Nice car, decent service

Brand new car, smooth pick-up process

This company is pretty good. Although the ATS I reserved was unavailable and they gave me a Lincoln SUV instead, it was no big deal.

1. We arrived at the car rental spot at the airport in the middle of the night, and there were still two counters open, which was great. It takes about 5 minutes to wait for the shuttle bus from the airport to the rental location. 2. The staff were friendly and not pushy. They only asked if we wanted to upgrade the car and recommended the very practical TravelTab (a Samsung Galaxy that functions as a phone, navigation device, and Wi-Fi hotspot). 3. After completing the paperwork, you go to the parking lot to choose a car. All the cars of the class you booked are parked together with the keys in the cars and doors unlocked. You can pick any car and drive away. 4. There were many options available across different car classes. The cars were new, well-maintained, and clean inside. 5. When returning the car, despite not having a full tank because the gas station was far from the return point, the staff said it was fine, which was very considerate.

I payed for a Toyota RAV4 or similar, but I was given a Nissan Kicks, wich in my opinion is much smaller. The Alamo counter staff said they were the same category and they dont even work with Toyota, so I had to keep the Nissan Kicks! I feel like I was cheated somehow. I payed more for less afterall.

Economy car booked at LAX. On arrival counter clerk tried to get me to up-grade to a Compact car, saying it would be roomier and more comfortable over long distances at an additional cost of only so many more dollars per day, which I declined and said I would stay with the Economy car booked, asked about cruise-control and was told that only Full-size cars had cruise and would do well to upgrade to one [ at extra cost of course. ] I again declined and was then given a Compact car, at no extra cost. Why ? Because they did not have any Economy cars, having previously tried to get me to pay for an up-grade which they were bound to give me gratis anyway ! Nice try Alamo. On checking 5 different makes of Economy cars, I found that they ALL had cruise control, making the counter-hand, at best, woefully ignorant of the features of the vehicles Alamo rent out, or a deliberate liar at worst. Commission-hungry rental agents who are prepared to tell customers anything to boost their income do little to maintain the reputation and integrity of Alamo. I have taken the matter up with Alamo and am waiting for their response, but thought I should advise you of the dubious methods being practiced there.