Tampa's National EA--anyone used it??

[friskykitten]

I hear a lot about the EA at MCO---for obvious reasons---but I was wondering how many people have used TPA's EA. Was the selection usually there? Is it just as easy to use as other airports? Where do I go to get there?

In LA I had to take a shuttle bus to the lot but in Sea-Tac I just had to walk a bit to get to the lot. How do you get to Tampa's?

And a question about the Disney vacation coupon. The one where you book online through the Disney Vacation's website??? Is there a hard copy coupon that you need to print out and hand over to the EA attendent?? If so, where do I find it to print it out?

Thanks!!

[Pluto4President]

I know lawgs from Canada has used it. Maybe change the title to include his name for a response if no one else can help.

[Jcricket Fan]

Just a 'heads up' for you re: National filling your tank at local prices....

I used EA in Phoenix and assumed (silly, silly me) that the National filling your tank at local prices worked for ANY National EA rentals but I was wrong! They charged over $4.00 a gallon to top off our tank at return time. I contacted National to complain and was told that the service is not at all EA rental agencies. (They have tiny print that states this on the web site!)

Long story short...just make sure that the Tampa agency participates before you bring the car back needing gas.

Orlando does participate and it sounds like the reports back have been good on what people were charged for gas.

Happy traveling!

Colleen

[Pembo]

We were there just this past April. The EA was directly across from our baggage claim area.(Southwest Airlines). You just walk out the door, across a small courtyard and into the parking garage. We had a pretty decent selection of cars, got a Buick LeSabre.

Return was easy as well and a short walk to the ticket counters.

The drive over from Tampa took a little over an hour and was very easy. I highly recommend flying into Tampa and using EA.

[workinmom]

Thanks for the info. We are also flying into Tampa in Oct & using EA. Any other info is appreciated. We are flying US Air.

[friskykitten]

Thanks for the replies! We will be flying Southwest also so it is good to know it is right outside the door baggage claim area! Sounds like it will be a fairly easy experience. For those of you flying into LAX for Disneyland there several mini-vans on the aisle. But not much else. I imagine that was a very unusual occurance though!!

I used the automatic refill of gas when I turned it in at LAX also but I never thought to check and see what they charged me. Guess I had better do that, huh? When I used the aisle at Sea-Tac the gas rate was a good one.

[Ted and Holly]

Did any of you notice... is Dollar car rental right across from SWA baggage claim also, or is it a longer walk?

Holly

[travelcoupons]

I've used TPA Emerald Aisle twice. (Feb and July of this year.)

In Feb, I was staying in the Marriott hotel at the airport and went down at 8 Am to check cars on the lot. There was a wide selection (1 minivan, 2 SUVs, 1 convert., 1 Camry with sunroof, numerous others) I went and ate breakfast and came back at 9 AM and the Camry and minivan were gone. No new cars had been added. I took the convertable.

In July, I arrived at about 9 PM. The lot was about half empty. Lots of midsize/fullsize. Someone grabbed a nice cadillac just before I got to it. There were no convert, no SUV's and no minivans. I took a Pontiac Grand Prix, which was nice.

Service is excellent and the aisle is easy to find.

[pbhunt]

friskykitten, regarding the second (OK third) part of your question, the answer, is yes you have to take the coupon with you. They may/may not ask for it, but you certainly had better have it with you if they do. Print out the page(s), which contain any codes you used to obtain a discount!
The link to Disney Vacations Coupon is below :) :)

http://disney.go.com/vacations/travel/national_pop.html

[friskykitten]

Thanks for taking care of me!!:)

I went and printed one out! I am now prepared!!