Can I have Emerald Reserve but take Emerald Aisle?

[Momto4]

When I arrive at the National garage, I know I can't upgrade myself for free by taking a car from a better/bigger/more $$ aisle than what I have reserved. For example, I can't reserve intermediate EA but pick from the full size ER aisle.

But what about this....?

If I have reserved a full size car with ER service and I see something good on the EA, like a minivan or suv, can I take that and still pay the original full size reservation price? Has anybody ever tried this?

"Hhmmm.... "something good like a minivan..."

 

[n2mm]

No. That is the gamble of using EA. I too would like something bigger on EA, but after my July trip and I found the EA (side B) completely empty and having to go to the intermediate aisle and choose a car, I decided no more. I have a full size on Emerald Reserve for my October trip.

 

[beattyfamily]

Nope, you can't do that.

ER = only going to the aisle of the car you reserved.

EA = going to the Emerald Aisle and getting either an intermediate or if (a BIG if) you are lucky, maybe something bigger. OR if there's nothing there, then you go to the Intermediate Aisle.

That's it.

 

[Rpsemont]

While the party line seems to be that you can't do that, if you ask at the kiosk, they may let you. On one of our trips we had reserved a full size, (ER) but there were PT cruisers on EA and DD really wanted one, so I asked permission at the kiosk and the guy said "take whatever you want" I was told when I turned it in that a PT cruiser is a full size, but the one we took was clearly parking in the EA aisle, not the ER aisle. While I admit, checking at the kiosk takes away from the "pick, drive and go" experience, if you saw something on the EA it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Momto4]

Thanks everyone!

I won't count on finding OR taking a better car from the EA, but you're right Rpsemont, it never hurts to ask.

Anyone else have first hand experience with this?

 

[crazywig]

we did it.

we had a full sized emerald reserve and couldn't get our car seat to fit right in any of the available cars. we went to the kiosk and asked if we could take one of the suv's on the emerald aisle. we could. we took a pontiac aztec and i thought it was great.

i think we ended up paying a bit more for it (maybe $20 more) they basically plugged in the contract and coupons i had, but it was worth it.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by crazywig
we did it.

we had a full sized emerald reserve and couldn't get our car seat to fit right in any of the available cars. we went to the kiosk and asked if we could take one of the suv's on the emerald aisle. we could. we took a pontiac aztec and i thought it was great.

i think we ended up paying a bit more for it (maybe $20 more) they basically plugged in the contract and coupons i had, but it was worth it.

So you had to pay more. Now that is more fair than a person that booked a Full size going to the EA to take what they want (away from a EA ressies person) and not being charged anymore for it...

I always book EA hoping for something bigger than an Intermediate and have not been lucky yet. Got my fingers crossed for my Oct/Nov trip.

 

[CarolA]

Personally I think it is getting pretty rare to see anything but midsizes and few fullsizes on the Aisle. I can't recall the last time I saw a minivan.

 

[crazywig]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
So you had to pay more. Now that is more fair than a person that booked a Full size going to the EA to take what they want (away from a EA ressies person) and not being charged anymore for it...

actually, for our dates (june4-11 of this year) full size ER was cheaper than EA!! hard to believe isn't it? hence the price increase.