Question about making National reservation before becoming EA member.

[Peter Pan Fan]

Hi All - I read about the free membership in Emerald Aisle for DC members so I called yesterday and they are mailing me my fee-waived application. Just curious, I went on national.com today to check prices for our December trip. They quoted me $127.50 for 7 days tax included - this is w/the DC contract code and DC coupon code. I couldn't believe how cheap this was especially for a full size car! We paid over $200 in January for a compact from Dollar. My question is: should I reserve it now, then call and let them know I am an EA member or do I need to wait until my EA membership is processed? I guess I am nervous about losing that great rate. Any help/suggestions are appreciated!

Thank you,
Susan

 

[DMRick]

I went ahead and got my first reservation, just using the Disney Club info. Today, one week after I mailed my application, I called, and they already had a number for me (which they said I could use if my card didn't come in time). I redid my reservations, using the Emerald Aisle, and putting in the Disney contact and coupon, and saved another $4.00 (hey, that'll buy me a bottle of water in DW!). I then cancelled the first ressies. My total for a week is $123.03(taxes included), for a full size (or maybe something better on the aisle). Far better than the compact Budget car I had for $145!!
They did have a couple of mistakes..they told me my license expired next month, and since I knew I wasn't having a birthday (NY licenses expire on our birthdays), she corrected that, and my name had my last name for my middle, but I am all set now.
She again told me, that it's ok for hubby to be the driver without being a member, but he does have to be there and cc has to be in his name when we pick up the car.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

When I joined the Emerald Club last year, I already had a ressie at a great rate. Once I got my card I called the special Emerald Club number on the back of the card and asked that it be changed to Emerald Aisle service. I had no problem, and was actually told the rate had dropped a few dollars, so I reserved at that rate.

Go ahead and make the ressie. You can still call and change the service level to EA once you're a member, and if the rate is better you can book that rate. Otherwise, just keep the rate on your existing reservation.

 

[Peter Pan Fan]

Thanks to you both for the info!

 

[briane]

DMRick,

"She again told me, that it's ok for hubby to be the driver without being a member, but he does have to be there and cc has to be in his name when we pick up the car."

What is CC?

 

[ParkFreak]

Credit Card

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Just be aware that you can only change your reservation to an EA reservaton if the current price is lower or if you want to pay the difference.

 

[briane]

Reservation must be in the driver's name if you want to avoid the counter. My wife and I are both members of Emerald Club but our reservation is in her name. I was just told I need to make a new reservation to avoid a hassle at the counter.

 

[DMRick]

Reservation must be in the driver's name if you want to avoid the counter. My wife and I are both members of Emerald Club but our reservation is in her name. I was just told I need to make a new reservation to avoid a hassle at the counter.
******************8
I just called the EC number (1 800 962-7070), and was told that we do not go to the counter. He said my husband is a valid driver as long as I am a member of the EC. I just talked to Jacky..and he went and double checked. He told me the regular National number gave incorrect info (they had orginally told me I had to add my hubby to my profile)..I guess we'll see when we get there. These people must have all worked for Disney reservations at one time!! Different answers from different people.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

not to add more "this happened to me" info. but.....Rented from National EA in Phoenix. The ressie. was in my name, my credit card. DH is also an EA member and he was driving when we pulled up to the check out booth.

We had no problem with this...we were asked to show both drivers licenses and my credit card and we gave them the Disney discount coupon we had and off we drove.

Colleen