National rate ??

[jmcross]

Can someone explain to me why it is cheaper to use the EA? When I put in my Emerald number the rate is much higher than when I make the reservation without it. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Joanne

 

[Lew]

You know, I'm just about ready to give up on National! Their web site has so many glitches and their pricing doesn't make any sense at all.

Awhile ago clicking on the National Car Rental link on the AARP web site brought up a National coupon, but when I attempted to use the coupon I got an error message. I ended up having to call their web support person who, after some trying conversation, finally understood that it was their site's fault...not AARP's.

Yesterday I called National because I could not modify an existing reservation online. When I was quoted a new much higher rate I decided to keep my reservation as-is. I later learned the reservation was modified anyway. It took an act of congress to get it changed back.

I have since made two reservations for our September trip with Dollar at a substantial savings over the National rate. I'll be canceling my reservations with National.

 

[jmcross]

Anyone??

 

[bg4]

did a quick experiment

went to nationalcar.com and put in one week (09/10 to 09/17) with no discounts and no EA and got rate with tax for intermediate for $206.39

signed in to EA (actually EC) did same dates and rate is now $185.80

Avis - same week-no discounts =$217.20 (intermediate)
Alamo - same time-same station = $174.98 for mid-sized-same car

rates are lower with National if you use your Emerald Club Card although Alamo looks cheaper for week I picked and they share cars/space with National at MCO.

---EDITED ---- you may have picked an economy car which would be cheaper - $177.15.

Don't know how EA would be more expensive.

Remember that no discount codes were used-these are "rack" rates from web sites.

 

[dudspizza]

do remember that you don't have to use the contract ID that is associated with your Emerald Club membership...... you can use any contract ID that gives you a better rate. You can combine it with coupon codes and rate codes to get the best deal. Mousesavers.com has an excellent explanation on their rental cars page describing how you can save with National.....

Duds

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by bg4
did a quick experiment

went to nationalcar.com and put in one week (09/10 to 09/17) with no discounts and no EA and got rate with tax for intermediate for $206.39

signed in to EA (actually EC) did same dates and rate is now $185.80

Avis - same week-no discounts =$217.20 (intermediate)
Alamo - same time-same station = $174.98 for mid-sized-same car

rates are lower with National if you use your Emerald Club Card although Alamo looks cheaper for week I picked and they share cars/space with National at MCO.

Note that with Emerald Club you MUST rent an intermediate while in nationalcar.com you may have picked an economy which would be cheper - $177.15 but it is not same car.

You can rent any size car you want when you log into the Emerald Club area. who told you you could only rent an intermediate?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jmcross
Can someone explain to me why it is cheaper to use the EA? When I put in my Emerald number the rate is much higher than when I make the reservation without it. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Joanne

Try clearing your cookies and temp internet files. My dates come up the same either way.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lew
You know, I'm just about ready to give up on National! Their web site has so many glitches and their pricing doesn't make any sense at all.

Awhile ago clicking on the National Car Rental link on the AARP web site brought up a National coupon, but when I attempted to use the coupon I got an error message. I ended up having to call their web support person who, after some trying conversation, finally understood that it was their site's fault...not AARP's.

Yesterday I called National because I could not modify an existing reservation online. When I was quoted a new much higher rate I decided to keep my reservation as-is. I later learned the reservation was modified anyway. It took an act of congress to get it changed back.

I have since made two reservations for our September trip with Dollar at a substantial savings over the National rate. I'll be canceling my reservations with National.

Where did you find a coupon for AARP? I have never ever seen that.

 

[bg4]

My post edited as i stated it poorly and Gail misunderstood what I stated. Sorry Gail, no one "TOLD" me anything.

On EA intermediate is default and nationalcar fullsize is intermediate. But I will check with you before posting next time.

I will try this again:

10/10 10/17 - rack rate for intermediate National is
---------------------------------
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
17-OCTOBER-2004 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 1 Week @ 209.00 209.00

Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 20.82
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 14.35
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 3.43
State Tax (6.50%) 16.09

Total Estimate _____263.69
-----------------------------------
Using Emerald Club-intermediate

Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
17-OCTOBER-2004 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 1 Week @ 209.00 209.00
Base Rate _____ 209.00

Less Discounts:
Discount -22.99

SubTotal _____ 186.01


Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 18.57
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 14.35
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 3.43
State Tax (6.50%) 14.45

Total Estimate _____236.81
---------------------------------------------------

Lets do the math together.

rack base rate is $263.69 and EA rate is $236.69 or a savings of $27 which is discount of $22.90 plus tax

How can you say that EA and rack rate are the same? Who told you that?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Where did you find a coupon for AARP? I have never ever seen that.

Maybe meant contract ID, 6100120?

 

[dudspizza]

They are not the same. You have a contract ID that is associated with your Emerald Club discount... for me it is Turner Travel, since I used their link to get a free Emerald Club membership. I can change the contract id to anything I want. It will give me a discount off of the rack rate. Many contract ID's give different rates and discounts..... you can use any contract id.... you don't have to use the contract ID that is associated with your Emerald Club membership.

Carlson Wagonlit code 5760339
or
Priceless code 6600330

work well.

If you have visa, am ex, etc.. you can get contract code for them. See this link for contract codes you can use. http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html#national

The AARP contract code does not even come close to the price I can get with the CW code.....

You can't beat the idea of picking your own vehicle and possible getting lucky and getting more that an intermediate with National's EA!

Be persistent.... you can find good deals.......

I just did a search for your dates
Using the CW code 5760339
Ent. book coupon 10008615 -$20

I see your rate would be 184.10 including taxes....... you would need to have a Entertainment book to get the deal. You can also go to http://www.bjsvacations.com/promotion/bjs/carrental/default.asp to get printable coupons......

There are ways to save money! You have to think outside the box..... good luck.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by bg4
My post edited as i stated it poorly and Gail misunderstood what I stated. Sorry Gail, no one "TOLD" me anything.

On EA intermediate is default and nationalcar fullsize is intermediate. But I will check with you before posting next time.

I will try this again:

10/10 10/17 - rack rate for intermediate National is
---------------------------------
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
17-OCTOBER-2004 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 1 Week @ 209.00 209.00

Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 20.82
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 14.35
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 3.43
State Tax (6.50%) 16.09

Total Estimate _____263.69
-----------------------------------
Using Emerald Club-intermediate

Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
17-OCTOBER-2004 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 1 Week @ 209.00 209.00
Base Rate _____ 209.00

Less Discounts:
Discount -22.99

SubTotal _____ 186.01


Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 18.57
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 14.35
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 3.43
State Tax (6.50%) 14.45

Total Estimate _____236.81
---------------------------------------------------

Lets do the math together.

rack base rate is $263.69 and EA rate is $236.69 or a savings of $27 which is discount of $22.90 plus tax

How can you say that EA and rack rate are the same? Who told you that?

I ran it myself, that is who told me that.

On the EC website, intermediate is default if you have set that in your profile. Mine is set to full size. When I run it with the Priceless code and the entertainment coupon from the EC section or the main page the price for 10 days, full size, all taxes is 250.15.

Often people are told things by others or National, that after 5 years of running reservations, have proven to be inaccurate, there was NO reason for you to be huffy about it.

On EA intermediate is default and nationalcar fullsize is intermediate. But I will check with you before posting next time.

I am totally unsure what you mean with this sentence. Can you clarify a bit?

 

[jmcross]

I have read how many people get excellent rates using the EA and I don't seem to have that same experience.

It actually comes out cheaper for me to leave out the EC number and use a code with the Entertainment book $20 off coupon.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm picking up in Tampa and dropping off in Orlando. I got a rate of $157(total with all fees) for an intermediate car for August 2-8. I just don't see how having the EC number really benefits me. From what I have been reading I'll have to use the counter for my coupon anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my $157 rate but I just wondered if there was something I should be doing to get a comparable rate on the EA and avoid the counter altogether.

If anyone else has any suggestions or comments, I would appreciate them.

Joanne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jmcross
I have read how many people get excellent rates using the EA and I don't seem to have that same experience.

It actually comes out cheaper for me to leave out the EC number and use a code with the Entertainment book $20 off coupon.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm picking up in Tampa and dropping off in Orlando. I got a rate of $157(total with all fees) for an intermediate car for August 2-8. I just don't see how having the EC number really benefits me. From what I have been reading I'll have to use the counter for my coupon anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my $157 rate but I just wondered if there was something I should be doing to get a comparable rate on the EA and avoid the counter altogether.

If anyone else has any suggestions or comments, I would appreciate them.

Joanne

Joanne,
Give me your dates and times and your coupon code.
The only coupon you have to go to the counter with is an upgrade coupon, the rest you can hand to the kiosk attendant.

Another thing you might try, take the EC contract number out and put in 6600330 and use the entertainment coupon 10008615. The EC contract number rarely gives you a good rate, often the same as the "rack" rate.

 

[jmcross]

Thanks Gail!

August 2-8
Pick-up and Drop-off 5:00 pm
Pick-up Tampa
Drop-Off Orlando Airport

Ent coupon 10008615
The cheapest code I could find was Carson(5760339).
I'm nervous about taking the chance though if you could find a better code.

I'm getting a rate of $157 using the above codes and coupons both with the EC number and without.

Thanks again,

Joanne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jmcross
Thanks Gail!

August 2-8
Pick-up and Drop-off 5:00 pm
Pick-up Tampa
Drop-Off Orlando Airport

Ent coupon 10008615
The cheapest code I could find was Carson(5760339).
I'm nervous about taking the chance though if you could find a better code.

I'm getting a rate of $157 using the above codes and coupons both with the EC number and without.

Thanks again,

Joanne

Joanne,
Your rate is the best rate. I could not duplicate that rate and all the other contract codes came up higher. To date there have been no reports of anyone having a problem with the Carlson rate, so, I would not hesitate to use it.
I hope you have that rate booked.
Keep checking , sometimes the rate goes down.

 

[jmcross]

Thanks so much, Gail!

At least I am reassured that I am doing everything correctly. I just hope I'm not the first to have problems with that Carlson code!

Joanne


p.s.-Sorry about that other poster. I don't understand why some people find it necessary to argue about anything and everything!! Aren't we all here just to help each other? Geez......

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jmcross
Thanks so much, Gail!

At least I am reassured that I am doing everything correctly. I just hope I'm not the first to have problems with that Carlson code!

Joanne


p.s.-Sorry about that other poster. I don't understand why some people find it necessary to argue about anything and everything!! Aren't we all here just to help each other? Geez......

Glad I could help, Joanne. As to the other poster, please, don't apologize for him, just consider the source let it go. Yes, we are here to help each other and to learn.

 

[Lew]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN

Where did you find a coupon for AARP? I have never ever seen that.

Hi Gail...

You need to be 50 to be a member of AARP, so this coupon probably won't work for you...

The coupon came up a few months ago (5/23/04) when clicking on the National link on the AARP website. The coupon is no longer there, but here's the info:

• $20 off a weekly rental
• Midsize or larger car
• 7-day minimum / 28-day maximum
• Valid through 12/31/04
• Contract ID: 6100120
• Coupon ID: 10009193

If the coupon works for you, PM me with your email address and I'll scan it and send it to you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lew
Hi Gail...

You need to be 50 to be a member of AARP, so this coupon probably won't work for you...

The coupon came up a few months ago (5/23/04) when clicking on the National link on the AARP website. The coupon is no longer there, but here's the info:

• $20 off a weekly rental
• Midsize or larger car
• 7-day minimum / 28-day maximum
• Valid through 12/31/04
• Contract ID: 6100120
• Coupon ID: 10009193

If the coupon works for you, PM me with your email address and I'll scan it and send it to you.

Thanks Lew,
You are sweet!!!! Unfortunately, I am eligable for AARP. I will check on this and let you know.