How's National with Upgrades???

[libertygirl]

I would appreciate some help, first off my husband is an Emerald Club member how does the Emerald Aisle work??

Secondly, I have a great rate for a compact with a double upgrade coupon for a Standard (which Nationaly informed me was the same as a full size) - will they honor the upgrade without any problems? My confirmation says "standard" - which I did print out. Also will bypassing the counter work for me?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DebbieB]

Emerald Aisle allows you to skip the counter and go straight to the garage. This section of cars are usually intermediate but sometimes they put larger cars in. To use it, you must be an Emerald Club member and book intermediate.

If you have a coupon with an upgrade, you will have to go the counter. Unless they are really short on cars (unlikely) you should get your upgrade.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Libertygirl, I'm in the same situation as you. I have a compact reserved (Emerald Reserve) and also have Entertainment coupons. I could use one for the upgrade, but then I would have to go to the counter (DebbieB is correct). I've decided against it, but I just don't want to deal with counter service. I wish I would have made the EA reservation instead (and refuse to now because of prices), but for my sister and I and very limited amt. of driving we will do (probably only to/from airport, and to outlet malls) the compact will be fine.

Nancy

 

[libertygirl]

Is going to the counter that much of a hassle? Which is better getting a better deal on a standard car and going to the counter or paying a little more for an intermediate doing the emerald Aisle. - Can I change the reservation to an Emerald Aisle reservation??

We are trying to keep our costs down, but I'm not sure if a mid size would fit our family of four 2 med-large luggage bags and a light stroller - plus on the return one extra bag of souvenirs.

Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disney4me4ever
Libertygirl, I'm in the same situation as you. I have a compact reserved (Emerald Reserve) and also have Entertainment coupons. I could use one for the upgrade, but then I would have to go to the counter (DebbieB is correct). I've decided against it, but I just don't want to deal with counter service. I wish I would have made the EA reservation instead (and refuse to now because of prices), but for my sister and I and very limited amt. of driving we will do (probably only to/from airport, and to outlet malls) the compact will be fine.

Nancy

Nancy, try to modify your original reservation. I did it recently (added a day) and they based the rate on my original cheaper reservation.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by libertygirl
Is going to the counter that much of a hassle? Which is better getting a better deal on a standard car and going to the counter or paying a little more for an intermediate doing the emerald Aisle. - Can I change the reservation to an Emerald Aisle reservation??

We are trying to keep our costs down, but I'm not sure if a mid size would fit our family of four 2 med-large luggage bags and a light stroller - plus on the return one extra bag of souvenirs.

Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Other than a wait, no.

You can try to modify your original reservation to EA, you don't have to keep the modification if it does not work for you, just click on keep original reservation. Personally, EA can be a bit of a gamble. I would go with the upgrade to standard (which is a two door full size).

To see how EA works, I advise going to National's website and clicking on the triangle at the top of the opening page. It gives a fairly decent overview of the plan.

 

[libertygirl]

How long is a typical wait? We will arrive on a thursday afternoon in late Oct, pick up at 12:30 - do you think it will be busy then? Is the return also a long wait?

Also, I called the MCo location and they said that the have no 2 door full door size, she claimed all full sizes are 4 doors.

I'd just hate to wait too long since my 5 and 8 year old will certainly be anxious to get to disney. On the return, we are cutting it close by doing an early character- giving the car drop off 1/2 hour is this enough time?

Thanks

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by libertygirl
How long is a typical wait? We will arrive on a thursday afternoon in late Oct, pick up at 12:30 - do you think it will be busy then? Is the return also a long wait?

Also, I called the MCo location and they said that the have no 2 door full door size, she claimed all full sizes are 4 doors.

I'd just hate to wait too long since my 5 and 8 year old will certainly be anxious to get to disney. On the return, we are cutting it close by doing an early character- giving the car drop off 1/2 hour is this enough time?

Thanks

Monte Carlos are two doors and full size, and they are on the full size aisle.
As to the wait, I have no idea, I use Emerald Reserve.
The drop off time sould be ok.

 

[DebbieB]

There usually isn't much of a line at the counter since most people use Emerald Club or the new quick rent. With your size family & bags, I think you would be more comfortable in a full size, it would probably be worth the 10 or 15 minutes in line. What you could even do is go over to the garage and checkout the cars available while your husband stands in line at the counter (since the Emerald Club is in his name). They do not assign you a specific car at the counter, you pick a car from the size row reserved.

Return is quick no matter what kind of reservation you have. They have return rows in the garage, they print your receipt on a hand held and off you go. Barring unforseen problems, it should take no more than 15 minutes.