2012 "What's on National's Emerald Aisle?"

[NJmouse]

That is what happened last year...and we ended up with a Dodge Caravan. We are now sooo spoiled! LOL. The Greeter met us in the full size aisle and there was none left so he gave up the Dodge Caravan. We a weeks rental for $140.59!

 

[Bordassi]

Dear all,

I am new to this wonderful forum.

We are planning a trip to the US (NY) during the summer and have just placed a reservation at National, using my Emerald Club membership.

Appreciate alot if you can please respond to my questions, as this is the first time I am renting from National;
1- Reserved a mid size car, whilst we are travelling 2 adults, 3 children, 4 suitcases, a carry-on and a stroller. Thus we will definitely need a minivan/large SUV. How likely are we going to leave their lot with a vehicle that suits our needs? I am assuming that if they see us struggling with the luggage they will let us pick a large car even if not available in Emerald aisle. Am I wrong?
2- The total price, including insurance, for 14 rental days is $670. I've seen previous posts of people who have rented cars for 2 weeks at ~50% of that. How can I lower the rental price?

Thank you in advance for your responses!

 

[SilverMickey]

Dear all,

I am new to this wonderful forum.

We are planning a trip to the US (NY) during the summer and have just placed a reservation at National, using my Emerald Club membership.

Appreciate alot if you can please respond to my questions, as this is the first time I am renting from National;
1- Reserved a mid size car, whilst we are travelling 2 adults, 3 children, 4 suitcases, a carry-on and a stroller. Thus we will definitely need a minivan/large SUV. How likely are we going to leave their lot with a vehicle that suits our needs? I am assuming that if they see us struggling with the luggage they will let us pick a large car even if not available in Emerald aisle. Am I wrong?
2- The total price, including insurance, for 14 rental days is $670. I've seen previous posts of people who have rented cars for 2 weeks at ~50% of that. How can I lower the rental price?

Thank you in advance for your responses!

(This is not what you want to hear)
I would NEVER EXPECT to get a car that is bigger than full size when renting on the Emerald Aisle. If you need a minivan or full size SUV that is what you should rent. Once in a while you will see a larger than full size but that is not a guarantee. Last time we rented the largest car was a Mazda 6 crossover. Not nearly as big as a minivan. The rest of the cars were Impalas.

Good luck! Have a great trip!

 

[gmeh1]

Dear all,

I am new to this wonderful forum.

We are planning a trip to the US (NY) during the summer and have just placed a reservation at National, using my Emerald Club membership.

Appreciate alot if you can please respond to my questions, as this is the first time I am renting from National;
1- Reserved a mid size car, whilst we are travelling 2 adults, 3 children, 4 suitcases, a carry-on and a stroller. Thus we will definitely need a minivan/large SUV. How likely are we going to leave their lot with a vehicle that suits our needs? I am assuming that if they see us struggling with the luggage they will let us pick a large car even if not available in Emerald aisle. Am I wrong?
2- The total price, including insurance, for 14 rental days is $670. I've seen previous posts of people who have rented cars for 2 weeks at ~50% of that. How can I lower the rental price?

Thank you in advance for your responses!

Book what you need, and do not assume they will let you pick something off the Aisle, they see people struggle each day. You can hire a skycap to help with the luggage. Get rid of the insurance to lower the price, also, check closer to your dates, you are a bit far out for decent prices. Prices drop the closer you get.

 

[Bordassi]

(This is not what you want to hear)
I would NEVER EXPECT to get a car that is bigger than full size when renting on the Emerald Aisle. If you need a minivan or full size SUV that is what you should rent. Once in a while you will see a larger than full size but that is not a guarantee. Last time we rented the largest car was a Mazda 6 crossover. Not nearly as big as a minivan. The rest of the cars were Impalas.

Good luck! Have a great trip!

Thanks for your responses.

Unfortunately the price of a minivan/full size SUV are out of my range ($1,100 and up). Perhaps I should try my luck, and if they don't have anything at the aisle, upgrade on the spot?

Book what you need, and do not assume they will let you pick something off the Aisle, they see people struggle each day. You can hire a skycap to help with the luggage. Get rid of the insurance to lower the price, also, check closer to your dates, you are a bit far out for decent prices. Prices drop the closer you get.

Thanks for the tip, I will definitely check the prices as we get closer to the trip. Re: the insurance, I am using our corporate rates, which already includes all insurances.

 

[dishguy1977]

I was just upgraded to Executive - am I allowed to pick from both aisles or am I restricted to the Exec aisle? We got a minivan on the regular aisle last year for $93 for the week and I'd hate to see one in the regular aisle and not be allowed to take it because I am exec now.

 

[n2mm]

I was just upgraded to Executive - am I allowed to pick from both aisles or am I restricted to the Exec aisle? We got a minivan on the regular aisle last year for $93 for the week and I'd hate to see one in the regular aisle and not be allowed to take it because I am exec now.

We are also Executive members (again) and yes, you can choose from either aisle. That is one of the great perks. We've been Executive members for many years now and I love the monthly updates they now send us. Back in the day I use to have to monitor my account closely to make sure I was at my required days (40) to maintain this level. Now we get those wonderful monthly reports telling me how many more credits are needed to the next free day, how many free days we have and how close we are to maintaining our continued Executive aisle status. Congratulations on your upgrade.

 

[ktpc2005]

Just got back from FL and at the A side of the Emerald Exec Aisle last Sunday all they had was camrys and Impalas on the A side.

 

[gmeh1]

Just a FYI for all:

Emerald Club Benefits
Members can:
•Bypass the counter at most major U.S. airports
•Choose any vehicle from the Emerald Aisle* and only pay the reserved Midsize rate
•Earn their choice of Free Rental Days or frequent flyer miles
•Expedite returns with automatic e-receipts
•Access Member Services through dedicated phone line: 800.962.7070 (M – F, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST)
Additional benefits by tier:
Emerald Club Tier
•One Free Rental Day (up to a Midsize car) with seven rental credits, OR frequent traveler credits (amount varies by airline or hotel partner)
Executive Tier
•All Emerald Club Tier level benefits
•Choice of car from the Executive Selection featuring Fullsize and higher class cars charged at the reserved Midsize rate
•Guaranteed upgrades. Member always pays for one car class less than the car reserved (Fullsize through luxury)
•One Free Rental Day (up to a Midsize car) with six rental credits, OR frequent traveler credits (amount varies by airline or hotel partner)
•Requirements: 12 - 24 paid rentals or 40 - 84 paid rental days in a calendar year. (For members upgrading to Executive, membership is valid for the remainder of the year the member was promoted plus 14 months)
Executive Elite Tier
•All Executive Tier level benefits
•Guaranteed car (up to a Fullsize) with 24-hour notice
•Car delivery to most private airport terminals within 50 miles of a National location in the U.S. (Charges may apply.)**
•One Free Rental Day (up to a Midsize car) with five rental credits, OR frequent traveler credits (amount varies by airline or hotel partner)
•Requirements: 25 paid rentals or 85 or more paid rental days in a calendar year. (For members upgrading to Executive Elite, membership is valid for the remainder of the year the member was promoted plus 14 months)
*Available at select locations only. Expedited counter service available at all other locations.
**Cannot be booked on-line.

 

[gmeh1]

Just got back from FL and at the A side of the Emerald Exec Aisle last Sunday all they had was camrys and Impalas on the A side.

It has been a VERY VERY busy time.

 

[dishguy1977]

Do Tahoes ever show up on the aisles? Are there 8 seaters?

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

So, after reading through this post I think I know the answer to this question but I'm nervous about making sure that we get a car that works for us. Would it be reasonable to expect that we'll find at least a full size car in the Emerald Aisle? We would be thrilled with something bigger but a full size would work. I think we could squeeze into a mid-size but it wouldn't be the most comfortable with two adults, two car seats, luggage, and a stroller.

Thank you for your help!

 

[ktpc2005]

So, after reading through this post I think I know the answer to this question but I'm nervous about making sure that we get a car that works for us. Would it be reasonable to expect that we'll find at least a full size car in the Emerald Aisle? We would be thrilled with something bigger but a full size would work. I think we could squeeze into a mid-size but it wouldn't be the most comfortable with two adults, two car seats, luggage, and a stroller.

Thank you for your help!

What I would do is make two reservations, one for a midsize to gamble on the aisle and one for the size of car you actually need. When you get there you can see what options you have and go from there.

 

[n2mm]

Do Tahoes ever show up on the aisles? Are there 8 seaters?

I've seen Expeditions and Suburbans, but only on the Executive Aisle. I've never seen anything bigger than a minivan on the Regular Emerald Aisle. What level are you....?

Hoping for something bigger is a gamble. We went 5 times one year (2010)and used the National EA every trip and never got anything bigger than a full size each trip (Tarus) and we are Executive Aisle members, so we can choose from either aisle. We had better luck in 2011. When we need a minivan, we use the Emerald Reserve and book that size vehicle....cost more, but didn't want to be left without a vehicle that fits my party size.

 

[dishguy1977]

I did just get bumped up to exec. Are any of those Expeditions or Suburbans 8 seaters? I can't seem to book any sort of 8 seater on the website and I do believe they have Sienna's that seat 8 - is a special code or something required? Expeditions and Suburbans both have 8 seat options - do any of the ones at MCO have that option? The plan is to book 2 separate cars to seat the 8 people but if we could manage to get one vehicle that everyone could fit in that would be great! If they just happen to have an 8 seater in one of the aisles then that would be even better!! We arrive on May 3rd which is a Thursday - is it true there is a better chance of finding a bigger vehicle on the aisle during a weekday as opposed to a weekend?

 

[gmeh1]

So, after reading through this post I think I know the answer to this question but I'm nervous about making sure that we get a car that works for us. Would it be reasonable to expect that we'll find at least a full size car in the Emerald Aisle? We would be thrilled with something bigger but a full size would work. I think we could squeeze into a mid-size but it wouldn't be the most comfortable with two adults, two car seats, luggage, and a stroller.

Thank you for your help!

You will find at least a midsize on the EA and most likely a full size.

 

[gmeh1]

What I would do is make two reservations, one for a midsize to gamble on the aisle and one for the size of car you actually need. When you get there you can see what options you have and go from there.

You might want to consider this before making multiple reservations with National. It can happen.

Is There a Cancellation Fee?

Guaranteed Reservations: Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

"No show"customers: if the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time, National will charge a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented.

 

[gmeh1]

I did just get bumped up to exec. Are any of those Expeditions or Suburbans 8 seaters? I can't seem to book any sort of 8 seater on the website and I do believe they have Sienna's that seat 8 - is a special code or something required? Expeditions and Suburbans both have 8 seat options - do any of the ones at MCO have that option? The plan is to book 2 separate cars to seat the 8 people but if we could manage to get one vehicle that everyone could fit in that would be great! If they just happen to have an 8 seater in one of the aisles then that would be even better!! We arrive on May 3rd which is a Thursday - is it true there is a better chance of finding a bigger vehicle on the aisle during a weekday as opposed to a weekend?

The Expeditions and Burbs are 7 passenger. If you cannot find a Sienna listed under 8 passenger mini vans, it probably means they are sold out for your date. Call National and see what they can do for you. As to when you arrive, it totally depends on what has been booked for that date. No, it is not true, Thurs. has been a very heavy travel day as of late. If you need two vehicles, book them, do not rely on finding something other than what you need on the Aisles.
Correction to the above reply. Our Expeditions and Burbs do seat 8.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

You will find at least a midsize on the EA and most likely a full size.

Thank you for your response. That's what I expected to hear but I feel better about it now with a firm answer from a trusted source.

 

[gmeh1]

I've seen Expeditions and Suburbans, but only on the Executive Aisle. I've never seen anything bigger than a minivan on the Regular Emerald Aisle. What level are you....?

Hoping for something bigger is a gamble. We went 5 times one year (2010)and used the National EA every trip and never got anything bigger than a full size each trip (Tarus) and we are Executive Aisle members, so we can choose from either aisle. We had better luck in 2011. When we need a minivan, we use the Emerald Reserve and book that size vehicle....cost more, but didn't want to be left without a vehicle that fits my party size.

Lately, there have been Burbs, Expeditions, convertables regular mini vans, Siennas etc. on the EA and on the exec. side. Like you said, book what you need via Emerald reserve.
I agree, it is a gamble. BTW, the Taurus is now condsidered a Premium car.