Just back and used National!

[ttfn3]

We picked up a car at the Fort Lauderdale airport on 7/21 around 1:30 p.m. It appears that no rental car agencies are in the terminal. A handful, including National, are on airport property. We picked up a shuttle outside the terminal and quickly were shuttled to the place to pick up cars. We reserved an intermediate Emerald Aisle car. For 11 days (pickup Ft. Lauderdale/drop off Orlando Airport), we had a rate of $303.29, using the Carlson Code and a $20 entertainment card coupon. There weren't very many cars in the Emerald Aisle area. We saw a couple of PT cruisers, some generic mid sized cars, and 6 or 7 minivans. We asked if we could pick a van and they said yes. Yippee!!! I always let DH picked out the vehicle since I make all the reservations so he has fun checking out the cars. We picked out a red (wine colored - never pick out White in Florida!), Chevy Venture. It was very comfortable for the week and had double sliding doors - one automatic sliding door. I had called National before we left to confirm what ID we needed since I was bit worried about using the Carlson code. We had no problems from pickup to drop off with this code.

We had a bit of a problem at dropoff since they the handheld computer said we had agreed to prepay the gas. We NEVER agreed to that and we had just filled up before we dropped off the van at the airport. We had to go to the booth inside the parking garage and the problem was quickly resolved. Reminder to self for the future - fill up the tank near resort and then top off at airport. We could only find one gas station near the airport and it was about 30 cents per gallon more expensive.

Overall a GREAT experience and we were thrilled to be able to get a van for this price. LOVE Emerald Aisle.

 

[dudspizza]

Great to hear your EA experience went well.

A question concerning the Carlson code. Do they ask for anything with this code or was the process seamless? I am using this code next week and have worried about it. A few people have recently said they had no problems, but I still worry.

Thanks.

Duds

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks for the report.

I've used National many times and fill up before leaving Disney and it's always still on full when I got to the airport, never been charged.

 

[ttfn3]

I was not asked to show anything to use the Carlson Code. I also was worried (especially since we were picking up at FLL) so I called the 800 Emerald Aisle phone number before I left to ask them what information I needed. I just needed a drivers' license, my Emerald Card, and the Entertainment coupon. No one asked to see anything else at FLL or MCO.

 

[dudspizza]

Thank you! I feel a lot more comfortable now. I would be fine if I got called on it, but I have also booked a car for my SIL's family and my in laws.

I won't change unless I find a better rate.

duds