Menu
Login
Alamo has a clever way to double or triple the bill of unsuspecting customers. Over the web, I arranged to rent a car from Alamo for 5 days and received a special weekly rate of $149. My return plans changed and I had to return the car on the fourth day. I fully expected to pay the entire $149 as I agreed and wasn't looking for a pro-rated charge - in fact the confirmation email states that early returns on special weekly rates are not entitled to a proportionate refund. Fine. What I wasn't expecting was that for returning the car *early* my bill jumped from $149 to $288. When you return a car early Alamo considers the contract specifying the special weekly rate to be terminated and instead charges you its default daily rate. Although this claus apparently exists deep in the rental agreement, there was no mention of this in my confirmation email and the when I rented the car the rental agent only mentioned a $15 early return fee, nothing about doubling my bill. When you rent a house at the beach for a week and decide to leave on Friday instead of Saturday, do you expect to pay double for leaving early?
I've tried to figure out any coherent rationale for a company treating its customers like this and can think of none.
As a footnote, after one angry exchange with a customer service rep who scolded me that it is my "responsibility to read the contract" (maybe I need to bring my attorney next time) and a second follow up call, Alamo did agree to charge me only the original weekly rate.
See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18964550 for another story on the same topic.
Turo
32 reviews
Europcar International
325 reviews
RentalCars.com
243 reviews
EconomyBookings.com
279 reviews
Sixt
454 reviews
It is hard to see any other rationale for this than Alamo is trying to gouge unsuspecting customers who have to change their travel plans at the last minute(imagine that!) I say give your business to another company who will treat you fairly!
Alamo: Always a hidden Fee.
Between May 10th and may 24th 2009, I rented a Ford Focus throw a travel agency in Costa Rica, from where I come from (turhokeanos.co.cr) ALL INCLUSIVE in Orlando FL.
Every thing was OK, until they charge an extra $123.53 "Carefree Personal Protection" (CPP) which I NEVER Ask for.
Seems to be that the rental agent at the Orlando International Airport decided I needed such insurance, she never ask me, just printed the recceipt and make me sign.
If I bought an ALL INCLUSIVE PACAGE to the travel agency, why I will need an additional CPP? And I told her: give only what is included in my reservation.
What I think is, she is getting a great commission selling extras the customers don´t ask, don't need and don't know are paying.
First and last time I ever rent a car with ALAMO.
Carlos Calderon; from San José, Costa Rica.
RA# [protected] RES#[protected] Contract ID S00208NK
###ing ###s stealing the forgotten things and claiming that they found nothing...
And they charge you per hour for 'late returns'. I will never rent from Alamo Car Rental again! Very poor Customer Service.
rented a car on June 21, 2018, through June 25, 2018, through My contract stated the cost at $100.71, I was billed $130.00. I was told that I kept the car 2 hours over. Well, the car was kept 2 hours over because the Rental Car would NOT START. We call the Roadside Service number. I spoke to the Customer Service we were told that 'Due to high call volume they would call us back'. I explained to her that we were in 98-degree temperatures in an empty stadium parking lot. We NEVER received a CALLBACK! Luckily a friend that we were traveling with happens to drive over looking for a restroom. He gave us a jump start. Needless to say, I will NEVER rent from Alamo Car Rental again! Alamo Car Rental has piss poor Customer Service all around, period.