Drive a great deal with Alamo (Alamo Rent-A-Car)

Member Name: Zahooga

Product:	Alamo Rent-A-Car
Date:	26/01/02 (258 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap upgrades, Clean vehicles, unlimited mileage

Disadvantages: Having to hand the car back!

I've used Alamo a couple of times now (both occasions booking through Aspect Car Rental (see separate op). On both occasions I've found them to provide a great, efficient and friendly service.

My most recent hire was over Christmas. I as hiring from Glasgow Airport and returning to Edinburgh Airport. The week before my rental, I decided that my plan to hire a small Fiat as perhaps a bit silly, and a larger car would be the best idea.

I phoned Alamo, and was shocked to be told that upgrading to a Vauxhall Corsa would cost an extra £8.50 per day! That's almost 50% of my rental rate! An Astra or similar would have been £15 extra per day!

So I resigned myself to driving a tiny Fiat around the country roads of Scotland - not a nice thought!

On the 22nd of December I turned up at Glasgow Airport (an hour and a half late thanks to BA!). Locating the Alamo desk, I handed over my voucher.

"Sir has quite a bit of luggage" said the delightful girl behind the desk. "Would a larger car be useful? We can offer a Ford Focus for an extra £2.50 per day".

Oddly enough I agreed! The Focus is 2 levels up from the Fiat, and £2.5 is considerably less than the £15 extra for the similar Astra.

Surely there must be a catch I thought. Sure enough, when I got out to the car lot, I didn't see a single Fiat in the Alamo area. I suspect that my booked Fiat was nowhere near Glasgow, and therefore by offering me a larger car at a great rate, they avoided giving me a free upgrade, and made me think I'd got a good deal!

However I'm not complaining - the Focus was spotlessly clean, and ready to go. It drove well, and returning it to Edinburgh Airport was simplicity in itself.

The advantage of using a full service firm (i.e. not Easycar!) is that they aren't quite so stalinist about damage or inspections. One week later I got my confirmation receipt, showing no additional c
harges.

Plus you also get unlimited mileage, and a range of cars!

I'd recommend Alamo to anyone looking for good service, great prices (via aspectcarrental.com) and a choice of vehicles.

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