Alamo Rent A Car

My experience at the CLT airport was great. Alamo is very conveniently located in the airport and we feel like we got good value for our money

Alamo is the service I usually go with, after having variety of bad experiences with others. This Alamo is good if not the best.
Pros: Cheap, good cars and upgrades, Value for money, good service.
Cons: ease of renting (no self service), fleet not very large.

Pick up easy, drop off easy. Have always had a good experience with Alamo. No hassle if size grade unavailable — they easily let you choose another. Car was clean; no additional services suggested for upcharge, which is nice. Charlotte Airport was my pickup/​dropoff location.

My husband and I had arranged to rent a standard SUV for a week through Alamo. We flew into Charlotte, claimed our luggage, and found the Alamo counter. We had virtually no wait. It took about 10 minutes to process the paper work and answer questions about directions. We made our way to pick up the car. They gave us a choice of 3 vehicles but my husband asked if they had a certain brand. They found one right away. We loaded the luggage, checked the vehicle for dings and scratches. Off we went through the check out point.
Our return was very efficiently handled.
We have rented through Alamo a lot in our travels. This was an excellent experience.

I won’t be overly dramatic and give them ONE star but I will not rent from Alamo CLT again. I found «Tamara» to be rude and dismissive. She curtly explained the coverages at the speed of a fast talking radio commercial preview disclaimer, then became exasperated when we asked for further clarification of some the coverages. After completing our transaction, there was no «Thank you», no «Drive safe», no «Are you in need of directions?» — Nothing. Then to add insult to injury, she calls the next customer over before we had a chance to put away our credentials and gather our paper work. So we awkwardly and hastily stumbled over our luggage as we tried to move aside for the next and only other waiting customer. She is in dire need of a customer service refresher course.

Alamo Car Rental was superb. Very good rates, fabulous cars and friendly employees, both in Hawaii and Charlotte, NC.
They get my vote from now on.
Thank you Alamo.

Counter staff super friendly, attendant walked me to cars to make selection, car was clean, definately a great experience!

In our situation, we had to rent a car at the last moment for the night. The line moved quickly, the price was reasonable, they didn’t hassle me about insurance, the car was clean and ran well. What more are you looking for in a rental place?

We rented a car for about a week. The check in took a very long time as there was only one agent working the counter. Once we were checked in it was pretty simple from there. I especially like that renters now can select the make and model of car from the level reserved. We chose a brand new Kia Optima which was OK — sluggish, not super outfitted with much but comfortable and serviceable.
The only mistake I may have made was agreeing to pay for a tank of gas before hand to save me the hassle of filling up before returning the car. We didn’t use a full tank and the cost of gas outside the airport was way less than what they charged us per gallon. I think they should have provided information about the cost of gas instead of just posting what they charge.
Returning the car was a bit tedious as the signage at this airport is not the best but that’s not the rental car company’s fault. Once there, returning the vehicle was pretty simple although the attendant did not take time to explain how our charges were computed which I thought were confusing when I finally took the time to review them after returning home.
I have rented cars from Alamo in the past in Orlando several years ago and always had a positive experience especially when they would offer a model upgrade for no additional charge. That didn’t happen here.

Was very easy! booked online and selected to skip the counter. The entire pick up and drop off took 20 minutes combined,.

We had a flawless pickup and drop off experience at Charlotte.
1. We chose the ‘Skip the Counter’ option a few days before our trip, after seeing some questionable reviews about the counter service.
2. We waited for the shuttle, but DH was impatient, so he walked over to the counter. The «garage» is a short walk from the terminal! No need to shuttle it unless you have a ridiculous amount of luggage.
3. Papers in hand, we walked past the counter, which had one employee appearing to want someone to walk up, out of sheer boredom. Signage was good, found our lot right away.
Was kind of tough to find our vehicle class, but a very nice man greeted us right away and checked out the stock. Within a few minutes, he had a vehicle that was a few months old, and an upgrade to a higher class, gps (which we didn’t use), and satellite radio (apparently still in the XM trial period).
The vehicle did have the «maintenance required» lit up on the dash, which we pointed out at the checkout booth, but he assured us that the maintenance was done and they just forgot to turn the light off. Having a vehicle that shows similar «warnings», we figured that they’re mostly useless anyway, so we drove off.
The full SUV handled nicely, but I surely wouldn’t buy one. For a new vehicle, the engine sounded horrible, but that’s just my opinion. It was pretty good on gas; we made it to Myrtle Beach without having refill.
We didn’t go for the fuel refill option. I thought it stupid but dh thought we should’ve done it, to make life easier, and just in case we were scrambling to get back to the airport. Who wants to drive around looking for gas? Whatever, there were plenty of gas stations off the highway close enough to the airport that were easy to get off and get back on to. We stopped a few miles before the airport, don’t remember the highway number.
Drop off was painless as well. We drove up to the stop sign and kind of looked around, an employee from another rental agency (Alamo, National and Enterprise are sister companies) did a quick looksie over the vehicle, we did a last minute check of the interior, our receipt was printed, and off we went. We walked back through the rental area to the terminal.
No shuttle necessary.
We used the Discover Card to pay for our rental, which will automatically covered the insurance, so we waived Alamo’s insurance. I also printed out the Discover Card’s rental car policy, in case I needed it. Which I didn’t :)
Also went through BJ’s to rent the vehicle, which included a second driver at no cost.
The overall cost including fees and taxes was half of Hertz, but mainly similar to all other companies. It was basically a pick and choose on my part, and I don’t regret my choice.
If any problems arise from this experience, I will post back, but so far, so good…

I rented a car in advance for pick up in Charlotte, and never even took it off the lot. The agent was rude and obnoxious and I walked away after telling her manager how poor their customer service was. I went to a competitor and got a car without her hassles, and 10 $ cheaper!
I didnt have to deal with her argumentative attitude and got a better deal all around.

UPDATE: (Changing my rating from 1 star to 4 stars). I contacted the Alamo representative indicated in the response to my original review. They very quickly refunded me not only the difference in the fuel amounts mentioned below, but the entire fuel amount (all $ 77) for my troubles! Thank you, Alamo, for quickly addressing this issue. I may give you another chance!
Customer service is horrible and they lie! I rented a car in ATL where there was complete high pressure sales for the insurance, which I turned down. I told them I wanted to prepay for the gas. They said it would be $ 40. When I got to CLT and dropped the car off they charged me $ 77 for gas. I called the toll-​free customer service number to complain. Was told they would issue me a refund for the difference but it would take 7 – 10 business days. 7 – 10 business days has passed and still no refund! Don’t rent from Alamo, and if you do, don’t pre-​pay for the gas! I have already booked my next two cars through other companies and will never use Alamo again.

Picking up and dropping off my car were no problem, however I left something in my vehicle of very high value and they were impossible to get ahold of! I called multiple times and NO ONE ever picked up the phone and then the line would just hang up on you.
I called their 800# and the first time they told me just to call the location which I told them I tried and the second time the woman couldn’t get through either. She at least sent an email for me with my information, but couldn’t provide me an email address. There’s also no email online!
Finally I had my brother in law go by their location because I was unable to and he just handed them my belongings without even contacting me to verify it was okay!!!
I will NEVER rent with Alamo again, disgusted with their complete disregard for customer service.

Horrible, would NEVER rent from them again. … in dominican republic, no one showed up to provide our reserved car. Finally, we got someone, he spoke no English, no badge, no car markings, and a BIG scar across his cheek and neck. He wanted to take us somewhere?? Are you crazy? Some professionalism and I.D. needs to be provided. … we said No THANKS, got our luggage and got a shuttle. … NOW, get our money back. …; (

Rented from Alamo at Charlotte-​Douglas. Great service and friendly helpful agent. If you need a rental car at Douglas Airport, Go Alamo.

Very efficient service. Car in excellent condition except it was dirty.

Experience was okay. Typical rental car company service. Agent on arrival handled transaction with average level of friendliness. Shuttle driver was not helpful — dig not get out of seat to offer with bags — no tip for you!
Exterior of vehicle chosen was in decent shape. Not really clean. Interior was covered with layer of dust. Should be in better condition.
Drop off was handled better. Shuttle driver for return was very professional and nice. He received a nice tip.
I would call the experience average for what I am getting nowadays from rental car companies. Some representatives are great, some should work in a back office somewhere.

The four-​stars are for the drivers of the shuttle only at Charlotte’s airport location. They were all fairly friendly and professional. The counter staff was horrible. Hardly looked up, didn’t smile, took someone who cut in line (I think they were so out of it, they didn’t even realize she had cut). But, upon our return (at 4:45 a.m.), I had forgot a bag in the back seat of the rental. The driver took my husband back to the car rental, picked up the bag (while waiting for him), then took him directly back so that he could make the flight. The counter staff needs to at least smile. It’s not that difficult really.

My experience with this company was mixed practically right off the bat. I first met a driver, named Tyrone, who was very friendly and helpful getting my daughter and I from the airport to the rental center with friendly, upbeat conversation. Then the gentleman at the counter wasn’t nearly as cordial. I stood there and waited, and waited, while he took quite a long time going back and forth with the gentleman (customer), who cut in front of me, returning his car. Finally it was my turn and I came to the counter. Immediately my original rental, of a compact car & car seat, for $ 144 jumped to $ 325 with their «young renter fee» and taxes. At about 12:30 AM with further driving to do and an unhappy baby I just signed and thought I’d be getting into a car promptly… Not the case. They did not have the right sized car seat in stock and I had to wait while they went to another rental company to borrow one. In the mean time the driver that came on after Tyrone, I wish I had gotten his name, came to help me pick a car since they had apparently run out of the compact sized. He pulled the car we had picked up to the building for me and then got out and said «You know, I don’t want you to take this car since the tire light is on, I wouldn’t feel right about that» which I appreciated. He went and got me a different car and again, brought it over for me while I waited for them to find me a proper car seat. Finally, they came over with one, one of those $ 40 rear or front facing Cosco from Walmart, and the gentleman (driver) helped me load my stuff into the car. Then the other gentleman, from the counter, came out and told the driver «You need to go, there are people waiting at the airport» to which he replied «Then you need to finish helping her.» The gentleman from the counter reluctantly came to my aid and put the seat in the car. Finally I got my daughter in, myself in, and went on my venture. Two days later I returned the car. I pulled up, the gentleman in the lane helped me get my baggage out and brought it to the shuttle area for me. He was kind and helpful. I flew home and checked my statement on my card yesterday. I was being charged an additional $ 81.90. The first person I spoke to at their (888) 826‑6893 really couldn’t tell me what it was for. I decided to call back a few hours later and spoke to a woman named Amy in their customer call center. This lady was VERY UNPLEASANT. She put me on hold for about 15 minutes while she attempted to call their Charlotte location. When she got back on the phone she proceeded to tell me that it was my job to call the location and figure out what happened. Also that I may or may not get a call back from their company in regards to charging me an additional $ 81.90. The way in which she spoke to me, hit a nerve. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, when a customer calls and you are unable to help them you do not escalate the situation by being a rude, condescending wench, you see if a manager would be able to assist them. I ended up hanging up. About an hour later I called back and of course, Amy was the one to answer. I simply asked to be transferred directly to the Charlotte branch and without many words she patched me through. I spoke to a gentleman there who asked me to call back during business hours, when their billing department would be open. That was totally reasonable and he gave me the number to their direct location. In less than 10 minutes on the phone with their location’s manager, Angie, I was given a refund for the charge. All she had to do was speak to the gentleman who had checked the car in and was able to grant me my refund.
All in all, this experience was very mixed for me. Angie, Tyrone and his fellow driver were all very kind and helpful. Amy in the Alamo customer call center was a rude person that I would happily never exchange words with again.