National (Emerald Club) - Anyone picked up from MCO?

[angelkk]

We plan to rent a mini-van or standard suv (depending on which is cheaper). DH has the Emerald Club Card, and we are more likely to rent from National. I heard that with the Emerald Club, we can bypass the counter and go directly to the lot? How does it work?

BTW, from MCO - we hope to make two stops before heading to WDW - anyone can give me directions?

1st Stop: Florida Mall (for lunch and quick shopping)
2nd Stop: Publix etc for grocery shopping (milk, distilled water etc)

Thanks!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Well, at MCO I will give you a play by play. After you exit the aircraft, proceed to baggage claim. Pick up your bags and walk toward "Ground Transportation" outside of the buidling. You will cross the street and be standing right infront of a parking garage. Follow the signs towards National. Once you enter their area, you will see a sign that says "Emerald Reserve- SUV/Minivan (Depending on what you reserve). Walk down the reserved row to find the vehicle you wish to pick. Drive toward the exit gate. You will be greeted by a wonderful smiling employee who will scan your vehicle and check out your ressie. Then your ready to go. No difference in the return process, other then the fact that you can get an E-Reciept sent via Email rather then having to wait for a printout....

 

[LarryM]

You can bypass the counter, just if you want a minivan or suv make sure to rent that size vehicle. They are not always on the emerald aisle. By renting the specific size you want you just go to the proper row and pick your vehicle.

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks everyone! I have some questions too...

1). I need a car-seat (or booster) for my 3-year-old. Will I be able to get car-seat at the exit gate (after picking the vehicle), or I need to go thru the National counter first to get car seat?

2). From all the replies above, I assume that I can just pick any car (same type as I booked via Internet) from anywhere (not necessarily Emerald Area)? So the key is already placed inside the vehicle?

3). Sidetrack a bit....anyone rented from Budget? I am comparing between Budget & National

 

[QT Pooh]

If this is the first rental made with the EA Card, then you'll have to go to the counter so they can verify the credit card/license that's associated with your EA card. You'll have to go to the counter anyway to get your car seat; they don't have them at the exit gate.

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks QT Pooh.

Do you mean that I should first approach the National counter, pick up the car-seat, and then I can proceed to the garage to pick a vehicle?

 

[tmli]

If this is the first rental made with the EA Card, then you'll have to go to the counter so they can verify the credit card/license that's associated with your EA card.

really?? They can't just verify it at the kiosk on the way out?? This is my first rental and I never would have known this.

 

[QT Pooh]

Yes, it's true. You'll find in the information that they send you when you first sign up that the first time you use a membership service (for any of the car companies - not just National), you'll have to stop at a counter first. This is the one and only time you should ever have to do this - unless you're asking for extras - like a car seat or ski rack, etc.

Biggroofy, if you have more than one adult in your party, you can select the car you want first and station someone in there until you're done at the counter. They 'may' be able to check you in at the kiosk that's in the garage - I forgot Nat'l has a counter in-terminal and a kiosk in the garage across the street. Whether the kiosk is manned 24/7, I don't know. They also probably have all the car seats in the garage area as well - just not at the exit.

Hope this helps!

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks again QT Pooh!

Actually this is my 2nd time usng EA card (last time I picked up at Car Care Centre and returned it at MCO). Anyway, will check with their staff at the counter first.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

really?? They can't just verify it at the kiosk on the way out?? This is my first rental and I never would have known this.

Same Here

 

[angelkk]

Cool...I'll book National tonight.

Anyone can give me directions from MCO -> Florida Mall? Is it close? My flight arrives MCO at 12:55pm and I hope to have lunch at Florida Mall food court (instead of airport).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If this is the first rental made with the EA Card, then you'll have to go to the counter so they can verify the credit card/license that's associated with your EA card. You'll have to go to the counter anyway to get your car seat; they don't have them at the exit gate.

We used them in Sept. for the 1st time and didn't have to do this. No one said we should have. This is the 1st I've heard of this.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks everyone! I have some questions too...

1). I need a car-seat (or booster) for my 3-year-old. Will I be able to get car-seat at the exit gate (after picking the vehicle), or I need to go thru the National counter first to get car seat?

2). From all the replies above, I assume that I can just pick any car (same type as I booked via Internet) from anywhere (not necessarily Emerald Area)? So the key is already placed inside the vehicle?

3). Sidetrack a bit....anyone rented from Budget? I am comparing between Budget & National

1. We bring our own booster seat. We rented one once when ds was 3, now 9, and it was soooo gross. Sticky, twisted straps. Nasty, hot vinyl padding. Looked like it was from the 80's. Also you have no way of knowing if it was ever involved in an accident. For 2nd ds we went to Babies R us and bought a car seat bag. We put ds's booster in there and check it in like luggage. Also can put a few extra items in too.

2. I can't help you as far as where to get the car seat. To get the car just walk out onto the lot and choose the size you reserved, except EA you reserve a midsize and you can choose whatever is on the EA.

3. We've used Budget many times. Cars were fine. Service like everyone else's but you always have to go to counter. We've never had a long line but then again, we never go in summer or holiday times.

Good luck

 

[angelkk]

finally booked National - SUV, car-seat required. Two interesting issues:

1). Even I entered my Emerald Club number, the level of service is still "Counter" - could it because of the child seat, which need to be picked up from there?

2). Before logged on as Emerald Club, I saw two options of insurance: full waiver, and $3000 wavier. However, after logged on, the $3000 waiver disappeared, and only full wavier is available.

 

[QT Pooh]

We used them in Sept. for the 1st time and didn't have to do this. No one said we should have. This is the 1st I've heard of this.

It's in the club literature that came with the card. I suppose you can chance it, but I wouldn't want the possible embarassment of potentially being turned back at the exit gate.

 

[n2mm]

I have to agree about bringing your own car seat. We just check grand daughter's car seat going down, but gate check it coming back (since we need it for the ride to the airport). We rented one once and it was so nasty. Actually on a recent trip hubby and I arrived the morning before the grand kids arrived. We drove to walmart and bought a car seat for $50, so the family didn't have to bring one and we had another one when we got home. It was renting one for $60 for 6 days, or paying $50 and getting a new one. Since we often pick up the baby from day care it was great having an extra one. By the time you rent a car seat, you could have purchased a new one...JMHO.