Other Car Rental Programs/Partners (ie. Alamo, Enterprise, Sixt) - Alamo Kiosk or Online Check in

Has anyone used Alamo's Kiosk in LAS? I'm usually a National person, but Alamo has them beat by about $70. How does the kiosk compare to National's Aisle? Can I just pick any car? I also noticed on Alamo's site that I can't use the online check in since I'm using a coupon. Thanks

Has anyone used Alamo's Kiosk in LAS? I'm usually a National person, but Alamo has them beat by about $70. How does the kiosk compare to National's Aisle? Can I just pick any car? I also noticed on Alamo's site that I can't use the online check in since I'm using a coupon. Thanks

You usually still get to pick your car out of the class you booked. And yes it's a pain...for some reason Alamo won't let you use On-line check in when you have a coupon. It doesn't make sense and I even work for both Alamo/National. We can't get a straight answer why this is from Corporate.
One other pain using Alamo that you don't get using National...there are more restrictions. If you return earlier than planned, like 24 hrs early, there's a 15$ early return fee...and...if you have to stay longer, not only do you pay the extra day, you have to pay an over stay fee of $10.99 Each day you keep the car longer....even if you are over into an hour or so the over stay fee kicks in. Better rates means more restrictions, just like the airlines. Watch for those on your contract. There are also minimum keep requirements...and...the time you say you will arrive and leave is critical so make sure you have those booked right. On weekend rates, which kick in at Noon on Thursdays, if you arrive before noon, your rate will change if the contract is written prior to Noon...because technically then it isn't a weekend rate yet. NO they don't have to change it for you. If you said you'd arrive at Noon or after, then that's what they honor. Your rate was created on the computer based on the days and times you said you wanted the car. Alamo's rates are cheap because they are very time sensative.
And remember, a reservation is not a contract. It's no different than a Dinner Reservation. It just says you plan on showing up for a car. You are guaranteed a car for 24 hours. If you show up earlier than planned, depending on the city and what's going on there, they don't have to give you the rate you booked...or a car. They will do their best to accommodate you though.
Call the location directly though and tell them you have a res booked with a coupon and ask them if you can use the kiosk. Try not to hit the buttons on the phone where it lands your phone call in India. Google the phone number, it has a 702 area code. Don't call an 800 or 877 number, you will end up in India. If you can't reach them on the phone, when you arrive just pop up to the counter real quick and say, "I have a res with a coup, can I use the kiosk?"

I've used both online and kiosk (though I'm not familiar with the LAS location), as well as at the counter.

Online is easy. They do instruct you to print out a lengthy rental agreement (maybe 8 page sor so), more than I like to carry. But most of it is boilerplate; at times, I've printed only the first two pages and not had a problem.

The kiosk is also pretty easy.

If you have no printer, you can also do an online check-in, then use the kiosk to re-check-in and print. If you do this, the kiosk retains all the earlier info, so it's really quick, just hitting the "next" button a half dozen times.

Last time I used the kiosk, for some reason, my FF#, though it showed on the R/A, was not on the final receipt, and I had to email for credit.

Two other possible considerations:
- When you do an online check-in, there is a warning that says that cancellation fees may apply. I don't know what happens, fee-wise, if your plans change or flights are cancelled after online check-in, but be aware of that.
- On the other hand, at some locations (my recent ATL rentals come to mind), between the wait for the rental car bus and the long wait to exit the lot at peak times, it can take a half hour to get from the in-terminal kiosk to the car lot exit booth. With kiosk check-in, you are paying for this time. If your rental return time is near a full 24 hours (or in the extra-hour 24-27 range), this may cost you. With an online check-in, the clock starts when you leave the lot.

I don't know about coupon acceptance either way.

Whether you check-in online, kiosk, or counter, though, the cars are the same, and the same as the Natl Emerald Aisle. You pick any car you want from the appropriate class.

I've used both online and kiosk (though I'm not familiar with the LAS location), as well as at the counter.

Online is easy. They do instruct you to print out a lengthy rental agreement (maybe 8 page sor so), more than I like to carry. But most of it is boilerplate; at times, I've printed only the first two pages and not had a problem.

The kiosk is also pretty easy.

If you have no printer, you can also do an online check-in, then use the kiosk to re-check-in and print. If you do this, the kiosk retains all the earlier info, so it's really quick, just hitting the "next" button a half dozen times.

Last time I used the kiosk, for some reason, my FF#, though it showed on the R/A, was not on the final receipt, and I had to email for credit.

Two other possible considerations:
- When you do an online check-in, there is a warning that says that cancellation fees may apply. I don't know what happens, fee-wise, if your plans change or flights are cancelled after online check-in, but be aware of that.
- On the other hand, at some locations (my recent ATL rentals come to mind), between the wait for the rental car bus and the long wait to exit the lot at peak times, it can take a half hour to get from the in-terminal kiosk to the car lot exit booth. With kiosk check-in, you are paying for this time. If your rental return time is near a full 24 hours (or in the extra-hour 24-27 range), this may cost you. With an online check-in, the clock starts when you leave the lot.

I don't know about coupon acceptance either way.

Whether you check-in online, kiosk, or counter, though, the cars are the same, and the same as the Natl Emerald Aisle. You pick any car you want from the appropriate class.

Thanks for the info, I guess I'll try and see if it will let me check in online.

Online is easy. They do instruct you to print out a lengthy rental agreement (maybe 8 page sor so)

I checked in on-line on 12/30 and they seem to have added a new feature...instead of printing the lengthy agreement, there was an option to have an e-mail confirmation sent. This e-mail had a 2-page pdf attachment that you can use when picking up the car. ^

One other pain using Alamo that you don't get using National...there are more restrictions. If you return earlier than planned, like 24 hrs early, there's a 15$ early return fee...and...if you have to stay longer, not only do you pay the extra day, you have to pay an over stay fee of $10.99 Each day you keep the car longer....even if you are over into an hour or so the over stay fee kicks in.

Rented a car from Alamo at DFW over Christmas. Due to a flight cancellation and re-book, I had to extend return time by 3-4 hours. Called Alamo to extend and did so without issue. Was only charged for the extra hours and at the (discounted) hourly rate specified on my contract. No "over stay fee" was applied.