News

Alamo to roll out kiosks nationwide

November 13, 2006

TULSA, Okla. — Alamo Rent A Car announced it will roll out new self-service kiosks at rental locations throughout the United States. The new system cuts check-in time for customers by about 50 percent when compared to average counter check-in times.

The kiosk roll out comes after successful testing by customers in Dallas, Las Vegas and Jacksonville, Fla.

"Self-service eliminates one more hassle from family travel," said Jerry Dow, Alamo's chief marketing officer. "Customers are already comfortable using the check-in kiosk for flights, using a self-service kiosk for car rental is a natural progression."

The touchscreen kiosk allows any customer with a valid driver's license, major credit card and an existing reservation to skip the rental counter and check in directly at the kiosk. After a customer agrees to the terms and conditions, a receipt-sized rental agreement is printed and the customer is directed to his or her rental car on the lot. At the exit booth, the customer shows the booth agent his or her rental agreement and driver's license and then drives away.

The kiosk also allows the customer to review rental information, upgrade to a larger car class, add additional drivers, and purchase option items such as child car seats, a GPS unit, collision damage waiver and pre-paid gasoline.

By next summer, Alamo expects to have nearly 80 rental locations outfitted with the new touchscreen kiosks. Besides the test markets, the first locations to install the kiosks this month are Orlando, Detroit, Denver and Los Angeles. Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, St. Louis, Dallas, Miami, San Francisco and Atlanta will all have kiosks by March.