Emerald Club and National Car Rental

[Nana2Callie]

Anyone belong to this and is it worth it? I keep getting emails with the offer; but not exactly sure what it is? Is there a fee or is this a type of rewards club?

Thanks,

 

[RitaE]

I think there is an official join fee but there are several ways to join without paying a fee.

Basically you give them all your info (driver's license etc) for your account and then when you rent from them you don't have to stop at the counter. You just go out to the garage, choose a car from the Emerald Club aisle, and then give your information to the guy at the booth when you drive out. Sometimes there are upgraded cars in the aisles - like you go to the Full Size aisle and there will be a mini-van parked there. If it's in your aisle then you can take the upgraded car.

There's a discount code attached to being an Emerald Club member but I can usually find better discounts by searching online by searching online for other codes.

The only downside of the program is you are trusting National Car with your personal info to store in a computer database so there are risks and concerns there. But they're going to get your driver's license and credit card once you rent the car.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

Apply through Mousesavers and the fee is waived. I believe the advantage of being a member is that you pay to rent a midsize car but then you can have your pick of anything in the emerald aisle. Often there are much nicer cars in it than in the typical intermediate/midsize category.

 

[sheboz]

My husband travels for work and is a member. This service is great!! After landing at Orlando airport it is a very short walk to your car in the lower level of the parking garage. My DD thinks that all cars parked at the airport have keys in the door and are of no charge. We let the kids choose the vehicle for the week. They still talk about the Nitro we drove. Mousesavers has a link for free membership.

 

[busy mom]

I totally agree. We joined over 10 years ago via the Mousesavers link and still get the service for free! My kids really look forward to getting off the plane in Orlando and getting to pick out our rental!

 

[uk_wildcat]

My husband also travels for work and is an Emerald Club member. He uses them so often, that he gets tons of free rentals that we use for our personal trips. He has been a member for about 6 years now and has moved up to Executive level. He can pretty much pick any car he wants when he travels and is only charged the lower level (intermediate or economy).

 

[swilshire]

I've used this for years and always preferred to rent from National, but for the last year or so, their prices are always higher. I've been forced to use other companies.

It's great when their price is comparable because you can choose the car that you want to drive.

Sheila

 

[tinkerbell423]

Does anyone know if the Emerald Club works at Sanford Airport too. I read the description and it says "most major airports"