National minivan ?? Think I'm being 'scammed'...

[drgnfly30]

We are driving down to WDW next week & are renting a minivan for the trip... I reserved a few months back for a decent price...

So I called my National agency today to see what model of Minivan they usually stock so I could anticipate needing to bring the laptop for a DVD player or not.. It's a small location so I figured they'd have a pretty good idea.

They told me it would be either a Chevy Venture or Dodge Caravan. I knew these would be a possibility so no biggie... BUT... When I commented to myself that those didn't have DVD players she said "yes, those are the standard minivans & if I wanted to upgrade it would be $15 per day extra"

Huh?! There was no Upgraded Minivan option (nor has there ever been) when I checked my price almost daily - for months!!! The reservation says Chevy Uplander or similar so why would I have to pay extra for a Chevy Uplander?! Should I call Nationals main number to inquire... I'm thinking that I'm being upsold unecessarily!!!

 

[owtrbnks]

So, why wouldn't you call and ask?

 

[Goofy Minnesotan]

Is it true that all the Uplanders at National have DVD's? That is what I thought and I rented one too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If you click here and then on the 'vehicles' tab, it does not indicate a DVD player as standard. http://www.nationalcar.com/ They may have them, but it is not listed.

 

[jennybobenny]

No, I don't think you're being scammed. I think a regular minivan is what you reserved (and is what you'll get) unless you'd like the dvd player - then it'll be $15 extra per day for a specially equipped minivan. There are probably only precious few and such don't warrant their own category.

We've reserved minivans several times with national and we've always had a dodge caravan. Good luck

 

[zulaya]

This would be why it says "or similar" after the sample model (ie Dodge Caravan or similar). They can't guarantee that the Dodge Caravan will be there. For that matter, they can't guarantee the Chevy Uplander will be there as they carry more than just one car manufacturer and more than one model.

Now, I think the Chevy Uplander comes standard with DVD...as in all of them come with it no matter what...but you aren't guaranteed a Chevy Uplander...just a Minivan.

Perhaps the $15 fee would be TO guarantee a Chevy Uplander...but I don't think they guarantee a certain model even for a price. But it's worth asking if that's what the $15 was for.

Just bring the DVD player. Worst case, you have a small piece of electronic equipment in the luggage if you get an Uplander. It doesn't take up that much space.

 

[juligrl]

You will get a mini-van. Bring your DVD player with you. Maybe if you get lucky, you'll get a "free upgrade" to the Uplander because they don't have any other mini-vans in stock.

Good luck!

 

[zurgswife]

I would bring your own and save your money. I know they will offer you a Grand caravan for $15 to $20 more per day as an upsell and this is not listed as a choice when renting on the website. If you don't want to spend more money to get a DVD player then don't