National car rental- does this make sense

[Inkmahm]

Could this be correct? I am Emerald Aisle status. If I reserve a full size car, I can pick one from the Executive Aisle?

This is my exchange in email with National:

Me: When I made the reservations for our March and April trips, I was executive aisle level and that's what my confirm says. Now I am only Emerald Aisle after my Executive Aisle expired Feb 28th. Can I still select from the executive aisle for the trips I scheduled before my status expired?

National: Thank you for your email.

With your move from Emerald Executive tier to Emerald Club, your method of delivery will now be determined by the vehicle sized reserved. For example your rental at Orlando airport on March 18th will not utilize our Emerald Aisle.

Me: That makes no sense. I can understant not being able to use the Executive Aisle but why wouldn't I be back to the Emerald Aisle for my selection?

National: I apologize for any confusion or frustration. Please allow me a moment to explain.

Our method of delivery is determined by the size vehicle reserved not by your Emerald Club tier. If a intermediate size car is rented your vehicle would be picked from our Emerald aisle. When a full size car is reserved, your vehicle would be picked out of our Executive Selection. For any other car classes reserved or if the location doesn't have a Executive Selection, then you would get your vehicle from our Emerald Reserve section.

Me: I'm still confused. So even though I'm not Executive level any longer, all I need to do to select a car from the Executive Selection is to reserve a full size car? What is the advantage to Executive Selection then, just that you pay for an intermediate and still get to pick from the Executive Selection?

National: You are correct the benefit from Emerald Executive tier is that you rent from the Executive Selection a full size car, but pay the rate of a intermediate size vehicle. I hope this clarify's any confusion for you.

Me: But I want to confirm that if I rent a full size car, I can select it from the Executive Aisle. Even though I'm not an Executive aisle member. Is that also true?

National: Yes, if you reserve a full size car you would be eligible to pick up from our Executive Selection for vehicles.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

No I don't think that is correct.

If you reserve a mid-size, you would go to the Emerald Aisle. If you reserve anything other than a mid-size you would go to that aisle - eg. Full size (Emerald Reserve).

This is directly from their website:

Emerald Aisle® Service

Whether it's your company's travel policy or simply personal preference, if a midsize car is what you require, the Emerald Club Aisle is the fastest way to get you on the road.
* Make your reservation for an intermediate vehicle confirming Emerald Aisle Service at participating locations.
* When you arrive at the location, go directly to the Emerald Club Aisle, choose from any available car.
* Remember that you can choose any car on the Aisle for the price of the reserved intermediate.

Emerald Club Reserve Service

If you require a vehicle type other than intermediate, such as a fullsize car, SUV, convertible or minivan, you'll be amazed at the speed and convenience of National's Emerald Reserve Service.

* Make your reservation for the desired vehicle, confirming Emerald Reserve Service at participating locations.
* When you arrive at the location, bypass the counter and go directly to the row of the car class you reserved. The bus drivers and greeters will be available to guide you.
* Choose from any car on the row of your reserved car class.
* Your Emerald Club rental transaction will be quickly completed at the exit booth, where you will automatically receive the benefits associated with your company’s contractual agreement with National.
* Emerald Reserve reservations will be charged at the negotiated rate of the car class reserved.

 

[SilverMickey]

Well color me confused!

 

[Inkmahm]

No I don't think that is correct.

If you reserve a mid-size, you would go to the Emerald Aisle. If you reserve anything other than a mid-size you would go to that aisle - eg. Full size (Emerald Reserve).

This is directly from their website:

Emerald Aisle® Service

Whether it's your company's travel policy or simply personal preference, if a midsize car is what you require, the Emerald Club Aisle is the fastest way to get you on the road.
* Make your reservation for an intermediate vehicle confirming Emerald Aisle Service at participating locations.
* When you arrive at the location, go directly to the Emerald Club Aisle, choose from any available car.
* Remember that you can choose any car on the Aisle for the price of the reserved intermediate.

Emerald Club Reserve Service

If you require a vehicle type other than intermediate, such as a fullsize car, SUV, convertible or minivan, you'll be amazed at the speed and convenience of National's Emerald Reserve Service.

* Make your reservation for the desired vehicle, confirming Emerald Reserve Service at participating locations.
* When you arrive at the location, bypass the counter and go directly to the row of the car class you reserved. The bus drivers and greeters will be available to guide you.
* Choose from any car on the row of your reserved car class.
* Your Emerald Club rental transaction will be quickly completed at the exit booth, where you will automatically receive the benefits associated with your company’s contractual agreement with National.
* Emerald Reserve reservations will be charged at the negotiated rate of the car class reserved.

That's what I thought, too. But National in email says this:

Our method of delivery is determined by the size vehicle reserved not by your Emerald Club tier. If a intermediate size car is rented your vehicle would be picked from our Emerald aisle. When a full size car is reserved, your vehicle would be picked out of our Executive Selection. For any other car classes reserved or if the location doesn't have a Executive Selection, then you would get your vehicle from our Emerald Reserve section.

 

[snowbunny]

Hmmm, so with one of the upgrade or double-upgrade coupons, if your upgrade is to full size that means pick what you want from the Executive aisle?

 

[Inkmahm]

Hmmm, so with one of the upgrade or double-upgrade coupons, if your upgrade is to full size that means pick what you want from the Executive aisle?

Hey, that's another good question!!!

 

[dudspizza]

Is your original post a series of emails with National? Many times you get different agents each time, thus they could be a bit confused with what you are trying to ask.

If you have a full size reserved, they are telling you that you don't default to Emerald Aisle. They are telling you that you now have an Emerald Reserve and will choose from the full size aisle.

I would re-do my reservation and select mid-size car to take advantage of Emerald Aisle... of course, I am sure the cost is now higher or you would have already done that.....

Now, you are only being charged for a mid-size according to the rules of Emerald Club. I would think that you could call them and have them switch the ressie to mid-size using Emerald Aisle..... worth a shot.

Duds

 

[SuzanneSLO]

[snip]
Me: When I made the reservations for our March and April trips, I was executive aisle level and that's what my confirm says. Now I am only Emerald Aisle after my Executive Aisle expired Feb 28th. Can I still select from the executive aisle for the trips I scheduled before my status expired?

[snip]

Me: But I want to confirm that if I rent a full size car, I can select it from the Executive Aisle. Even though I'm not an Executive aisle member. Is that also true?

National: Yes, if you reserve a full size car you would be eligible to pick up from our Executive Selection for vehicles.

We have a similar situation, except that my DH is renting at OGG, where there is no Aisle. He reserved Premium while an Executive member for a trip that will not happen until after his Exec status was scheduled to expire. He paid the full size price, a savings of about $800. His reservation has not changed, even though his status has. As a result, I think National lets you continue to enjoy status for any reservation made while you had status!

He picks up the car on Sunday, so I will let you know how it turns out -- Suzanne

 

[Inkmahm]

Is your original post a series of emails with National? Many times you get different agents each time, thus they could be a bit confused with what you are trying to ask.

If you have a full size reserved, they are telling you that you don't default to Emerald Aisle. They are telling you that you now have an Emerald Reserve and will choose from the full size aisle.

I would re-do my reservation and select mid-size car to take advantage of Emerald Aisle... of course, I am sure the cost is now higher or you would have already done that.....

Now, you are only being charged for a mid-size according to the rules of Emerald Club. I would think that you could call them and have them switch the ressie to mid-size using Emerald Aisle..... worth a shot.

Duds

Yes, and it was the same person responding each time according to the signature.

My reservation IS for a mid-size car. That's why I was so confused when National said I wouldn't select from the Emerald Aisle. I updated it online and it came up as midsize Emerald Aisle.

And they are saying I do NOT select from Emerald Reserve but from the Executive Aisle instead if I book a full size.

 

[Inkmahm]

We have a similar situation, except that my DH is renting at OGG, where there is no Aisle. He reserved Premium while an Executive member for a trip that will not happen until after his Exec status was scheduled to expire. He paid the full size price, a savings of about $800. His reservation has not changed, even though his status has. As a result, I think National lets you continue to enjoy status for any reservation made while you had status!

He picks up the car on Sunday, so I will let you know how it turns out -- Suzanne

Nope, that was the only thing that was clearly answered by National. After the expiration of my Executive status, I have to pick up the car based on the kind of car that I reserved. My guess is your husband would have to get a full size car if he is back to being Emerald Aisle status, too.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Nope, that was the only thing that was clearly answered by National. After the expiration of my Executive status, I have to pick up the car based on the kind of car that I reserved. My guess is your husband would have to get a full size car if he is back to being Emerald Aisle status, too.

Yes, but he reserved the Premium car. The only thing "full size" about his booking was the price, which is not apparent from the written confirmation.

I took the e-mail exchange you had to mean that if you had booked full size while you had Executive Status, your reservation would have read "full size" Executive Aisle and you could have choosen from the Exec Aisle even if when you arrived you no longer had that status.

If your reservations says "mid-size' but also states Executive Aisle, then it may be less clear that you can still pick from the Exec Aisle once your status has changed.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Inkmahm]

Yes, but he reserved the Premium car. The only thing "full size" about his booking was the price, which is not apparent from the written confirmation.

I took the e-mail exchange you had to mean that if you had booked full size while you had Executive Status, your reservation would have read "full size" Executive Aisle and you could have choosen from the Exec Aisle even if when you arrived you no longer had that status.

If your reservations says "mid-size' but also states Executive Aisle, then it may be less clear that you can still pick from the Exec Aisle once your status has changed.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

I guess we'll have to see. From what I understand, once the Executive Selection status ends, your reservations using Executive Selection are no longer valid to take a car from the Executive Aisle.

 

[Inkmahm]

Here's the rest of my exchange with National since I just got another response from them:

me: But your website says:
Emerald Club Reserve Service
If you require a vehicle type other than intermediate, such as a fullsize car, SUV, convertible or minivan, you'll be amazed at the speed and convenience of National's Emerald Reserve Service.
Make your reservation for the desired vehicle, confirming Emerald Reserve Service at participating locations.
When you arrive at the location, bypass the counter and go directly to the row of the car class you reserved. The bus drivers and greeters will be available to guide you.
Choose from any car on the row of your reserved car class.
Your Emerald Club rental transaction will be quickly completed at the exit booth, where you will automatically receive the benefits associated with your company’s contractual agreement with National.
Emerald Reserve reservations will be charged at the negotiated rate of the car class reserved.

So if I pay for full size, it seems I'd have to go to the Emerald Reserve Aisle and not Executive Aisle. What am I still not understanding? Is Orlando different than the standard policy for some reason?

National: I have clarified the proper procedure with my supervisor, and your original information was correct. Unfortunately, Due to your change in tier the Executive Selection aisle is no longer available to you. Any vehicle aside from a midsize car (ICAR) will now be available to you in Emerald Reserve aisle. I apologize for my miscommunication and confusion with the Executive tier policy.