National Emerald Aisle Question

[madelyn]

I just booked a regular car rental reservation at the National Website. We have an Emerald Club Card but when I logged into the site using our Emerald Club number I was unable to reserve the car on-line. So my question, is, can I still pick off the Emerald Aisle since we have a card, or not, since I didn't book it using the Emerald website? I've always found that we have to go to the counter anyhow since we have a coupon ($20 Entertainment book coupon).

 

[CarolynK]

Tonight I reserved on National's website; I logged in as an Emerald Club member, and I was able to use the $20 Entertainment Book coupon with no problem. Now, a couple of days ago, the website was giving me an error when I tried to enter the coupon, telling me I had to use "counter" because I was "upgrading" - although obviously using a coupon is not upgrading.
I tried back tonight and was successful.
You should call them, give them your card number and the coupon number and tell them you want to use EA. I think they can switch it over for you. Otherwise, try the website again, as it worked for me tonight. You can always cancel the "regular" res.
Good luck.

 

[madelyn]

Thanks. So if you are using a coupon, can you bypass going to the counter? For previous reservations, I always thought the reservation defaulted to "counter" service because I was using a coupon.

 

[GeminiMom]

madelyn,
I've never used EA but plan to for our June trip. I've seen other posts referring to coupons and the EA & have learned that the only coupons which would require you to go to the counter would be "upgrade" coupons. The $20 Entertainment coupon can be given to the attendant at the EA booth along with your license, paperwork, EA card, and ENT card. No need to go to the counter. Hope this helps!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by madelyn
Thanks. So if you are using a coupon, can you bypass going to the counter? For previous reservations, I always thought the reservation defaulted to "counter" service because I was using a coupon.

You only have to use the counter for an upgrade coupon, not a money off coupon.

If you are having a problem getting a reservation via the EC site to work, clear your cache and cookies.

 

[madelyn]

Thanks everyone for your help! I recall that to pick off the Emerald Aisle you have to reserve an intermediate or larger size. I see choices for mid-size, standard and then full size. So which is the equivalent to an intermediate? Mid-size or standard?

 

[curlyjbs]

emerald aisle has changed. It now offers ONLY intermediates. Check out the website for more info.

National.com


curlyjbs

 

[n2mm]

curlyjbs, that is incorrect. I just returned last week from using the Orlando EA and there were plenty of full size, PT cruisers, trucks and SUVs. We took a full size buick century. The only intermediate issue is that if you don't see anything you want, you choose an intermediate and that is how the EA has always been. Maybe other Emerald Aisle service at other airports are different, but I can only comment on the Orlando/MCO airport. Of course, as always, if you need a full size or minivan, then that is what you should reserve.

FYI--standard and full size are the same. This is no separate aisle for standard, you are directed to the full size aisle. (My daughter reserved standard last year and she picked up her car in full size.)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by n2mm
curlyjbs, that is incorrect. I just returned last week from using the Orlando EA and there were plenty of full size, PT cruisers, trucks and SUVs. We took a full size buick century. The only intermediate issue is that if you don't see anything you want, you choose an intermediate and that is how the EA has always been. Maybe other Emerald Aisle service at other airports are different, but I can only comment on the Orlando/MCO airport. Of course, as always, if you need a full size or minivan, then that is what you should reserve.

FYI--standard and full size are the same. This is no separate aisle for standard, you are directed to the full size aisle. (My daughter reserved standard last year and she picked up her car in full size.)

Actually curly is correct. They have recently changed and added executive aisle. The fact that you found a full size is a bonus for you, but, not the norm. Many folks have been reporting that they can only select from one side of the heretofore two sided aisle.
Executive EC members can choose anything from the EA and only pay for intermediate.
For further information check out the website or the new information you should have recently received from National.
BTW, Standard is a full size car with two doors and you are correct, there is no separate aisle for it.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by madelyn
Thanks everyone for your help! I recall that to pick off the Emerald Aisle you have to reserve an intermediate or larger size. I see choices for mid-size, standard and then full size. So which is the equivalent to an intermediate? Mid-size or standard?

To select from the EA, you need to reserve an intermediate.
To select a larger car you now use emerald reserve.
an intermediate can be a Grand Am, Alero, or Galant. A standard can be a Monte Carlo. A full size: Century, Regal, Impala, Intrepid, etc.

 

[curlyjbs]

N2mm - I suggest you check the national website.

Thanks Gail for backing me up.

curly

 

[lawgs]

theory and practice are not meeting at the same point here

the theory is "new gudelines" for EA

the practice is some are finding that there are still " upgrades" on the EA even though the website says differently

for some the magic pixie dust will still flow for them when they find out what is on the aisle.....no one is wrong ...just the "ideal" national has put forward as to the new rules is not being observed in "practice"

 

[n2mm]

I guess until you visit EA yourselves then you can determine what the norm is in MCO's EA. I didn't "find" a full size car. That's what was there, and my friend didn't "find" one either when she arrived 3 days later, that's what was there when she picked her car too from many others to choose from. There was not One full size car there, there were many. I guess trucks and SUVs and PT cruisers are intermediates?? I didn't think they were, but since there were about 15 or more there they must be. I guess I'll continue to selected EA's version of an intermediate--though they look full size to me. Not sure if I'll post back what I get during my July trip because it doesn't seem like folks here want to know what one actually selects from EA, they seemed more concerned what the website says.

BTW--I know eactly what the website says about it's new system and waited to judge it for myself when we arrived April 28th. I never believe anything I read. Maybe MCO is different from other EAs because it's such a family tourist destination. who knows!

On a side note: I'm sure going to enjoy the reward system for National. For my one rental during this promotional time I earned 10 reward points. I can now choose 2 extra days to use toward another rental and you can use all of your extra days at one time. So if I save my extra days from my July trip and used them all for my October trip I can save a big chunk of money. I thought you needed 7 reward points to equal 1 day, but the site is saying I have 2 free days available right now. I'm not going to argue with them! (Maybe it's because I didn't use my one free day coupon mailed to me earlier this year??)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by n2mm
I guess until you visit EA yourselves then you can determine what the norm is in MCO's EA. I didn't "find" a full size car. That's what was there, and my friend didn't "find" one either when she arrived 3 days later, that's what was there when she picked her car too from many others to choose from. There was not One full size car there, there were many. I guess trucks and SUVs and PT cruisers are intermediates?? I didn't think they were, but since there were about 15 or more there they must be. I guess I'll continue to selected EA's version of an intermediate--though they look full size to me. Not sure if I'll post back what I get during my July trip because it doesn't seem like folks here want to know what one actually selects from EA, they seemed more concerned what the website says.

BTW--I know eactly what the website says about it's new system and waited to judge it for myself when we arrived April 28th. I never believe anything I read. Maybe MCO is different from other EAs because it's such a family tourist destination. who knows!

On a side note: I'm sure going to enjoy the reward system for National. For my one rental during this promotional time I earned 10 reward points. I can now choose 2 extra days to use toward another rental and you can use all of your extra days at one time. So if I save my extra days from my July trip and used them all for my October trip I can save a big chunk of money. I thought you needed 7 reward points to equal 1 day, but the site is saying I have 2 free days available right now. I'm not going to argue with them! (Maybe it's because I didn't use my one free day coupon mailed to me earlier this year??)

We are going by what was reported to us by other posters on this board. The fact that you got (and your friend also) lucky is one thing, it does not make it the norm.
Who knows why it happened, but, it is best to give the proper answers to questions and if someone manages to get lucky then it is great, if not I sure don't want them coming back here saying:
"Well I read it here and it did not happen".
Your sarcastic attitude was not really necessary or welcomed, no one responded to you in that fashion.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by lawgs
theory and practice are not meeting at the same point here

the theory is "new gudelines" for EA

the practice is some are finding that there are still " upgrades" on the EA even though the website says differently

for some the magic pixie dust will still flow for them when they find out what is on the aisle.....no one is wrong ...just the "ideal" national has put forward as to the new rules is not being observed in "practice"

While you are totally correct, I think it best to give the proper answers. That way the worst case scenario is covered.
I am sure you have read the responses from the posters that said they could only choose from the right hand side of the aisle and the left hand had executive reserve marked.

 

[djh96]

If you don't mind me adding my $0.02 & getting in the middle of this wonderful conversation, I believe after reading the posts the problem was in someone stating that ONLY intermediates would be offered on the EA. This gives the impression that there is no chance in getting something different, which based on my on personal experience is not the case. One can not assume they will get an upgrade but when I was there the right side had 5 minivans on it & several fullsize. Intermediate was another aisle over with only intermediates. The executive aisle was to the left and only had 2 cars in it.

 

[curlyjbs]

That "someone" is me and I only posted what National's website states. I didn't want anyone to be disillusioned. Whether or not MCO chooses to follow Nationals NEW EA/ rules is not for me or anyone to say (with certainty) all I know is that I've used EA very successfully in the past, and I hope for all your sakes it is loaded with whatever "upgrades" you want.........

sorry to have caused such a disturbance.

Good Luck everyone!!

curly

 

[beattyfamily]

Where exactly on National.com does it state that EA will ONLY be Intermediates?

I'm fully aware of the 'new' Emerald Club benefits. I know about the Executive Aisle and how that works; You book an Intermediate and are 'guaranteed' a Full size or an even better upgrade.

But where does it state on the website that EA is now ONLY going to be Intermediates? I believe that we all think that 'might' be the case because of the new Executive Aisle but so far based on many reports here since the changes took place in April, people are still getting cars larger than an Intermediate on the EA.

If someone could post the link to where it states you will ONLY get Intermediates on the EA, I'd really appreciate it because I couldn't find it anywhere.

I still think that if it's the case that the EA will ONLY be Intermediates from now on, that they should just do away with it and have ONE Intermediate aisle as the EA would serve no purpose now (you can bypass the counter still with Emerald Reserve). But they haven't. I wonder why?

 

[curlyjbs]

Copied from the National Site:

Emerald Club Aisle Service®
The Emerald Club AisleSM lets you bypass the counter and choose any vehicle on the Emerald Aisle by simply reserving an intermediate size car. Because national is committed to bringing you the newest fleet in the industry, you can rest assured knowing that our Aisle will have the most up-to-date intermediate vehicles from which you can choose. Emerald Club Aisle Service is available at most major U.S. airport locations.
Click here for a listing of Emerald Aisle locations.

Emerald Club Executive SelectionSM
This service is only available to our Executive level membersJust like the Emerald Club Aisle, the Executive Selection lets you bypass the counter, choose from any vehicle in the Executive Selection and pay only the intermediate rate. The difference is that the Executive Selection has only full-size and larger car class vehicles. To enjoy it, Executive level members simply reserve a full-size car. You will then pay an intermediate rate for whatever car class you choose in the Executive Selection area. Executive Selection is available at all of our Emerald Aisle locations. Click here for a listing of Executive Selection/Emerald Aisle locations.


"THE DIFFERENCE IS.............." I believe they are referring to Aisle vs. Executive.

Again, Good luck with your reservations!!

curly

 

[lawgs]

gail:

answers??

it seems National's "left - website" and "right - actual locations" hands are not in "sync"

all i was trying to say is ......from what is being reported, evidently it is "business" as usual on the EA at MCO and you might get an "upgrade"

it is sorta like SWA having rules for "pre boarding" but whether or not it is implemented at the actual location depends on other factors beyond "words posted on a website"

n2mm

can you explain how the "reward credits" work for the rental eg how long did you rent for to get 10 credits?

or

is there a website url that explains it

had not heard of this before you mentioned it