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

[n2mm]

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.

Wow, really? We like to grab a Ford Edge when we see it. We really like that one!

 

[gmeh1]

Wow, really? We like to grab a Ford Edge when we see it. We really like that one!

I like the Edge too, but, I have not really seen too many of those lately. Lately they have been putting mini vans EVERYWHERE. From compacts up to full size. And, are you ready, some complain about the upgrade. Happily, I am no longer at the exit booth, I have accepted another position with National starting today. I am very excited about this.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

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

Just a warning...

A lot of people are surprised at what rental car compaines think of as "midsize" or "full size" IMHO it's kind of Mid size equals what I think of as compact and Fullsize may equal fullisize or midsize in the real world.

So look at the "examples" and make sure they fit you

I would complain LOUDLY if all that was avaliable for me was a mini van. I don't want one! National sells itself to Business Travelers... not the "mini van" crowd IMHO! However, you won't hear the complaint at the exit booth because I am not driving the thing off the lot!

 

[gmeh1]

Just a warning...

A lot of people are surprised at what rental car compaines think of as "midsize" or "full size" IMHO it's kind of Mid size equals what I think of as compact and Fullsize may equal fullisize or midsize in the real world.

So look at the "examples" and make sure they fit you

I would complain LOUDLY if all that was avaliable for me was a mini van. I don't want one! National sells itself to Business Travelers... not the "mini van" crowd IMHO! However, you won't hear the complaint at the exit booth because I am not driving the thing off the lot!

National is indeed a Business Travelers brand, BUT, in Orlando vacation travelers use them also in a big way. And, no one said all that was available was a mini van, what was said was they were everywhere and it mainly applied to Alamo. There are many factors in play with how they classify vehicles, so, it makes sense that you and I (and many others) would scratch their heads wondering how they get classified.

 

[ddawg]

Can you make a reservation without giving your emerald club number and then just show your card when you check the car out at the airport?

Also is there a standard car isle at the Orlando airport or just mid size and full size. I have an upgrade coupon and I want a full size car so do I reserve a mid size or a standard?

 

[gmeh1]

Can you make a reservation without giving your emerald club number and then just show your card when you check the car out at the airport?

Also is there a standard car isle at the Orlando airport or just mid size and full size. I have an upgrade coupon and I want a full size car so do I reserve a mid size or a standard?

No, you will have to go to the counter. And you will select from the appropriate row, NOT the EA.
No standard row, with an upgrade coupon for one class, go to the next lowest, so, if you want a full size, reserve a mid size.

 

[KCMiller]

I'll be arriving VERY late (after 11:30pm) on Friday, the 16th, and I'm a bit concerned about what I'll find on the aisle. If I get there and everything on the regular aisle is taken, will they let me have something from the Exec aisle?

Thanks,

KC

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have never seen that aisle empty and I have landed a couple of times after midnight!

If it is they may direct you to the midsize aisle or tell you take from the Executive .

However, it would have to be EMPTY to let you go to the Executive not "I don't like any of the options"

At the airports where I have seen the Aisle empty the Executive is always empty too....

 

[gmeh1]

I'll be arriving VERY late (after 11:30pm) on Friday, the 16th, and I'm a bit concerned about what I'll find on the aisle. If I get there and everything on the regular aisle is taken, will they let me have something from the Exec aisle?

Thanks,

KC

No, and I doubt you will the EA empty. They are constantly "refilling" the aisle, 24/7/365.

 

[KCMiller]

Thanks - I'd hate to show up and not have a car waiting, you know?

KC

 

[pinkteacup]

Has anyone checked out the aisle at MCO recently? We are leaving in a few weeks and this is the first time we are choosing from the emerald aisle. Hoping for a nice selection

TIA
Lisa

 

[pr surfer]

Some updates from me...

@MCO, Dodge Challenger and Volvo S40

@MIA, Fiat 500, VW CC

@TPA, VW Golf, Volvo S60

 

[gmeh1]

Has anyone checked out the aisle at MCO recently? We are leaving in a few weeks and this is the first time we are choosing from the emerald aisle. Hoping for a nice selection

TIA
Lisa

I see it 5 days a week. They have had some very nice vehicles, from midsize up to and including mini vans, SUVs, full size cars and some premiums. The selection varies everyday and according to the amount of vehicles rented.
It is impossible to say what will be there except that you are guaranteed a midsize car.

 

[Escapecar]

I've made a Premium reservation for a 6pm pickup this Saturday.

Should I be mentally preparing myself for a Grand Marquis, or will there be something nicer available?

 

[pr surfer]

I've made a Premium reservation for a 6pm pickup this Saturday.

Should I be mentally preparing myself for a Grand Marquis, or will there be something nicer available?

I've gotten Volvos this year and last year an Audi and an Infiniti once each.

 

[NJFireman22]

We flew into MCO last Weds.29th 9:00pm we went to the Aisle, we found
Yukons, Suburbans, a couple of Expeditions, and several crossovers. We picked a Chev. Traverse which only had less than 2000 mi on it.
The B side was full that night,so full that cars were being parked behind eachother, I never saw that before !

 

[gmeh1]

We flew into MCO last Weds.29th 9:00pm we went to the Aisle, we found
Yukons, Suburbans, a couple of Expeditions, and several crossovers. We picked a Chev. Traverse which only had less than 2000 mi on it.
The B side was full that night,so full that cars were being parked behind eachother, I never saw that before !

The vehicles you say parked that way were in the "overflow" lot. We park them that way cause it saves space. By the end of the night, that lot was totally empty.

 

[gmeh1]

I've made a Premium reservation for a 6pm pickup this Saturday.

Should I be mentally preparing myself for a Grand Marquis, or will there be something nicer available?

Hard to say, but, I can tell you if you want something else, ask and we will see if it is available.

 

[ksantilli]

So I am enrolled in the Emerald Aisle program, but have never used it. We will be traveling to Ft. Meyers FL, in October, where we will rent a car and later drive to WDW.
Since I've never used this program before, can someone please tell me how it works? I have a family of 5, I'd assume we need an SUV or Mini van. Do I reserve one of those, and plan to pay that rate, and then if I get there and there is an SUV or mini van in the Emerald Aisle, can I request getting it for the Emerald Aisle(midsize) rate? Or how does it work exactly?

TIA to anyone who can help clear this up for me!

 

[gmeh1]

So I am enrolled in the Emerald Aisle program, but have never used it. We will be traveling to Ft. Meyers FL, in October, where we will rent a car and later drive to WDW.
Since I've never used this program before, can someone please tell me how it works? I have a family of 5, I'd assume we need an SUV or Mini van. Do I reserve one of those, and plan to pay that rate, and then if I get there and there is an SUV or mini van in the Emerald Aisle, can I request getting it for the Emerald Aisle(midsize) rate? Or how does it work exactly?

TIA to anyone who can help clear this up for me!

You reserve the size you need, which would be an Emerald Reserve Reservation assuming you log in the EC sign in area. You can try to change your rate, but, keep in mind it would be at a walk up rate, which is usually higher for the change. The Emerald Aisle rate is for midsize and you take the chance that what you need will be on the aisle.
The Emerald Club site pretty much explains the ins and outs of the reservation process and the club rules. If you have specific questions not covered there, give National a call and ask.