**2013** What's on the Emerald Aisle???

[gmeh1]

I don't doubt it, which is why I said if executive you should always ask if you don't see something that is to your liking.

I traveled to the same place many weeks in a row (like, 45 weeks straight) so the folks there knew me by name and I knew all of them by name-- so undoubtedly I got some extra things that might not have been given to a stranger.

I am sure you did in that case, especially if you were nice and friendly. I pretty much treated everyone the same, if I could do something nice for someone who was nice and friendly, I did, if they came in with an "attitude" then I followed the "book". I am surprised that with all the times you rented you did not get invited to VIP status. That status is for very frequent renters and by invitation only.
Also, you don't have to be exec. status to ask for something different. Aisle level can ask also. I have done some very nice things for aisle level.
Last time I rented, aisle level, one of my former managers let me have a brand new Caddy from the exec. aisle.

 

[winterwhite]

I am sure you did in that case, especially if you were nice and friendly. I pretty much treated everyone the same, if I could do something nice for someone who was nice and friendly, I did, if they came in with an "attitude" then I followed the "book". I am surprised that with all the times you rented you did not get invited to VIP status. That status is for very frequent renters and by invitation only.
Also, you don't have to be exec. status to ask for something different. Aisle level can ask also. I have done some very nice things for aisle level.
Last time I rented, aisle level, one of my former managers let me have a brand new Caddy from the exec. aisle.

I will probably get offered VIP this year. I have rented at least 1 car a week for the past 80 or so weeks out of 104 in the past two years. Business travel is fun stuff.

The one-two-free promos always work out really well for me we're still using free days from last year's earnings.

 

[gmeh1]

I will probably get offered VIP this year. I have rented at least 1 car a week for the past 80 or so weeks out of 104 in the past two years. Business travel is fun stuff.

The one-two-free promos always work out really well for me we're still using free days from last year's earnings.

The amount is an incredibly high number. Needless to say, not many get the invitation. The invitation is based on calendar year rentals. Sadly, they do not carry over. GREAT for the free days.

 

[winterwhite]

The amount is an incredibly high number. Needless to say, not many get the invitation. The invitation is based on calendar year rentals. Sadly, they do not carry over. GREAT for the free days.

I think so far this year I have rented about 110 days. I'd prefer to rent less, actually, but them's the breaks. I always use national on vacation because I at least get my pick of cars thanks to executive.

 

[gmeh1]

I think so far this year I have rented about 110 days. I'd prefer to rent less, actually, but them's the breaks. I always use national on vacation because I at least get my pick of cars thanks to executive.

You would get your pick of cars if you were an EC member on aisle status, or joe blow from the street for a regular car. EC is free to join, so, everyone can enjoy the perqs of the Emerald Aisle (exec or aisle) or Emerald Reserve.
With your rental days you are heading to Exec. Elite (if you haven't already hit it). VIP is wayyyyy past that. In all the time I worked at MCO, I only saw about 5 black cards and I saw the same people week in and week out.
I am sure you already know the advantages of the different stages, but, I am going to post them for others.

Our members who rent frequently can aspire to Emerald Club Executive® and Emerald Club Executive Elite® statuses, which promise more exclusive benefits including the choice of Fullsize or better car classes from the Executive area and much more.

Executive and Executive Elite status:
Rent your way to even more rewards and recognition.

Emerald Club Executive® status is yours with 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a calendar year. You'll enjoy all the benefits of Emerald Club® membership plus a higher level of privileges, including:

•Choice of Fullsize or better cars from our exclusive Executive area.
•Guaranteed upgrades: You always pay for one car class less than the car you reserved.
•One Free Rental Day with six rental credits.
Emerald Club Executive Elite® status is attainable with 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a calendar year. You'll enjoy all the benefits of Executive status plus:

•A guaranteed car (up to a Fullsize) with 24-hour notice.
•Vehicle delivery to most private airport terminals at many U.S. National locations.
•One Free Rental Day (any car class with no blackout dates) with just five rental credits.
Some restrictions apply. See Program Rules for details.

How to use the Executive area:

•Simply reserve a Midsize car at participating counter bypass locations in the U.S. or Canada.
•When you arrive at the location, follow the Executive signs and go directly to the Executive area.
•Choose any car on the Executive area (all cars are Fullsize or higher classes) and you'll only be charged the reserved Midsize rate.
Take a virtual tour of the Emerald Club® experience

 

[Mommy Poppins]

We will be arriving Saturday night, September 7 at around 7:00 PM. What are the chances that we might find a minivan on the EA? We are a party of 6 so definitely need the van. I have one reserved but also have an EA reservation that is about $70 less. I need to cancel one soon.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We will be arriving Saturday night, September 7 at around 7:00 PM. What are the chances that we might find a minivan on the EA? We are a party of 6 so definitely need the van. I have one reserved but also have an EA reservation that is about $70 less. I need to cancel one soon.

Murphy's law > if you need it it won't be on the aisle. If you don't need it 10 will be sitting there. Odds are do not count on it. If its wayyyyyyyyyy important > stay with reserve.

 

[n2mm]

Murphy's law > if you need it it won't be on the aisle. If you don't need it 10 will be sitting there. Odds are do not count on it. If its wayyyyyyyyyy important > stay with reserve.

Now isn't that the truth!! Everytime it's just the 2 of us, we have so many big vehicles to choose from. But when the family comes, it's slim pickings. I learned my lesson once when the 6 of us had to fit into a Journey crossover....wow, there was no luggage space and some had to hold suitcases and the stroller barely fit. I agree, book what you need.

 

[gmeh1]

We will be arriving Saturday night, September 7 at around 7:00 PM. What are the chances that we might find a minivan on the EA? We are a party of 6 so definitely need the van. I have one reserved but also have an EA reservation that is about $70 less. I need to cancel one soon.

I would not count on finding a mini van on the aisle, it might happen, but, chances are slim at that time of the year.
My advice, keep them both, see what is on the aisle and if a mini van is not there, go with the mini reservation. You can cancel one of them at the exit booth. No penalty.

 

[NJmouse]

BUMP

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would not count on finding a mini van on the aisle, it might happen, but, chances are slim at that time of the year.
My advice, keep them both, see what is on the aisle and if a mini van is not there, go with the mini reservation. You can cancel one of them at the exit booth. No penalty.

If I was doing the "dual' reservation system I would go with two different companies just to avoid the "well you reserved a mini-van, you have a mini van, I am charging you for it" fight at check out.

(And yes, some agents will try that trick. Some are great and some are not so great, it's a roll of the dice IMHO)

 

[gmeh1]

We will be arriving Saturday night, September 7 at around 7:00 PM. What are the chances that we might find a minivan on the EA? We are a party of 6 so definitely need the van. I have one reserved but also have an EA reservation that is about $70 less. I need to cancel one soon.

Duplicate post

 

[gmeh1]

If I was doing the "dual' reservation system I would go with two different companies just to avoid the "well you reserved a mini-van, you have a mini van, I am charging you for it" fight at check out.

(And yes, some agents will try that trick. Some are great and some are not so great, it's a roll of the dice IMHO)

If you print the reservation confirmation you should be fine. They know what is allowed as an upgrade and the bar code on your confirmation prevents them from seeing any other reservation because when they scan that bar code only that ressie shows. If you don't have that print out, any reservations made under your name will show, then you might have an issue. People do this all the time and the agents are pretty good at figuring it out especially when you communicate with them.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Duplicate

 

[denneg]

I'm a new Emerald Club member, and have a question about my strategy. I have a midsize SUV rented through Alamo, and just made a midsize rental through National so I could choose from the Emerald Aisle. The price difference is $100 less at National, so if I could get a SUV or Minivan (or big enough car for 3 adults, one child, luggage and a stroller!) I'd be thrilled. But can I walk in, see there are no good options, and leave to go to Alamo without a problem? We arrive Sept 30, I know there is no good way of predicting choices on the EA, but I'm hopeful that arriving on a Monday morning will allow us to have some good options.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm a new Emerald Club member, and have a question about my strategy. I have a midsize SUV rented through Alamo, and just made a midsize rental through National so I could choose from the Emerald Aisle. The price difference is $100 less at National, so if I could get a SUV or Minivan (or big enough car for 3 adults, one child, luggage and a stroller!) I'd be thrilled. But can I walk in, see there are no good options, and leave to go to Alamo without a problem? We arrive Sept 30, I know there is no good way of predicting choices on the EA, but I'm hopeful that arriving on a Monday morning will allow us to have some good options.

You have it right, but... at most locations Monday morning is "PRIME" business traveler pick up time. Not sure that's true at MCO but if it is, it may decrease your odds... SORRY!

 

[NJmouse]

If I am using a coupon for National from BJ's do I need to take my BJ club card to show at check out or just the coupon?

 

[tres besitos]

If I am using a coupon for National from BJ's do I need to take my BJ club card to show at check out or just the coupon?

We have often used the BJ's coupon codes for national and have never had to show our card. We would book it through the BJ's travel website and always brought a hard coy of the coupon we used and our card. We used the two car class upgrade coupon from compact to midsize and then used the Emerald aisle. We have been very lucky in past years and have gotten both an SUV and minivan this way. I do realize that it may not always work out that way.

 

[gmeh1]

If I am using a coupon for National from BJ's do I need to take my BJ club card to show at check out or just the coupon?

If it is an electronic coupon you won't need it. You won't need your BJ's card either.

 

[gmeh1]

I'm a new Emerald Club member, and have a question about my strategy. I have a midsize SUV rented through Alamo, and just made a midsize rental through National so I could choose from the Emerald Aisle. The price difference is $100 less at National, so if I could get a SUV or Minivan (or big enough car for 3 adults, one child, luggage and a stroller!) I'd be thrilled. But can I walk in, see there are no good options, and leave to go to Alamo without a problem? We arrive Sept 30, I know there is no good way of predicting choices on the EA, but I'm hopeful that arriving on a Monday morning will allow us to have some good options.

Sunday nights and Monday mornings are very very BIG days for business travelers. You should be able to snag an Impala on the EA, if there isn't one, ask the greeter. The Impala has a HUGE trunk (18.5 cf) and is very roomy inside.
Yes, you can go from National to Alamo without a problem. They are right next to each other on the 1st floor of the garage on both A&B side.