Getting a Ride Past the Car Rental Desk

Other rental companies may let you reserve a car on the Internet. And special customers, such as members of frequent travelers clubs, may be able to bypass the rental counter. But in what it claims is an industry first, Alamo Rent A Car is letting any renter complete the “paperwork” online and bypass lines at the regular counter.

Under the QuikRent program announced last week, customers sign on to https://www.alamo.com, where they choose a site and car, complete a rental form (including insurance and fueling options) and input their credit card number. On arrival at the rental site, they go to a special kiosk, swipe their credit card to get a rental receipt (with car location) and drive off in the chosen car. A guard at the gate logs names and checks driver’s licenses.

The program is in 36 cities, including Los Angeles, Ontario, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago and Washington, D.C. It’s not at Burbank or John Wayne Airport in Orange County as yet, although Alamo hopes to expand the program.