Is National's Emerald Aisle the only company that skips the counter completely?

[Rachael Q]

I know most other companies have a membership aisle, which allows you to skip the main lineup for car pick up, but do any other rental companies have a program where you just go straight to the cars?

 

[Bobb-O]

edited from http://www.fastcompany.com/resources/travel/060704.html



Alamo

Alamo's express service program is called ***********. To become a *********** member, you must have a corporate or business benefits account with Alamo or have rented five times within the last 12-month period. Renters must have a master rental agreement on file, and the *********** ID number must be given when the reservation is booked. The membership enables renters to rent at an expedited counter.

edit - what is not being displayed [q u i c k s i l v e r]- do not know why it is being censored but is somewhat disturbing.

Avis

Avis' Wizard program is free and allows you to keep your profile and preferences on file. It also offers automatic enrollment in the My Avis! online service. Avis' express pick up is available when you enroll in Avis Preferred Service, a free program. Once enrolled, Avis maintains your profile and preferences and provides express pick up service, allowing you to skip counter check in and go directly to your car. This service is available at most locations. Frequent renters are eligible for free rental days and other promotional benefits. Avis also participates in most major airline and hotel frequent flier and loyalty programs.

Budget

Budget's express pick up service, Fastbreak, is available at 135 U.S. airport locations. Just go to the Fastbreak counter location and present your driver's license, and you will receive the keys to your car. Fastbreak Choice, Budget's express pick up service, is also available at about 30 airport locations. (A list of locations is available.) Perfect Drive, Budget's customer awards program, enables you to earn points for dollars spent with Budget and its partner companies -- most major airlines and a spattering of hotel and other companies.

Dollar

Fastlane, Dollar's express service program, offers free expedited counter check in and return service. Dollar is a frequent flier partner with most major airlines.

Hertz

Hertz has three loyalty programs. The Hertz #1 Club is free and allows you to keep personal data and rental preferences on file, enables you to participate in the Hertz #1 Awards Points program, and provides access to Hertz #1 Express Check-In counters. The Hertz #1 Club Gold costs $50 annually. Members can use the Express Pick-Up service at 44 airport locations; this service allows you to bypass counter check in and go directly to your car. Your name and car location are listed at Club Gold boards located at the Hertz center. Hertz #1 Awards Points program members earn one point per $1 in car rental charges; points can be redeemed for free car rentals or exchanged for points with airline and hotel partners. Hertz also has elite loyalty programs -- Five Star and President's Circle -- for frequent renters, which offer premium services and benefits. Hertz participates in most major airline and hotel company loyalty and frequent flier programs. Express return services are also offered.

National


Emerald Club membership, which requires a $50 annual membership fee, includes:

* Emerald Reserve express pick up service.
* Emerald Aisle service, where you can go directly to the Emerald Aisle and choose from any available intermediate vehicle.
* Emerald Club counter service, an express check in counter.
* No authorized driver fee for a member's spouse, business partner, employer, or fellow associate who has an assigned corporate contract with National.
* Frequent traveler miles with most major airlines and Hilton hotels.

All customers can participate in the Quick-Rent express check in service.

Thrifty

The Blue Chip Express rental program offers expedited check in service. You can also earn awards miles and awards points with partners that include most major airlines, Holiday Inn and Hilton hotels, Gold Points, American Express, and Visa. Apply online.

 

[safetymom]

There is a company that has been banned from the DIS. That is why you get the ****.

Hertz #1 Gold does cost but there are sites where you can get it for free. I rent from Hertz all the time and love it.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We've used National Emerald Club and Budget Fastbreak many times, love them both. It's a shame that Alamo has such better rates (especially at MCO), but I would pay a little more if it meant being able to pass up the line. BTW, we've never had problems with Hertz or Avis counter service!

 

[BAST]

Alamo now has an advance check in process. This is exactly like the National QuickRent process. Put in all information online (credit card, driver's license, personal info), go right to a car, and check out (you hand the attendant your driver's license, credit card and reservation).

Hopefully this will work as well at National QuickRent.

 

[CarolA]

I love Hertz.

I used National last weekend. Pickup was fine... and then there was return this AM. ONE guy working and he had an attitude... I'll give them another chance, but Alamo is already off my list. (I don't care HOW cheap they are, I won't give them my money!) I would hate to mark National off too.