I had a deeply frustrating experience with Alamo rental car this past weekend. Upon picking up our vehicle (later on Friday afternoon), I offered to do an inspection with the representative when picking up our vehicle and was told that it wasn't necessary - a mistake I won't make again. The following morning - we'd hardly driven the car except from the rental location to the hotel - I noticed an air pressure bubble on the tire. Because we were really only using the car that Saturday I wasn't super worried, but our flight left on Sunday morning around 5 am and a 3:30 airport trip with the potential for a busted tire wasn't a risk I wanted to take. I called Alamo immediately upon noticing it and was told it was an "easy fix" by taking it to Jiffy Lube. The Jiffy Lube team tried to warn me that I'd been mislead by the agency, but unfortunately I didn't listen to them... two hours later and multiple phone calls to the rental agency and the "corporate" agents STILL hadn't approved the tire fix, we were still sitting at Jiffy Lube waiting on updates, and our plans for the day had been significantly delayed. Finally, the airport agent offered that we bring the car back to the airport and we could swap cars out. We took her up on the offer and returned to the airport for a car swap. At this point, I called customer service to let them know of the delays and the rep we spoke to was very kind but couldn't do anything helpful. She did suggest that we call following the contract to request a refund. I did so this week, and was told the issue would be escalated and I would receive a call back within two days. Three days later I still hadn't received a call back and called the agency myself, when I was informed that the issue had never been escalated but the customer service rep offered me a small amount of money back, which I accepted. My largest frustrations: - I suspect this car was not properly inspected and should not have been given to us with the tire in the state it was - the suggestion I was given to fix the problem seriously deterred our plans for the day, incredibly frustrating and it was my birthday with many plans. Time we can't get back! - the issue not being escalated after I was told it would be left me wondering if Alamo was hoping the issue would simply be dropped, and that is absolutely unacceptable. Also, I was offered the partial reimbursement by the CS rep directly when I called a 3rd time. Why could this not have been offered from the first? What I appreciate: - while some did not do their jobs, all the customer service reps I spoke with were kind and professional on the phone. - I returned the first vehicle without filling it up with gas (probably not even a quarter gallon was used, but still) and the manager on duty (Ammi, I believe) agreed to not charge me. I'm greatly appreciative of that. - I did receive a refund after my final call to customer service. These appreciations are what impacted me leaving three stars rather than two. read more

Had a reservation at Hertz and they were closed leaving me and a few other customers stranded. Thankfully Alamo right next door was open with friendly agents who helped get set up with a new car quickly. Thank you! read more

I had multiple poor experiences at another car rental, so I'm trying out Alamo. The two times so far, I've had clean cars, no mechanical problems, and friendly customer service at pickup and drop-off - no fuss, no muss. For our Thanksgiving trip, at pickup, the assistant branch manager provided her business card in case of questions or issues, which was unexpected and appreciated. read more

We left something in our rental and need to contact the office directly. The direct phone number doesn't work. Please respond

Do not use Alamo rental car in Santa Barbara!!!!! 10 am on a Monday morning and the line is 30 people deep and they already ran out of cars!!!!! Pathetic and horrible. Do not rent with Alamo!!!!! read more

Thanks Santa Barbara airport Alamo the anti first responders! My wife is a COVID unit nurse and could not be physically present to rent the car with her ID and credit card because she was at the hospital taking care of sick people risking her life and I'm her husband and they wouldn't let me bring it in Instead they ruined the start of her much needed vacation. Thanks Alamo for understanding during this crisis, hopefully you don't land on the COVID unit and need a hard working nurse to help you or your loved ones out!!! read more

Horrible customer service! My flight was delayed the date of my arrival and there was no one at their desk, I called customer service and they told me to come back in the morning to pick up my rental. They did not offer a solution to get me a car, horrible customer service. I will not use them again! read more

***Updated, the manager from this location contacted me when they opened in CA, and saw the issue. He immediately said that he would refund me, which I appreciate. They get 2 more stars for customer service for sure. Horrible Experience! I was recently in Santa Barbara for work, and rented a car here to drive to LA and drop off at LAX. I entered all of the information in when I made the reservation including the drop off time. The total came to $122 with a promo. They told me that I could upgrade to a nicer car for $15 a day. Okay cool, and I asked so $45 more? They replied yes. When I checked my credit card this morning, they charged me $120 more! I called customer service, but now have to wait 1-3 days for a manager to call back. They charged me an additional $35 in taxes which was NOT disclosed. I always rent from enterprise, and will from now on. Alamo is super crooked. read more

Excellent service. I had a reservation with Avis that they couldn't honor because they rented more cars than were available. Alamo ended up being the only option for immediate availability. The service was excellent, I would have been in a terrible situation since I didn't think I would need a back up plan. The only thing available was a truck, but they charged me for a compact instead, which was so nice of them. Thank you very much! read more

It was bad enough that the car stank and all my belongings got to smelling like that stank after a day in the sun, but the windshield was filthy inside and out AND there wasn't a drop of wiper fluid to even try to get the film off of at least the outside . It should be illegal to send a vehicle out like that. It's a major safety hazard. I'd give them zero stars if I could. They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for sending out a car like that. I can't wait to get home and wash out the smell that's in every fiber of my clothing read more

Really nice experience, unfortunately I arrived late (after they close at 12am) but they stayed open for me. Got a brand new 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee (might even have been an upgrade, they guy didn't say anything but it was bigger than what I paid for) car was really nice and clean. I have rented from Alamo four times now and have not had a bad experience yet. read more

Alamo Rent A Car - Car Rental Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Horrendous. They rented me a vehicle, and than said come back in the morning to pick it up. Even though they guaranteed me one tonight. I'm staying an hour away, I asked if it's possible to get a comped ride and a car tomorrow.. There response was I was ridiculous for asking and "we just won't rent to you." & hung up. Don't TRY to rent from these special humans. read more

Sorry I will never rent here again. I originally rented a pickup truck because I needed to transport bikes to LA. I show up and they don't have the car that I have reserved and say the only cars that will fit me are an upcharge. Wtf! If you don't have my vehicle then I should get one that fits my need free of charge. I had to pay an upcharge to get a vehicle which I didn't reserve which may or may not fit my needs. The customer service agent recommended that I rent from somewhere else if I needed a truck. At that point I just said that I'll take a minivan and then leave. Minivan was just dirty and hadn't been cleaned and I got upcharged for it. I returned the car to LAX the next day and told the manager of that location what had happened - she said something definitely very shady was going on at this location and that I shouldn't have rented here. I won't rent from here again. read more

I arrived at SBA with a prepaid rental of over $1000 . I was denied the rental without explanation, EXTREMELY unprofessional people. This caused a very serious problem as we had 6 passengers without a rental! NO EXPLANATION!! Then, they have the balls to basically tell tough luck, buddy. This company is fraudulent, unethical, and unprofessional. See you in court!! This shit may pass in Liberal cali but not where I am from!! Lisa S from Alamo, I did contact your customer service. they blew me off and told me to go to a third party . Your company us no better than Google or Facebook; you just censor and discriminate against people as you see fit. read more

It's amazing to book a rental car, fly in and arrive at 9:00 pm, and have no one staffing the counter and no way to get your rental car. And by amazing I mean awful. Apparently they close at 6:00pm? First of all, that's ridiculous, second, shouldn't you state that to your customers who have booked a car with you? This debacle has complicated an already complicated weekend. read more

I had the same experience at J. S. ! NEVER RENT from these People at ALAMO! I rented on 5/21/2017 . Isn't is strange that it happened to me also. It's a scam! I had drop the car off on Sunday and they contacted me 17 hours later that the car had damage. I went out to look at it and it had a few minor scratches. DO NOT RENT FROM THEM! I will call my credit card company and dispute the claim. read more

We had a really bad experience with Alamo. My parents visited me in Santa Barbara. Right after they picked up the car at LAX, the car made a really strange noise. They wanted to fix this at the Santa Barbara airport. The lady, her name was Rachel, said that it would take about 15 minutes to fix the car. So we waited in a coffee shop at the airport. Rachel told us she will tell us when the car is ready. After 50 minutes we checked at the desk what is going on. We realized that she just forgot us. But that was not the only problem. She and the manager of this rental station didn't know where the car was. So she made several phone calls. After another half an hour the car suddenly arrived. But there was another customer sitting in our car. He already adjusted the seat and the radio. If we asked Rachel if she gave our car to a wrong person, she didn't say a word and just walked away. Fortunately, the noise is gone. read more

We rent cars all the time but, for whatever reason, we usually don't use Alamo. Two weeks ago we rented from them at SFO and decided to use them again at Santa Barbara. Both times we went through Costco (we usually rent Budget but have been disappointed by them and wanted to try someone else). The Alamo experience has been excellent. We're no one to them but yet they treated us as if we were special, regular clients. Sean Milam went out of his way to take care of us and we were so pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend this location and, if you're fortunate enough to get Sean, you'll receive great customer service. We had a long day getting to Santa Barbara and it was so great to be served by such a pleasant, non-pushy personality. Thank you Sean and Alamo! read more

NEVER, EVER RENT FROM THESE PEOPLE!!! I had a very early flight so I was told to return the car to their lot and drop the keys in the box inside the terminal. Which I did. The car was fine when I dropped it off but a week later I got a letter that the car had been damaged and I was responsible. I called Alamo and they told me that, even if what I said was true, it didn't matter because I was responsible until they checked it in, whenever that was. So it really didn't matter what their "investigation" revealed since I would still be responsible. I rent a lot of cars and will never rent from Alamo again. read more