New Thread - What have you seen on the EA?

[SuzanneSLO]

We arrived at the A side on 10/10 at 3:30 pm. At first we thought there were 7 minivans and nothing else! The attendant allowed us to pick from the full size aisle, which had 2 Malibus, 1 Impala and PT Cruiser. We then realized that one of the vehicles on the EA was actually a Saturn Vue, so we took that.

 

[lawgs]

there are probably gonna be more minivans on the aisle

we noticed the same thing last week in baltimore, a lot of vans and suvs on the aisle and executive aisle

probably due to the cost of gas, people are not renting them as much

we also have a vue last week in baltimore, thought it was a decent vehicle we got about 20 mpg

 

[pxlbarrel]

I'm still astounded that a Malibu is considered a full size car.

I would have thought it would be an intermediate. Has the Malibu increased in size recently?

 

[AllyBri]

We took a Saturn Vue earlier this month from EA, thought it was a nice car.

 

[tkldisney]

With Emerald Reserve, yes you do bypass the counter. It's suppose to be full size & up, but I agree with others that a Malibu is on the line. We have full size for our trip in Dec. and have 5 people. 3 adult size, 2 kids Malibu would be a little tight for us. Hopefully we get something a little bigger.

 

[disfamily2]

We picked up our car on Oct. 10 about noon time on the EA and all that was available were about 5 minivans and 4 Malibus. I was disappointed in the selection. I wished I had gone with Dollar and for ten more dollars I could of got a full size. I was only traveling with my two daughter and I thought the space was cramped. Also it was very hot and humid and the upolstery was itchy and not very comfortable. Don't know if I will use National again. I prefer Dollar's selection of cars and if you get a fast break card you don't wait in line.

Jo Ann

 

[n2mm]

Sorry!

The last 2 door Malibu's made were in the 70's.

The full size 2 door car had to be a Monte Carlo....

Did someone say they saw a Malibu? Disneyjosh229, I knew I saw what I saw! Yes a Malibu in the full size lot and EA. guess they brought them out of the 70s for another round!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Did someone say they saw a Malibu? Disneyjosh229, I knew I saw what I saw! Yes a Malibu in the full size lot and EA. guess they brought them out of the 70s for another round!

What Im saying is that Chevy does not make a 2 Door Malibu!!

 

[docsnort]

We arrived on Oct 14 at around 11:30 PM. While my family waited at baggage claim I ran down to the garage and found 1 Malibu on the aisle, that was it. Went back up to get our bags and when we returned a minivan had appeared. We were going to take that when our DD spotted a Buick Rendezvous over in the executive aisle. Asked the National worker who was wandering around the garage if we could take the Buick. He said sure and off we went. It had 17 miles on it. Gas mileage wasn't great but it had lots of storage space.

 

[diesel]

We arrived on 10/19 and stayed over night at the Hyatt. We went to the EA at 6:30 am 10/20. There were 4 Chrysler mini vans, a Saturn SUV and one intermediate car (can't remember what it was) and that was it. We of course chose a mini-van with less that 200 miles on it. I actually drive a Chrysler mini-van anyways so it was nice to have a familiar car.

We left on 10/25 @ 5:30 am. I looked at the EA when we were dropping ours off and there must have been 10-15 mini vans. This is the first time in over 10 trips using EA that I have seen mini vans on the EA. Might be that every time I saw the EA it was very early in the morning. My husband thinks they had so many mini vans because they might be waiting for a shipment of intermediate cars that haven't come in yet.

 

[lawgs]

diesel

or they are having trouble renting mini vans with the price of gas

saw a lot of mini vans and suv on EA in baltimore last week also hardly any cars were available when we arrived

 

[keishashadow]

We've always used Alamo w/o any problems. This year, we reserved a full-size for pickup the Sunday before Pres. Day @ 11:00 a.m. Waited in line close to an hour @ MCO, then trudged over to the garage. Only a few teeney vehichles were left. There was a hoard of people behind us, who started running for the cars. I told my DS to run like the wind and place his hand on a vehicle (I lead by great example ). The PT cruiser wouldn't even hold 1 large suitcase in the trunk. We stuffed DS & luggage in rear; were told we were lucky to get a car - they were sold out. Isn't that special?

This year, we signed up for EA. Yes, I know they're a sister co of Alamo, but was hoping for a positive outcome. Couple questions:

1. Do we just saunter up to any car in the Emerald Aisle & "take off"? &

2. Will there be any cars left when our much later flight gets in @ 2:00 p.m.?

3. Other than crying, what do I do if no cars are in the Emerald Aisle?

4. Lastly, do you have to present your Emerald Aisle card (don't know where my DH put it) when leaving the garage, or is just the confirmation, DL & credit card sufficient.

BTW, I luv my Rendezvous (I get 19 miles on hard, city driving & 23 to 25 highway); would love to find one waiting for me @ MCO.

Anyone else keep humming "...Follow The Yellow Brick Road"?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

1. Do we just saunter up to any car in the Emerald Aisle & "take off"? &

2. Will there be any cars left when our much later flight gets in @ 2:00 p.m.?

3. Other than crying, what do I do if no cars are in the Emerald Aisle?

4. Lastly, do you have to present your Emerald Aisle card (don't know where my DH put it) when leaving the garage, or is just the confirmation, DL & credit card sufficient.

BTW, I luv my Rendezvous (I get 19 miles on hard, city driving & 23 to 25 highway); would love to find one waiting for me @ MCO.

Anyone else keep humming "...Follow The Yellow Brick Road"?

1. If you reserve an Intermediate car, you will go to the Emerald Aisle. If you reserve any other car class, you will go to that classes Emerald Reserve, which works the same as the Emerald Alse (I know, very confusing )

2. Cars seem to show up on the lot at random times during the day. It seems that they fill the aisle with cars when the spots start to get empty.

3. If there are no cars on the "EA", ask a lot attendent, and more likley then not, they will tell you to take any car in the garage (Or Choose Off The "Executive Asle")

4. Truthfully, Ive never had to show ID Card or Conformation. Usually, they ask your last name, and they send you on your way.

Some people have spoted Buick Rendevouis, but chances are, the lot will have mostly Intermediate cars and sometimes Minivans and Suv's....

Hope This Helps

 

[keishashadow]

Disneyjosh229 - thanx for answering all my questions!

 

[Kycha]

keishashadow

1 I agree with Disneyjosh
2 ditto
3 ditto
4 For our Sept trip, they did ask to see my Emerald Card. But they didn't for our trip last December. Try calling National to see if they can rush you a replacement card.

 

[DMRick]

The smallest car on the aisle Last Sunday morning was the malibu we took. It's a "6" and a sports model and rides like a dream! All the others were rendevous and some suv's..down the whole row. Good thing gas is down to $2.49.9 at Hess today!

 

[KLAIT]

We just returned yesterday October 30. We arrived on Wed, Oct 19 on the B side at approximately 4:30 p.m. The intermediate side was completely empty so the attendant told us to pick anything we wanted from the Executive Aisle....there were several minivans, full size SUV, HHR, and several others. My son chose a Buick Lacrosse....it was brand new with 3 miles on it..leather interior..nice car.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

We just returned yesterday October 30. We arrived on Wed, Oct 19 on the B side at approximately 4:30 p.m. The intermediate side was completely empty so the attendant told us to pick anything we wanted from the Executive Aisle....there were several minivans, full size SUV, HHR, and several others. My son chose a Buick Lacrosse....it was brand new with 3 miles on it..leather interior..nice car.

I swear, Orlando allways has the nicest, newest cars as far as National goes...Never had a car over 5,000 miles!!

 

[aquaticmom]

Just don't EVER make the mistake of not filling the tank back up before returning to National. We could not find a gas station on the way in, so we returned our car on 10/30 and they charged us $6.15 gallon for gas. That was a hard one to swallow.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Since we reserved a full size, I think we are Executive Aisle, correct? If I find a better car on the Emerald Aisle can we grab that?

Thanks!