Emerald Asile/Emerald Choice changes!!!!

[beattyfamily]

Well, after reading another thread about the rates going down, I ran over to check mine for Nov/Dec Full size for a week.

I came across a new looking National website. Also, after logging in to Emerald Club and trying to get a quote, I realized something.

I picked a Full size and it would kick me to "Emeald Reserve" not Emerald Asile or Emerald Choice.

I kept trying and it kept doing it. I did reserve it though because the prices have gone down. My rate is now $122.47 for a Full size Emerald Reserve.

I then proceeded to call National and get the scoop. She said that they did, indeed, make changes and now you only get Emerald Asile when you book a midsize, which is an Intermediate size. Full size would be Emerald Reserve.

When I hung up with her I tried the Intermediate size and it DID give me Emerald Asile and it was, of course, cheaper than the Full size rate. My rate was $111.16 for a week Emerald Asile Intermediate size.

Just thought I'd pass along these interesting changes. Anyone else notice this?

 

[Threehearts]

The same thing happened to me when I tried to book a convertible for Maui using EA. I had to choose counter service or get an intermediate for EA. I'm glad you called to give us the scoop. I'm really disappointed that this service has changed. Threehearts

 

[CarolA]

The only change is on full sizes. You have never been able to do convertibles, Mini Vans etc on Emerald Aisle. The Emerald Choice option is only available at limited airports.

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks, Carol! I've never tried to book the convertible category before. Susan

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by CarolA
The only change is on full sizes. You have never been able to do convertibles, Mini Vans etc on Emerald Aisle. The Emerald Choice option is only available at limited airports.

I just got off with Emerald Club and the change is this:

You only get Emerald Asile with an Intermediate.

You do NOT get Emerald Asile with Standard or Full size anymore.

Full size and Standard are now Emerald Reserve and no longer called Emerald Choice.

She also said that the EA will MOSTLY be midsizes and NOT Full/standard sizes so it would be a downgrade for a Full size person to go to the EA. She said that on very rare occations there might be a PT cruiser or a Full size but if you really need a Full size, you must book a Full size.

She couldn't tell me that if I book Full size, whether I can still check out EA. She wasn't sure but she felt it would probably be ok but it would be a downgrade in car size for me more than likely...

She said I can book the intermediate and take my chances in hopes of a Full size on the EA.

Hope this helps.

 

[KathyR]

She also said that the EA will MOSTLY be midsizes and NOT Full/standard sizes so it would be a downgrade for a Full size person to go to the EA.

After reading your first post, I thought that this may be the case. This is also why I reserved under both the full (ER) and intermediate (EA) until I can discuss this afternoon with my husband his preference. Then, I will cancel the extra. Thank you for confirming what I thought may be the case.

 

[n2mm]

After the last 8 visit to National Car at MCO, I have yet to see anything in the EA. Only once many years ago did we get a car. It has been years since we have ever seen anything there. So we will continue to stick to a full size. I do like that we can still bypass the counter. I actually have a minivan reserved for September and it also says ER, so no counter stop there either. THat's great.

 

[beattyfamily]

So now all those who do book an Intermediate size and go to the Emerald Asile in the next few months need to report back what was actually available! Was it really only Intermediates??

Also, I'm very curious if someone who reserved a Full size can still go to the EA if there does happen to be a nice selection there??

Will they yell at you and say "sorry, you're only allowed to pick from the Full size asile"? Or will they let you take one? I could not get this answered today. They all kept saying it would be a downgrade for me so there's no point.

I'm a little bummed. My husband wants the guarantee of a Full size so I guess no more EA for us. I was never really lucky either with the EA, but I've heard many wonderful stories.

 

[Momof2]

Just rebooked my reservation - thanks for the heads up on these changes today. My new ressie is with Emerald Reserve for a full-size, and I'm happy with that just to be able to bypass the counter. In all the times we've done EA, we've never found anything better available than a full-size anyways. I just want the guarantee of getting what I need. The good news is the price drop. My old ressie for 8 days was $179. Today I'm down to $145. This is my 4th reservation for this trip - when I started back on 2/1 I was at $228. What a huge drop in just a month!

 

[JOC]

Okay, it's Monday morning so my brain isn't functioning properly (although my husband would say it doesn't function properly to begin with, but that's another story!). What exactly is "Emerald Reserve" now? Can we still bypass the counter by reserving a full size through "Emerald Reserve?" Thanks for your help.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by JOC
Okay, it's Monday morning so my brain isn't functioning properly (although my husband would say it doesn't function properly to begin with, but that's another story!). What exactly is "Emerald Reserve" now? Can we still bypass the counter by reserving a full size through "Emerald Reserve?" Thanks for your help.

Yes, you still bypass the counter...Emerald Choice is now called Emerald Reserve.

 

[JOC]

I just went to the National site and plugged in my dates. It still gives me a choice of Emerald Aisle or Counter for my full size...it doesn't give me an Emerald Reserve choice. Is there another National site I'm not aware of?

 

[punkin]

I'm really confused. I got a full size and the ressie confirm says:

"Your level of service is Emerald Aisle" Am I missing something?

 

[DisneyKidds]

First - thanks for the heads up. Made a ressie for our May trip. $145 for 8 days, taxes included - cool. Saves me over $70 vs the Alamo ressie I had. I also reserved for our Nov/Dec trip. $154 for 9 days - very cool.

Now, for both I have a confirmed reservation for a full size, level of service is Emerald Aisle. Looks like the systems hasn't completely been converted yet.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

"Your level of service is Emerald Aisle" Am I missing something?

Not sure, but, I don't get anything but EA or Choice when I look into a reservation.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm getting Emerald Asile now for Full too.

Maybe they are doing stuff to their website and making changes and it's not over with yet. Don't know.

All morning it would only give me the "Emerald Reserve" option for a Full size and not Emrald Asile or Emerald Choice.

When I called all 3 800's I have for National they said it was changing today...

So who knows what's going on!

 

[punkin]

In practical terms, what is the difference between Emerald Isle and Emerald Choice?

 

[KathyR]

I got mine on Full size EA now too at the same rate I had the intermediate EA for So, I guess we will have a choice after all!

punkin-
EA is your choice of any car in the EA (special row of cars where you can SOMETIMES find pt cruisers, SUV etc.) or any car in the aisle of cars in which you reserved (full size, intermediate, etc) You are guaranteed at minimum the car size you reserved, but you may score a free upgrade

EC is your choice of any car in the aisle of cars in which you reserved (full size, intermediate, etc.) but you cannot choose from the EA. You still get the perks of bypassing the counter and being on your way within minutes

 

[punkin]

Thank you KathyR for answering my newbie questions in not one but two threads!

 

[KathyR]

Your quite welcome