Travel bumps

The airplane ride went smoothly but there have been a couple other bumps along the way. I suppose you have to expect that when traveling with 8 people but it wasn't the best of starts to the trip.

The biggest pain so far was the rental van. I booked on Alamo because they offered a $55 per day rate for a 15 passenger van. Originally I booked it for 2 1/2 days to give us optional time. When checking in I indicated that we would actually be returning it the night before because it worked out with our schedule better. The rate hiked to $165 per day!!! After a lot of "discussion" with the gal at the counter, it boiled down to the fact that the computer system checks the vehicle in when we drop it off and evidently because we have it for LESS time than originally contracted, a new rate is assigned. I told her I would happily pay for the entire amount, I was not asking for a credit. But she indicated there was nothing she could do. She did not believe me that I had $55 rate until I showed her my printed confirmation of the reservation (which lists a guaranteed rate of $55 per day and says nothing about returning early penalties). But here we are standing in the airport with 8 people ready to get to the hotel. No manager on duty (Sunday night) so needless to say I will be talking to the manager over the phone today. Grrrrr. Alamo, you have the chance to make this right. I hope you take it.