Emerald Club Aisle results

[my3kids]

Are there really ever cars there better than the midsize variety? I am flying to DL this week and have a coupon for the upgrade to a full size, but would love to find a suv in the aisle. Does anyone ever get lucky?

 

[dudspizza]

Are there really ever cars there better than the midsize variety? I am flying to DL this week and have a coupon for the upgrade to a full size, but would love to find a suv in the aisle. Does anyone ever get lucky?

I have used EA twice at MCO. The first time only had mid-sized cars on the lot. As we were loading up, an attendant pulled up a brand new Impala (full size). We grabbed it and off we went.

The next trip there were only 4 cars on the EA, but three were minivans! We took one that had dvd in it and had a great trip... especially since we drove to Daytona Beach that trip.

Duds

 

[my3kids]

I'd love to luck into a minivan.

If there are only midsize in the aisle, do I just go to the counter to get the fullsize?

 

[wdwfan1]

You are guaranteed a midsize. If something bigger is there, great--take it. If not, you have to "settle" for the midsize.

That being said, we have rented from National numerous times. We have gotten SUVs, mini-vans and full-size cars more often than not. It is all the luck of the draw.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

 

[my3kids]

The reservation was for midsize with a coupon bump to full size so I know we'll at least get that if nothing more appealing is on the lot. Good to know there really are possibilities of something better.

 

[blestmom]

The reservation was for midsize with a coupon bump to full size so I know we'll at least get that if nothing more appealing is on the lot. Good to know there really are possibilities of something better.

my3kids...I'm new to all this. I'm taking my 5 kids to WDW in January. The rates for mini-vans are really high. I was thinking of the Emerald Aisle, but an Intermediate would be too small. A full-size would work, though. Would you mind sharing with me how you make a reservation for an Intermediate, and then be assured of a full-size with a coupon? Where do you get a coupon? Or maybe I'm not understanding correctly. Thanks for any help.

 

[wdwluver]

http://www.nationalcar.com/?action=emcIndex

 

[my3kids]

blestmom: Iused a combo of coupon and contract from www.mousesavers.com The coupon was for a free upgrade, so it automatically reserved a full size when I clicked on the intermediate. Mousesavers had wonderful information about National. We went with them because the contract included full damage waiver protection. We usually don't pay for that but in southern california we thought we might go ahead and get it since it wasn't that much more than Alamo. I generally get the best prices from Alamo through the Costco.com website.

 

[blestmom]

Thank you for the help!

 

[wdwfan1]

Check your reservation and make sure it says Emerald Aisle, not Emerald Reserved.

When I entered that coupon code in the past, the reservation became Emerald Reserved and was not eligible to choose from the Emerald Aisle. We could only choose what was in the full size aisle. Hopefully, your coupon is different.

 

[n2mm]

Check your reservation and make sure it says Emerald Aisle, not Emerald Reserved.

When I entered that coupon code in the past, the reservation became Emerald Reserved and was not eligible to choose from the Emerald Aisle. We could only choose what was in the full size aisle. Hopefully, your coupon is different.

I was thinking the same thing. We have been EA members for many years and know that you have to BOOK your car reservation through Emerald Aisle in order to take advantage of the Emerald Aisle. If you book Emerald Reserve, you can only take the car size you reserved. It's sort of a gamble, pay more now and get what you need, or pay less and hope there's a car you want. Some folks may be in for a let down here. Your reservation has instructions on the top and it either says "go to the Emerald Aisle and select your car", or "you have selected Emerald Reserve....." Folks need to be checking for this language, because it needs to be on your reservation or you have not booked this reservation correctly.

 

[my3kids]

Mine doesn't say either. What in the world have I done??

 

[wdwfan1]

On my printed confirmation right side:

Your National Car Rental reservation has been confirmed
conf #
National Logo
Name
Email Address
Emerald Club #
Level of Service: Emerald Aisle


Look there for your level.

 

[EpcotGuy]

I have used the emerald aisle at least 10 times at MCO, and I have NEVER received a midsize. I've always had a fullsize or SUV (though there have always been some midsize on the aisle).

 

[n2mm]

Mine doesn't say either. What in the world have I done??

When you make your reservation you need to have logged into the emerald aisle section of nationalcar.com. Hopefully you did that first before making your reservation. If you didn't then you do not qualify for any level of Emerald Aisle and will have to go to the counter to do your transaction.

 

[my3kids]

I think it said counter service. I'm sad!

 

[dizfanz]

From my experience, it depends when you pick up your car. I have found that there are more choices on EA during the afternoon than in the morning, since many cars have not been returned yet.

 

[my3kids]

This is what happened. Even though the rservation said counter service when we got to the counter and the gentleman saw the Emerald Club Card he said to go straight to the lot. We were very confused but asked the man there about the cars. There was an suv being driven off by one man, but we did get the full size and went to the gate. no problems. We could have had a convertible but it was an ungly one and I didn't think it was big enough anyway, so we got the full size which actually had a huge trunk. Everything was good and easy.

 

[ttfn3]

We got lucky when we rented from National/Emerald Aisle the end of October (a Saturday) in the afternoon. We got the new Saturn SUV. It's the only time we have been able to get an upgraded vehicle in Orlando using Emerald Aisle. We have flown into Tampa and West Palm Beach several times and have always gotten a better/larger car than an intermediate. However, it's not guaranteed. I always feel like I won the lottery when we get a better car!