National or Dollar (using the 50% off) what should I do???

[jfulcer]

Ok, so I've always been a fan of National EA, and I have my full size rental for Dec 2-12 sitting at $275 right now. For $288 I can rent from Dollar and be guaranteed one of the SUV's.

I've never had too much trouble getting a van or SUV from the EA, and will be arriving at a good time so I think I should have my chioce of cars, but you're not really 'guaranteed'.

Since I've never rented from Dollar I'm unsure, and both are onsite so it's a wash there.

Should I spend the extra $13 and be guaranteed the car, or should I still chance the EA.... Decisions, Decisions...

What would you do?

 

[zulaya]

Take your pick. The thing about Dollar though is that I have heard that they sell out on some of their stock quickly. You make reserve an SUV, but with the deals being as they are, what if you have to wait for what you reserved? Would you take something less? There's not much more than an SUV. Plus, unless you do Dollar's FastLane you might have a line to wait in, not a long one, but still a line. I guess I am leaning National. Especially if you haven't had problems with them.

 

[Pluto4President]

Nationals great but not too many reports on anything bigger than a fullsize on the EA lately.

 

[DebbieB]

It's been a long time since I've seen a van or SUV on the aisle at National. Last December, they didn't have anything bigger than intermediates. In May they did have some full sizes, but nothing bigger (except a pickup truck).

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by zulaya
Take your pick. The thing about Dollar though is that I have heard that they sell out on some of their stock quickly. You make reserve an SUV, but with the deals being as they are, what if you have to wait for what you reserved? Would you take something less? There's not much more than an SUV. Plus, unless you do Dollar's FastLane you might have a line to wait in, not a long one, but still a line. I guess I am leaning National. Especially if you haven't had problems with them.

I was thinking of signing up for Fastlane, and it appears that it's free, is that right? I don't mind getting on someone else's list if that means I can get my vehicle faster.

I had not heard the reports of not finding larger vehicles on EA, that's disappointing. So what's really the use?

 

[CarolMN]

Will you be the only driver? The spouse of an Emerald Club member can drive (legally) for no extra charge. Dollar charges extra for more than one driver.

If you cannot live with a full size, I'd definitely go with Dollar and the SUV.

We've rented from both National and Dollar and had good luck with both. FWIW, I do not think that the time you are going is all that busy for rental car agencies in Orlando. I do not think you will have much of a wait at either.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[CarolA]

EA was designed as a marketing tool for business travelers who RARELY want mini vans!

Also, if National can get more money for the SUV's or Mini vans why should they put them on the aisle.

EA is good if you want and can use an intermediate or full size. If you really need something bigger I strongly recommend you book it. Otherwise you may be stuck paying what can be a very high walkup rate to get the vehicle you need.

 

[erikthewise]

I currently have both a fullsize at National and the SUV deal at Dollar booked. It's a close call, but I'm thinking of dropping the Dollar ressie, because I'm really not that excited about driving an SUV. The only advantage would be somewhat more luggage space. We just barely got by on luggage with a fullsize last year, so I suspect we can this year.

 

[Pluto4President]

Originally posted by CarolMN
Will you be the only driver? The spouse of an Emerald Club member can drive (legally) for no extra charge. Dollar charges extra for more than one driver.

1.2 Additional Authorized Drivers: An additional authorized driver must satisfy the age requirements of DOLLAR, have a valid driver's license and must meet other rental requirements, which vary by DOLLAR location. This may include the requirement that the additional authorized driver present a major credit card at the time of rental. At most DOLLAR locations, an additional authorized driver will be required to pay an additional fee; however, spouses, employers, co-workers and others may not be required to pay this fee. An additional authorized driver for a disabled renter is not required to pay any additional fee.

An additional authorized driver 21 to 24 years of age, may be required to pay an additional fee because of such driver's age. At many DOLLAR locations, an additional authorized driver will be required to sign the Rental Agreement at the time of rental; however, spouses, employers and co-workers may not be required to sign the Rental Agreement in accordance with applicable state laws. Because the requirements vary by DOLLAR location, please refer to the Local Policies for specific information on additional authorized drivers at the DOLLAR location where you intend to rent a Dollar vehicle.

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by erikthewise
I currently have both a fullsize at National and the SUV deal at Dollar booked. It's a close call, but I'm thinking of dropping the Dollar ressie, because I'm really not that excited about driving an SUV. The only advantage would be somewhat more luggage space. We just barely got by on luggage with a fullsize last year, so I suspect we can this year.

I'm hoping with the new luggage restrictions that DW will pack lighter this year, but I have a feeling I'm going to be sheepishly paying more at the counter for my heavy bags.

Driving a Jeep isn't all that bad. I kinda like driving it instead of the van I normally drive here at home - something different.

And I suppose I did sign up for EA primarily because of my business traveling, so can see the intermediate/full size issue. I would think that with DC pushing the EA membership, they'd have more family style cars in Orlando. Of course with the demise of DC, National wouldn't need to worry about that
anymore.

****UPDATE*******

OOOPS. Dollar solved the problem for me. They are showing there are no more SUV's available under that deal during my stay. Oh well.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Pluto4President
1.2 Additional Authorized Drivers: An additional authorized driver must satisfy the age requirements of DOLLAR, have a valid driver's license and must meet other rental requirements, which vary by DOLLAR location. This may include the requirement that the additional authorized driver present a major credit card at the time of rental. At most DOLLAR locations, an additional authorized driver will be required to pay an additional fee; however, spouses, employers, co-workers and others may not be required to pay this fee. An additional authorized driver for a disabled renter is not required to pay any additional fee.

An additional authorized driver 21 to 24 years of age, may be required to pay an additional fee because of such driver's age. At many DOLLAR locations, an additional authorized driver will be required to sign the Rental Agreement at the time of rental; however, spouses, employers and co-workers may not be required to sign the Rental Agreement in accordance with applicable state laws. Because the requirements vary by DOLLAR location, please refer to the Local Policies for specific information on additional authorized drivers at the DOLLAR location where you intend to rent a Dollar vehicle.

Thanks for the info. I thought that we did have to pay extra for my DH to drive the last time we rented with Dollar. Could be a faulty memory (wouldn't be the first time, ) or it could be that practices vary by location. Dollar's info does say "may not be required to pay". Do you know what the MCO location's policy is?

National's EC policy is very clear/definite about a spouse being free:

Authorized Drivers
Free (in the United States and Canada) – An Emerald Club members spouse, business partner, employer, or fellow associate who has an assigned corporate contract with National and drives the car for business purposes.

 

[madcoco]

As others reported, don't count on many SUVs on the EA .Have rented 3 times this month ( 2 One way drops in Melbourne,1 at the Car center)another one for this Sunday morning.Haven't seen one yet on the EA and twice the EA was almost completely empty except for a couple of Galants so went to the fullsize aisle.Was weird seeing the courtesy vans painted half and half National/Alamo.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by jfulcer

OOOPS. Dollar solved the problem for me. They are showing there are no more SUV's available under that deal during my stay. Oh well.

I guess that what they mean when they say 'He who hesitates is lost' Or, conversely, 'The fates decided' ... LOL!

Seriously, it sounds like the decision was made for you, but I have rented from Dollar numerous times, in fact on almost every trip I have made to FLA in the past 7 years or so. I have never had a problem with Dollar. I haven't had a problem with National either the couple times I used them as well.. I would say, between those two companies (in the future) go with the one with the best deal.. The other thing I would say is do not count on anything more than you reserved when you are using EA. That way you will be sure not to be disapointed.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ripleysmom]

If anyone is a Costco member, you might want to check on something. I'm pretty sure that if you are a Costco member and reserve with a Costco ID that Dollar does not charge for the extra driver.

Don't quote me on that but my feeble brain is telling me that it was a perk of being a Costco member a few years ago.

 

[n2mm]

I've have not seen anything bigger than a full size in the EA in the past 8 trips. I love the EA advantage, but I've have gotten exactly what I've reserved everytime, never anything bigger. I also rent from Dollar just as much. We have always gotten what we wanted or bigger. Never did they expect us to take something smaller than what was reserved. We had a full size reserved this summer, but there wasn't one ready so they gave us a minivan....wow, impressed since we had the full size reserved for $126 for the week. I've never been disappointed with cars from either of these sites. The bottom line is to reserve the size you want and don't do the "hoping" for something bigger game. You are setting yourself up for disappointment at the begining of your vacation and that is not worth it for $13!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Just for grins -- you might even try a search under hotwire.com.
We rented a car at Ontario, CA May 2001 through hotwire.
DH wanted to rent an SUV and all the searches I did the price was HIGH. So I booked an intermediate through National EA.
THen I read here about hotwire.
I rented an SUV through Budget for $30 more than the cost of an intermediate. (For a week rental)
The only downside to hotwire I saw is that you pay for the rental at the time you confirm the booking. So whether you show up or not, you have paid for it.
But our experience was a year and half ago. Things might have changed with hotwire one way or another by now.
It worked out well for us. We did have a wait at the check-in counter. But it was on a Saturday at the start of Memorial Day weekend. So no surprise. All the rental places were booked and had lines.