National, Emerald Aisle & all those coupons...

[aikman_fan_8]

I tried to book a reservation using my Emerald Aisle number, the priceless coupon code and the Entertainment coupon code. It pre-fills the contract ID with 7232219. I tried erasing it and putting my codes in there and this is the message I got:

The car class is not eligible for Emerald Aisle.

I want a full size car. I even went down to a standard size and got the same message. The next size down, intermediate, is allowed.

Can I still make my reservation not using Emerald Aisle, then go straight to the full size cars, bypassing the counter?

Thanks for your answers.

 

[Kitster]

You have to use Emerald Reserve if you want to rent a full-sized car. The only size available on the Aisle is intermediate. You will still bypass the counter if you make an Emerald Reservation reservation.

 

[n2mm]

After your click and put full size in your first box, then click on the box that says emerald aisle and you see 2 options. emerald reserve and counter. go to the left and click on emerald reserve. Keep in mind that emerald reserve means you do NOT get to choose from emerald aisle. You have to go to the full size section of the lot and choose a full size. The only time you get to choose from emerald aisle is if you book an intermediate car. It's always a gamble because it means you choose from the EA lot or have to take an intermediate from the intermediate lot. We used full size/emerald reserved several times last year because he HAD to have a full size car and couldn't take the chance that emerald aisle would be poorly stocked.

 

[BostonRob]

You have to use Emerald Reserve if you want to rent a full-sized car. The only size available on the Aisle is intermediate. You will still bypass the counter if you make an Emerald Reservation reservation.

This is exactly what I did last night. I got a full size (Buick Regal or equ.) with the Emerald Reserve service for 5 days for $104!! Crazy rate. I could have had an intermediate for with Aisle service for $94, but I decided it was worth the extra $10 to be certain I'd get the bigger car. I've got to thank Mousesavers.com for this great rate - without that website, I'd likely have paid $150+ for a lesser car and a wait at the counter.

 

[skfulkers]

Ok, I just have to ask the question, since I've been dying to see if anyone else has tested this theory. I rent from National frequently (at other airports for business mostly), and I always use the Emerald Aisle. I usually just take whatever is on the aisle, but there have been times where there are no cars on the aisle or nothing that I want, so I have been told to take something from the executive or full size areas. I have actually gotten to the Emerald Aisle a few times and really wanted an SUV, convertible, etc., so I have gotten off the airport shuttle and walked directly over to the SUVs and/or convertibles and just hopped in, threw my luggage in the trunk, and pulled up to the check-out counter. I hand the cashier the tag from the mirror, my license and my emerald club card, and I always make sure to ask what my rate is, and I have NEVER been questioned about taking a car from a different category.
I know some people may flame me for this, but that's not why I'm posting this. I'm curious if anyone else has tried this, especially at MCO. I have heard numerous people who have been told to take something from a different category if nothing is available on the aisle, but how do the cashier's know if you have been told to take something else or if you have just taken something else without checking the aisle? I don't make a habit of doing this, and I really have only done it a few times, but I'm under the firm belief that if you look like you know what you're doing and you look like you belong, no one really questions you most of the time.
So has anyone done this at MCO?

 

[DebbieB]

They probably know what the inventory situation is in the garage on a particular day. I arrived with friends earlier this month, we had a full size emerald reserve reservation. The only car on full size was a small convertible. We found an attendent and he asked if we were Emerald Club, we said yes, he said we could take an Aztec off the Emerald Aisle. At the booth, the attendent asked if we were Emerald Club, my friend didn't have her card. She handed her the reservation and said it showed Emerald Reserve. She was then able to pullup her number. So it's a good idea to bring your Emerald Club Card.

 

[n2mm]

We had emerald reserve for full size for one trip, but the full size was empty. We were directed to go to exec. aisle. There was an attendant there and after we choose our car, she wrote a message or code on the hang tag. But she also was very strict on what we took. Nothing bigger than a full size, since we booked full size. We are Executive Aisle members now, so are very relieved that we get a full size or larger this year.