Alamo and roadside assistance

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Essex Benjy's!

Hi Duncan.
When you buy that do the car hire company still load your credit card?
I'm here now and declined it and they charged my credit card nearly £500 as a deposit.
Still didn't take it as they annoyed me tbh.
Everything they stated was a lie. I booked a 4 door compact and she said they had a two door VW. Beetle so I should upgrade. I refused and when I git the keys it was a four door Kia Rioand there wasn't even a VW beetle there.

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Who are you renting from? Never had a hold on my card with Avis, Dollar or Alamo since 1976!
Probably 100+ rentals.

[Disney_time]

Can't answer the OP's question because we were glad when we HAD paid for roadside assistance with Alamo and had a cracked windscreen from loose chippings in rural Washington state. It took Alamo 4 hours though, to bring us out a new car. In hindsight, it we might have got back on the road sooner if they had sourced us a local replacement service, but the call centre was in Missouri so the girl didn't know the local area. It might just be their policy to send out another car on a town truck.

Anyway, we don't usually pay for roadside assistance when we are sticking to Orlando, but we do if we are on a road trip.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Young Pooh

We had a flat tyre last week and it cost us $65 for them to send out a guy to change the tyre. Charge was added when we returned the car.

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Not sure if it's the same in the US but UK cars don't normally come with spare wheels anymore! You get a little air compressor and a bottle of puncture liquid.

[duncanb]

Hi Essex Benjy's.
I've never had a hold on my CC seems to be a hit and miss situation.
Some carhire co.in T&Cs say what will be.
Also looking at post's here and other motoring forums carhire co.s do seem to be tightening up RE tyres glass and keys.
Probably why more companies offering this product at a cheaper price as although not likely could happen.
As always risk v reward.

[Essex Benjy's!]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Who are you renting from? Never had a hold on my card with Avis, Dollar or Alamo since 1976!
Probably 100+ rentals.

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Nor me?!
I read a previous thread suggesting booking car hire to a different firm than the remains passengers on our flight.
I therefore opted for Europcar ( found cheapest through Travel Supermarket )
They took my money and then advised me to collect my car from Advantage rent a car at SFB

I was the only customer on arrival so a great start.
The woman lied from the start. Tried sweet talking me then stated we were allocated a VW beetle two door.
I said I booked a four door compact. She advised upgrading and I refused.
She then went on about all the insurances I booked were great but is forgot the essential recovery insurance.
She didn't even mention undercarriage, keys, screen or tyres.
I just said no thanks if the car breaks down I will call you and you can replace it, I'm not here to fix your car? She argued about damage recovery and I said no, I'm insured.
She didn't tell me she was loading my card.
She then gave me the keys and a form to fill in if I find any damage.
I said are you serious? That's your job not mine and I'm insured fir any damage?
Went out to the car ( parked in the National lot so I'd guess they own them )
A Kia Rio four door which I'd say was bigger than I'd paid for.
It was damaged so I filled the form in.
Only scratches and a golf ball size dent in a door but damaged.
I walked back into the office and she just said that's fine sign it and take the bottom copy.

A few days later I check my statement ion line and she's charged nearly £500 deposit
I will dispute that when home if course but il also make sure I return the car in time to get it checked over and refunded.
The car has done 28'000 miles, drives like a dream and is fully loaded.

I am happy with the car. They will not be keeping the deposit though of course but I wouldn't recommend her obviously!

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Rowlf

I couldn't change a wheel on an unfamiliar car in 30 deg heat by the side of the I4 with monster trucks whizzing past my rear end

... ( would have to get the missus to do it for me )

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If on the I4 just call Road Ranger they will change for free. There number is all along the I4

[Essex Benjy's!]

Originally Posted by duncanb

Hi Essex Benjy's.
I've never had a hold on my CC seems to be a hit and miss situation.
Some carhire co.in T&Cs say what will be.
Also looking at post's here and other motoring forums carhire co.s do seem to be tightening up RE tyres glass and keys.
Probably why more companies offering this product at a cheaper price as although not likely could happen.
As always risk v reward.

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To be perfectly honest I feel they just keep on thinking of different ways to get the actual amount they require to rent you the car and disguise the actual cost. Then as soon as we find a way around it they do things like this.
Personally I'm ok (A) because I have enough credit limit and (B ) because I will not be paying them but it's still hassle and spoils our holidays.

At Busch Gardens two days ago there was a very similar car to ours absolutely smashed to bits at the rear end and parked in Busch Gardens.
I would love to know their story but I couldn't believe anyone was still driving it like that.
I have also seen several cars that had been side swiped still on the road.
New cars not old bangers and a new Nissan with the rear drivers quarter ripped off.

They try ( and succeed ) in making it confusing ) it's ibviously very carefully worded too as our paper work clearly states they are offering you waivers not insurance.
Oh well...

[Rowlf]

Originally Posted by PPM

If on the I4 just call Road Ranger they will change for free. There number is all along the I4

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That's reassuring as possible car issues on the interstate are much more of a worry than on regular roads

[Guest]

Originally Posted by kennycapes

This isn't meant in a rude way at all, but couldn't you change it your selves and then just pay for tyre? Sorry.

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We put the silly little spare wheel on ours when we had a blow out and drove to the nearest garage where they put on a new tyre balanced etc and charged us ,£70 which we didn't.t think was too bad for all the work they did plus the cost of the tyre.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Never had an American rental with anything other than a full size spare. Never had the foam or a space saver.

I did chuckle at this as when my Daughter had a Honda Civic Type R twice she arrived at my house from Notts on the back of a low loader! Both times a puncture near Strensham on the M5

Plus if you foam your tyre it's ruined anyhow and cannot be plugged.