Alamo skip the counter

Question

Hello,

Ive prepaid my Alamo hire car and was about to do skip the counter online, nowhere does it say Ive prepaid, just estimate total. I know it needs my credit card details but im worried that it doesnt say Ive prepaid.

Ive called Alamo and contacted them through chat. They didnt know how skip the counter works and suggested They will take a deposit of $400 dollars off my card. But they couldnt answer why it says estimate total to pay and not that Ive prepaid the rental.

Anyone throw any light?

Answer

When using Alamo’s “Skip the Counter” option, it’s common for the system to show “Estimate Total to Pay” even if you’ve prepaid your rental. This can be confusing, but here’s what typically happens:

Skip the Counter allows you to bypass the traditional counter process and go straight to your car. Alamo still needs your credit card on file to cover any potential additional charges, such as fuel, tolls, or damage deposits. The $400 deposit they mentioned is a standard hold they place on your card as a security measure, not a charge. This hold is released once the car is returned in good condition.

Prepaid rentals mean that the base rental cost has already been paid, but the Skip the Counter interface doesn’t always reflect this explicitly. That’s why it shows an “estimate” instead of “prepaid total.” The system is designed to include any potential incidentals, which is why the estimate may be higher than zero even though your rental is prepaid.

Ensure you bring the same credit card you used to book the rental, as this will be used for the deposit hold.
Check your confirmation email from Alamo; it should clearly indicate the amount prepaid and that your rental is covered.
At the lot, with Skip the Counter, you typically just show your ID and confirmation email, then proceed directly to the car.

In short, seeing “Estimate Total to Pay” on the Skip the Counter page is normal and doesn’t mean your prepaid rental hasn’t been recognized. The prepaid status is accounted for internally; the system just displays potential additional charges separately. As long as your confirmation email shows the prepaid amount, you’re good to go.

Optional tips for peace of mind:

Take a screenshot of your prepaid confirmation before arrival.
Ask at the lot if the prepaid status can be confirmed in person.
Keep an eye on your credit card statement to ensure only the deposit hold is applied, not another charge for the rental itself.

Alamo skip the counter

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