Alamo Car Hire - Edinburgh Airport

Reviews

• JH

  Jim Herbert

  3 days ago
  1.0
  We had a very disappointing experience with this car rental company. We’ve just returned to Australia after a six week trip to Europe and the UK and this was, unfortunately our low light😠 The representative we first dealt with at Edinburgh airport was friendly and patient with us however he quickly advised us that they didn’t have our pre booked vehicle and we would have to accept a smaller one, regardless of the fact we might struggle to fit our family of five and all luggage in. He was also quick to advise that we wouldn’t be refunded the cost difference as ‘we had already paid’ (as though we shouldn’t have). We had also been advised by our travel agent and I had read in the paperwork I had received, that a bond of 500 pounds was to be paid at pick up, however the representative advised that instead they needed our credit card and not a bond. We later found out why! When we eventually collected the smaller vehicle, we noticed a scratch on the passenger door and immediately took timestamped photos and video showing that the damage was already present before we took possession of the car. There were numerous other small scratches and dents which were similarly documented. We had the car 4 days and when we returned it to York we expected a simple key handover, as per other previous car rentals. The female representative advised us she would need to look the car over and after almost ten minutes she returned and advised us there was a scratch she was concerned about. We showed her our photos and video from pick up. After reviewing the evidence, the representative agreed that the damage was pre-existing, completed a report and asked us to sign it. We declined to sign because the damage had occurred before our rental and she agreed it had nothing to do with our rental. She advised us we didn’t have to sign it. I was bemused that they were so thorough with our hand back but the vehicle already had so many minor faults. Despite this seemingly having been cleared up we subsequently received emails relating to a damage claim. I ignored the first email as it seemed ambiguous and contained the representative’s report stating ‘pre-existing ‘. However 4 days later I received a further, more pointed email and noticed 1250 pounds was pending removal from my credit card. Given that we had clear, timestamped evidence and the company’s own representative had acknowledged that the damage was pre-existing, we found this extremely concerning. It was sorted out after an angry email from me and the money was returned. I understand that rental companies need to protect themselves against genuine damage, but customers should not be pursued for damage that they can clearly demonstrate was there before their rental began. The whole experience has left us feeling that the company was attempting to make us responsible for something that was clearly not our fault. I would strongly recommend taking comprehensive photos and video of every part of the vehicle before driving away, regardless of what the inspection paperwork says. We also noted two other angry customers in the York office claiming they were being scammed for damage they hadn’t caused! A very disappointing way to end what otherwise could have been a straightforward rental. I would never use this company again!
• DL

  David Libatique

  6 days ago
  5.0
  Outstanding experience at Alamo Edinburgh Airport! After a long transatlantic flight from the US, arriving at car rental can often be stressful, but Max made car pickup seamless, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable. His friendly attitude and helpfulness set a great tone for our entire trip. When returning the car, Olivia made drop-off just as smooth. She was extremely professional, efficient, and kind. Thank you to Max, Olivia, and the Alamo Edinburgh team for delivering top-notch customer service from start to finish!
• MH

  Michael Hartung

  Aug 11, 2026
  3.0
  We rented a large Renault Transit for our 10 day driving trip. The van was ready for us upon arrival, however, there were a few items which detracted from the experience. First, during checkin, the agent informed us that any scratches, windshield damage, or tire damage would cost $5000 GBP ($6750 USD). I was shocked by this as it did not seem legal, but I was also very tired and just took out an extra policy to be safe. I further reflected on this during the trip and realized this is a coercive and manipulative sales policy. Second, the van was a base model without a rear backup camera OR rear climate control. This made backing up (a huge van) very stressful and also made our kids uncomfortable during colder, rainy days as they had no heat in the back. I was really surprised by this, as I am sure larger groups really suffer in the winter with this model van. The van also had squeaky brakes and rattling suspension in the front. Other than that, it was fine.
• NN

  Nessa

  Aug 10, 2026
  1.0
  Vorsicht, betrügerische Vermietung! Ich hab für einen Schottland Urlaub über Check24 dort ein Fahrzeug gemietet. Erst haben die Mitarbeiter versucht dich mit Zusatzversicherungen zu bequatschen, obwohl ich über Check24 alles abgeschlossen hatte mit Zusatz für Reifen/Glas etc. und waren dann unfreundlich, wenn man abgelehnt hat.. dann wurde ein Auto übergeben mit vielen Kratzern, Felgenschäden, im Innenraum roch es leicht nach Erbrochenem.. es war alles sehr unfreundlich und wir haben es aus Zeitgründen so hingenommen. Dann war aber eine Reifen-Luftdruck Meldung direkt nach dem losfahren, dadurch das wir schon auf der Autobahn waren, haben wir es mal akzeptiert, weil kein großer Luftverlust erkennbar war. Das war dann auch okay und wir haben das Auto nach 5 Tagen zurück gegeben. Bei der Rücknahme war es noch freundlich, ein Liam hat das Fahrzeug entgegen genommen und meinte alles in Ordnung, ich bekomme die Kaution dann zurück. Aber ich hab kein Rücknahme Protokoll bekommen (wir haben bei der Arbeit auch ein Auto zur Vermietung und es bekommt jeder Kunde direkt ein Rücknahmeprotokoll und ich gebe die Kaution frei, wenn kein Schaden vorhanden ist, dass wäre eigentlich selbstverständlich aber ich hatte leider zu viel Vertrauen, was dumm war) Ein Tag später, als ich wieder zurück nach Hause geflogen war, wurde die Kaution einbehalten und mir ein Reifenschaden in Rechnung gestellt! Ich hab nie ein Bild von dem angeblichen Schaden gesehen oder jemals was da gewesen sein sollte! Am Ende konnte ich nach Wochen einen großen Teil zum Glück durch meine Zusatzversicherung von Check24 zurückbekommen, aber ca. 90€ für die Bearbeitung hat Alamo einbehalten. Unglaublich sprachlos über so eine unseriöse Vermietung. Ich hätte kein schlechtes Wort gehabt wenn ich einen Schaden verursacht hätte, aber das war nie der Fall.. Seid vorsichtig! Ich würde niemals wieder dort mieten!
• AR

  Anare Rabonu

  Aug 5, 2026
  1.0
  Very poor service from Alamo car rental employees on getting information across for cars that have been booked and paid through Booking. Com page. Apparently that's not the Alamos responsibility to cancel the booking through them or there should be a system to get the money back into our accounts. I have to pay a different fees for the car I'm using because I don't have a credit card to pit up deposit for premium car that I booked. Had to give me a a bother new booking and pay at the desk in the airport. So I have paid the car twice . Through Booking. Com . And Alamo rental desk in Edinburgh. I didn't get money back. So the point is clear. Get the message across to Booking. Com to stop taking payments and only Alamo to take payments please. It will solve the issue. Thank you.