We have just heard that with effect from 1st, Feb, 2012, for collections after 1st, April, 2012, the Alamo Gold insurance (our Diamond package) will only be available for bookings of 4 days or longer in Florida and the rest of the USA. Bookings already in the system will be honoured as they stand. However, as clients will now be able to opt to refuel themselves before returning the car – the impact of this change will be minimal.
Archive for the ‘Alamo car hire Florida’ Category
Minimum Rental Period to Qualify for Diamond Insurance with Alamo
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Summer surcharge lifted by Alamo
Monday, January 23rd, 2012Great news for Alamo car hire fans. Firstly there is a bit of a sale on some Alamo cars currently, for collection before 31st March 2012 – new bookings only. This brings the price of the Economy 2 door car down to just £107 a week!
Secondly, Alamo have removed the unpopular summer surcharge, this just leaves Budget with a summer surcharge for rental car collections between 20th June and 20th August – the pressure may result in this surcharge also being lifted, watch this space….
Thirdly, from April 1 st 2012, Alamo will be offering clients the choice between refilling themselves to return the car, or pre-paying for the fuel – this is the same option as currently offered by Budget.
Finally, Alamo have included a new location for us at 6211 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cape Canaveral, increasing the options for this popular cruise embarkation point. With free one-way rentals from any Florida Alamo location such as Orlando International Airport, 3 drivers aged 21 – 24 with the Young Driver Package along with excellent Toll by Plate rates, this is really good news for cruise fans!
Summer Rates Loaded
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
The Iconic Ford Mustang
We now have rates loaded around to next December for Alamo car hire, Budget car hire and Dollar car hire. Budget car hire rates are unchanged from 2011 – however, there is a summer surcharge on all cars collected between June 20th and August 20th. Alamo have also renewed the summer surcharge for the same dates, but just on the larger cars.
Dollar cars remain without a surcharge this summer – and with a guaranteed upgrade from the 2 door version to the 4 door model of each category!
Lovers of the Ford Mustang convertible will be delighted to see that the model is now showing as the convertible car of choice by all suppliers. Of course we can never 100% guarantee a particular make or model – but clients are going to have the best chance ever of driving one of these iconic cars with the top down this summer. Don’t forget that with both Dollar and Alamo you can choose your own car from those available in your category at all the larger locations – particularly Orlando International Airport. A great chance to try a different model for size…
If you are aged 21 – 25 you will need the Young Driver Packages from Alamo or Budget and don’t forget that Alamo’s Young Driver Package includes 3 drivers aged 21 – 24 for the same price – fantastic value!
As always, if you have any questions, please give us a call, or use the chat facility.
Elle
Christmas Surcharges
Thursday, November 10th, 2011It is a sad fact that this summer saw the first seasonal surcharge on hire cars for years, and they are back again for Christmas. December 14th to December 31st are the dreaded dates, if you need to book a car for collection during that time then you really need to get it booked. We have just received notice that Alamo are charging a surcharge on their Van fleet during this period, but at the moment normal cars and SUV’s are still surcharge free! This may not stay the case though – so if you know your dates you should book up now to protect the current rate! Budget and Dollar already have the surcharges on all cars.
Summer Surcharges
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011The terrible earthquake and Tsunami that followed in Japan is now having an effect on car rental in Florida. Most car hire companies have already extended the length of time, and level of mileage that cars may reach within fleets to avoid purchasing new stock, now those older cars are being hit by a lack of parts for maintenance and repair because manufacturers in Japan cannot produce the volume. Fleet availability is tightening up, and as a result we have seen summer surcharges introduced in Florida for the first time in years.
Budget has introduced a surcharge on all vehicles collected between 20th June and 21st August. Dollar has introduced a surcharge on all Vans, all SUV’s and Convertibles for the same dates – these are already in the system. We have now received notice that Alamo are to introduce a surcharge for collections between 1st July and 21st August on all Vans, all SUV’s and Convertibles – this will take effect for all bookings made from 10th June onwards – so if you need to make a reservation for the summer, now is the time before this increase commences.
E-tolling and Sunpass systems
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011Regular travellers to Florida will know that the state has a good network of toll roads that allow drivers to bypass heavily loaded roads and speed on to your destination. Most drivers will be used to pulling off the toll roads to pay at the toll booths in cash while other drivers continue on their way through SunPass or E-Pass lanes without stopping.
Now, all rental car drivers can do the same thing thanks to Toll-by-plate. As the car goes through the SunPass lane a photograph is taken of the rear Tag plate (number plate). This is then matched up to the rental car company, and your rental, and then the toll is automatically billed to your credit card.
Since February 2011, the entire county of Miami-Dade has been E-tolling only – which means there are no longer any change booths available. If you fly into Miami International then you will more than likely use a toll road as to try and avoid them can lead you into some pretty seedy areas. This means that you will need to be aware of the toll-by-plate system. Once used, the system is active for the length of your rental so you can continue to use the SunPass lanes throughout Florida.
The rental companies do have different ways of billing:
For Alamo/National you will pay $2.00 per rental day, or $6.00 for the duration of your rental plus tolls. You opt in when you first drive through a SunPass lane.
For Dollar/Thrifty you will pay $6.99 per day or $36.99 for up to 30 days. This rate includes all your tolls and you must opt in to Pass 24 when you collect your car. If you fail to opt in and then go through a SunPass lane you will be charged a $25 admin fee plus the toll for EACH infraction.
For Budget/Avis you will pay $2.50 per day or $10.00 per week plus the cost of your tolls. There is no need to opt in, but once you have gone through a SunPass lane you will be charged for the length of the rental.
Young Drivers – Great News
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011We are delighted to be able to announce that, with immediate effect, up to 3 drivers aged 21 – 24 may drive on the Young Driver’s Package with Alamo. This is fantastic news for our drivers under 25 – and provides an economical alternative for clients arriving at airports other than Orlando.
We continue to offer U Save at Orlando which allows 2 drivers aged 21 – 25 with no surcharge at all, but we only have this contract with U Save at Orlando, not the other U Save locations.
Budget’s Young Driver Package continues to allow 1 driver aged 21 – 24 with no change to that package.
Money saving tips…
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011Florida is a wonderful destination for a holiday, whether it is your annual family trip, the trip of a lifetime, or you go regularly – there is so much to see and do. The exchange rate may be a bit down on its $2 high a couple of years ago, but it is still better than 10 years ago and has remained around the $1.50 mark for tourists for quite a while now. This still represents good savings given that you often pay in Dollars the same sticker amount as you would in Sterling – saving you a third!
There has been some movement on our Budget prices this month for reservations after April 1st (this is the New Year as far as car hire goes!). But, our Alamo and Dollar prices for this summer (collections after April 1st) have been held at the current rates until the end of February, so if you know your plans for the year, now is the time to book! We strongly suspect that all prices will go up at the end of the month so you can save yourself a few pounds by booking ahead. Don’t forget that if your trip is a long way off, we can arrange to take funds later whilst still securing your booking – just contact us for details.
Dollar no longer offer 2 drivers with the standard package, but we still have a couple of suppliers that do, so please get in touch if you would like to explore this option and give us a call on 01428 741438.
Another fantastic way to save money on your trip is to plan ahead and join a group like www.groupon.com This is a website that sends out daily emails with special offers for you to buy. These usually consist of vouchers which you can then redeem when you arrive. By joining the US version, you can select Orlando or Miami or Tampa as your home town and then watch the offers flood in directly to your inbox.
Recent offerings have included half price ‘Flowriding’ sessions in Kissimmee, half-price Kayak Tours in the Indian River and half price snorkelling with Manatees. This is a great way to save money and find something really unique to do when you are on vacation.
Alamo now on-site at Tampa
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010Great news for British Airways passengers into Tampa. Not only will there be two extra flights per week from March 27th 2011, but now car hire clients can collect their Alamo cars from the terminal without having to get a shuttle!
BA is to move two of its weekly flights from Orlando to Tampa in March, this will provide daily service from the UK to Tampa for the airline, for the first time. Tampa International airport is only an hour or so away from the Walt Disney World / Kissimmee area and flights can often be a little cheaper than flying into Orlando. Because the airport is not as busy as Orlando, overall times of processing at Tampa are usually much quicker.
During November Alamo car hire moved its desks into the terminal area and its cars into the on-site car parks. Because Alamo are currently cheaper than the other providers on our website with almost identical packages, this makes them a very attractive proposition at the airport now.
If you would like to check what is included within your Alamo insurance package do please give us a call when we will be happy to fill you in.
Halloween Sale
Friday, October 29th, 2010For this weekend only, and for web bookings only, prices for Florida car hire from Alamo and Budget have been reduced. Book before 9.00am Monday morning to be sure of getting your car at the special offer price. A minivan 7 seater from just £188.00! An Economy car from just £112! Happy Halloween!
