New Thread - What have you seen on the EA?

[Disneyjosh229]

They are no longer manufacturing Buick Regals, so that's why they changed it. The Impala's have a huge trunk.

Instead of the Regal's you will probibly start seeing more LaCrosses (even though its an "exectutive aisle car".

 

[fishfish]

Bumping

 

[Scotch]

If I reserve a full size car I assume from reading here it will be considered an Emerald reserve...does that mean I bypass the regular counter in the airport...go out to the parking garage and go to their kiosk counter...and sign in there and they will give me keys to the type of car I reserved?

No, that is how Avis' program works. Emerald Reserve/Aisle is much better. Just by pass the counter, go to the parking lot where National has their cars, look for the overhead sign above the cars for the Full Size "Emerald Reserve" aisle (instead of the regular "Emerald Aisle") and pick any full size car sitting there -- the keys are all in the car. I love having the ability to chose the car myself.

Also, I am worried about a full size car.....there are 4 adults 4 large suitcases and maybe golf clubs......How big are the trunks on a full size car? Should I go higher? I am afraid of not fitting everything cuz then what would happen?

Hum, that is uncertain. I personally would go for a size that is at least an intermediate SUV with that amount of luggage. But if you want to chance it and the luggage does not fit, you should be able to upgrade to a bigger car right there (assuming bigger cars are available). National has a staffed counter with an agent near the parked cars.

 

[DebbieB]

No, that is how Avis' program works. Emerald Reserve/Aisle is much better. Just by pass the counter, go to the parking lot where National has their cars, look for the overhead sign above the cars for the Full Size "Emerald Reserve" aisle (instead of the regular "Emerald Aisle") and pick any full size car sitting there -- the keys are all in the car. I love having the ability to chose the car myself.

Just to clarify - the sign does not say "Emerald Reserve", it just says full size, premium, mini-vans, etc. Emerald Aisle does say "Emerald Aisle" and the Executive Row reads "Executive Aisle" (or "Executive Selection").

4 adults, 4 large suitcases plus golf clubs in a full size? I don't think so. You might be able to squeeze the suitcases but not the golf clubs.

 

[Scotch]

Just to clarify - the sign does not say "Emerald Reserve", it just says full size, premium, mini-vans, etc. (or "Executive Selection").

It doesn't? I thought it did! Sorry for the unintentional misinformation.

 

[melk]

Was there 8/21 and there were tons of cars, mostly intermediate sedans. There was one Jeep and a couple of Vibes. We ended up taking a Vibe and really liked it. Was there returning today and I glanced over, it was pretty full of cars but I can't give you any specifics. Didn't see anything big like a minivan or small suv, though.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Just guessing, I would think that you'll start to see more SUV's on the aisle (lack of rentals) because of gas prices. For once, I might opt for the sedan!!

 

[JandD Mom]

We were there on 8/26 around 2 pm on the A side. There were tons of Pontiac G6's and not much else on the EA (I think we saw 1 PT Cruiser also but I am not sure if that was on the EA or on the FUll size aisle (I know it is not full size, I think they put it in the wrong place).

I looked in a couple of the G6s to see if I could get one with XM but could not find one. We ended up with a silver one with about 110 miles on it. I never drove it but DH said that, while the pickup could have been better, he liked the way it handled.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

We were there on 8/26 around 2 pm on the A side. There were tons of Pontiac G6's and not much else on the EA (I think we saw 1 PT Cruiser also but I am not sure if that was on the EA or on the FUll size aisle (I know it is not full size, I think they put it in the wrong place).

I looked in a couple of the G6s to see if I could get one with XM but could not find one. We ended up with a silver one with about 110 miles on it. I never drove it but DH said that, while the pickup could have been better, he liked the way it handled.

For Future Reference, if a vehicle has XM, you will see a small, square looking plastic box on the passenger-side roof. This is the easiest way to tell, instead of getting in and out of cars

 

[Magical JenK]

PT Cruiser? Is that ever on the EA? That would be fun!!

 

[dudspizza]

PT Cruiser? Is that ever on the EA? That would be fun!!

My in-laws got one off of the EA August 04. THe loved it so much they bought one a few months later!

Duds

 

[Disneyjosh229]

PT Cruiser? Is that ever on the EA? That would be fun!!

When the vehicle was realease in 2002, it was selling for OVER sticker price. Now, their having trouble giving them away (basicly because everyone that wants one, has one!) so they are becoming more and more popular with the rental companies, because they can pick them up for 3,000-7,000 off sticker price!

 

[Michael623]

I rented a PT on a business trip once and it was real pile. The center of gravity is too high so it has severe body roll. Acceleration is very slow too. Of all the rental cars I've ever had I actually liked the Malibu the best. Call me crazy if you want.

 

[jgreen]

Last week it was still mostly G6's with a few Sebrings thrown in, and a lone Monte Carlo.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I rented a PT on a business trip once and it was real pile. The center of gravity is too high so it has severe body roll. Acceleration is very slow too. Of all the rental cars I've ever had I actually liked the Malibu the best. Call me crazy if you want.

I agree. Everyone thinks its so cool. It might be one of Chryslers weakest products. Take a look at how thick the doors are, and just the overall stance of the vehicle, and you'll be in for a real suprise!! One of the most unsafe vehicles on the road (if only we could get rid of the Toyota Echo )

 

[JandD Mom]

I agree. Everyone thinks its so cool. It might be one of Chryslers weakest products. Take a look at how thick the doors are, and just the overall stance of the vehicle, and you'll be in for a real suprise!! One of the most unsafe vehicles on the road (if only we could get rid of the Toyota Echo )

And don't forget one significant issue: There is very little trunk capacity. In fact, it is smaller than just about any other intermediate car you will find. On the other hand, we piled a lot of stuff into the trunk of our G6.

 

[mousey]

Went 8/18-8/23--the aisle had about 10 sebrings, 5 pontiacs, 2 malibus, 1 monte carlo. It seemed like they were restocking so we waited a little bit and much to my surprise they pulled up with the neatest looking car that I had never seen. A chevy HHR. It must be chevy's version of the pt cruiser. Needless to say, we got it and it was brand new. It got about 22 miles to the gallon. I swear when we were driving around people were taking 2nd looks at that car. I never saw another one like it the whole time we were down in Orlando.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

A chevy HHR. It must be chevy's version of the pt cruiser.

I know that our Avis location in town, has had quite a few of them. Pretty cool looking, but are a little small....

 

[CRCrazy]

We arrived on side A at 11:30 pm on Sept 1st - there were a WHOLE bunch of white Pontiac G-6's, and nothing else that I saw, except for one dark gray G-6. There was a family with several little kids talking to an attendant, and he brought around a minivan for them, or at least it looked that way. I don't know if they were lost or not. We decided to just take the gray one - it looked fine in the dark. The G-6 had tons of trunk space - fit our family of five, and our luggage just fine, with lots of room to spare. There were some luxury full size on the Executive Aisle, but nothing on our EA side. There was a cardboard tag on the keys of the gray one, and I wish I had looked at it more thoroughly. We were in a hurry to get to Disney World ASAP, so we didn't bother to look for another car, even though the gas tank was only 7/8 full.

When we returned the car on Sept. 5th (Labor Day) at 10:30 am - there was a line of cars being returned. The attendant waved us over to the side - and flagged our car for damage - WHAT damage!! - on the underside of the bumper on the passenger side of the car (and no - DH was on that side and he didn't notice it either - it was DARK when we picked it up) - there was some damage to the metal and paint - not horrible, but definitely more than a scuff! GRRRR! I tried to explain that it must have been there when we picked it up, as it hadn't happened while I had the car, and the scuffs looked old, not fresh! He said it was my responsibility to check out the car thoroughly before taking it, and I had to go into the booth to fill out an incident report. I tried to give him the cardboard tag from the keys which had fallen off as I was removing them from the ignition, and he claimed he didn't need it - he said it must be a valet tag from the hotel I stayed at. I told him AGAIN that it was on the keys when I picked up the car, I hadn't valeted the car, and promptly put it in my bag when he wouldn't take it.

Then we went into the booth, and the lady handed me a receipt, and said that the incident report would be handled by the national office - they would contact me with any further details. I wouldn't be charged then - but I would be later. She then said that there was no record of damage on her computer for that vehicle. She and my husband then had a discussion of whether or not a police report needed to be filed for insurance purposes. While that was going on - I looked at my receipt, which was for $20 more than my reservation - when I asked why - she said - you returned it with only 7/8ths of a tank of gas. I explained that we had the receipt from the gas station where we had just filled it, and that the fuel indicator must be off, as it only had 7/8ths of a tank when we picked it up. She again asked - did you report that - it's your responsibility to check it thoroughly when you pick it up. Now - Where is National's responsibility. I would think it is their responsiblity to have cars that are COMPLETELY checked before they are put on the aisle - they certainly checked ours out thoroughly when we dropped it off! She then reprinted my receipt - and I have checked my credit card - and they did take off the extra gas charge, and I paid the correct amount for my 4 day rental.

After returning home - I was cleaning out my bag, and I took out the cardboard key tag - and it listed the car, lic. tag AND the name of the renter - and on the back of the card was circled on a vehicle picture- in INK - with the damage to the front bumper clearly marked!!!! So much for National's claim not to have any prior knowledge of the damage!!

I have put the card in my safe - and Emailed National - with no response to date!

Next time - I'm using Disney's Magical Express!!!!

(Actually - I'll probably cool off! I've used National for the last four years exclusively, and never had an issue before this trip - I love the EA program - and you can't beat the price - less than $20/day including taxes and fees, after codes and a coupon. )

I have noticed many posts recently that say that National has been playing some games lately - I hope this is not becoming a trend.

 

[DebbieB]

bump!