National Emerald Club

[sam_gordon]

We arrive at MCO Saturday night. I just signed up for National's Emerald Club (free via Mousesavers link). I have a reservation for a full size car. From what I can tell from National's site (please correct me if I'm wrong)...

We get off the plane, get our bags, then skip the rental counter and go right out to the lot.
We find the fullsize lanes, pick a car, then leave (stopping at the exit booth).

Am I missing anything? I don't know how much simpler that can be.

I wonder if we can skip the bags, go get the car, then go back to arrivals, leave DW & kids in the car and I get our checked bags. Then we leave.

Thoughts?

 

[VAN]

It is that simple.

Now I have also found - for me - when on vacation, it is less stressful to keep the family together. I cannot tell you how many times I've been fuming because we agree to split up and meet .... then the other part of the family is never to be found, while I sit there fuming and .... oh, they thought we were going to meet over there and .....

You get the picture. I find it just easier to all stay together. The luggage comes out fairly quick, then you can all proceed to the restroom and then across to the rental car garage to select a car together ....

Have a good time.

 

[1tufgt]

It is that simple.

Now I have also found - for me - when on vacation, it is less stressful to keep the family together. I cannot tell you how many times I've been fuming because we agree to split up and meet .... then the other part of the family is never to be found, while I sit there fuming and .... oh, they thought we were going to meet over there and .....

You get the picture. I find it just easier to all stay together. The luggage comes out fairly quick, then you can all proceed to the restroom and then across to the rental car garage to select a car together ....

Have a good time.

Like VAN said just stick together and get all the back and drag them over to the rental car garage. Keep it simple since it doesn't take too long for them to get the baggage to the carousel.

 

[cinjam]

Yup - that simple. We've done it both ways (splitting up and staying together) and staying together always works out better for us.

My youngest said on our last trip, while selecting the car, "this is my favorite part of the trip" *sigh* My kids love voting on which car to take...it's the simple things

 

[dudspizza]

Did you reserve the car after signing up for Emerald Club? If you had the reservation before the membership, you will still be assigned to go to the counter. You will have to have your level of service changed to "Emerald Reserve". This should be noted on your confirmation. It will say "counter", "emerald aisle (if you reserved a mid-size), or "emerald reserve (if you reserved a specific car size).

If your level of service is Emerald Reserve it is that easy. I would keep the family together and collect the luggage. Then take the elevators down to level 1 and cross the street to the parking garage. Follow the signs to National and find the full size aisle. Choose your car and drive to the exit booth. I had them my confirmation, Emerald Club card, and my credit card... it takes a couple of minutes and off you go!

Duds

 

[sam_gordon]

I made the reservation before joining the Emerald Club. I don't see ANYWHERE a "Level of Service" (online or the printed version). I also made another (with the same cost) reservation after logging in to Emerald Club. I don't see any difference (aside from confirmation#).

ETA: When I check 'My Itineraries' after logging into EC, I see my original reservation but not the one I just made.

Nevermind. Got it set now. If others run into this issue, the Emerald Club # and Level of Service are just below your name & email address on the printed confirmation. If you are supposed to go to the counter, there is nothing listed there.