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

[mkymouse4ever]

Happy New Year!

Starting over for the new year, once again.

Let's have a great thread!

Link to 2011 year thread! http://www.disboards.com/showthread....0#post43593540



mky

[Humphrey1227]

what time of day do you think they have more options for cars? I have been there late late night and I know there was just a few cars. Thanks, Humphrey

[mkymouse4ever]

I have to agree. We always do much better early in the morning. next trip will be at night. I am hoping for good luck and something unique.

[Karlzmom]

I was expecting miminal selection when we got in a 8:30p after reading the boards but was pleasantly surprised to find the Em and Exec aisles full.

Granted, there was no mini van, but you are never guarenteed one, and there were 3 SUVs including a Yukon. Frankly, we've always found the offered options to be more than adequate [after all, we only need one car ] what ever time we arrive. Good luck!

[tinkerbell423]

Can you explain the Emerald Aisle to me DH and I read about it on Nationals website last night but we still don't get it

[n2mm]

Looking forward to another year of posting on this thread! We leave in about 2 weeks, so will post back my finds on Jan. 18th -- noon pickup.

[jerlove]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell423

Can you explain the Emerald Aisle to me DH and I read about it on Nationals website last night but we still don't get it

With Nationals emerald aisle you get to bypass the counter and choose your own car from what is available in the Emerald Aisle. You only need to book and pay for a mid size car and then you choose from what ever is in the aisle and still only pay for the mid size car.

To use the Emerald Aisle you must be a emerald club member which you can sign up for on line at nationalcar.com

To use the executive aisle which tends to have nicer larger vehicles you need to have earned that status either thru invite or by the number of times you have rented from National or Enterprise.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions on the program.

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell423

Can you explain the Emerald Aisle to me DH and I read about it on Nationals website last night but we still don't get it

This explains it quite well. https://www.nationalcar.com/?action=emcIndex

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by Humphrey1227

what time of day do you think they have more options for cars? I have been there late late night and I know there was just a few cars. Thanks, Humphrey

It depends entirely on the time of year and the day of the week. At busy times, night time will find a low selection, at a calm time of year, the aisle will have a larger selection. The week between Christmas and New Year's this year was VERY VERY busy and the selection was unique to say the least.
This week, the returns are higher than the rentals, so, the selection will be more normal at all times of the day.

While this thread is very interesting and enjoyable to read, it really has no concrete bearing on what you will find on any given day. What you will find is at least midsize (what you reserved) and possibly something much higher.

[Disneylvr]

We arrive in 9 days so I am anxious to hear what people find in the Aisle this week. We arrive at 10:30pm this time so we are a little bit concerned. An Impala would be fine though especially since it's what we drive at home but a mini-van or SUV would be even better since we will have 5 people and luggage to fit in it.

[DebbieB]

I typically arrive around noon and there has almost always been a large selection. I've probably used it at least 20 times and can only remember once that I did not get a full size (I didn't want anything larger than that).

[cel_disney]

Last September when we rented from Alamo, there was an option for an 8 passenger Sienna. I have been playing around with my end of September rental for this year and haven't seen them in the list. Does anyone knw if they have been discontinued at Alamo?

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by cel_disney

Last September when we rented from Alamo, there was an option for an 8 passenger Sienna. I have been playing around with my end of September rental for this year and haven't seen them in the list. Does anyone knw if they have been discontinued at Alamo?

We still have Siennas. Not sure why they don't show up, but we have them. It is also an upgrade from a regular 7 pax. mini van. I know, at this time, that the 8 pax. are sold out. Not available for upgrade or walk up. You can give the reservations line a call and see what the status is for your dates. (877) 222-9075

[cantwaitvaca09]

Originally Posted by gmeh1

We still have Siennas. Not sure why they don't show up, but we have them. It is also an upgrade from a regular 7 pax. mini van. I know, at this time, that the 8 pax. are sold out. Not available for upgrade or walk up. You can give the reservations line a call and see what the status is for your dates. (877) 222-9075

If I have a Standard SUV booked, can I pick mini van if they have them in the isle?

[gmeh1]

Originally Posted by cantwaitvaca09

If I have a Standard SUV booked, can I pick mini van if they have them in the isle?

You will be going to the standard SUV area, not aisle (you have rented something specific). The vehicles on the Emerald Aisle or Exec. Aisle are for folks who have made an Emerald Club reservation or Aisle service. You can always ask the greeter if you can switch out. It totally depends on the amount of reservations and availability on any given day.