2006 version: What have you seen on the Emerald aisle?

[mkymouse4ever]

Good plan Beatty family! And taken care of.

mky

 

[Disneyjosh229]

And an unhappy National manager

Ended up with a car from Alamo

I take it someone is in trouble for not refilling the aisle

 

[jaysue]

March 10th arrival - about 1215am - good selection ranging from Malibu, Impala, G6, Rendezvous, Equinox etc.

No minivans

We took a Rendezvous - very comfortable - was pretty good on gas too as long as it was driven steadily and with a light foot

cheers
jaysue

 

[jaysue]

At 1159pm last week I saw.... A BIG EMPTY SPACE WITH NO CARS

And about 20 families wandering around looking for cars

And an unhappy National manager

Ended up with a car from Alamo

That is a very scary scenario - must have been very frustrating - did you have to go back into the building to the Alamo counter?

Cheers
jaysue

 

[bavaria]

No, they were just telling everyone to go to Alamo and take one off the *********** aisle where they had lots of cars.

But note that although National and Alamo are the same ownership, Alamo issues a new contract at full rate, and one has to dispute on return or after return via customer service.

But at least it was a car!!!

 

[AllyBri]

March 31st (A side) about 5 pm the National EA was filled with cars, but just one SUV, an Equinox, which we took.

 

[jaysue]

No, they were just telling everyone to go to Alamo and take one off the *********** aisle where they had lots of cars.

But note that although National and Alamo are the same ownership, Alamo issues a new contract at full rate, and one has to dispute on return or after return via customer service.

But at least it was a car!!!

Unbelievable - I thought National was a class act - to make their problem your problem re the contract rates is just unacceptable

cheers
jaysue

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We had the same situation about the empty aisles. I could not find any help in the garage, so I wandered over to the "return" line. There is always someone over there. They pointed me towards the leader, and he said, "take any car, suv, van, etc.. but no convertible cause I only have 1." We pulled up to the exit window like usual I gave them the paper from inside the car (brand new grand prix) from alamo and told them national EA did not have any cars and what the guy said. They said "no problem" I gave them a copy of my rental and national card, cc, etc... like usual > and we were out of there in a few seconds. No new contract, or paper work, they said "its the same company".

Also, on return we had no problem and I paid the price I expected (a little less for a few hours early on return).

Remember too that the return spot is both national & alamo so it is VERY busy and backed up at times. Last time we had to wait for the line of about 15 cars backed up with the guys going up and down each line. Once they get to you it is very quick, but count on a few minutes wait if your at a peak time. Several people where c/o that they didn't have much time with there flights.

mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

 

[Disneyjosh229]

We had the same situation about the empty aisles. I could not find any help in the garage, so I wandered over to the "return" line. There is always someone over there. They pointed me towards the leader, and he said, "take any car, suv, van, etc.. but no convertible cause I only have 1." We pulled up to the exit window like usual I gave them the paper from inside the car (brand new grand prix) from alamo and told them national EA did not have any cars and what the guy said. They said "no problem" I gave them a copy of my rental and national card, cc, etc... like usual > and we were out of there in a few seconds. No new contract, or paper work, they said "its the same company".

Also, on return we had no problem and I paid the price I expected (a little less for a few hours early on return).

Remember too that the return spot is both national & alamo so it is VERY busy and backed up at times. Last time we had to wait for the line of about 15 cars backed up with the guys going up and down each line. Once they get to you it is very quick, but count on a few minutes wait if your at a peak time. Several people where c/o that they didn't have much time with there flights.

mky

Good to know. Im leaving Thursday and expect either a lack of or no SUV's in light of the excellent deals there giving out on them...Maybe they'll give me a Luxury (what a sweet deal that would be )

 

[Tigger22]

We had the same situation about the empty aisles. I could not find any help in the garage, so I wandered over to the "return" line. There is always someone over there. They pointed me towards the leader, and he said, "take any car, suv, van, etc.. but no convertible cause I only have 1." We pulled up to the exit window like usual I gave them the paper from inside the car (brand new grand prix) from alamo and told them national EA did not have any cars and what the guy said. They said "no problem" I gave them a copy of my rental and national card, cc, etc... like usual > and we were out of there in a few seconds. No new contract, or paper work, they said "its the same company".

This was our experience too - arrived for our trip on March 14th around 7pm on B side. Had reserved Midsize SUV, and National aisles were pretty bare. We snagged a worker, who pointed out one Rendevous on an Alamo aisle. We had no new contract and had no problem with our rate.

It was, however, very confusing. Wish they had more signs or people telling you what to do if your reserved car is not on the aisle.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Just got off the aisle this morning. All Fullsize and Intermediates.

6 Pontiac G6's
9 Pontiac Grand Prix
2 Chevrolet Imapla's
4 Chevrolet HHR's
1 Pontiac Vibe

But....

I didnt reserve on the aisle, I had an emerald reserve fullsize SUV. Full!!

10 GMC Envoy
2 Buick Rendevious
1 Buick Ranier (Nice Truck!!)
3 Jeep Grand Cherokee's

I picked up 1 Buick Ranier and 1 Jeep Grand Cherokee!!! Excelent deal 8 Day Deal, out the door for $198

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Good to hear there was a nice selection in both lines!

mky

 

[n2mm]

THe rates have dropped at National, so now we have to decide if we use EA and hope for the best, or go with the guaranteed mid-size SUV at Alamo. Both are coming in at $105 for a one week rental. I was hoping this thread could help, but it doesn't look too promising.

 

[keishashadow]

Nice to see they had a selection. However, as an owner - Buick Rendezvous is NOT a full size SUV (even though mine has a 3rd seat). Would term it a mid-size. Buick actually calls it an SRV - sports recreation vehicle. With the 3rd seat down, there's lots of trunk room - not so w/it up.

Just got off the aisle this morning. All Fullsize and Intermediates.

6 Pontiac G6's
9 Pontiac Grand Prix
2 Chevrolet Imapla's
4 Chevrolet HHR's
1 Pontiac Vibe

But....

I didnt reserve on the aisle, I had an emerald reserve fullsize SUV. Full!!

10 GMC Envoy
2 Buick Rendevious
1 Buick Ranier (Nice Truck!!)
3 Jeep Grand Cherokee's

I picked up 1 Buick Ranier and 1 Jeep Grand Cherokee!!! Excelent deal 8 Day Deal, out the door for $198

 

[jaysue]

Nice to see they had a selection. However, as an owner - Buick Rendezvous is NOT a full size SUV (even though mine has a 3rd seat). Would term it a mid-size. Buick actually calls it an SRV - sports recreation vehicle. With the 3rd seat down, there's lots of trunk room - not so w/it up.

Agreed - Rendezvous is not a full size SUV - mid size is a more accurate description

Cheers
jaysue

 

[jaysue]

THe rates have dropped at National, so now we have to decide if we use EA and hope for the best, or go with the guaranteed mid-size SUV at Alamo. Both are coming in at $105 for a one week rental. I was hoping this thread could help, but it doesn't look too promising.

Getting an SUV or Van on the Emerald Aisle is a hit n miss proposition - if you are ok to have an intermediate then use the Aisle and you might be surprised with a higher class selection of vehicles. If you really want/need that mid size SUV then go with the Alamo you have in place or go with National specific class rentals

cheers
jaysue

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Just wanted to post a shocker!! Dropped off the Jeep and Buick yesterday and at 1:30 pm, (at National)...

All Minivan's Sold Out (HUGE line of returned ones)
1 Saturn Vue on SUV aisle
1 Chevrolet HHR on EA

Thats it! The garage was literaly empty and the return line was backed up with cars...

 

[bavaria]

uh oh - hope that we're not seeing a trend... I think that it must be difficult for the rental agencies to judge how many cars they need as ME has certainly changed the number of renters. Also tough to calculate noshows....

But after my last National experience here I think that I'll go back to Hertz, even if the rate is a little higher. If it's a LOT higher, then I'll still give National a try........

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i usually book thru alamo or national
right now we are using alamo becasue national is double when we are going
i can never get any of the mousesvers coupons to get even close to alamo with budget dollar or avis
anyone else have luck