Advice on National

[anabelle]

I need some advice on a problem I had with National. I made my ressie on the internet using an entertainment coupon. It was for a full size rental. I had the print out that had the confirmation number, car class and the rate on it with me. When I got to the counter they said that the computer was showing that I had an intermediate booked and that I would have to pay extra to get a full size. After much arguing, I gave up and took the intermediate. When I got my paperwork, it showed that I had a full size "booked" and took and intermeditate. What should I do?
We had a hard time fitting our stuff in the trunk and I did not buy as much because I didn't have room.

 

[zulaya]

Call them up and explain. Make copies of the paperwork you received from the counter and fax it to National for proof. I don't know what you are wanted to get out of it, but you could ask for a refund equal to the difference in the full size and intermediate rates. I don't know what that would be but perhaps calling them will help. Good luck

 

[Lewisc]

You said they tried to charge you for an upgrade. I'd say that's the amount of $ they owe you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Actually, if you made the reservation prior to March 15 ( think that is the "magic" date) you have actually paid for an intermediate with a choice on the EA. If you made your reservation AFTER that date, then you would have only had a choice of intermediate on EA, since that is all they will reserve on the EA now.

SO, keeping that in mind and while certainly realizing it was a stinky thing that the OP went through, they probably don't owe her anything.

The old deal, in reality, was reserve Intermediate, get whatever is available on the aisle. If you have reserved a full size and you have a print out, go the EA, select your car, if you don't like what is there, go to the full size aisle. I would call, none the less and perhaps they will send you something to fulfill a customer satisfaction request. I would definitely try. I think you deserve it.

 

[Lewisc]

Gail--evidently OP wasn't a member of EC, they went to the counter. There were full size cars available, they tried to charge OP for an upgrade. Reservation was made under a code that evidently got you a free upgrade to full size. OP should have been allowed to pick from full size aisle.

If I needed a full size car I have probably would have made more of a stink (had them honor printed internet reservation) but not everyone is a persistant as we are.

BTW what rental agencies are creative in what that call full size cars. You might not have had that much more space.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Thanks Lewis,
Usually free upgrades are subject to availability. This does not make a lot of sense, but, lately, little does.

 

[lawgs]

lewis ...

agree with your statement about creative "fullsize/midsize" classification

on our recent trip to orlando may 30 - june 6, i did a quick "walk" down both the aisle and full size in both terminals A and B


about the only difference in the aisle and full size was the "mid size SUV they had on the aisle....

the full size seem to have just as many malibus and century as the emerald aisle did ...as for full size on the full size ....would say i only counted about 6 - 8 cars which i wud consider full size eg impalas/camry/intrepid

we will still use national since they give us good prices, just think their classifications may have changed a bit ....or they had a lot of mid size cars to park when we were there ( tongue in cheek )

 

[kda]

So, did they say they weren't honoring your Entertainment coupon? National consistently expects to see all coupons.

Based on what I've read on these boards, and one experience of my own, I've learned to always print out the internet confirmation and bring it along. I also always ask what rate they're showing when I take the car out, so I can find out immediately if their rate and my rate don't agree ---this would avoid having to go to the counter when I bring the car back and find out there's a discrepancy.