Rental Car Airport Pick-Up

Question

I just noticed that the pick-up location for Alamo at the Tucson Airport involves a shuttle, while Enterprise, Budget and Avis seem to be right at the terminal. Is that correct, and would you advise against renting from Alamo (through Costco) for that reason?

Answer

Yes — you are correct that Alamo at Tucson International Airport (TUS) is off-site now and requires a free shuttle from the terminal, whereas several other rental agencies (such as Enterprise, Budget, and Avis) are located onsite at the airport’s Rental Car Center.

Here are the key details and some advice to help you decide whether to go with Alamo (via Costco) or pick another vendor.

Details of Alamo’s setup at TUS

Alamo’s listed location for Tucson is “Off-Airport Property” at 6851 S Country Club Rd., Tucson AZ 85756.
The airport’s official site lists that seven car rental firms are on-site in the terminal Rental Car Center, and notes that “another firm” (implying one off-site) provides a courtesy shuttle.
Alamo’s own page states: “Please note: effective 6/1/2024 Alamo will be moving off-site from Tucson International Airport. A complimentary shuttle will be provided to and from our new facility.”

What this means in practical terms

You will land at TUS, go to baggage claim and the airport’s rental car signage, then board a designated Alamo shuttle (or wait for it) to the off-airport lot. That adds extra time compared to walking directly to an on-site counter.
If you have a lot of luggage, kids, or arrive late/early when shuttle frequency is lower, the shuttle transfer could be less convenient.
By contrast, on-site vendors allow you to walk out of the terminal directly into the Rental Car Center, select your car and go, which is simpler and quicker.

Should you avoid Alamo for that reason?

Not necessarily — it depends on how much you value convenience vs. price or rewards. Here are pros and cons:

Pros for Alamo: If you’re getting a significantly better rate (for example via Costco) and the shuttle transfer doesn’t bother you, then Alamo may still be a fine choice.
Cons for Alamo: The shuttle adds a step. If you’re tired after a flight, want to load/unload quickly, or expect to move fast, the off-site pick-up is a minor inconvenience relative to an on-site vendor. Also if your arrival is outside normal business hours or if you’ll need quick drop-off, on-site vendors may be easier.

My recommendation

If I were you, staying value-conscious but also wanting a smooth start, I’d check the rate difference between Alamo (via Costco) and an on-site vendor (Enterprise/Budget/Avis) at TUS. If Alamo’s total cost is much less, and you’re comfortable with the shuttle, go ahead. If the price is similar, I’d lean toward an on-site agency just for convenience.

Also, when booking whichever agency you pick:

Confirm pick-up location details (for Alamo: where the shuttle stop is, how long the wait might be).
Confirm drop-off hours and procedure (especially if your return flight arrives late).
Check if the vehicle class, mileage, fuel policy, and other terms via the Costco/Alamo booking are as good as on-site competitors.

In short: Yes your observation is correct. And no, you don’t need to automatically rule out Alamo — but you should weigh the added shuttle step against the savings and decide based on your priorities.

Rental Car Airport Pick-Up

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