Confused about National, help needed please

[Monkeyfeet]

I will preface this by saying I am new to all of this and do not understand much of it Right now we have a full size reserved for March 22 through April 4. I am traveling with my dh and 2 children, both in carseats. I would love to do the Emerald Aisle BUT the thought of putting the kids in and out of a 2 door would be a nightmare. Are most intermediate cars 2 door? With a full size car we also pick our car? If so any chance that a SUV or minivan would be in that aisle? Is it just with the Emerald Aisle that a driver can be added for free? Also, if we stay with the full size can we still bypass the counter? Thanks

 

[JohnnyB2]

Hi We have been using the Nationals' emerald aisle for years.There have been plenty of 4 door Impalas etc to choose from on the EA. We never added a driver so I don't know for sure but probably a spouse can be added for free.You can go to mousesavers.com and go on their rental car page to sign up(for free) to Nationals Emerald club.You can also use the Emerald Reserve Service to make sure you get the car you want and still bypass the counter as the EA service

 

[WDWsnooper]

You'll need to be a member of the Emerald Club. Reserve a midsize and choose off the Emerald Aisle--which has mid-size or larger. No, you can't go pick another if you reserve Full---unless there are no Fulls on the lot to choose from.

I have always been able to find 4 door mid size. Last time I was there, (2 mos ago) there were 13 mini vans. No other choices. It's a roll of the dice, which is win or better. Once there was only 1 car on EA, I asked at the booth in the lot..."EA is supposed to have a CHOICE of cars?? Only one car there..." They told me to pick off the Full size lot.

Good luck, we've had nothing but good choices.
Snoop

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Also compare Alamo rates because in most locations (including Orlando), Alamo and National are the same. When a car comes in and it's refueled and cleaned, it can end up in the lot of either company depending on the need for inventory. Alamo often has lower rates than National yet they're the same company and same cars. I recently rented from Alamo at Kansas City and there were no compacts so I walked over to the National compacts and took one from there.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I will preface this by saying I am new to all of this and do not understand much of it Right now we have a full size reserved for March 22 through April 4. I am traveling with my dh and 2 children, both in carseats. I would love to do the Emerald Aisle BUT the thought of putting the kids in and out of a 2 door would be a nightmare. Are most intermediate cars 2 door? With a full size car we also pick our car? If so any chance that a SUV or minivan would be in that aisle? Is it just with the Emerald Aisle that a driver can be added for free? Also, if we stay with the full size can we still bypass the counter? Thanks

Since you have a full size reserved, your confirmation should say "Emerald Reserve". What that means is you must take your car from the full size aisle rather than the Emerald Aisle. You will still get to pick your own car - but only from the full size row. As for free driver, you or your husband need to be a member of the Emerald Club - and just give the individual at the check out booth your reservation and both your driver's licenses - it doesn't matter what category of car you have reserved.

 

[DebbieB]

Since you have a full size reserved, your confirmation should say "Emerald Reserve". What that means is you must take your car from the full size aisle rather than the Emerald Aisle. You will still get to pick your own car - but only from the full size row. As for free driver, you or your husband need to be a member of the Emerald Club - and just give the individual at the check out booth your reservation and both your driver's licenses - it doesn't matter what category of car you have reserved.

If you see a vehicle you like on the Emerald Aisle, they will usually let you take it even if you have a full size reservation because you are a Emerald Club member. I would bring your member card in case there's a question. I've done it a couple of times when I didn't like the choices in the full size row. Just flag down an employee and ask.