emerald club: midsize upgrade to full?

[louisaho]

i went to pick up my car yesterday , i did not see any full size car available at the emerald asle, so i went to the counter, they said that they has changed their policy now if i am booked in mid size, i can only rent a mid size, i am confused... did they change their policy latley? i alwyas thought that if you are emerald club member you can pick full size when renting midsize

 

[bjakmom]

My understanding and experience is that when you rent EA, they are essentially guaranteeing you an intermediate car, or any larger car available on EA at the time of your arrival. If there are only intermediates on the EA, that's what you are stuck with. Lately I've been renting at slightly more for a full size with Emerald Reserve - I still get to go right to the full size lot and pick a car (no counter) - the full size is usually the smallest we can fit our selves and luggage into comfortably. On Dec 2 we arrived at 9:30 PM to find the full size lot completely empty - attendant told us to pick from executive select - we picked a Chevy Malibu, not even sure if that's a full size or intermediate- we barely fit 3 suitcases and 2 carryons into the trunk, but the pickings were slim indeed!!

 

[n2mm]

Just like BJakmom said, this was the only policy I've ever know. Been an EA member for about 4 years (times 5 trips to WDW a year) and it's always been, you rent an intermediate car, but can choose anything available in the Emerald Aisle. If the EA is empty, then you are only guaranteed an intermediate car--exactly what you paid for. In past years EA was always fully stocked with a variety of sizes of cars. But starting this year it's been about 90% intermediate cars now and a few others on rare occassions. It was empty during my July visit and like the OP, I went to the kiosk and was directed to the Intermediate lane to choose "what I paid for". The EA tends to get empty alot lately. We were there last week on 12/10, and was glad I had a car reserved full-size emerald reserve, because the EA was empty. Actually the full size was empty too and had to take a full size car from the Executive Aisle....not to worry, an attendant was right there with us making sure we didn't choose anything above a full size. On rare occassions some folks have been allowed a bigger car after arriving to an empty lot, but don't count on it. I preach now, that if you NEED a bigger car, you better reserve it, because you can't count on one being on the Emerald Aisle anymore. I, happily, have moved to the Executive aisle for 2005 because I rented more than 40 days this year. So I get to pay intermediate prices, but guaranteed a full size or larger from the Executive Aisle....yeah!

 

[DebbieB]

Up until a year or so ago, if you booked under Emerald Club you could reserve a full size at the intermediate price and still be able to use the EA if you wanted to (or go to full size). They changed it to where you had to book intermediate for EA and if there were only intermediates on the EA, then that's what you got. The price difference was pretty substatial on my trip a couple of weeks ago. Full size was $172 vs $112 for intermediate EA.

I wonder if they are still selling the $50 EC memberships. I can't believe anyone would pay for EC membership now unless they rented enough to reach Executive Level.

 

[Sandyincanada]

The price difference was pretty substatial on my trip a couple of weeks ago. Full size was $172 vs $112 for intermediate EA.

Wow...we just reserved a full size for Feb...the price difference was only 10.00 for 10 days.

 

[DebbieB]

Wow...we just reserved a full size for Feb...the price difference was only 10.00 for 10 days.

The intermediate price dropped about $50 in the last 3 weeks before my trip. But full size never budged, maybe they had alot reserved.