EA availablity recently?

[mkymouse4ever]

Just wondering what was on the emerald isle, lately? My flight will be around 11am coming in on a thursday. Thanks! MKY

 

[mkymouse4ever]

bumping

 

[ballgame]

I arrivied at EA this past Friday and did not find a huge selection (about 5 full size cars) but all were of good quality. I got a very nice Chevy Malibu (included CD player and everything). EA is certainly a good program (I was on the highway to AKL within 30 minutes of my flight's arrival.)

 

[robinb]

I was on the EA on 7/7 and the selection was quite poor. There were one or two Full Sized cars and a couple of Intermediates. Oh well.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

On Saturday, 7/14 about 12:30 pm, there were a number of Chevy Malibus, one or two Pontiac Grand Ams, and a single Pontiac Grand Prix. I took the Grand Prix.

Ralph

 

[mkymouse4ever]

slim pickings, well the quickness sounds good! Did they offer you to take anything from a different lane? Thanks MKY!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I didn't ask. The Grand Prix is one of my preferred "full size" rentals. We actually drive smaller cars at home, but we like the added luggage space when on vacation. My DW's car is a Grand Am, and the Grand Prix is similar so we're usually happy with this. I don't have much need for a convertible in the Florida summertime and prefer to leave the SUVs to our Chicago winters, so a nice 4-door sedan works well for us on the EA.

Last trip to Las Vegas, there were no full size cars on the aisle when we arrived and we were offered our choice from the full size aisle. If we had had only intermediate size Malibus and Grand Ams to chose from at MCO, I would have asked to do this again.

Ralph

 

[karylrocks]

Going in three weeks by myself.
My first time on EA - hoping for a convertible!

 

[DDM]

We used the EA on July 19. We arrived at about 11:00 am and found no cars at all, the AE was entirely empty. We had to search for a National employee (the booth was empty) who then suggested we take one from the intermediate lane. I was not happy with that suggestion so I walked over to where the cars are returned and found another employee to speak to and asked for a supervisor. She walked over to the booth with me and when we got there one car had been placed in the AE. It was a two door Grand Prix and she asked if I wanted that car. I stated that I would prefer a 4 door since we had 3 kids so I would wait for something else. I asked if any minivans where on the way up, so she placed a call to someone and then said to just go pick one from the minivan aisle. The experience started out a little shaky, but we ended up lucking out with a fully loaded minivan (Pontiac Montero).

Donna

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Thanks for responding, I have a grand prix now, but would not mind trying out the newer model! MKY

 

[CarolA]

DDM got lucky! Basically all you are guaranteed is what you booked. So if the EA was empty and you booked a midsize then they can send you to that aisle with no problems. You should always book the minimum you need to prevent this. I know that the budget books tell you to book a compact and they will upgrade you, but in Orlando where they have thousands of rental cars your chances of the free upgrade are not as good!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Anyone recently back, just used EA? How was it? What was available? What is ettiquette on EA? 1st one there scurry around and claim car? I'm so worried there will be people fighting over the suv's or convertibles? Thanks MKY

 

[eyeores mom]

Just use EA Wed 8/8 around 6:00 pm got to EA aisle and no vans (what we had reserved), there were 3 National employees around, asked one what to do and he said take my pick of the vans in the regular aisles. Got in , drove to check out which took about 10 min. because she had to type everything in from my confirmation letter, don't know why, didn't ask. But went fine.

 

[lawgs]

what was your rate... for the mini van eyes

probably a bit higher than the intermediate/full size that is the norm that people rent on EA and then hope to get a mini van...

did you have emerald choice or emerald aisle on your confirmation....looks like you cannot do emrald aisle if you specify a "mini van"....it kicks you to emerald choice

 

[CarolA]

Friday night at 10 pm or so there were several Buick Regals, some Grand Prixs (I think, car types aren't my thing!) and one Toyota Solaroa with a sunroof. Since it was just me I took the Toyota!

 

[Lewisc]

mkymouse4ever--I've never heard of people "fighting" over a car. Keep in mind most people who reserve are probably happy with the full size car they reserve. If I needed the space of a SUV or mini-van I'd make sure to reserve it otherwise I really don't want to pay the extra gas money. If the only thing in the aisle was a SUV or minivan I would actually go the fullsize aisle to get my vehicle. Although I was pleased to get a convertible last trip many people need the extra trunk space of a full size.
Some people are missing the point of Emerald Aisle, faster service and choice of car (color 2 or 4 door etc.) It's not promoted by National (only this board) as a method of an extra free upgrade. IF YOU NEED AN SUV OR MINIVAN reserve one or you may be unhappy.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

No, I really don't care what kind of car I get, I did EA cause the price was the same as economy and economy was counter service only, no express feature, like the more expensive cars. There is only 2 of us, and I know that I pack alot but really don't need suv or van. (think I would be afraid to try and park it). I asked cause last year in the economy section I was looking at a car and a guy opened the drivers side through his bag in, and I said excuse me I was here, he said, "too bad you didn't take the keys out" So I thought with all this EA talk it would be a free for all, sprinting to cars grabing keys, and jumping in. (especially if there is a special car on the EA). MKY