National Rental Question

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hi there, I just have a quick question about how National car rentals work at the Orlando airport. Whenever I have rented a car in the past I was always assigned a specific car and they brought it up to the front door and then inspected it with me for prior damage caused by previous drivers. From what I have been reading that is not how it works at MCO? If I'm understanding correctly you go to the desk to check in and then go out and pick any car you want? Is that correct? Do they not check the car over for damage such as scratches before you leave with it?

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, with National you just check in and then head to the National lot and then you pick any car from the aisle of the size you reserved. Then you load up and head out via their booth.

That's it. No, they do not inspect it before you leave with it.

 

[bg4]

To the OP

In the past what company did you rent from and how long ago?

also are you a member of National Emerald Club? Its free to join.

If you are you do not have to go to the counter but rather walk across the street at MCO and right to any car in your class. Your reservation will have what level of service you have. If you are Emerald Club it will say your level is emerald club. Hope this helps.

It is not a bad policy to inspect your car before leaving - do a walk around, take pictures. If there are any scratches or dents get an attendant and note it on your record. Better is to pick the best car in the group.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks for the info! We have never rented a car from an airport so I was unsure what the process was. It seemed a little odd to me that you pick your own car and then just drive off as I am so used to them assigning a car and bringing it up to us. I like the idea of getting to pick my own car and I will be checking the car very carefully before it is removed from the lot as I don't want them to charge me for damage on the car that was already there.

 

[DebbieB]

I assume they inspect the car before they put it on the lot. Do check it over carefully, one time I didn't notice a broken piece of tail light and a large scratch. They didn't charge me, I guess they already had it recorded. You do have to go through a booth to get out of the garage, so they can record which car you took.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

We have rented cars before from other agencys and I remember them either checking the car before or after we rented it or maybe it was both. Does national check the cars when they ***e back in? If they do that would mean the cars have been checked before you rented it.

 

[DebbieB]

I rent cars pretty often (mostly Avis for business) and they usually do a quick walk around when I return them. They are washed between rentals, so if there was a major problem, I'm sure they would see it. I don't think they worry about minor scratches or small dings, that's normal wear and tear to them. You should always do a walk around before you leave the rental place.

 

[cey]

We also have walked around the car and taken pictures of any scratches or dents that are present on rental (love that time and date stamp). If anything if in question, you also have visual proof as well as taking an employee's word for it that they will document the prior damage.

_____________

Cheryl

 

[ttfn3]

Defintely sign up for an Emerald Card and rent a car with Emerald pickup. It's so easy. You just pick up your luggage and head the the National lot in the parking garage. You then can pick any car on the Emerald Aisle. We always check out the car before we take it and have never had a problem. The cars are usually fairly new. Some times we get lucky and get a larger (or better) car than what we reserved. It's like winning the lottery

 

[beattyfamily]

Defintely sign up for an Emerald Card and rent a car with Emerald pickup. It's so easy. You just pick up your luggage and head the the National lot in the parking garage. You then can pick any car on the Emerald Aisle. We always check out the car before we take it and have never had a problem. The cars are usually fairly new. Some times we get lucky and get a larger (or better) car than what we reserved. It's like winning the lottery

Not necessarily true. It depends on what size you book. You can only pick from the Emerald Aisle if you've booked an Intermediate. All other sizes booked you'd go to the aisle of the size you booked. That kind of reservation would be an Emerald Reserve reservation.