(This is not what you want to hear)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!
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!
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.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.
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.
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.
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!
Do Tahoes ever show up on the aisles? Are there 8 seaters?
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.
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?
You will find at least a midsize on the EA and most likely a full size.
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.