Alamo: upgrade from minivan to 8 seater or 15 seater

[FloridaDave]

OP,

As per your title you’ve booked a Mini Van so that’ll be a 7 Seat Dodge Caravan or Chrysler Pacifica they have allocated for you. Alamo saying they have 8 seaters and it’ll be no problem and that not involving them taking a whole lot of money off you when you get there are two different matters (did they say they will have an 8 seater in your booked class?). Even if they have an 8 seater - what about luggage capacity because I imagine 8 people will have a fair few suitcases.

As has been said - you need to try and sort this before to go, and I would also look at other options if they won’t let you cancel and rebook here - such as hiring a 2nd vehicle (just a small car) as that might work out cheaper than being fleeced when you’re there and they say the car you’ve booked isn’t suitable. A 2nd car might end up useful too in case your party wants to split up some days.

Hope you get it sorted.

Dave

[Catherine]

Thanks Dave. Yes they have 8 seaters available. We’ve spoke directly to MCO .. cancelling our car hire and re booking isn’t an option as all with TC. Will be messy. Think we will just have to risk airport upgrade

[Guest]

Hi Peter, similar to yourself we are 4 adults 2 children (10&13) plus suitcase and hand luggage. Looking at the Chrysler Pacifica but would you suggest we go a little bigger with the Chevy Suburn to save on hassle when arriving?

[FloridaDave]

Originally Posted by Catherine

Thanks Dave. Yes they have 8 seaters available. We’ve spoke directly to MCO .. cancelling our car hire and re booking isn’t an option as all with TC. Will be messy. Think we will just have to risk airport upgrade

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Your best bet is to do what I did. I booked a Standard SUv and wanted a Ford Explorer (flying into Miami). I’d heard stories of people being told that’s an upgrade but had also seen on the Alamo Facebook page people asking the question about what the fleet is and Ford Explorer being listed. So I messaged hem on their Facebook page and asked the question and also said why I was asking it - they replied confirming the fleet which included the Ford Explorer. When we arrived on Saturday all they had in the row was Hyundai Santa Fe Sports which are small for a Standard SUV and a few Dodge Journeys which simply would not do. I asked in the garage about a Ford Explorer and the guy said it was an upgrade - I politely disagreed and told him why, he asked to see what they’d said so I showed him in their Facebook Page. 10 minutes later we were sat in this.

So basically - get it in writing that they’ll have an 8 seater Minivan available for you so you can show them if they are trying to get you to part with cash. If they say they have none available tell them an upgrade should be given (Suburban with 8 seats would do).

[Allisonjane]

I agree with other posters that have said get this sorted before you go, upgrading at the desk will cost a fortune, especially if they know they're are 8 of you, so the upgrade is essential, there's nothing you can do except pay whatever they ask.
Saying that, are you sure an 8 seater will be big enough? Is there some children in your party? although if they need car seats, they take up even more room. Also how much luggage have you got? We had a 7 seater for 5 of us and only managed to get our luggage in by folding 2 seats down, if all seats are being used you would be lucky to get 3 or 4 cases in the boot.

[Catherine]

Thank you everyone. I will keep you posted x