Car Rental Confusion -National & Codes

[#1Disfann]

Hi all and please bear with me! I am holding 2 reservations with National right now. One is using the printable coupon from the Mousesaver site, which lists a Contract ID and a Coupon ID and one is using the Priceless ID and the Coupon ID from the Mousesaver coupon. The website takes it both ways with no problem. OK...The first thing that is bothering me is that when I print out the reservation info it shows that I am getting an Entertainment Book 2005 Usa discount of 20.00 (on either reservation). I have figured this is coming from the coupon ID 10009123. No where on the coupon I printed out does it say anything about it being associated with the Entertainment book so why is it saying that on my confirmation. I do not have an Entertainment book. The best rate is using the Priceless code and the coupon code from Mousesavers which saves about $12.00. Anyone have any idea about the coupon from the Mousesaver site? Thanks!

 

[meuseman]

i just did the same thing. The coupon form the national site says to print and bring it, so that's what i will do.

 

[#1Disfann]

and will be sure to bring it along. Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[dirtnap101]

There are 2 ways to get the National coupons: the Entertainment book or by subscribing to their website, Entertainment.com (which includes the first 10 days free, during which you can print out as many coupons as you'd like - but most of them expire within 14 days or printing them. However, many travel-related ones including the National coupons expire on the date on the coupon, 12/31/05 in this case). There's the $20 off a weekly rental and another coupon that is a free weekend day.

So there are a few issues here - first, if you need to buy the book or join the website to get the coupons, how is it that a link to one of the coupons is on mousesavers.com and that same link is passed around in this forum? If you go to National's web site, you cannot find that coupon on your own. You need to know the exact link that the Entertainment.com website provides you. So someone realized this, published the link and it has spread around. Is that the right thing to do? I don't know, you'd have to answer that for yourself. If National and the Entertainment people were so concerned about it, I would think they should make it so the coupon is secure and requires an ID/password from the Entertainment.com website in order to get to it, but they don't.

Furthermore, I have seen someone on this forum (can't remember who right now, I'd have to do a search) who said that on one trip to Orlando when renting National and using an Entertainment coupon, the checkout booth in the garage asked for the Entertainment membership card. They happened to have it on them, but it means National could ask.

My question is, what if you didn't buy the book but you are a valid, paid subscriber to their website? I joined their website and did not get issued a card (at least not yet), so how would I prove it if National asked me at checkout?

 

[shatzjsl]

I have the coupon printed from National and it has the Entertainment Book coupon code on it. It says to "Print this coupon and present at counter". The EB is not mentioned but when you put the code in it comes up as EB.

 

[#1Disfann]

So that it what I am trying to figure out..... I guess I really am supposed to be an Entertainment member to be able to use that coupon but it does not say that on the Mousesaver site or and on the coupon it does not say what that coupon ID was so how is someone supposed to know. So....If I don't have an Entertainment Book am I supposed to use it or not? If not, I don't think it should be on the Mousesaver site or it should at least say something about it being a coupon for Entertainment Book holders. But if someone had the book they wouldn't need to print the coupon online would they!! So confusing!! Anyone know the facts..and nothing but the facts!!

 

[shatzjsl]

So that it what I am trying to figure out..... I guess I really am supposed to be an Entertainment member to be able to use that coupon but it does not say that on the Mousesaver site or and on the coupon it does not say what that coupon ID was so how is someone supposed to know. So....If I don't have an Entertainment Book am I supposed to use it or not? If not, I don't think it should be on the Mousesaver site or it should at least say something about it being a coupon for Entertainment Book holders. But if someone had the book they wouldn't need to print the coupon online would they!! So confusing!! Anyone know the facts..and nothing but the facts!!

The one I mentioned in my post if from the National site, not Mousesavers.

 

[dirtnap101]

Yes, but if you try to go to the National home page and find that coupon, I bet you will come up empty. You need the exact address (url) of that coupon, which is the link on Mousesavers.com, which is also the link that is found when you log into the Entertainment.com website as a member.

The issue is, the link to that coupon on the National website does not require a login, it's not secured. Anyone who has the link can open it and see the coupon and print it out. Yet it is only supposed to be used by people who have either bought an EB or subscribed to Entertainment.com.

This would be much less of a mess if Entertainment hosted the coupon on their web site, required you to log in as a member, and customized the coupon with your name and membership # or whatever. Instead, they host in on a part of National's web site that is public (if you know the link/address).

 

[#1Disfann]

The one I mentioned in my post if from the National site, not Mousesavers.

it is actually a link that when clicked takes you to the National site where the coupon is. Dirtnap didn't seem to think you would be able to find that coupon on the National site without having the entire "address". I will go now and see if I can get the same coupon thru the National site. Thanks!

 

[BWVDenise]

I was just logging in to ask the same question. I have another question though, which is: If you book Emerald Reserve, you don't go to the counter. The coupon is supposed to be presented when you pick up your car, so does that mean I couldn't use the coupon?
I already have a great rate with Budget, but if I can get close to that with National, I'd rather have the convenience of bypassing the counter!

 

[dirtnap101]

The other problem, and I think shatzjsl is saying this, is that the coupon on National's web site doesn't even mention it is from or affiliated with the Entertainment book or the Entertainment website. I think that confuses a lot of people as well.

 

[dirtnap101]

For those wondering if they can use the coupon, I think this is a perfectly legal way to go about getting it:

- go to Entertainment.com, sign up for the trial membership that gives 10 days free.

- once you are a member, search for National Car Rental coupons. You'll see that the link takes you to the same page you've already seen via Mousesavers.com or from other posts in this forum.

- print out the coupon(s).

- cancel the membership before the 10 days is up

According to the rules Entertainment.com has published, this is perfectly acceptable, although some individuals may not feel right about doing it.

 

[shatzjsl]

I was just logging in to ask the same question. I have another question though, which is: If you book Emerald Reserve, you don't go to the counter. The coupon is supposed to be presented when you pick up your car, so does that mean I couldn't use the coupon?
I already have a great rate with Budget, but if I can get close to that with National, I'd rather have the convenience of bypassing the counter!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you give it to the person in the EA booth that you show your driver's license and credit card to.

 

[dirtnap101]

That's right, you go past the counter to the garage, to the EA aisle, choose the car, drive it to the booth. At the booth you will need to give them a printout of the reservation email, your EA card, your Driver's License and any coupons you may have.

The question is then, do I have to show anything besides the coupon? Will they ask for an Entertainment Card or something, as in the example I posted above.

 

[janets]

We rented from National this past December, reserving a minivan. Bypassed the counter and went directly to the cars. Selected a van, loaded up and headed to the booth to check out. Handed the attendant my email confirmation, my Emerald Club card and my entertainment coupon (which btw, came from my book). Was not asked for my entertainment card, although I had it just in case.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I have never known Mousesavers or Mary Waring to post a link to something that was not permitted, such as linking to the coupon of which you're all referring. So I'm not sure you should really be concerned.

 

[beattyfamily]

There should be no problem using the coupon. They have never asked for my Entertainment card when using an Entertainment coupon. But they will ask for the coupon.

I also have never had to give my Emerald Club card. Just my credit card, coupon and license.

With Emerald Reserve, Emerald Aisle, and even Quick Rent you do bypass the counter and head to the aisle of the car you reserved but there is an exit booth and you must give them your CC, license and coupon before exiting but at this point you are already in your car.

Only time you cannot bypass the counter is if you use an upgrade coupon or rent a carseat or with Quick Rent if you use any coupon.

 

[shatzjsl]

I can't speak for everyone else, but I have never known Mousesavers or Mary Waring to post a link to something that was not permitted, such as linking to the coupon of which you're all referring. So I'm not sure you should really be concerned.

Good point.

 

[Cameo]

Yes, you could go to the Entertainment.com website and sign up for trial membership, etc. and then cancel. But, will the attendant at the booth in Orlando with National know whether you did this or not? They have no way of verifying this.

Also, all this talk about the Entertainment book has obviously given them the needed publicity that they wanted and that is probably the point for that company. Many people will read these threads (there are many on this topic) and go to the Entertainment.com website just to check it out. That's how they draw people in. I believe in economic terms, this National coupon would be considered a "loss leader," wouldn't it? Giving something away (or pricing below cost) to draw customers in.

So because of those thoughts, I am going to use my coupon and not worry about it.

Oh, to the OP - you can use the Priceless code for the Contract ID and then use the Entertainment/Mousesaver link coupon in the Coupon ID and get both discounts on one reservation.

 

[#1Disfann]

So because of those thoughts, I am going to use my coupon and not worry about it.

Oh, to the OP - you can use the Priceless code for the Contract ID and then use the Entertainment/Mousesaver link coupon in the Coupon ID and get both discounts on one reservation.

Hi all and thanks! I am the OP and I too will use my coupon and not worry about it. I am also using the Continental contract ID and the Entertainment/Mousesaver coupon ID and saved $70.00 off my rental! Yea me!!

You all are great, as usual!