National users: Did you get bigger than intermediate car on Emerald aisle??

[Trixiezzz]

We're going to need a rental car for our trip and I'm looking at National just because of the Emerald Aisle program ~ where you get to choose your own car from whatever is on the "intermediate" aisle.

My question are:

1) How often do they have moderate or full-size cars on that aisle?

2) How much time does check-in usually take at LAX? How much time are we saving by bypassing the counter?

Thanks for helping me decide. I think we'd like something bigger than an intermediate. Just wondering what my chances are in getting a midsize.....

THANKS

 

[got2travel]

It's been a while since I rented at LAX, but I do remember a lot of car choices. I don't think there were any full size, but definitely moderates and a few small SUVs (Buick Aztec, PT Cruiser types).

Never used the rental counter. I've always gone with the Emerald Aisle. Don't know how long it would take.

 

[amw]

I know this doesn't apply to LAX.... but we used the Emerald Aisle in Orlando, and there were only small SUVs and even a few smaller minivans available. No sedans! I think this was because it was just after a few of the hurricaines, and regular bookers didn't want gas-guzzlers. It worked out fine for us though

 

[ZeusNike]

We got a Chevy Equinox SUV when we used the Emerald Aisle. There were some decent sized sedans available but my husband's brother was thinking of buying an Equinox so we decided to give one a try for a week. Getting our car was super quick, we just walked up, chose our vehicle and drove away (after showing ID at the Kiosk, of course!). It saved us lots of time and the price was pretty good....would definitely do it again!

 

[kjh]

Just lurking through old posts trying to get excited and thought I would comment...
I booked a Full size last Sept (4 adults and DD in 1 car and if I got stuck with an intermediate it would have been a VERY tight fit). The full size was actually cheaper than an intermediate anyway. Walked up to p/u car and noticed that they had several SUVs and Vans in the emerald aisle. I asked the lady helping me if they often had Vans in the emerald aisle and explained with the 5 of us I didn't wanna get stuck with an intermediate so I opted for full instead of emerald blah blah blah and she very politely offered the emerald aisle to me at the full size price. So we got a van (and then I realized the full would have been way too tight as well so it was a good thing). just walked up to the van we wanted loaded up and drove off. not saying they will do it everytime but they did do it for us (we did thank them with some chocolate covered mac nuts we travel with to thank nice people that make our vacation just a little more special). I think that I also got to use a coupon as well, not sure if they allow coupons for reg. emerald aisle or not since this was my first national rental.

 

[amw]

I think that I also got to use a coupon as well, not sure if they allow coupons for reg. emerald aisle or not since this was my first national rental.

Yes, you can use coupons and discount-codes for Emerald as well. You book the same way as regular, you just bypass the counter. The best codes/coupons I found were on the Mousesavers website. http://www.mousesavers.com/national.html

 

[Cookie55]

I'm not trying to be negative here but my experience at LAX has been vastly different from MCO. At MCO they always seem to have a fairly wide variety of choices many of which are minivans, small SUVs and some fullsize. My experience at LAX has been that most of the cars are intermediate. A few years ago I was able to snag an Aztec but lately it has been all interemdiates. I complained on my last trip at the lack of selsction (there were only three identical white intermediates) and they just laughed at me and said pick a car. We hung out for a while in hopes that something would show up but nothing did. So my advice would be if you are accustomed to the EA at MCO just be aware that the experience at LAX is not the same.