TULSA, Okla. — Alamo Rent A Car is nearing a remarkable milestone: its one millionth kiosk rental. Alamo is hundreds of thousands of kiosk rentals ahead of its competitors, who have adopted Alamo's strategy to save customers time and make travel more convenient.
"Almost one million customers have skipped the rental counter because self-service eliminates one more hassle from the travel experience — and they're getting to where they're going quicker," said Greg Stubblefield, president of Alamo Rent A Car. "Customers already are comfortable using kiosks to check in for flights, so we created the Alamo kiosk for car rental as a natural progression."
After successful testing in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Jacksonville, Alamo began installing kiosks throughout its network of rental locations in November 2006. Today, Alamo operates 159 kiosks at 65 U.S. locations in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and it continues to refine the technology and expand the number of kiosk locations. Alamo expects to reach its one millionth kiosk rental within the next few weeks.
Last year, the success and popularity of the kiosks earned Alamo the "Extra Mile Award" from Budget Travel magazine.
Alamo's touchscreen kiosk allows customers with a valid driver's license and a major credit card to skip lines at the rental counter and check in directly. After a customer agrees to terms and conditions, a receipt-sized rental agreement is printed at the kiosk, and the customer is directed to their rental car on the lot. At the exit booth, the customer shows the booth agent the rental agreement, driver's license and credit card — and simply drives away.
The kiosk also allows the customer to review rental information, upgrade to a larger class car, add drivers and purchase optional items such as a GPS unit and prepaid gasoline.
