Los Angeles Airport - Pasadena - Irvine - Airport

Fast and nice

Alamo and National share the same location, and the cars are interchangeable. At the self-service kiosk, you can print the contract in about 5 minutes, then take it and choose your car. We rented a luxury car and initially saw only a Volvo S80, which was nice but we were expecting something like a Cadillac. We asked the staff, and they kindly checked for us, eventually bringing out a freshly cleaned Infiniti QX60. It turned out to be perfect for long trips over the two weeks.

High service efficiency. However, at some small airports, we had to switch cars and ended up being downgraded. There were upgraded cars available, but they stayed in those cars with air conditioning on instead of giving them to us.

Excelent information and service

Economy car booked at LAX. On arrival counter clerk tried to get me to up-grade to a Compact car, saying it would be roomier and more comfortable over long distances at an additional cost of only so many more dollars per day, which I declined and said I would stay with the Economy car booked, asked about cruise-control and was told that only Full-size cars had cruise and would do well to upgrade to one [ at extra cost of course. ] I again declined and was then given a Compact car, at no extra cost. Why ? Because they did not have any Economy cars, having previously tried to get me to pay for an up-grade which they were bound to give me gratis anyway ! Nice try Alamo. On checking 5 different makes of Economy cars, I found that they ALL had cruise control, making the counter-hand, at best, woefully ignorant of the features of the vehicles Alamo rent out, or a deliberate liar at worst. Commission-hungry rental agents who are prepared to tell customers anything to boost their income do little to maintain the reputation and integrity of Alamo. I have taken the matter up with Alamo and am waiting for their response, but thought I should advise you of the dubious methods being practiced there.