Anyone Use Carlson Wagonlit Code for Rental Car?

[maggiew]

Has anyone used the Carlson Wagonlit Code for rental car with National that is listed on Mousesavers. It is the one that is currently in red font that says best rates for my dates and "variable" (Contract ID 5760339)? I just used this in conjunction with the Coupon ID (10008562) listed on mousesavers for Emerald Club members (which I signed up for). My rate for an intermediate for 3 weekend days (Friday noon - Monday noon) picking up at MCO and dropping off at the Dolphin was $59.40!! Hertz quoted me at $148!!! I asked the reservationist if I needed to bring anything with me for verification, and she said the club card for the Carlson Wagonlit code. Anyone need to show this? The lady also said I should bring the coupon - but it is an electronic one with no paper coupon necessary. So I am not sure she really knows what she is talking about.

Plus, I am nervous about the "variable" rate.

Let me know your experiences with this code.

Maggie

 

[FoodLover]

Maggie,

A BUNCH of people have reported on another board that they've used this Contract ID without any problems over the past several months.

However, I didn't want to post it on my site until I had personally tried it out. Well, I just used it for my WDW trip April 27-May 2. No problems at all. You do not need any ID or any coupon. I was charged the quoted rate.

It was by far the best price I was able to find. I was having a hard time getting a good rate because I wasn't staying over a Saturday.

I have already made another reservation using this Contract ID for a trip in late June. Again it beat every other thing I tried.

Apparently this contract ID is automatically inserted into your reservation if you go through the Carlson Wagonlit web site, but that requires registration and it's a pain to navigate. It's much easier just to go to the NationalCar.com web site and type the ID in yourself!

I'm guessing that Carlson gets a commission on your reservation when you use their ID, so I don't think they are going to object if you use it!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[WDWorBUST]

I tried this code for my reservation 8/27 - 9/7 - my rate went from $430 for an SUV to $900+ ....I was shocked. I was so excited too. Oh well.....I will keep looking for a better deal.

 

[maggiew]

I did notice that the minivan rental using this code was higher than other codes. But the convertible was a couple dollars more than the compact!!!!! I very nearly got the convertible. I could just see me and my mom and my girls cruising around in the convertible ... Cruising up to the valet at Emeril's Tchoup chop ... but I came to my senses and realized there wouldn't be nearly enough room for our luggage.

Maggie

 

[jilljill]

I tried to use the code for 7/26 at LAX (going to DL) and it said:

The request returned the following errors

Coupon will expire prior to rental

 

[maggiew]

Where did you put the Contract ID number? That goes in the contract ID spot. The coupon code I listed is separate. It is for Emerald Club members. That coupon DOES expire prior to your date. I think it expires on July 14, 2003. But you can still use the contract ID without the coupons. Try just the contract ID number.

Maggie

 

[FoodLover]

I've been playing around with that Carlson Contract ID and I'm finding it's all over the map. It seems to be coming up with some good rates mainly for short stays and compact through fullsize cars.

Most "weekly" coupons and discounts only apply if you stay over a Saturday; most "weekend" coupons only apply if you stay over a Friday and Saturday. If your rental is doesn't fall into those categories and you can't use a coupon, this Contract ID often (but not always) produces the lowest rate.

It doesn't seem to be very good for SUVs or minivans.

I'm going to update my site with this info.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[adisneynut]

I have been checking out serveral of the coupons and most expire in May or June. I have found very little good through the end of July. Is this normal? I was thinking that many people take vactions then and that there may not be any new ones out. I know that at National site the coupons they are showing aren't lasting long enough for me.

 

[vcasey]

I am a Carlson Wagonlit travel agent. I just double checked on our support website and that Contract id is the Travel Agent FAM (familiarization) contract and on the website it says a CLIA or IATAN card (travel industry id cards) MUST be presented upon rental. If you are not a travel agent I'd be prepared to possibly lose this rate depending on who you get behind the counter.

I don't mean to be a pessimist and personally have not used this yet with National but in my experience with other travel agent benefits the providers are usually very guarded and cautious only to give them out to actual travel agents.

 

[vcasey]

I called my Carlson headquarters, they say Travel Agent discount but I called National and they said Carlson Wagonlit clients. So I guess if National says clients you are safe to use it.

 

[FoodLover]

Okay. I just went to the Carlson web site, created an account, worked my way through the absolutely terrible booking interface (difficult to navigate, painfully slow, and all around a pain in the tush) and reserved a car for the exact same dates and times I had already booked directly through Nationalcar.com with that Carlson Contract ID.

By using the Carlson site, I got the exact same price I had gotten through Nationalcar.com, and that same Contract ID appears on the reservation. So it's not a travel agent code -- it's a code used for web bookings through Carlson.

By the way, in order to cancel this reservation I just made through the Carlson site, I now have to call a Carlson location that is over 150 miles from me and does not even have an 800 number! Also, I was not given the option of using Emerald Aisle or Emerald Reserve.

So as I stated earlier, it's much easier and more convenient to book directly with National and use this Contract ID. You'll be able to get Emerald Aisle/Emerald Reserve service and you can cancel through the National site if necessary.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[mnbrowns]

Thanks Mary, we're grateful for all the research you do.
That's amazing that they didn't ask for any coupons or copy of coupon terms. National in Orlando are sticklers for proof of ALL discounts.

Once they would not accept my DC card as proof of a discount and wanted proof of terms. I was so upset; it was a terrible way to begin my vacation. After getting home, I had to print out the terms of service from the DC website and mail it to National to re-embers the discount code.
Just this last April, they made sure I showed my DC card and the Vacation Outlet coupon, which they kept. Always be prepared.