Pricing Query

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by ratmanscoop

Thanks for the replies, that looks a bit more promising!

Andy - the secondary drivers would not be related to the primary drivers, would that affect things? Rather surprising at the figures if it's coming via Budget - booking with Budget directly even an economy was £1100 this year!

Tom - would you mind showing how you got those figures? When I look at the Virgin Atlantic Alamo partner site I'm seeing £1790.84 for the minivan and £951.75 for the intermediate.

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Ahh you have made the classic mistake of looking at Partners.

Their website is not brilliant.

Go onto the VA website and scroll down a bit. then you will spot 'car or hotel only' Thats where you get the car prices.

I will try this link that may take you straight to it.

travelplus.virginatlantic.co...20car%20 hire

It works! You will now see the car hire near the top of the page.

Plus you get flying club miles.

[ratmanscoop]

Wow, that's absurd, thanks!

I'm still seeing £801 for the minivan rather than £734 but that's certainly a lot better, thank you.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

19th April - 5th May I am getting £734.68

[ratmanscoop]

Hmm odd, I get the below, not sure what I've done differently. Perhaps it's because I haven't logged into my miles account yet?

The results are the same with/without the results filter - I've just done that for ease of showing the date/time/location selection and the price.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by ratmanscoop

Hmm odd, I get the below, not sure what I've done differently. Perhaps it's because I haven't logged into my miles account yet?

The results are the same with/without the results filter - I've just done that for ease of showing the date/time/location selection and the price.

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Its because you have the times wrong. Pick up at 1600 and drop off at 1630

Switch it around and you get my price.

I always book a 1700 pick up and a 1630 drop off. Plus Virgin are the only ones who give you a 2 hour leeway free so you could do what I suggest but drop off at 18.30!

[ratmanscoop]

I see - I chose those times as they matched what time we're likely to end up at the desk on the outbound/inbound journey - I assume if you pick a later time on the return (even if only by 30 mins) it counts as an extra day, hence the higher price? Good spot.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I never return much later than 2.00pm as we like chilling out in the Delta Lounge.

As I say I always book a 1700 pick up but actually it can be anything between 1630 and 1830. It matters not as the time commences at the exit barrier as the Guy generates your receipt.
Thats when the clock starts so if you drive out at 1725 you should aim to be back by 1724 at the latest.
But, as I say Virgin give you 2 hrs leeway.

The latest we have picked up was circa 2330 but that was ash cloud year!

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Edit. Dont forget with Alamo you go nowhere near a desk. Wander into the garage, they point your row out and you take what you want. Job done.

[ratmanscoop]

Duly noted, I sincerely hope we don't arrive that late on our trip but who knows. All the major delays we've had travelling abroad have been on shorter trips to Europe so I suppose it is overdue!

Do you happen to know what Virgin are like for fictitious charges? From what I heard last time it seems industry standard practice to issue false charges after you return the car but wasn't sure how easy (or otherwise) it was to get them refunded, or the likelihood of them occurring in the first place.

I remember being given a row and 'take anything' in 2011 when we last used Alamo, but I know we went to the desk beforehand, thinking that was what we were meant to do. Not sure whether there was any benefit to doing so or whether it was a waste of time, it was too long ago!

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I do at least 3 trip to Orlando a year, this year we did 4.

I have been using Alamo for 10+ years and booking though Virgin or Alamo Brits for every rental so at least 34 times probably more.

I have never had any extras charged however I trust nobody. Sad to say but thats how I protect myself.
Thus at the exit barrier I read the receipt they give me 3 times! I care not about the queue behind me, tough I am checking what I have is right - it always is

Edit. When you return the car they generate a receipt from their hand held devices. That should show $0. Mine shows circa $45 to $60 as I choose to bring the car back empty thus lock in their low rate for fuel

Any issues you fight the battle there and then, not when you are home.

I have never had issues though