Contact Information: For more information, contact: Laura Bryant Alamo Rent A Car 314-512-4178
ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - February 3, 2010) - Alamo Rent A Car, the largest car rental
provider for international travelers visiting North America, is now the
preferred car rental supplier to Virgin Holidays, the United Kingdom's
leading worldwide holiday company and the world's largest transatlantic
tour operator and market leader for inbound travel to the U.S. and the
Caribbean.
The exclusive agreement between Alamo and Virgin Holidays began January 1.
Virgin Holidays customers will primarily rent in Boston, Chicago, Las
Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and
Orlando, where Alamo also serves as the official rental car company of Walt
Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. Today, around 350,000 people
a year travel with Virgin Holidays.
All Virgin Holidays customers can use Virgin Check-In (VCI), a customized
version of Alamo's online check-in system. VCI transactions are completed
with an e-voucher method of payment. Customers who use VCI can then
retrieve their rental agreements and bypass the counter completely -- thus
cutting valuable minutes off their travel time. In addition, Virgin
Holidays' customers can take advantage of the Alamo Choice product whereby
they can choose any vehicle on the lot within the category booked.
Another time-saving option for Virgin Holidays customers is the Alamo
self-service kiosk, which quickly facilitates last-minute changes or
requests for vehicle upgrades, child safety seats, additional drivers and
portable navigation (GPS) units. In Orlando, customers also can take
advantage of the Virgin Lounge, where special dual-branded custom kiosks
will provide them with even more service and convenience.
Alamo Rent A Car is one of three major car rental brands operated by
Enterprise Holdings, which owns more than 1 million cars and trucks, the
largest fleet of passenger vehicles in the world today. "We're thrilled to
be a part of this innovative partnership," said Greg Stubblefield,
Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, who leads the
strategic efforts for Enterprise Holding's global rental business
development. "As leaders in our respective industries, Alamo and Virgin
Holidays can now work together to offer leisure travelers even more value,
service and convenience than ever before."
Alamo's online check-in option, friendly service and leading-edge
environmental stewardship were additional key factors in Virgin Holidays'
criteria when choosing an exclusive vehicle rental provider. "As a customer
champion celebrating 25 years of consistently delivering magic touches to
our customers, we are delighted to be the only U.K. partner with Alamo,"
Mark Anderson, Customer Director at Virgin Holidays, noted. "This will make
our fly-drive adventures even better for our customers."
A known leader in travel technology innovation, Alamo currently operates
165 kiosks at 65 U.S. locations in 28 states and the District of Columbia,
which earned it the "Extra Mile Award" from Budget Travel magazine in 2007.
Recent advancements in Alamo's kiosk technology include the opportunity for
customers who do not have a reservation to simply walk up and use the
kiosk.
"We share a powerful customer service ethic with Virgin Holidays and, by
working together, we are able to jointly offer a unique travel product in
North America," Stubblefield stated. "In that way, Alamo will continue to
exceed expectations and deliver the kind of service that keeps customers
coming back."
About Alamo Rent A Car
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in St. Louis, Alamo Rent A Car is a value-oriented,
internationally recognized brand serving the rental needs of airport
leisure travelers. Alamo offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer
experience at the most popular travel destinations throughout the United
States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. In addition,
Alamo enables customers in the U.S. to conveniently choose their own
vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and
then simply drive away from the airport. Alamo -- the largest car rental
provider to international travelers visiting North America -- also is part
of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world's largest
car rental network.
Alamo is a recognized technology innovator, with the industry's first and
only online check-in system since 2005, as well as more than 159
self-service kiosks at 65 U.S. locations, which earned it the "Extra Mile
Award" from Budget Travel magazine in 2007. Alamo also serves as the
official rental car company of Walt Disney World® Resort
and Disneyland® Resort. Customers who book online receive
Alamo's best rates, and if they choose the "Prepay & Save" option when
making their online reservation, they may receive an additional 10%
discount. For more information about Alamo, including the Best Rate
Guarantee, visit www.alamo.com.
About Virgin Holidays
Virgin Holidays is the UK's
leading Worldwide Holiday Company with adventures to the USA, the
Caribbean, Africa, the Middle and Far East, the Indian Ocean and
Australasia. Prices start from £859 for a Thailand adventure or from £699
for a seven night Mickey break Stateside.
As one of the top travel companies in the UK, Virgin Holidays strives to
deliver amazing holiday experiences to all customers. Formed in 1985
following the creation of Virgin Atlantic, and built on the Virgin
principles of excellent customer service, high quality and value for money,
Virgin Holidays offers maximum convenience and flexibility with an emphasis
on fun and excitement. The brand is particularly known for the 'magic
touches' and 'added sparkle' customers have come to expect whatever
destination they choose. Virgin Holidays has become synonymous with honesty
and reliability, delivered with a sense of fun and an innovative twist.