Emerald Aisle Question

[rafikimom]

I was in the process of signing up for National's Emerald Aisle Program through the Mousesavers link and read all the "terms and conditions" before pressing I accept. In the "terms and conditions" almost at the bottom I noticed a statement that read no coupons or discounts would be accepted through this program. I was wondering if any one has experienced any problem with this in the past. It seems everyone's rates I've seen on these boards that include an emerald aisle code is also using a coupon too. And any other kind of discount possible.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm not too sure about the answer to your question, but I can tell you that you don't HAVE to use your Emerald Aisle membership once you've got it.

So if you sign up for the card, and a better rate comes along, just book it without the Emerald Aisle.

I'm sure Gail or someone else will have a better, more detailed answer for you!

 

[MickeyMac]

I use codes all the time as an EA member, with no issues at all. I use the Carlson Travel code Mary has printed, which we've had great luck with!

HTH.

 

[threeboysmom]

I am an Emerald Aisle club member and have used coupons & codes every time I've booked a reservation with National.

 

[ripleysmom]

I always use a code and coupons as well. I probably wouldn't use National without them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If you could not use them, there we not be any place to put them on the EA reservation form on the net. If they were not allowed they would bounce back and say they are not allowed to be used , just like it happens with the Quick Rent feature. It has a space for the coupon, will let you type it in, but, it will not allow you to complete the reservation with the coupon.
also,the MRA only says you cannot use them at the kiosk at checkout, if they are not acceptable, they will accept them and bounce your reservation back to counter. At any rate, I have yet to have a problem using coupons and codes, just like most of the folks here.

 

[rafikimom]

Thanks everyone! I knew you all would be able to give me the answers. Another question, has anyone experienced not being able to get a larger car than the intermediate? It says you book at the rate of an intermediate, but you can go out and select whatever car you want. What has anyone been able to pick as an upgrade? Thanks again!

 

[mrsstats]

I always use coupons with EA. Just returned last week and got a Saturn Vue. If you must have a larger car I would not count on getting it with EA.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by rafikimom
Thanks everyone! I knew you all would be able to give me the answers. Another question, has anyone experienced not being able to get a larger car than the intermediate? It says you book at the rate of an intermediate, but you can go out and select whatever car you want. What has anyone been able to pick as an upgrade? Thanks again!

I have always managed to get a full sized car. Either an Impala or Intrepid once a Regal and once a Bonneville. I have never ever had to "settle" for an intermediate. BUT, if you want a full size that is what you should book, regardless of what we all have received, it is not a given.

 

[TedL]

I've got a follow-up question. I had reserved a minivan (Non EA reservation). I then signed up for Emerald Aisle. Should I go through the reservation desk or could I expect to go out to the Emerald aisle and find a minivan?

 

[WIcruizer]

Now I'm real confused. With Gail's help, I have signed up for Emerald Club. But I really don't understand how this Emerald Aisle works. Is it true as some of you are saying, that you can book an intermediate but go pick up whatever vehicle is there??? So if an SUV or Convertable is on the lot I can take that for the same prive as intermediate??? Seems too good to be true. What about the people that have reserved an SUV? You mean I can just take one and the person who had reserved one would be SOL?? A little clarification would realllllly help.

 

[WIcruizer]

Foolow up question....trying to understand the difference between EA and Quickrent... Seems like it's the same service.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by TedL
I've got a follow-up question. I had reserved a minivan (Non EA reservation). I then signed up for Emerald Aisle. Should I go through the reservation desk or could I expect to go out to the Emerald aisle and find a minivan?

Emerald Club gives you the benefit of bypassing the counter with or without a coupon.

Emerald Aisle is offered ONLY when you reserve an Intermediate size car. There is a chance for a bigger car being there but NO guarantee. I've only been able to get Intermediates thus far.

Emerald Reserve is when you book through EC but book any other size except Intermediate.

Quick Rent is for those who are not EC members and want to bypass the counter. They CANNOT use coupons. If you use a coupon, you must go to the counter first and cannot use Quick Rent.

So if you booked a minivan, you could use Emerald Reserve if you can have your EC account applied to that reservation. Then you can bypass the counter. If you booked via Quick Rent, then you can bypass the counter too. How did you book the original reservation?

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by WIcruizer
Foolow up question....trying to understand the difference between EA and Quickrent... Seems like it's the same service.

Emerald Club gives you the benefit of bypassing the counter with or without a coupon.

Emerald Aisle is offered ONLY when you reserve an Intermediate size car. There is a chance for a bigger car being there but NO guarantee. I've only been able to get Intermediates thus far.

Emerald Reserve is when you book through Emerald Club but book any other size except Intermediate size.

Quick Rent is for those who are not EC members and want to bypass the counter, but they CANNOT use coupons. If you use a coupon, you must go to the counter first and cannot use Quick Rent.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by WIcruizer
Now I'm real confused. With Gail's help, I have signed up for Emerald Club. But I really don't understand how this Emerald Aisle works. Is it true as some of you are saying, that you can book an intermediate but go pick up whatever vehicle is there??? So if an SUV or Convertable is on the lot I can take that for the same prive as intermediate??? Seems too good to be true. What about the people that have reserved an SUV? You mean I can just take one and the person who had reserved one would be SOL?? A little clarification would realllllly help.

If you book an SUV, you can ONLY go to the SUV aisle.

If you book Intermediate through Emerald Club then you can either go to the Emerald Aisle or the Intermediate Aisle. SOMETIMES there are other cars besides Intermediates in the Emerald Aisle but there will mostly be Intermediates. Anything else is a bonus and not guaranteed. I've have yet to be lucky enough to get any thing but an Intermediate.

 

[DebbieB]

If you have an EA reservation, you could only take an SUV or convertible if it is parked in the Emerald Aisle row. If it's parked elsewhere, you can't take it. The rows are clearly marked by car size. They would know how many people have SUV's or Convertibles booked for that day, so they would not park them in the EA if they will be needed. EA kind of is the "overflow" for the larger size cars. I've almost always got a full size from the EA but you can't count on it.

 

[klcason]

So what is the procedure to pick up your car? Do you just go right on our there and pick it? Do you have to stop at the counter first? We have a full-size reserved for Sept and an EA ressie for December. Just curious what we do. Will there be someone at a gate or something to check my license and stuff?

Thanks,

Kayla

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by klcason
So what is the procedure to pick up your car? Do you just go right on our there and pick it? Do you have to stop at the counter first? We have a full-size reserved for Sept and an EA ressie for December. Just curious what we do. Will there be someone at a gate or something to check my license and stuff?

Thanks,

Kayla

With Emerald Club and Quick Rent, you bypass the counter and head straight to the correct Aisle.

If you reserved the Emerald Aisle, then head to the Emerald Aisle and pick a car from that aisle. If you reserved a Full size with Emerald Club or Quick Rent then head straight to the Full size aisle and pick a full size car.

Then when you drive to the exit, you give them a paper from the car, and your CC and license.

Then you can drive off!

 

[WIcruizer]

I get it now! Thanks so much. Actually, it sounds like a real nice concept. Do any of you use EA at TPA instead of MCO? I'm curious to hear if you've been ucky getting a full size car there...maybe more/less likely than MCO?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by WIcruizer
Now I'm real confused. With Gail's help, I have signed up for Emerald Club. But I really don't understand how this Emerald Aisle works. Is it true as some of you are saying, that you can book an intermediate but go pick up whatever vehicle is there??? So if an SUV or Convertable is on the lot I can take that for the same prive as intermediate??? Seems too good to be true. What about the people that have reserved an SUV? You mean I can just take one and the person who had reserved one would be SOL?? A little clarification would realllllly help.

When I first read your post I thought it said you were really confused with Gail's help. LOL. Gave me a momentary pause, I will have to say, and then quite a chuckle at my misread.

Ok, here goes EA 101.
Emerald Aisle reservations are for intermediates only. There is a special aisle marked Emerald Aisle. It will have at least intermediates on it. If there is anything else, like an SUV, full size, the very occasional convertable or mini van, you are welcome to take that. You cannot just pick any car in the lot, it has to be from the EA.
Hope this helps and eases your confusion.