Virgin Holidays Changing Car Hire Companies

[jarretth]

I've just seen the VH brochure for 2010 and see that their car hire will be Alamo rather than Dollar as it has been for years. Does anyone know when their car hire arrangements change over from Dollar? If it is before we go away in October it might make me rethink who we are booking our car with as I try to avoid the company whoe VH use when travelling on a VA flight.

Thanks.

[Midnight Storm]

TEDDINGTON, ENGLAND, May 16, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Alamo Rent A Car, the largest holiday car hire provider to international travellers visiting North America, announced today that it has signed an exclusive agreement as Virgin Holidays' preferred car rental supplier, effective Jan 1, 2010.

This agreement marks the first time Alamo has partnered with Virgin Holidays, the UK's leading long haul worldwide tour operator. "We are proud to be part of such an innovative partnership, especially in today's tough economic climate," said Greg Stubblefield, President of Alamo Rent A Car. "Virgin Holidays and Alamo are both leaders in their respective industries and together can offer leisure travellers even more value, service and convenience than ever before."

Alamo's online check-in option, friendly self-service kiosks and leading-edge environmental stewardship were all factors in Virgin Holidays' selection criteria. Amanda Wills, Managing Director for Virgin Holidays, said, "We pride ourselves on exceeding expectations so Alamo feels like a perfect match for us - and enables us to offer our customers a unique, state-of-the-art fly/drive product into North America. We are delighted to appoint Alamo as our exclusive vehicle rental provider."

Beginning Jan 1, all Virgin Holidays' customers will be able to bypass the car rental counter and go straight to Alamo's self-service kiosks to retrieve their rental agreements. The kiosk can also be used for any last minute changes or additions to the car rental booking, including vehicle upgrades, child seats and additional drivers. Virgin Holidays' customers will also be able to take advantage of the Alamo Choice product whereby they can choose any vehicle on the forecourt within the category booked.

[jarretth]

Thanks for that. Must be a blow to Dollar as I guess they will be losing a several hundred bookings per week from VH.

[JasonC]

I wonder whether this will prompt Dollar to become more competitive :shrug:

[AlanandAli]

Does anyone know if Alamo has any onsite Disneyworld offices please? With Dollar we've sometimes picked up or dropped off our Dollar car at a hotel near Downtown - rather than the airport.
Ali

[AlecK]

Does anyone know if Alamo has any onsite Disneyworld offices please? With Dollar we've sometimes picked up or dropped off our Dollar car at a hotel near Downtown - rather than the airport.
Ali

There is one at the Swan/Dolphin and one at the Magic Kingdom car centre :thumbs:

[ALLTIGGEREDOUT]

We pick up our car before xmas but hand it back 3rd jan,hopefully no problems there.

[PaulaK]

I hope they have enough cars to cope! We stood there for ages on Boxing day waiting and they had run out of vehicles. The lady told us we were lucky we'd got a car in our category within a few hours as the flights coming in later would be lucky to get anything at all! They just could not cope.

[TimonAndPumba]

I hope they have enough cars to cope! We stood there for ages on Boxing day waiting and they had run out of vehicles. The lady told us we were lucky we'd got a car in our category within a few hours as the flights coming in later would be lucky to get anything at all! They just could not cope.

:eek: that's not good!

We've only hired with Avis before and they seemed great in LA, but just ok in Orlando - we didn't get the type of car we thought we would....

We booked ours this year through VH so we're still with Dollar by the sounds of it :)

[PaulaK]

It got to the stage where we hijacked a suit and demanded they get us a car. They pulled a brand new one for us in the end. Not sure where they are kept but it had 6 miles on the clock when we got it. What was annoying though was they obviously had vehicles somewhere, they just weren't willing to use them until people started getting irate. We had already been in orlando a week and were switching cars, but there were people there with luggage piled high, kids crying and sitting on the floor in the car park waiting for vehicles. :nono: We're using Dollar this trip, so this switch will be good news for us if we're happy with them.

[AlanandAli]

Thanks. That'd be perfect as we stay at the BWV.

[Midnight Storm]

I wonder if the free car will be free now - or will the insurance cost as much as just hiring a car?

The free car upgraded to an SUV costs £261 per week - our costs £153 per week same car - same insurance - (based on July this year)

Colin

[jarretth]

I wonder if the free car will be free now - or will the insurance cost as much as just hiring a car?

The free car upgraded to an SUV costs £261 per week - our costs £153 per week same car - same insurance - (based on July this year)

Colin

The arrangements don't seem to have changed much. You still get allocated a 'free' car based on the size of your party (always one too low in my opinion) with the very basic third party insurance which most UK visitors wouldn't risk only having. You still have to pay for upgrades and for either Fully Inclusive or Platinum insurance. They are highlighting the benefits of VH exclusive online car hire check in or self service kiosks that mean you won't have to queue at the rental desks (as already available to some US customers).

The also tell you that you can choose your car from a range - great marketing but anyone who has used Alamo before knows this is how they operate anyway.

[Day Dreamer]

First Choice holidays has also changed starting from this winter season from Dollar to Alamo, this has actually reduced the costs of their insurance packages per day. So Alamo is really do the deals with British companies however First Choice will be using the Sanford rentals so wont effect MCO.

[Mickeymad]

So glad i never go with VH, as i always book separate with VA at least this way you get to choose who you want to hire a car with...Especially after the last wait in MCO at the Alamo desk (horrendous) and that wasnt even the busiest time of the year :(