Is there any reason NOT to join Emerald Club?

[laughinplace199]

We currently have a car reservation through Alamo. We're getting to MCO at 10:00 PM on the Friday before Labor Day and I'm worried that the Alamo line will be long.

I can get roughly the same price through National. Should I join EC? Any reason not to? Do they only have certain types of cars on EA (we're renting a compact)?

Thanks!

[maraakl]

There is no reason not to join since it is free.
The Emerald aisle is for intermediates. You can book a compact online and just go to the compact aisle. The EA sometimes has something other than Intermediates, but, the overwhelming advice here is to book what you need.

[laughinplace199]

So, by joining EC I can book a compact (or other size) online, bypass the line at the counter at MCO, and just pick a compact car (or whatever I booked) out of the appropriate aisle? Is there a catch? It seems so easy.

[lawgs]

you would be doing an Emerald Reserve for the car class you wanted ( except intermediate which would be emerald aisle/intermediate aisle )

it just means you can bypass any lines that maybe present at MCO

all you have to do is present the required documents/cards/coupons as applicable to the gate agent as you leave the garage ( they become your "desk" )

no catch except the time you can save ...

[maraakl]

the only exception would be if you had a free upgrade coupon, that does require a trip to the rental counter, otherwise, you have it totally correct, laughingplace.

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for the helpful info! I'll be signing up today!

[lawgs]

as far as the upgrade coupon goes laughing place, you are suppost to go to the counter, but have read here that sometimes people have just presented the coupon to the gate agent and they are set to go ( when you do the upgrade coupon it usually bumps you up to that car class on your reservation confirmation, thus you would have a print out of the car class you are suppost to be getting )

of course, this was in the past before they changed the rules to Emerald Club ( Emerald Reserve etc )

was just looking at all the coupons in my entertainment book and on the back of each one ( 20$, free weekend day. two car upgrade, one car upgrade ) and they all state

Original coupon must be presented at counter upon arrival


a person's "mileage may vary" depending on who you get at the check out gate

sometimes employees apply the rules and other times they do not

you just never know

[laughinplace199]

Thanks!