 19,220, which was printed on my receipt and the mileage on the documents they sent me was 19,225...something happened within the five mileage.

Steve of Boston, MA January 25, 2009

Steve of Boston MA (01/25/09)
On a business trip to Indianapolis I rented a vehicle from Alamo at the Indianapolis Airport (07/28/08 - 08/01/08). I was directed to the parking area to pickup my vehicle (without inspection). I returned the vehicle without incident (or inspection upon drop-off). I received a phone call from PurCo Fleet Services, Inc. representative Amy Davis (Claims Specialist) informing me that a claim had been filed against me by National/Alamo Car Rental. I received this call more than 90 days after the date I returned the vehicle which was also the first time I learned about this incident. PurCo Fleet Services requested that I submit a payment of 587.46 for damages.

This claim is entirely false. The vehicle was at no time mistreated or damaged while in my possession. If any such damage was realized I would expect National/Alamo to bring this to my attention at the time of return and not 90 + days later by a claims specialist AFTER repairs have been made. The claim also indicated soiling of the front interior seat of the vehicle, feces was used to describe the stain. This is 100% false and insulting. I am a business owner and travel often such a statement is absurd and inflammatory. I was the only occupant of this vehicle during the entire rental period and will state plainly this claim is inaccurate and suspicious. This claim clearly demonstrates the condition of this vehicle is not monitored or documented properly and brings into question the integrity of the report as a whole. The vehicle had been repaired by the time I was notified (no evidence remained).

I was charged for 4 days of rental service during the time the vehicle was out of service being repaired. I have tried to resolve this issue with both National/Alamo of Indianapolis and PurCo fleet services to no avail. Please note the name of the company National/Alamo has sent me to for collections: PurCo Fleet Services, Spanish Fork, UT.

As a regular car rental customer I have noticed a recent trend towards high insurance costs and high pressure scare tactics at the counter by sales personnel to purchase insurance. While renting a vehicle recently I paid an insurance rate of 66% of the daily vehicle rental cost (33/day rental 20/day insurance) for the least expensive insurance option. The cost for full coverage which I was pressured (fear tactics) into considering was 151% of the daily vehicle rental cost (33/day rental 50/day insurance). The example above is an example from Thrifty Car Rental at the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport on 12/14/08. Thrifty by no means stands out as an example. I rent from National/Alamo, Dollar, Budget, and Thrifty on a regular basis and these rates are standard across the board.

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