While making our travel reservations we, well Lilinoe, researched every car rental business available. We chose Alamo Rent A Car not because it was the least expensive (it wasn’t), but the price versus the type of car was highly factored in to our decision. And, being AAA members, we received a discount.
It was our first time vacationing in Phoenix, Arizona — I had a brief layover about five years ago and Lilinoe and I had driven from Nevada in 2006 — so we were reading signs carefully while each lugging a piece of luggage. We boarded the bus that sped us over to the Rental Car Center. Hawaii doesn’t have a Rental Car Center, so for the readers who don’t know it’s exactly as it’s titled — a center with all of the major car rental businesses conveniently in one place.
The customer service sales representative did his best to threaten intimidate sell us additional insurance coverage and other add-ons, but he didn’t realize that he was trying to sell NEENZ which sometimes isn’t an easy task. I held my ground, politely declined and we hustled over to the “Standard SUV” row.
We were like kids in a candy store pacing up and down the rows, opening doors and compartments trying to choose just one! Murano though sporty didn’t fit NEENZ too comfortably. We drooled at the Infiniti because well, Infinity Productions, but it was just too small. We were down to two choices – Toyota Highlander or Nissan Xterra – cleanliness prevailed and we drove out in the Nissan Xterra.
The Xterra provided great gas mileage, fit five passengers comfortably and all of our luggage.
We continued our business relationship with Alamo during the Las Vegas leg of our vacation, and enjoyed the spacious and trendy Chevrolet HHR.
Except for the tough sales pitches, our experience with Alamo will have us return the next time we need to rent a vehicle. Each experience is different, and is highly dependent on the level of customer service you expect and receive so while we recommend it, we cannot guarantee the same experience.
On a side note, Lilinoe’s sister rented a car from Enterprise and suffered a flat tire. It took a visit to Pep Boys and Firestone, and an almost three hour wait to have the tire repaired. Enterprise had a contract with Pep Boys for repairs in Arizona, but since the flat occurred in Nevada the repairs were contracted with Firestone. Firestone could not change the tire until they received approval from a District Manager. After three hours the DM gave an approval and it took about 15-minutes to change the tire. The only other solution that Enterprise offered was to reimburse Lilinoe’s sister for the repairs at a location of her choice. No, they wouldn’t let her exchange vehicles.
All I have to say is that I had the absolute worst experience with Alamo of any rental company I’ve dealt with and they are now up with United and Sprint (who I still have to deal with because of the way the cell phone industry works) as companies I just don’t want to deal with anymore.
And I take personal responsibility for them declaring bankruptcy a few years ago
Ryan,
You’re not the first to complain about Alamo. We took a big risk, but as I mentioned your experience relies on the customer service received. In other words, the human is just as important as the vehicle.
And, I’m a Sprint customer too. Knock on wood, I haven’t experienced any of the insanity millions have been complaining about.
Neenz,
Maybe if I travel to AZ (I don’t see that happening) I’ll give Alamo another try–and it’s been probably a decade since I dealt with them already.
As far as Sprint goes, if you haven’t had to deal with their customer service, I’d say you’re fine. But if you ever have to deal with them, oh my….