Alamo Rent A Car

Beware the Alamo damage repairs scam.

I have discovered the hard way that Alamo is notorious for shocking customers with damage claims for damage you haven’t caused to a rental after you’ve returned a car and your rental has been examined and checked in as “good to go.”

I was slammed with $1200+ in damages from Alamo’s infamous Damage Recovery Unit a few days after I returned my Jeep Wrangler. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to me?

I rented a car with Alamo through Costco Travel over my Christmas holidays while visiting family back home in Durham, NC from December 15th 2021-January 11th 2022.

When I picked the car up at Alamo at the Raleigh-Durham Airport, I was told there were no more compact cars and had my pick of the SUVs that were available. The attendant just pointed to a few and told me the keys were in all of the vehicles. He did not at any time escort me to a car or provide a walk around with any kind of damage report log. This RDU airport location in particular does not do walk arounds or provide a log of previous damages. My GEICO agent told me this was Red Flag #1.

I chose a Jeep Wrangler because it looked fun to drive. I noticed a large dent on the tailgate behind the spare tire as I was loading my luggage in the trunk. It looked as if a previous driver had backed into a pole. The tailgate also had a large crack in the inside of the door, which did not close properly. There were also assorted superficial paint scratches all over the Jeep.

I went to find the attendant to tell him there was damage to the Jeep, but he said it was already noted and I shouldn’t worry about it. GEICO agent logged this as Red Flag #2!

In hindsight I wished I had simply asked for another car, as well as a complete walk around with a manager and detailed log of previous damages.

Since I was told the damage had already been documented, I hadn’t stopped to photograph the entire car and was eager after a long cross country flight to get on the road and see my family. Big mistake.

This was a fun car to drive and I took very good care of it for the 3 weeks I had it, returning with a full tank of gas. When I returned it to the RDU airport location, I was instructed to drive into a lane where a man would check me in with his tablet and email me a receipt.

The attendant checking me in asked me if there were any problems with the Jeep. I informed him that I was given a damaged rental car and pointed out the dent and crack in the tailgate, as well as the assortment of scratches. I said that I was told these damages were already noted and that they were caused by a prior renter, since it was obvious the damage was not fresh. It obviously looked more than a few months old.

The attendant looked over everything, told me it was all okay, and said I was “good to go” and told me to enjoy my flight.

I never did receive my email receipt until I called customer care to ask for it. That was my first sign something was wrong.

However I did receive a threatening email letter from Alamo a few days after returning my car saying I had damaged the Jeep Wrangler and would be liable for the repairs and loss to the company. They also demanded an insurance claim number or payment out of pocket for the damage. You will get several of these letters, each escalating in demands for payment or your insurance claim number.

I did not damage this vehicle in any way and refuse to pay out of pocket for any repairs.

My GEICO agent tells me that these fraudulent damage cases are impossible to contest if you do not have extensive photo evidence of the damage BEFORE you ever drive the car off the lot, as well as a documented damage report. I have been let to believe that it is my fault for not taking pictures and demanding a vehicle walk around with an Alamo manager. Other than my word, I have no physical proof that I did not have an accident with this car. This is how Alamo takes advantage of you! You are GUILTY until you can prove yourself innocent. And only with time-stamped photo evidence.

My insurance agent has informed me that they will be issuing a check for the damage, since they cannot reasonably prove that I did NOT damage the Jeep, and that I will have to pay a $500 deductible. She says that 99% of these cases end up with the insurance company paying for the damage and renters forking over hundreds in deductibles.

You know that both of those Alamo attendants, whose names I did not get, could vouch that they cleared me for damage at check in and check out. Why would any customer think anything was wrong if you’re told you’re “good to go?”

There is a possibility that the previous damage was never documented by Alamo and it was convenient to stick me with the bill for repairs since I was the one who first noticed the damage. I think they do this to a lot of people. It’s a great way to take advantage of tired travelers who just want to leave the airport and go home.

This is all so bogus, dishonest, and fraudulent. I also can’t believe GEICO just rolls over and pays for the repairs because they don’t have the wherewithal to contest this garbage.

It’s bad business and you better believe I will be filing complaints with the BBB, the insurance commission of NC, the NC state Attorney General, as well as Costco Travel for continuing to partner with such disreputable scam artists.

Don’t rent cars from Alamo. You’ll be sorry, and your insurance agent will blame you for not being street-smart or hyper-vigilant enough to foresee that your rental car company is looking to scam you out of thousands of dollars, right after you trudge out of the airport with your luggage.

I recently returned from El Salvador, where I rented a car from Alamo at the El Salvador airport for one week. When I returned the car, I was told that some little plastic cups or covers on the tire rims were missing. I was not aware they were there when I got the car or if it was legit when I returned it. I was charge $200.00 for some cheap plastic caps that cost $20.00 that is criminal. My name is Heber Ivan Cruz. Rental Agreement SALC75-1606. My phone number is [protected] and my email is ivan.[protected]@gmail.com

I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau customer support [protected] and file a complaint also.

Hello,
I just received my Alamo Rental Agreement # [protected], Invoice # [protected] and Alamo charged me for the lock out (I locked the car with the keys inside), but as you can check in their records, I was waiting for 3 and a half hours for the service and I wasn't attended. I had to hire another service provider and pay for it from my own pocket because Alamo wasn't able to help me. So, I would like a refund for that 65.00 USD you charged me and didn't do.
I will wait for you response on that, please
Have a great day
Bernardo

Be aware of alamo geneve.
I rented a car from them (a range rover) when I arrived they said that only a bmw is available. But anyway its not an issue as its linked to availability. When I arrived they charged my credit card 4000 swiss franks. And they said its declined. Then again, and they said declined again. And used my visa. Then a get 2 messeges from amex that they were charged. So they took triple the rent. The bad part is that they wont respond to my emails. Anyway ill ask amex to concider it as fraud and will write on twitter

To whom it may concern,

I am contacting you in regard to my RA767588491 to get this problem resolved as soon as possible. When I got to the airport I informed at the check-in, that I am a NON SMOKING person and so is my wife who rode in the car with me. We picked the least damaged Malibu and my rental had a very strong smell of cigarettes in it, I had no time to go back and return it due to my schedule. Upon my departure, I emphatically informed the person that checks out the cars about the cigarette smell and before I left, we saw him writing it down in the paperwork. We returned the car the next day. I got charged a deep cleaning fee caused by the cigarette smell. After being ignored and basically told to "[censored] off" by Alamo customer care and the local personal at the airport which not only refused to disclose what the fee was about, but also to send any evidence that I caused that problem. With no option left, I blocked the extra charge on my credit card. After I got the collection letter, I got Miami airport management involved and finally, a lady called CRISTINA called me 3 weeks ago. I repeated the same story, she confirmed that the extra fee was related to the smoking cleaning, she acknowledged that it was poor customer service from Alamo for having a car smelling like that in the lot and I had to suffer thru it and stated that she would get the charge removed. I never heard from her again. 3 days later someone from Alamo Miami called to ask me about the problem, got my name and RA, and never called me back.

Today I tried to rent a car and my name is blocked and in collection status because of this mess created by Alamo. After several attempts to contact CRISTINA or anyone else in Miami or Alamo customer service, I am trying this for the last time before I seek other options.

Sincerely,
Everton Oliveira
[protected]
Dallas TX USA

I picked up my Alamo rental October 16th after arriving at the Albany Airpot late at night and flying in severe weather. I was very tired and it was dark and rainy.
About an hour outside the airport the low fuel light came on. It is 10:30 at night, dark rainy and in the mountains of Vermont. I am alone and cannot beleive I received a car with little fuel in the tank. Mountains late at night = no phone signal and no gas stations open. Very scarey. I did make it to my destination but with little to no gas.
In the morning when I could actually see the car in day light I was shocked as to how dirty the seats were. It was cear that the car had not even been vaccumed or cleaned.
I have been renting cars for years and this was the worst experience I have ever encountered. I did get a refund for the gas but the chance of being stranded at night because Alamo did not fuel up the cat is unacceptable.
Please note It was dark, I was very tired and did not even imagine I would have to check the fuel gague. As you can see by the photos seats were filthy.

I rented an AUDI Q3 from ALAMO GENEVA AIRPORT through DISCOVERCARS.com. The estimated price was approximately 300€ and when I picked up the car they deposited another 500€. When I returned the car, I was charged 1575€ by ALAMO GENEVA AIRPORT for a non existing damage and when I complained they provide me an irrelevant cost breakdown which is clear that has nothing to do with what they claim as damage because it contains several jobs that cannot be applied to damaged plastic parts of the car.

Good afternoon,

On October 7th I rented a car in san Juan Puerto Rico returning it on October 25th 2pm. Numerous times i call customer service trying to get car exchanged due to something wrong with tires. I was 2 1/2 hours away from San Juan airport. I was staying in Rincon Puerto Rico. They kept on telling me too keep filling up tires with air that they had no cars available for me to exchange. So for 18 days I filled up the tire everyday. I even tried calling Alamo in Aguadilla Puerto Rico and I was told that I needed to go back to San Juan to get it resolved. On the day of my return I got a flat and almost did not get on my flight. If it was not for a wonderful young man who changed my tire I don't know what I would have done. I think this is unexpectable being that I paid $643.00 for this rental plus $80.00 in tolls. I would appreciate better training to resolve matters like this.
Booked my rental thru Expedia confirmation# [protected]

I live in the UAE and had traveled to Switzerland this summer. I had rented a car from Alamo/Enterprise/National Rent a Car and I firmly believe and also been independently advised that I have been unfairly charged for a minor damage by the Rental Company after 18 days stay in Switzerland. Upon returning the car on July 28th, 2021; the rental company had sent me invoice while I was boarding the plane and charged an outrageous amount (CHF 1, 500 +VAT) to my Credit Card for the "damage". It was not a damage but rather a paint off the bumper while dragging the luggage off the truck (pictures attached as sent by the Rental Company).

Upon inquiry, I was told that they will send a proper invoice after 2 weeks of actual assessment of the "damage" and will reimburse any additional charges if any for such damage. 2 weeks after the charges and after chasing the rental company, I was initially invoiced as the car appeared to be badly damaged (please see the invoice sent for body parts and labour for Ford Fiesta - a car that I didn't even rent) and when challenged to resend the correct invoice, the rental company sent the revised invoice 2 weeks later and it was shocking to me that the charges for 2 minor scratches is exactly the same as they had charged another client for a (as it appeared) heavily damaged car.

Just compare the 2 different invoices they sent (Ford Fiesta vs Seat Leon - the car that I had rented).

I instructed the rental company via email that I disagree with the charges and they simply said that they cannot help as this is what the workshop provided. Immediately after that I complained to the Swiss Consumer Bureau, who advised that Rental Companies do have this practice and needs to be challenged.

I have all the email communication that I have done with the Company and can be shared.

I am also attaching the selected / specific documents (including the one the Company had sent wrongly with all the damage repair that was done on another car and compare the charges for 2 minor scratches) for a fair assessment as I firmly believe that these charges are absolutely unfair and fraudulent in nature, and I had not consented to be charged for any above and beyond the minor paint off that I was responsible for.

Hope this helps and looking forward to hearing back from you.

The sidewall was cut and I noticed the tire leaking air after being on paved roads when I got to my destination. When I returned it they charged me 180.00. I looked at the cut and it was obviously old. I told them they missed damage when I picked it up so they missed this. They didn't care and said to turn it in to my insurance. I did not damage this tire and they falsely charged me

When we returned our car to the Denver airport, there was no one directing us and we followed the arrows as indicated. We pulled forward and immediately were accosted by an Alamo employee (I know that's a strong word, but truly that's what it felt like).

She opened our car door and literally scolded us, ‘You're in the wrong spot. You've drive up in the wrong lane. Just get out and leave your garbage'. She just kept repeating that. She didn't ask us to move and when we told her we followed the signs she just kept saying over and over. That we had pulled up in the wrong lane and to just get out and leave our garbage.

Finally another employee came up and tried to be nice to us, but we were so rattled by the experience we just did our best to collect our things and ‘get out' as she kept telling us to do. Other customers were pulling in behind us so clearly we weren't the only ones whom had followed the arrows improperly.

I am SO angry. We had such a nice trip and to have it end with someone so rude and inconsiderate was a shame. Just because she (or whomever) didn't do their job and direct us as they should have, doesn't mean you can yell at your customers.

Whoever that woman is, she needs serious customer service training!

Returning a rental car at Honolulu Airport is extremely difficult because of the poor signage. It took over an hour to find the return location with my wife and myself driving around and around looking for the correct directions within the airport. At one point we ended back on the freeway in work traffic headed back to Waikiki! The only way we succeeded getting to the drop off location was by folioing an Alamo bus.

In my opinion, there are two things needed:
Counter person at the pickup spend 15 seonds explaining how and where to return
Coordinate the with the airport personnel to improve the signs.

Rented a full size car from alamo. They handed me a Nissan KICK
Reply was thats all they had.

Not what I ordered not what I expected.

Huge Disappointment

I rented my vehicle through Expedia for Alamo in Guadalajara. for 177 dollars. I called the day before to Alamo direct to confirm the reservation, the vehicle and the Price. Representative confirmed i was all set. I arrived the day of to get my vehicle and was told they no longer had that vehicle or any other to accommodate me except a van for 500 dollars. I was left with no choice being that I needed a vehicle to get to my Father who was extremely ill as this was a trip of necessity not pleasure. This also happened to my sister who had arrived to Alamo that morning prior to myself where the vehicle she rented was "no longer available" but could rent for triple the cost.

I don't know if I'll be heard seeing your sales representative was so comfortable in deceiving me as if he's friends with the higher heads. I'm pretty sure he's a family member of the person who owns the company because i cannot believe after Corona infact we're still facing the pandemic but I guess numbers are down so businesses are forgetting the time time when there were barely any customers, Yes I cannot believe in this time customers are still being disrespected and disregarded. Now my issue is that I made a reservation over the phone with Alamo and asked the representative of the company's policy regarding the use of a debit card I was only told that an itinerary is needed valid driver's license with the driver being 25 years and older and that a deposit of $400 will be required. I asked the rep more than 5 times if that's all and if there is anything else I need to know, I even asked her if she's sure I won't face any problems if I presented the required documents. She said she was sure, now after I paid $60 on a taxi and arrived at the Alamo location at laguardia I was told by the rep that you do not accept debit card and I went on to tell him that's nor what I was told over the phone he said we do not accept debit card so with tears and frustration in my eyes I said this is not fair it's my second time coming here as enterprise refused my reservation and I specifically asked the rep on the phone what was the Conditions behind using a debit card he said maybe you didn't understand, so I told him maybe you never ever let it look like it's the customer's fault did you hear me say I asked over and over and what I was told so maybe I was misinformed. He went on to say I cannot do anything so I told him I would call because this is not right and that's when he said I might be able to help you if you have a flight leaving from laguardia I said the flight is from JFK so he said it has to be from laguardia, you might be able to help me as I'd that's not a guarantee I mean is it a policy or not cuz if it is you're not doing me any favor you are doing your job. I called the phone to speak to the customer service supervisor and because I was crying shouting, mad, hurt belittled lied to yes lied to because the company accepts debit card and I could have walked away thinking they don't because he held his point for a good 2 minutes with every nonchalance in his body that the company doesn't accept debit card. in addition the sales rep that booked my reservation assured me that I wouldn't meet any difficulties because I had the 3 requirements. Yes I was livid and the supervisor hung up on me telling me to stop shouting after speaking to her for 15 seconds as if she had just spent $60 in vain. I don't know who is training your workers but they need to go to customer service school because all they did was both lie to tonme the supervisor kept asking I don't know why they would refuse your reservation does your card say debit even after knowing my itinerary is with JFK and not laguardia so I gave her the rep infront me to talk to and that's when everything turned 360 they teamed up to patronize me as if I was dumb she claimed she's been explaining to me that I need ab itinerary from laguardia even though she said they could still help me and she was have difficulty telling me she cannot see why he can't help me long story short he concluded that he could have changed the reservation so I could pick up at JFK but that they are now close after 30 minutes when he had time to help me he concluded that the system is closed and he cannot rebook a reservation right after the supervisor on the phone mentioned it. So I left unsatisfied calling him a racist because being black and being lied to by a white man and showed complete disregard I cannot find another reason and not being helped by two white people i have nothing else to think of when you look me in the eyes with callousness and tell me we do not accept debit card which was a lie.

I rented a car in Mazatlán Sinaloa Mx for 4 days through PayPal because Alamo themselves wanted double the price if I reserved through them. When I do went to pick up my car I had to wait 3 hours because they didn't have a car and when they did it was dirty and had no hub caps. After 3 days I returned it and was charged for 4 days because I reserved through PayPal.

I picked up my rental at Sac Airport on 01/04/2021. I received a car that smelled like smoke. Went back in, told them it smells like smoke, they gave me another car and it smelled like smoke too. There were also significant scratches on the car, and no one walked around the car with me. I had to call someone over to walk me around the car and Mark all the scratches that were on the car. After driving an hour, I called the hotline 3 times, explaining about the smoke and asking for a resolution. The 3rd person told me that they will bring a car and switch it out in Redding. Later that night I get a call from the manager at Sac Alamo that they can't bring a car, but that I should go next morning to enterprise Redding at 7:30am and get it switched out. I went and they didn't have a car for me. Another manager at Sac Alamo called me later that day stating that she spoke to someone at Redding enterprise and that I can go the next morning to switch it out. I went the next morning and they again didn't have a car for me. Then I called a few times to Sac Alamo and left a few messages. I never got a call back and was stuck with a car smelling like smoke for 6 days. If they gave me a non smoking car in the beginning like I had asked, I would have never had to write this message to you. I called again after I dropped the car off 06/04/2021, left a message and no call back. I am a easy going person. I was understanding and were patiently waiting for them to help me, but I never got any resolve from anyone and had to drive a car smelling like smoke for my entire trip. I would love if someone can contact me about this matter.

Kind Regards,

Pieter Scholtz
[protected]@gmail.com

ra#553293400 ref#36533630 rental from Reno airport 2/27 -3/6/21 I reserved a vehicle online. When making my reservation, they had a special on the Jeep Wrangler, not sure of the exact price but I believe it was $268 for a weekly rental. I had rented a Wrangler last year and did not like it. It did not fit my ski equipment well and was hard getting into with ski boots plus I had 2 extra people with me this time and just knew it would not be a good fix. I chose to reserve a standard size SUV and the price was $317 for the week. I was willing to pay the difference to get the vehicle I wanted. When I arrived at the rental pickup it was very cold and they made us wait out in that cold for about 30 minutes. Then they pull up with a Jeep Wrangler. I told their employee that I didn't want the Wrangler and had paid for a standard SUV. He said they were very busy and had run out the SUV's and that this was all he had. I did not put up a bigger fuss at the time because we were freezing and just wanted to get into something warm. Again we had trouble fitting our skis and the two of us who had to sit in the back were very uncomfortable. Also, there were clearly visible footprints on the windshield of the car. If they didn't clean this, what else didn't they clean? Not very sanitary especially with COVID-19. We were very unhappy to say the least. So when we get to our destination I called to complain and tell them I would like a credit because I paid more to get the SUV and ended up with the Jeep that I could have reserved for less. They said they would get back with me but never did. When I got home I called a couple of times with the same response, that someone would call me but they never did. I finally reached someone who said they would give me a refund but in the process we got disconnected. I called right back and of course could not get the same person but explained what happened and they said no problem, I can take care of it. So she said the refund for $50 plus taxes and fees would total $65.69. I agreed and she said I would receive an email showing this and see it on my credit card in a couple of days. Never did get an email, so I check my credit card and instead of a credit they charge me $65.69. I have called back several times, even spoke with a manager buy they say they can't do anything. They said they are pushing it up to upper management but they don't have a phone number for them, so I just have to wait for their call. It has been 3 business days since then with no call. It seems that both, Alamo's reservations and customer service are both meaningless because they don't hold the car you reserve and customer can't help you. [protected]@yahoo.com

Rental agreement # [protected]
Res# [protected]
Date: Dec19 2020
Montrose Regional

I have been trying to talk with someone about my rental. I have been contacted by regional person in montrose who left a message which I attempted to return call with no luck.
We arrived in Montrose for a weeks stay at Telluride. When we arrived I was expecting to pick up a van in which I reserved months previously and checked on just one week prior to arrival. When I arrived, I was told that they only had one vehicle left and it had a cracked windshield. I asked about my reservation and basically was told we don't really save vehicles. I told them that I didn't think it was safe for us to take a vehicle with a cracked windshield and she told me that either take it or go to another rental company. No other cars were available. I asked if it was safe to drive and was it even allowed to rent a vehicle like this. She said it should be ok.
We took it and the van had a crack about a 12 in long. After arriving in telluride, we noticed the crack got worse and we were afraid to use the van. We let it sit the entire week and used a car rented by another party. We then drive it back to montrose. They were not concerned that we couldn't use the van and were not helpful at all.
I would like to be refunded for all of the unused days (5) Also, I would like to know policy of renting a vehicle that could potentially cause serious injury.
Thank you

Tom Fredrickson