Other Car Rental Programs (ie. Alamo, Enterprise) - No "Standard" cars at LAX - only Full Size

/*Can't believe I forgot to mention the rental car company - it was Alamo!*/

Flew through LAX last week for a conference down in Dana Point. Normally, I reserve an intermediate with a double upgrade coupon to full size, but this time I reserved a compact with a double upgrade coupon to a standard in order to save a little money.

Upon arrival, I checked in at the kiosk and went outside only to find there wasn't a row for "standard" cars. They skipped from intermediate to full size. This effectively meant I got a triple upgrade! So, take note if you're flying to LAX and use the insiders double-upgrade coupons - you can save a little extra money by booking a compact instead of an intermediate and still get a full sized vehicle.

p.s. I got a shiny new black VW Passat for my compact rental fee. There were a ton of Altimas there, too, including at least one 3.5 liter SR sport model (which are a lot of fun to drive, but not as fun as the Maxima 4DSC I had in Dallas a few weeks ago)!

I used to time my trips just so this kind of thing would happen. There was a "magic time" between 10 and 3 in some markets when the morning rush depleted all the compacts and mid sizes, and the returns had not started coming in yet. Especially in towns where confrences were taking place. This meant only better cars left behind. LAX, LAS, PHX, MCI, SAN and STL were the best for this.

I've seen that in various markets, too. In this case, though, it seems like they just don't carry that size at all.

I got a shiny new black VW Passat for my compact rental fee.

Hi rhinok - can I ask which company was it that had the VW Passat? Sorry if it's obvious, I'm not that familiar with the car rentals in the U.S.

We're planning on visiting LA in late Aug, and hiring a car for a couple of days, driving up to SF. Was keen on getting a car that's a bit out-of-the-ordinary (compared to what we get here in Australia), but it seems to me most rental agencies advertise plain old Nissan Versas and Toyota Corollas in the compact class now.

I've seen that in various markets, too. In this case, though, it seems like they just don't carry that size at all.

The only Alamo station I've ever seen that carried standard cars was ORD. Maybe 6-9 cars total sandwiched in between intermediate and full-size. I ended up with a Kia Soul, don't remember the rest of the cars in that section (Malibus, maybe?)

The rest of the times I've booked a standard, I've been directed to the full-size area.

Hi rhinok - can I ask which company was it that had the VW Passat? Sorry if it's obvious, I'm not that familiar with the car rentals in the U.S.

We're planning on visiting LA in late Aug, and hiring a car for a couple of days, driving up to SF. Was keen on getting a car that's a bit out-of-the-ordinary (compared to what we get here in Australia), but it seems to me most rental agencies advertise plain old Nissan Versas and Toyota Corollas in the compact class now.

It was Alamo and a Passat was considered Full Size.

p.s. Thanks for asking - I can't believe I forgot to put in the car company in my post and title!

The only Alamo station I've ever seen that carried standard cars was ORD. Maybe 6-9 cars total sandwiched in between intermediate and full-size. I ended up with a Kia Soul, don't remember the rest of the cars in that section (Malibus, maybe?)

The rest of the times I've booked a standard, I've been directed to the full-size area.

I fly through Dallas a lot and there's definitely a standard section there.

It was Alamo and a Passat was considered Full Size.

Thanks for the info. And sorry for digging up an old thread, but to be completely honest I totally forgot I had even asked the question!

At the moment I actually have a reservation with Alamo at LAX, for a "Premium" class car (ie PDAR) - really wondering what kind of car I will get? When I made the reservation (via a third-party aggregator site), it said "Buick Regal or similar" - but judging from Alamo's website, I don't think Alamo even offers this vehicle anymore.

Also, other people's posts elsewhere on this forum seem to imply that Alamo will let me pick my own car from the lot. Is this always the case?
And if so, how do they restrict the selection? Are the cars segregated in the lot according to car class?

Sorry for all the dumb questions - the last time I rented a car in the U.S was about 5 years ago in San Francisco, and at the time they simply handed me the keys to a Chevy Impala. Which we didn't like at all, just because of its sheer size. (There were only 3 of us.)

..

Also, other people's posts elsewhere on this forum seem to imply that Alamo will let me pick my own car from the lot. Is this always the case?
And if so, how do they restrict the selection? Are the cars segregated in the lot according to car class?

)

Alamo place cars into areas according to the class, so you go to the premium area and select a car that suits, this way you have a choice, although that may depend on what's available at the time you arrive. Much more civilized than being handed a key.

You can check out mileage, smell, color as well...

Alamo place cars into areas according to the class, so you go to the premium area and select a car that suits, this way you have a choice, although that may depend on what's available at the time you arrive. Much more civilized than being handed a key.

You can check out mileage, smell, color as well...

It depends on the aiport. If it's an airport with a secured lot (where you have to show your agreement and ID before you can exit) then you can typically just walk out to the section for your reserved class and select a car. If it's at an airport with an unsecured lot (SLC or OMA, for example) then you are handed a set of keys.

Please check this thread for a (growing) list of Alamo sites that let you pick your own ride:

http://goo.gl/Fn8gr

It depends on the aiport. ....

http://goo.gl/Fn8gr

Absolutely - we agree, I was answering the question about LAX which is a secure lot.

Your link is helpful for others :)