US Car Hire Silver hire. Alamo took another $90 !

**Ian Dee** · 12-03-2011, 03:36

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by NigelM
Hi Can I resurrect this debate.

As I understand Silver is cheaper to pre-pay here and has ALL the insurances etc. You are paying for additional drivers on the Gold Option and also having the full tank. Thus the difference would be me having to pay the rental company for a full tank before to drive off this being the only benefit as I will be the only person driving.

At current rental rates and exchange rates any views on which is the best option?

Thanks

[/quote]
But surely the cost of a full tank when picked up is in the Silver AND Gold option?
Is the difference between Silver & Gold ONLY one driver and pay for filling up on return; someone having said that Alamo only charging pump prices?

**Katys Grandad** · 12-03-2011, 08:09

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ian Dee

But surely the cost of a full tank when picked up is in the Silver AND Gold option?
Is the difference between Silver & Gold ONLY one driver and pay for filling up on return; someone having said that Alamo only charging pump prices?
[/quote]

That's true but the difference between the prepayment rates of the Silver and Gold options doesn't necessarily match the cost of a tank of fuel. Over the years I've been renting, it's sometimes been cheaper and at other times more expensive to pre-pay so the equation fluctuates over time. That's mainly due to the fact that fuel prices can vary from day to day and week to week but the rental rates are set in advance.

Generally speaking, when fuel prices are rising Gold is the cheaper option and vice versa. Of course, if you have more than 1 driver then the balance shifts towards Gold because additional driver charges can add quite a bit to the overall cost.

**Ian Dee** · 12-03-2011, 10:35

Thanks Grandad,
Does not make it easier does it.

I am about to book 3 weeks. Have always had gold for Jean as the additional driver and less hassle regarding the return of fuel.
Jean has never driven in USA and it was just a case of 'just in case'.
I was going to go Alamo instead of Dollar this time as I read that they 'only' charge for the actual refill of gallons rather than an overblown Dollar refill.
But I am now leaning back to Dollar on the basis of the devil you know - the difference in price is however a bit eye watering
[confused]

**bargainqueen** · 12-03-2011, 16:28

We used the Silver option last year with Dollar and they charged the exact amount of fuel capacity per car, can't remember what the rate per gallon was but I don't think it was too far out from the pump price locally to where we were staying. I price I paid cost in total worked out less than the difference between the two options and at that time everyone had to pay to collect the cars from Orlando Airport.

I was going to book silver again this trip (20 days) but had to book gold for the two driver option. When I picked up the car everything was done smoothly as I'm also a dollar express member. Luckily though I checked the hire agreement sheet before we left the garage and found that I was the sole driver. When I went back to the desk they wanted to charge me a daily rate for the extra driver.

It was sorted out and maybe this will never happen again but I'd advise everyone to check the agreement before signing.

**donny** · 12-03-2011, 23:38

oops![msnembarrased] just noticed this '1 or 2 Drivers depending on the car hire company you choose (contact us for details)'. we are renting from alamo but need two drivers with silver option, have i made a mistake should it be gold?, didnt contact us carhire before booking

[msncry]

**roger** · 13-03-2011, 01:21

That's fine, it is just Dollar that only have 1 driver on Silver.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by donny
oops![msnembarrased] just noticed this '1 or 2 Drivers depending on the car hire company you choose (contact us for details)'. we are renting from alamo but need two drivers with silver option, have i made a mistake should it be gold?, didnt contact us carhire before booking

[msncry]
[/quote]

**donny** · 15-03-2011, 22:13

rodger, is there anywhere that says 2 drivers on silver option with alamo? i would like it in writting to have with me just incase they try to diddle me out of more money![msnmad]
thanks

**roger** · 15-03-2011, 22:29

This will be on your voucher

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by donny
rodger, is there anywhere that says 2 drivers on silver option with alamo? i would like it in writting to have with me just incase they try to diddle me out of more money![msnmad]
thanks
[/quote]

**gpullan** · 16-03-2011, 11:23

We have a 15 seater booked for next week and when i went into Alamo Save Time to register it told me what the charge will be to fill up upon returning the car in April.

$105.12 will be charged. I saved £75 by going with silver instead of gold which equates to around $120.

All in, by going silver i have saved around $15. Nothing i know, but gold not worth it for us as we only require 2 drivers.