Dollar vs. Alamo
 

Hi,

I will be renting a full size car in Detroit Metro Airport this week. I have held reservations with both Dollar and Alamo. I am fairly new to renting cars, and have a limited knowledge of the different types of American cars.

In your experience, which company offers a better full size car? (Dollar full size is a Dodge Interprid or similar, Alamo full size is a Buick Century or similar).

Also, which company is better in terms of overall service, any current ff miles/hotels promotions for Dollar or Alamo?.

I would love to hear your views on this, and if you feel I should look at other companies apart from these two, please let me know.

Thank You, and Have a nice Holiday.

Rajesh

Hi If you are particular about the full size car you want, best bet is to join emerald club of National(enrolment free)and they let you pick any car from the emerald isle. I have had luxury cars for a full car price.

Hi,

I would have used National, however, they are quoting me a rate of USD $300-/ish for a three day rental!!!. However, that does include, an underage fee.

Alternatively, I am getting almost half that price with Dollar or Alamo.

Thanks,
Rajesh

Rajesh, you'll find either of those 2 acceptable. My personal choice would be the Intrepid from Dollar. I have one rented for later this week in MCI (Kansas City).

I've been using Dollar much more in the past year since I joined their FastLane program. Their prices are good but the service can be spotty in certain locations.

I've been a National Emerald Aisle member for a long time, but have only used them 3-4 times in the past few years due to high prices. My experience is the same as yours...lately National is quite a bit higher for the same class, same location.

Agree with shadow, and add that while in the past I avoided them, that Alamo is seemingly much improved lately!

Don't use Alamo unless you sign up for Quicksilver. Once you have that you can bypass long line ups that seem to plague many Alamo locations at larger airports.

Agree with Bomber...don't even think about renting from Alamo unless you are configured for a Quicksilver rental!

As for rental car types, I personally like Intrepids. They are pretty roomy - I certainly prefer them over a Buick Century.

Your best plan would probably be to join FastLane if you haven't already and go that route.

FF bonuses and other promotions can be found at the car rental website...or here on FlyerTalk under the appropriate boards.

Have used both Dollar and Alamo recently, and found Dollar to be faster (although only slightly)at check-in and check-out. Found the rates for both to be similar for each class of car. Most recent experience (Dollar, at FLL airport), I found the lines at Dollar to be much shorter, with their bus dropping us right at the car, and their cars in good shape, and clean. Check-out took all of 30 seconds, and then quickly on the bus back to the terminal.

bj-21.

I have been almost a Dollar-only renter for several years after National Emerald Aisle screwed me up big time for a THanksgiving weekend rental. Dollar has been great - I personally like the Chrysler line better than Buick/GM anyway and I have never been disappointed in their cars or their service. The Intrepid handles liek a dream and is very roomy for both pax and luggage. It also gets better gasmileage than the equiv GM cars.

Airport locations are quicker than in-town locations but I almost always get an upgrade and they are very responsive to complaints or concerns. The few times I used ALamo (and it AHS been years) it was ALWAYS a bait and switch type of deal so I have very little repsect for them regarding their practices. THey once refused t o rent me th compact car I had reserved in Albuquerque NM saying "it doesn't have enough power to drive in the mountain air up here" . Of course they had a mid size for double the price...no thanks...

Dollar always has Web promotionsgoing on where you can at least get a size upgrade. The cheapest rate sthrough them are if you ahve a COstco or Sam;s Club card - code BC1011 on the Web site.

Since I am under 25, I have only used Dollar. With my Student Advantage card they waive the under-25 fee and give you a 10% discount. I have never had any problems with them anywhere in the U.S.

Check these current Alamo rates {posted 5/29} which include Detroit: http://www.alamo.com/HotDeals/TemplateOutofBlue.asp