Alamo: picking from the wrong lane
Mar 25, 2014, 10:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UME 🇸🇪 / NWI🇬🇧
Programs: SJ, SAS, DL
Posts: 1,696
Alamo: picking from the wrong lane
Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but in a handful of rentals from Alamo / National (although usually on the blue-n-yellow side of parking lot) I've half wondered the following.
In the past I've seen Alamo distribute, for instance, full size cars in the mid-size aisles (and yes, it's usually an Impala Limited). Are these vehicles flagged by their barcode as having been downgraded to a lower class?
If not, what prevents midsize bookings picking from the full size aisle and claiming it had been parked there?
Thanks for treating the noobie question gently...
In the past I've seen Alamo distribute, for instance, full size cars in the mid-size aisles (and yes, it's usually an Impala Limited). Are these vehicles flagged by their barcode as having been downgraded to a lower class?
If not, what prevents midsize bookings picking from the full size aisle and claiming it had been parked there?
Thanks for treating the noobie question gently...
Mar 26, 2014, 8:19 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 87
I'm also curious about that!
Mar 26, 2014, 4:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SJO - MAN - LAX
Programs: MileagePlus Gold, Avis PP, National EE, Lifemiles Silver, ConnectMiles Gold
Posts: 532
Well, considering that most of the time the price difference between Mid-Size and fullsize is a couple of dollars, they probably don't even care.
Plus, I'm sure if they were really picky the exit booth agent would stop you.
Plus, I'm sure if they were really picky the exit booth agent would stop you.
Mar 28, 2014, 12:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS MVP, PriorityPass, Global Entry
Posts: 748
I would guess that the exit agents know when they have stock issues and move cars around to different aisles, but I've never tested.
I have gotten a Mid-Size SUV when renting mid-size, and a Premium when renting full-size in the past, due to the the aisle that I would otherwise get a car from being empty (and then asking the person stationed in the area), and the exit agent has never said anything.
I have gotten a Mid-Size SUV when renting mid-size, and a Premium when renting full-size in the past, due to the the aisle that I would otherwise get a car from being empty (and then asking the person stationed in the area), and the exit agent has never said anything.