National's Emerald Aisle

[cindym]

I just joined National's Emerald club (for free thanks Mousesavers!). I have an already existing reservation for a fullsize car. Will I be able to pick out a fullsize car from the Emerald aisle. What I read on National's site sounds like only midsize cars are available. That doesn't work for my elderly 6' 3" dad! Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

You should pick a full size from the full size row. Emerald Aisle is for intermediate size (midsize) reservations, although sometimes there are upgrades.

 

[cindym]

Thank you for your quick reply! We'll see what happens when we get there!

 

[dudspizza]

You have to make sure that your reservation states "Emerald Reserve" as your level of service. If you made the ressie before becoming an EC member, call to see if they can add it to your ressie.

You will then be able to go straight to the FULL SIZE row and pick any car there. If you are hoping for an upgrade that is when you use Emerald Aisle (Intermediate). Then you would go to the Emerald Aisle and choose any car on the aisle, which could include an upgrade. We got a minivan our last trip and the first trip we got an Impala (Full Size).

Also, keep checking your ressie. Rates change all of the time and you can simply make a new ressie and then cancel the old one without any penalty. I am currently holding two ressies for June (minivan and EA). I will cancel one as it gets closer if I can find better rates.

Have a great trip!

Duds

 

[cindym]

Thanks Duds. I made the ressie before I joined the club. I've got a fullsize reserved for 8 days for $229 using code and coupons. I've changed it once, but figure that is as low as it will go. I'll check with National and see what they will do for me!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Also, if you just need a fullsize, I would suggest booking an intermediate, which will bump you up to the Emerald Aisle. 90% of the time there is at least 1 Full Size car available on the Emerald Aisle and usually, it is jammed full of Impalas and Grand Prixs. The best upgrade ive been able to score on the EA was a mid sized SUV, not bad for an intermediate car price...

 

[dudspizza]

Also, if you just need a fullsize, I would suggest booking an intermediate, which will bump you up to the Emerald Aisle. 90% of the time there is at least 1 Full Size car available on the Emerald Aisle and usually, it is jammed full of Impalas and Grand Prixs. The best upgrade ive been able to score on the EA was a mid sized SUV, not bad for an intermediate car price...

BUT, if you absolutley need a full size, I would book Emerald Reserve and be guaranteed a full size. Our first trip we got lucky to grab a full size. There were all intermediates. We loaded up a Stratus and didn't have room for all of the luggage... then I made one last sweep of the aisle... an attendant pulled up a brand new Impala... boy was DW excited when I came cruising up with the Impala...

Duds

 

[PatMcDuck]

To be safe, book Emerald Reserve, full size. But, take a look at the Emerald Aisle when you are selecting your car........ because, you can still take one of those cars, too. I have done this, booked either Emerald Reserve full size, or full size SUV, and instead selected off Emerald Aisle because there was something better on the Aisle. Of course, I still PAY for the size I reserved, but sometimes the price difference is not that much.

 

[n2mm]

To be safe, book Emerald Reserve, full size. But, take a look at the Emerald Aisle when you are selecting your car........ because, you can still take one of those cars, too. I have done this, booked either Emerald Reserve full size, or full size SUV, and instead selected off Emerald Aisle because there was something better on the Aisle. Of course, I still PAY for the size I reserved, but sometimes the price difference is not that much.

Do you have to let the attendant know. We are looking right now and the mid-size SUV is cheaper than the emerald aisle selection. Just wondering if you book the mid-size SUV and liked something better on the aisle, if you have to ask first. We are actually Executive Aisle and hubby really likes to choose whatever suits him.

 

[cindym]

Ok, I rebooked online using my Emerald Club number and my coupons. I saved another $7! That's 2 Mickey Bars I think! My ressie says proceed to the rental counter. I am renting at Tampa airport and they do have Emerald aisle. I guess I need to make a phone call. I really need a fullsize because father is really tall and elderly. We are meeting him in the Tampa area and I refuse to drive his really big old car! I reserved fullsize so I'm not trying to upgrade for free, I just want what I reserved. Sure would like to use the Emerald aisle to get out of there faster! We do have to shuttle out of the airport, maybe that has something to do with it. Last trip down we rented from Thrifty and waited an hour total in line and for them to get our paper work done, never again! Took longer to get out of the airport than it took to fly down on a direct flight.

 

[Poorman]

Cindy,

I believe TPA has an Emerald reserve line. If so, you do it the same way as EA. Pick out your reserved car and drive to the exit. You do not have to wait at the counter. Good luck.

 

[cindym]

Thanks Poorman that's what I was thinking about doing. I really don't care what the car looks like just want something comfortable for Dad! Especially on the drive to WDW.

 

[DonnaL]

Your reservation shouldn't say proceed to counter if the airport has an EA and ER aisle. Did you put all of your EC membership info in as you were making your ressie? I know one time when I made a reservation I forgot to put the EC membership number and the reservation stated counter level service also.
When I went back into the reservation screens and made sure the membership number and all my info was in the status changed to EA level of service which means no stopping at counter. Also, if you definitely need a full size vehicle I would make the ressie for a full size vehicle and just proceed to the Emerald Reserve aisle for full size rather than take a chance that there will be a full size on the EA........sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't......a lot depends what time of day you get there.....we usually arrive about 2:30/3:30 p.m. and we've only managed to snag anything other than an intermediate one time.......this past October. So, if I know I need something bigger than an intermediate I use Emerald Reserve and reserve what I need.

 

[kimmie]

We rented a mini van Emerald Reserve at the Sanford Airport. I am trying to find out whether I can bypass the line and go directly to the lot. I am new at this and just trying to figure it all out. Can anyone help.
Thank You!

 

[son3disfan]

Ok, I rebooked online using my Emerald Club number and my coupons. I saved another $7! That's 2 Mickey Bars I think! My ressie says proceed to the rental counter. I am renting at Tampa airport and they do have Emerald aisle. I guess I need to make a phone call. I really need a fullsize because father is really tall and elderly. We are meeting him in the Tampa area and I refuse to drive his really big old car! I reserved fullsize so I'm not trying to upgrade for free, I just want what I reserved. Sure would like to use the Emerald aisle to get out of there faster! We do have to shuttle out of the airport, maybe that has something to do with it. Last trip down we rented from Thrifty and waited an hour total in line and for them to get our paper work done, never again! Took longer to get out of the airport than it took to fly down on a direct flight.

Hey, I'm new to this Emerald club thing and I'm renting out of Tamap too ( in MARCH).
I would love to hear how things went for you. I'm a little confused about the different Isles though.I am holing 2 ressies right now, one intermed. ( EI) and one Midsize SUV (ER). I have a family of 5 , but not quite sure what I'll need.
The SUV was only $12 dollars more for the 2 weeks, so I thought it was a better deal ( more room?) . It would be great to be upgraded to a minivan though.....Is it o.k. to hold both ressies until I get there?? Or should I just stick with the ER? Are the cars better in the EI?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Hey, I'm new to this Emerald club thing and I'm renting out of Tamap too ( in MARCH).
I would love to hear how things went for you. I'm a little confused about the different Isles though.I am holing 2 ressies right now, one intermed. ( EI) and one Midsize SUV (ER). I have a family of 5 , but not quite sure what I'll need.
The SUV was only $12 dollars more for the 2 weeks, so I thought it was a better deal ( more room?) . It would be great to be upgraded to a minivan though.....Is it o.k. to hold both ressies until I get there?? Or should I just stick with the ER? Are the cars better in the EI?

No problems with 2 ressies, I do it all the time. Truthfully, National uses the Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent/Saturn Vue as there main midsize SUV models, and with five people, the rear seat will be VERY squished. I would suggest taking a fullsize or an intermediate off the aisle before a Midsize SUV...

 

[son3disfan]

Thanks..kind of thought that the SUV's might be small. The intermed. cars are bigger??? Really?
On the rental car web site it shows the cars hold more luggage then the SUV.
I think I'll check out the EI first.
I'd still like to know how anyones experience with Tampa was though. We have a late flight ( we land at 9.00pm) .I'm thinking all the nice cars will be picked over . Is that how it works? Early bird gets the worm????

 

[cindym]

I've rented in Tampa several times but not with National so can't help you there. Maybe I can after my Feb. trip!

 

[cindym]

Donna, Yes I did put all of my Emerald Club info in don't know why its coming up to proceed to counter. I also reserved a fullsize as that is what I need. But thanks for your help!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Thanks..kind of thought that the SUV's might be small. The intermed. cars are bigger??? Really?
On the rental car web site it shows the cars hold more luggage then the SUV.
I think I'll check out the EI first.
I'd still like to know how anyones experience with Tampa was though. We have a late flight ( we land at 9.00pm) .I'm thinking all the nice cars will be picked over . Is that how it works? Early bird gets the worm????

I will be going into Tampa next Friday and using National. I will update you on the process...

As far as having cars "picked over", it really changes everyday because they only restock the aisles when they are running low on cars. Most every airport I rent at with National seems to have a full fleet of vehicles on the lot, with the exception of SFO, which is always empty!