Budget/Dollar/National?

[Rhonna]

These three are the top recommendations by mousesavers and are ONSITE at MCO so we want to use one of them.

We signed up for National's Emerald Isle since it was free to us and we used them several years ago with no problems. But the prices for this November, even with stacking codes are really expensive.

Are Budget or Dollar any better with prices this fall?

My sister booked the rate and doesn't want the hassle of checking all the time but I can't stand the thought of paying so much for a car.

Btw, we need it from Nov. 11-20th and we usually pick a mid-sized car, not economy and not luxury. Room inside for two adults and room in the trunk for two good sized bags plus smaller bag.

We only drive Toyotas so don't know anything about picking american made cars. If we walked onto Emerald Isle and there was a great "find" there, we wouldn't even realize it's something we should pick! lol

Any knowledge of which company is going to give better prices for our needs AND are normally no hassle business.

Thanks!

 

[DisTwix]

These three are the top recommendations by mousesavers and are ONSITE at MCO so we want to use one of them.

We signed up for National's Emerald Isle since it was free to us and we used them several years ago with no problems. But the prices for this November, even with stacking codes are really expensive.

Are Budget or Dollar any better with prices this fall?

My sister booked the rate and doesn't want the hassle of checking all the time but I can't stand the thought of paying so much for a car.

Btw, we need it from Nov. 11-20th and we usually pick a mid-sized car, not economy and not luxury. Room inside for two adults and room in the trunk for two good sized bags plus smaller bag.

We only drive Toyotas so don't know anything about picking american made cars. If we walked onto Emerald Isle and there was a great "find" there, we wouldn't even realize it's something we should pick! lol

Any knowledge of which company is going to give better prices for our needs AND are normally no hassle business.

Thanks!

Hey there... you are having the struggle that pretty much all of us are having. The rental prices STINK!!! I had been checking Dollar, Budget, Avis, Alamo, Hertz AND National almost daily, using whatever codes and NOT using codes for weeks trying to get something in my price range (below $150 for Economy) and was not having any luck. I've actually finally booked with Advantage, because the money savings are totally worth the shuttle ride at this point ($160 for Economy @ Avis was cheapest I'd found, $112 @ Advantage for MID sized).

If there are only going to be two people using the car, do you really need mid-sized? I've travelled with up to 2 adults, 2 kids AND luggage (and STROLLERS) in Economy and while it was a tight squeeze, it was only briefly (airport to resort and back). Another thing to keep in mind is that, in my experience (and it could be totally different now), I don't get the car I reserve... in the past, they were very limited in the smaller class cars and it seemed they were never available once I got to the counter --- I ended up with a Lincoln Town car for $19 a day once, for crying out loud.

Also, from what I've been reading, it seems that folks that reserved many, many months out got decent rates OR people who take advantage of the more "last minute" deals. A lot of the really good rate codes that I was shooting for expired just before my end of Sept vacation --- so as your time gets closer, you may find something a little cheaper.

Other than all that, unfortunately, it's all about legwork... you just have to keep checking!

 

[keishashadow]

These three are the top recommendations by mousesavers and are ONSITE at MCO so we want to use one of them.

We signed up for National's Emerald Isle since it was free to us and we used them several years ago with no problems. But the prices for this November, even with stacking codes are really expensive.

Are Budget or Dollar any better with prices this fall?

My sister booked the rate and doesn't want the hassle of checking all the time but I can't stand the thought of paying so much for a car.

Btw, we need it from Nov. 11-20th and we usually pick a mid-sized car, not economy and not luxury. Room inside for two adults and room in the trunk for two good sized bags plus smaller bag.

We only drive Toyotas so don't know anything about picking american made cars. If we walked onto Emerald Isle and there was a great "find" there, we wouldn't even realize it's something we should pick! lol


Thanks!

one of the nicest cars we've found on the Executive Aisle in MCO has been a Toyota Avalon, had a ride like a cadillac

anyway, my best rate always tends to be Alamo, but we wind up picking National for the ExAisle perc/selection

curious, what u mean by phrase state 'stacking codes', have u been able to get more than one coupon to work for National?I've heard urban legend that it's possiblethus far, only able to use a free day reward earned & 1 coupon

 

[Rhonna]

one of the nicest cars we've found on the Executive Aisle in MCO has been a Toyota Avalon, had a ride like a cadillac

anyway, my best rate always tends to be Alamo, but we wind up picking National for the ExAisle perc/selection

curious, what u mean by phrase state 'stacking codes', have u been able to get more than one coupon to work for National?I've heard urban legend that it's possiblethus far, only able to use a free day reward earned & 1 coupon

I meant you can use both a contract code and a coupon code, one each. For example: Sam's Club, Walmart, Costco, plus many airlines are partners with car companies etc. or other corporations have contract codes with National. Then you can also add a coupon such as one in the Entertainment book or ones National itself publishes.

But one question: I know about Emerald Aisle, we have it. There is usually suppose to be a variety of cars, intermediate and up. And then there is Emerald Aisle Reserve which means you choose the type of car you want: mini-van, SUV, etc. and you will be assured to get one. So my question is, what is Executive Aisle? It must be different from the two I am aware of.

 

[n2mm]

I
But one question: I know about Emerald Aisle, we have it. There is usually suppose to be a variety of cars, intermediate and up. And then there is Emerald Aisle Reserve which means you choose the type of car you want: mini-van, SUV, etc. and you will be assured to get one. So my question is, what is Executive Aisle? It must be different from the two I am aware of.

Executive Aisle is the next tier up from Emerald Aisle. You are guaranteed a full size and can choose from the Executive Aisle (silver sign) OR the Emerald Aisle. Let me warn you though, I've rented 4 times this year (Jan/April/July/Aug) and I'm an Executive Aisle member and between both aisles I've not gotten anything bigger than a full size Ford Taurus (yes the same car all 4 trips). I've even checked both Side A and Side B on several trips. The Aisles are not what they use to be in the past and most of us are only finding sedans. It's rare to see anything bigger (though is has happened occassionally to some this year--but very rarely).

BTW: Executive Aisle is achieved when you rent more than 40 days a year with National as an Emerald Aisle member. You also must maintain this rental amount each year to stay at that level. We have been Executive Aisle members for 5 years, but one year I lost it because we rented 39 days, as it seems National and I count our rental days differently, so now I pad my rentals by not counting the first day, just to maintain my status. You also earn credit days faster, as 6 credits equal 1 day (On the Emerald Aisle 7 credits equal 1 day).

Also note that just recently National's fleet size has changed and a mid-size car is smaller than the past choices. If you use Emerald Aisle, you must keep in mind that you are willing to accept a mid-size car if that's all that is on the aisle, so make sure this size vechicle will fit your needs.

(For October we need a minivan because we are a party of 6, so we reserved through Alamo, who was much cheaper recently.)

 

[Rhonna]

Executive Aisle is the next tier up from Emerald Aisle. You are guaranteed a full size and can choose from the Executive Aisle (silver sign) OR the Emerald Aisle. Let me warn you though, I've rented 4 times this year (Jan/April/July/Aug) and I'm an Executive Aisle member and between both aisles I've not gotten anything bigger than a full size Ford Taurus (yes the same car all 4 trips). I've even checked both Side A and Side B on several trips. The Aisles are not what they use to be in the past and most of us are only finding sedans. It's rare to see anything bigger (though is has happened occassionally to some this year--but very rarely).

BTW: Executive Aisle is achieved when you rent more than 40 days a year with National as an Emerald Aisle member. You also must maintain this rental amount each year to stay at that level. We have been Executive Aisle members for 5 years, but one year I lost it because we rented 39 days, as it seems National and I count our rental days differently, so now I pad my rentals by not counting the first day, just to maintain my status. You also earn credit days faster, as 6 credits equal 1 day (On the Emerald Aisle 7 credits equal 1 day).

Also note that just recently National's fleet size has changed and a mid-size car is smaller than the past choices. If you use Emerald Aisle, you must keep in mind that you are willing to accept a mid-size car if that's all that is on the aisle, so make sure this size vechicle will fit your needs.

(For October we need a minivan because we are a party of 6, so we reserved through Alamo, who was much cheaper recently.)

Thanks for the answer. We definitely won't qualify for the Executive aisle. As long as the cars on the Emerald Aisle side fit 2 adults in the car and two good sized suitcases plus a much smaller suitcase in the trunk, we will be fine. I am just looking to see if rates go down.

 

[dopeynme]

We found a Toyota Corolla on Emerald Aisle in Feb (not Executive). We really liked it! I test drove a corolla before I bought my 2002 Honda civic (in 2002) and HATED it! They must have improved them since then! When I got home, I really missed the rental! (Usually I am happy to get back to my own car!).

 

[Rhonna]

We found a Toyota Corolla on Emerald Aisle in Feb (not Executive). We really liked it! I test drove a corolla before I bought my 2002 Honda civic (in 2002) and HATED it! They must have improved them since then! When I got home, I really missed the rental! (Usually I am happy to get back to my own car!).

We drive Camry's at home but a newer Corolla would be great. At least we would know what we are getting. Like I mentioned in my original post, we don't know much about the american cars (yes, we're Americans, lol) so wouldn't know what car type/brand to pick.

 

[keishashadow]

We drive Camry's at home but a newer Corolla would be great. At least we would know what we are getting. Like I mentioned in my original post, we don't know much about the american cars (yes, we're Americans, lol) so wouldn't know what car type/brand to pick.

last rental was 1st time i saw a toyota on either the exec or emerald aisle, so can't say what the frequency is

i was surprised to see several KIAs & a PT cruiser or 2, mostly chargers, avengers (i recently bought one), couple of mini vans, no suvs. Typically, lots of impalas, none that trip though. We've seen some really luxe cars on the EA @ other airports (especially vegas), not sure whether MCO ever places them on even the Exec aisle or not?