National Car Rental - Never again

[n8ivcelt]

Got to Orlando late afternoon, and as others have said, only compacts left. Had reserved a car online and had scheduled to drop off at Dolphin. As Iwas leaving the garage the guy at the boothe said " By the way you can't drop it off the Dolphin, that site is closed." so much for letting me know ahead of time. He did say that I could drop it off at near the the Auto Care center at the MK and a shuttle would take me to the hotel. Sounded like I could live with this that. Wrong! Got there, no one was there. A hand written sign showed new hours only 9-6. A note said drop off the keys and leave the car. However, no way to get bcak to hotel. Knocked on the Disny transportation door thaty was nearby. They said they had nothing to do with them "Call a cab". If had wanted to pay cab fares I would not have rented a car.
Decided to go back to the hotel and call national. They said " bring it back to the airport", still leaves me with cabfare. Talked to supervisor who said I could drop it off at the Dolphin. Said OK and drove to Dolphin (not that far I was staying at Swan). Dolphin said taht National had left the hotel and they were no longer authorized to accept Nationals cars. At his point ( it had been a long day) I point I had a bit of a fit ( to much to take to start out my vacation). Then true customer service to the rescue ( one valet whho went above and beyond). One of the valets started calling, got the manager on duty involved and arrainged to take the car and have National pick it up. So a happy ending, no thanks to National.

So beware, at this point you cannot drop your car off at the Dolphin and the Disney drop off makes it's own hours. Leave to to NAtinal and they will leave it stranded.

 

[Pluto4President]

That's for that update. Sorry you had to find out the hard way though.

 

[maciec]

What time was late afternoon and what day of the week was it when you picked up your vehicle? What happens if you reserve a larger than compact car and you get there and there are only compacts? Did you use EC?

 

[DaisyDebbie]

Thanks for that info. I was planning on dropping off my National car at the Dolphin I will double check locations and times before I leave.

 

[n8ivcelt]

Around 6 O'clock. I used Emerald Isle and that was all that was left. I did see some other types in the regular area.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I'm sooooooo glad we chose Dollar. Ted keeps insisting we use National, but I'm glad we booked Dollar after reading all these negative threads. I called National last weekend just to see what it would cost us.... $75 bucks for a compact??????? I practically hung up on the guy!

Holly

 

[Pluto4President]

Originally posted by Ted and Holly
I'm sooooooo glad we chose Dollar. Ted keeps insisting we use National, but I'm glad we booked Dollar after reading all these negative threads. I called National last weekend just to see what it would cost us.... $75 bucks for a compact??????? I practically hung up on the guy!

Holly

All of these negative posts? Jeeze, I've been on this board just shy of a year now and have read very few bad things about national.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I guess I exaggerated slightly, but this thread and another from this week:

Took my confirmed reservation number to National Counter to pick up my full size car. Reservation confirmed at counter, but was told sorry sir, we have no cars left.

Plus, hearing that EA has had "slim pickings" lately. I just haven't heard many positives lately is all.....

Holly

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Don't forget my complaint about DH being FORCED to take insurance as well (take it or no car). Manager at MCO said his profile stated he wanted it and they couldn't change that. I looked it up on the internet and it DID NOT state that. I called CS at National and she agreed. She refunded 1/2 the insurance. Luckily, it was a business expense so company will pay, but it just ticks me off! So, beware of National trying to force insurance when you don't have to take it.

Other than that, he enjoyed the EA and had a really nice premium car (that's what I reserved due to lower price). He did state, however, there wasn't very many choices on the lot.

 

[Chuck S]

Around 6 O'clock. I used Emerald Isle and that was all that was left. I did see some other types in the regular area.

What size car did you reserve? For EA it is usually an intermediate or full size car, and you are guaranteed at least what you reserve. If you reserved a full size, and none were on the EA, then go and get one from the large aisle, no problem.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Tinkerbell,
This is the first time I have heard about insurance being forced on someone( by National). I would hope, for the sake of all of us, that it was an anomaly, for your's and your husband's sake, it was a pain and not necessary, and frankly, I would not settle for half the refund. I would go for all the toys. I like National, but, I don't like being overcharged.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Gail: Thanks. I kept telling the CSR I talked with on the phone "he was forced basically" and she said that's all she could do. She said she would let the appropriate people know about this and investigate (right!). I guess since it's a business expense and I'm so tired of fighting about it, I'll just see what happens. I know I shouldn't. Poor DH didn't have anything to do with reserving or applying for the card, he didn't know what to do. Seems this whole thing with National has been a hassle Like I said, the ease of getting the car, besides the obvious rate problem, was great.

I guess I just want others to know and to be careful about this. I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. If it does, make THEM prove it if they insist your profiles states this. I know I didn't choose the options (insurance) because I talked with DH about it. If anything else happens with this, I'll let everyone know.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I guess the prudent thing to do is to carry along a copy of the profile too. So much for a paperless society.