Alamo Rent A Car

I know it’s been a while since I’ve published a review but now three weeks before I’ll fly to Canada, I’ll continue my Canada-series.

Since Canada is a gigantic country and we wanted visit the Rockies from Calgary and Seattle from Vancouver, we booked a car directly with the flights and the hotels.

ALAMO
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We hired the car from Alamo, there was an offer in the “Neckermann”-catalogue or you can book it on site. In Canada there are rent stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. In Calgary, Montréal and Vancouver there’s a rent station directly at the airport.

There are six different categories offered: from the economy class up to the minivan. Special services are the German hire contracts even in Canada and the German 24h Helpline.

THE RESERVATION
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The friend who accompanied me was just 21 years old and so we asked the woman in the travel agency which car rental agency is the most favourabe for us. We had a quick view through some catalogues and it turned out that Alamo from Neckermann was the most favorable agency.
The driver must be at least 21 years old; nevertheless, we had to pay an extra fee for drivers under 24 years. We chose the smallest car, called "Economy" and so we had to pay 5o € instead of 47€ (ca. 34 Pounds). We booked a car for two days in Calgary and for two days in Vancouver. A few days later we got a letter with the request to transfer the amount, as well as the voucher.

CALGARY
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We had to fetch the car at the airport. Directly at the terminal there is a multi-storey car park and there are so different rental car agencies. It’s easy to find it because there are signs.
The Alamo counters were directly beside those of other more known car hires like Sixt, Europcar etc. There were two employees at the counter. We presented the voucher and the young man wanted to see the driving licence. We had no international licence, but the European one was fine.
Besides, he wanted to have our credit card, because the car was already filled up and we had to pay the gas of course. Two signatures were needed, than we got a map of Calgary and the surrounding. Also we were given an emergency number. We asked for a map of the national park Banff and finally got one.
The friendly man pointed out that we should examine the car for damages and that we should return the car with an empty tank.

Besides, we could keep the car 1 hour longer if we’re in a traffic jam or something. He explained us the way to the car and we got key and papers.
Very easily we found the car in the multi-storey car park. There were several signs of the car agencies and numbers. Our car turned out to be a Chevrolet Cavalier: two doors, CD player, automatic window lifters, air-conditioning, winter tyres, key with remote control, servo steering and tinted window panes. Quite nice for economy class!
Like most American cars it was an automatic one. And as we found out later, we didn’t get an economy-class car, but a compact-class car. This means we paid only for the cheapest class, but however, got a better one. One negative thing was that there was no instruction in the car. It would have been quite helpful with the adjustment of the seats etc.
Especially jocularly or also irritatingly was the everlasting peep that started if the driver has not fasten his seatbelt.
My friend who had to play the "chauffeur" had to get used for a moment to the car, but already after a few kilometres he had got used to the automatic system etc.

Without problems we could go in the Rocky Mountains etc. We only have missed the ABS when we made a full braking.

After two days we had to deliver the car at the airport. With the help of the sign-posting one simply goes into the multi-storey car park and looks where a Alamo sign is posted. There are specially marked boxes where one can simply leave the car. Signs remind to take all objects from the car.

Then we found a small small house where an employee accepted our keys and papers and then looked briefly the car. We had to confirm the delivery by signature and could go then.
Although the terminal was only few metres away and there were lots of signs, the woman asked us: "Do you know the way right back to the terminal ?"

VANCOUVER
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Directly after our arrival in Vancouver we wanted to get our car. Exactly as in Calgary the car rental agencies were in the multi-storey car park that lies besides the terminal and even here there were lots of signs.
Everything was as easy as in Calgary. The employee asked us where we want to go and when we said “to Seattle”, he recommended us to take a “midsize”-class car, which is two classes better than the economy car we booked. The midsize-car has ABS, more PS and a tempomat. Additionally we had to pay 12 CAN$, this means about 5 Pounds.
The man thought that many people do not know that one can also book a better car on site, this is cheaper than booking the expensive classes directly at home!
This time we got a Pontiac Grand AM. It had an electrically adjustable driver seat and some more extras.
The car was easier to drive but because of the speed limit, it took us a long time to go to Seattle.

Two days later we had to deliver the car at the airport again. It was the same play as in Calgary. We’ve been late about ten minutes, but the employee was very nice.

RESULT
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We were very happy with Alamo. The car rental is favorable, the employees were very nice and helpful and also the cars were great.
Therefore I give ***** and of course a recommendation!

Thanks for reading and your comments!

Rini2oo7