Almost forgot to post our EA experience!

[chris1gill]

We just got back & I just wanted to report our EA experience went flawlessly!!! We arrived at the aisle on Friday night at 9pm... there were only full size cars on the aisle... we were about to take one, when a Buick LeSabre showed up next to the one we were taking... My Husband ran right over to it LOL... so we did wind up with a premium car... When he dropped the car off, he said there was much more of a selection including Blazers... We dropped off Wednesday at 11am... One VERY strange thing, when we left the Emerald Aisel, the clerk didn't give us a copy of the rental contract, I guess you NEED that... OOPS... we didn't get it, but we were billed accurately!!! Overall, it was a great experience!

 

[Minybear]

I am really glad that experience went right on your vacation :. Hopefully your DS is well now. You will probuably rent from EA next time and take another airline to WDW :.

 

[chris1gill]

Hi MinyBear,

Thanks : ) DS is eating his first full meal today (poor kid)... he is doing a lot better so far!! And you are right, our next trip is already planned for December for 2 weeks.... We are using the Aisle again & we are flying on SWA that time as well... I don't know, SWA seems to do a really good job getting in on time.....

All I can say is, DH was thrilled to get a premium car at the full size plus discount rate!!!

 

[Luvdisney]

Please explain. If you are an EA member and reserve a full size car. You can pick out a premium car instead for the same price?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

You can pick from whatever is available on the EA. Since a premium (LeSabre) was available on the aisle, it was a free upgrade. Such an opportunity is "luck of the draw" at the time you arrive to pick up a car. Since the reservation was for a full size car, if none had been available on the EA, the renter could choose a car from the full size aisle instead rather than settling for something smaller. You are only assured of the size car you reserve, and the rate for EA rentals of full size cars is usually about the same as the rate for intermediates so it pays to reserve the larger car if you need the space. Anything beyond this (premium, minivan, convertible, SUV, etc.) is good fortune.

Ralph

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Since I know you flew Delta , I'm asking this question. We've reserved via EA as well as flying Delta. How far is the Delta buggage area from National? Is it easy to find?

 

[chris1gill]

It's actually not that far, you have to go down to the rental car floor... head right out the door, cross the traffic lanes, go into the garage, and it's the first few rows of cars... so it's about as close as you can get!!!

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Thanks, Chris!

 

[pats]

we also had a great experience with the Ea. We got there friday the 24th at about 9:30. i was hoping there would be a mini van or blazer, but we did end up with a bonneville which is a premium car. it was really beautiful and the price was just what i was quoted online. $150 for 8 days. It worked out great. Only problem we had that late was we were not sure what to do and had a hard time finding someone in the garage that undrestood english. We figured it out though and had no problems.

 

[DebbieB]

... One VERY strange thing, when we left the Emerald Aisel, the clerk didn't give us a copy of the rental contract, I guess you NEED that... OOPS... we didn't get it, but we were billed accurately!!!

The 3 times I've used Emerald Aisle in the past year I did not get a rental contract with the prices at any of the times at the check-out booth, just a slip when returning. All they gave back was the hangtag, which has contract language on it. What I think is strange is what if you were stopped by the police,you really don't have anything that has your name on it that shows that you rented this vehicle.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I too find it strange that there is no rental contract returned when you depart the exit kiosk. I've been taking two copies of the discount coupons and reservation confirmation/e-mail so I have a back-up after handing over one set as I drive out. Last trip I had to ask the attendant to confirm that the estimated rental rate was the same as quoted (it was), because she did not even tell me that. Trip before (to Las Vegas, not MCO), the attendant confirmed the rate was as quoted without prompting, but I still did not get any paperwork other than the hangtag from the rear view mirror.

Ralph

 

[Momof2]

Wow - i didn't realize a LeSabre was a premium. That's what we got, too. We also did not get any paperwork at dropoff - other than a tag with the mileage on it. I bring a copy of the reservation and keep that with us. When we get the receipt at returning the car, I just double check to make sure the amount is right. We've used EA twice now, and never a problem or discrepancy.

 

[NHLFAN]

FYI,
I used EA during my stay in Sacramento last week and when I booked online it stated that EA wasn't available and I had to book "counter"...but when I arrived , I noticed a sign that said Emerald Club and followed it outside.

I just picked a car from the EA and drove it up and handed them my Emerald Club card, DL and Credit card and they didn't say a thing.

Ended up getting a nice Grand Prix (fullsize) for the intermediate price...they had 2 Firebird convertibles in a special lane but I didn't want to press my luck.

Sure does save time...and it's nice not having to refill before you return.