Other Car Rental Programs (ie. Alamo, Enterprise) - Alamo upgrade?

I haven't used Alamo before, but I am using them next week. It works out great because the city I'm flying into (GRB), is having a huge convention that ends the day before my rental, so they will probably have an excess inventory. Has anyone had an upgrade despite not having status with Alamo?

My kids are cute, so maybe they'll upgrade us for that....maybe??

If they have a lot of cars and they aren't busy, then being nice and chatting with the person behind the counter can be really helpful in scoring an upgrade even without status.

It worked for me at Alamo in BUF - no lines and I wasn't in a rush. After talking for a bit the lady offered me a Cadilac STS. Unfortunately I had to turn it down because of a looming snowstorm and I went with a 4x4.

Also you might wanna sign up for Alamo Insiders - it's not status per se, but it has a bunch of perks and it might make you seem like more of a loyal Alamo customer. If I remember correctly - some of the perks include allowing a spouse to be an additional driver without any extra charge etc.

If they have a lot of cars and they aren't busy, then being nice and chatting with the person behind the counter can be really helpful in scoring an upgrade even without status.

It worked for me at Alamo in BUF - no lines and I wasn't in a rush. After talking for a bit the lady offered me a Cadilac STS. Unfortunately I had to turn it down because of a looming snowstorm and I went with a 4x4.

Also you might wanna sign up for Alamo Insiders - it's not status per se, but it has a bunch of perks and it might make you seem like more of a loyal Alamo customer. If I remember correctly - some of the perks include allowing a spouse to be an additional driver without any extra charge etc.

Thanks for the reply. I've already signed up for Insiders. I guess we will see.

If they have a lot of cars and they aren't busy, then being nice and chatting with the person behind the counter can be really helpful in scoring an upgrade even without status.



Agree. I never use the kiosk unless the line at the counter is long. But I've also learned if you are nice to the person in the lot, they'll direct you to an upgrade. The gal in ABQ gave me a new Explorer because I told her I was was glad to see someone smiling for a change. I paid for a mid-size.;)

Not only did I not get an upgrade in Sacramento last week, the clerk told me I had a really high rate. I told him I needed a discount then. He dropped the rate 10% and sent me off in a mid-size Corolla.

First crazy lines and they cleary don't have a lot of compact cars, so I was glad I opt for mid-size (it was a dollar more or something)

I think most people got a 1 class upgrade. I was upgrade from Mid to Full...although the guy in front of me got upgraded to premium and some guy was waiting for the charger :)

Overall, I was glad I could get in and out...