Question about National ... Please help me! :)

[KerriMc]

We are flying into Orlando in three weeks. I've been watching National for a better rate and stupid me should have booked a minivan way back when it was high just so I'd have one! I always go to Florida in March and we always get a better rate a couple of weeks out. Well now there aren't any mini-vans to choose from when I'm trying to book online. Then I thought I'd get an SUV, talked to my mom who is going with us, and we decided we'd be ok. Go back last night to book that and those aren't available either!!

I've thought of doing just Emerald Aisle but I don't see where you do this? I've always used Emerald Reserve and booked a specific type. How do I just pick EA and hope for an Impala or a Malibu - or with some luck a SUV or van??? There isn't an intermediate level to pick (which I think is EA) ... what should I do? Should I just try a different rental company and suck it up? I love walking right to my car and going ... I stood in an Alamo line years ago that took 2 1/2 hrs!!! I can't do that again!!

I'm feeling so stupid because I am not new to this car rental thing, but I have never done it in the summer. What should I do???

Kerri

p.s. Van selection in march wasn't great when we got to the row. Very short row compared to previous visits! Do they not have as many??

 

[shoes99]

We are flying into Orlando in three weeks. I've been watching National for a better rate and stupid me should have booked a minivan way back when it was high just so I'd have one! I always go to Florida in March and we always get a better rate a couple of weeks out. Well now there aren't any mini-vans to choose from when I'm trying to book online. Then I thought I'd get an SUV, talked to my mom who is going with us, and we decided we'd be ok. Go back last night to book that and those aren't available either!!

I've thought of doing just Emerald Aisle but I don't see where you do this? I've always used Emerald Reserve and booked a specific type. How do I just pick EA and hope for an Impala or a Malibu - or with some luck a SUV or van??? There isn't an intermediate level to pick (which I think is EA) ... what should I do? Should I just try a different rental company and suck it up? I love walking right to my car and going ... I stood in an Alamo line years ago that took 2 1/2 hrs!!! I can't do that again!!

I'm feeling so stupid because I am not new to this car rental thing, but I have never done it in the summer. What should I do???

Kerri

p.s. Van selection in march wasn't great when we got to the row. Very short row compared to previous visits! Do they not have as many??

You have to log into your emerald aisle account, then pick a mid-size rental. this will give you the Emerald Aisle level of service. Then you go to the EA rows in the garage and pick out your car. There were a few impalas and malibus, we picked a pontiac G6.

 

[lawgs]

the results of limited inventory and high summer demand

we ran into the same thing last summer, could not even rent a mid size for a add on day in July with National

 

[jerseygirl81]

I would try with Alamo although I hav'nt used them in years they do have another way to check in instead of the counter its some type of automatic check-in system you do at the airport. I would also check National on a daily basis people are always cancelling ressies so you never know when what you want could become available. Linda

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Alamo has kiosks you can use to check in if you can get a Van with them so you don't have to wait at the counter (they're actually to the left of the counter and anytime we've used them they've been empty). Otherwise, if you do the mid-size and Emerald Aisle thing through National, odds are you won't find a van on the aisle, especially during the busy summer months - you most likely will get Fusions, Malibus, Corollas, Avengers and the like.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Good Luck OP.
We just rented from Alamo, pick up in Tampa and drop off at Car Care center in Disney, talk about a breeze, we pulled into a space at drop off, they took our keys, and within 5 minutes they walked us to a waiting van to drop us where we wanted (epcot for dinner). I am using them again for the next trip! Our pick up was just as easy..van took us over and we walked up, and were thru there in under ten minutes. Way to go, Alamo!!

 

[DisneyForLife]

Good Luck OP.
We just rented from Alamo, pick up in Tampa and drop off at Car Care center in Disney, talk about a breeze, we pulled into a space at drop off, they took our keys, and within 5 minutes they walked us to a waiting van to drop us where we wanted

Sounds like our experience exactly except we picked up in Orlando. The car care center was so easy and the ride was unexpected. We were with National though not Alamo. I think I read somewhere they were "sister companies" Not sure about that though.

 

[KerriMc]

Thanks for your suggestions and help I have booked one through Emerald Aisle, but just found a good code on Mousesavers (used same one at March Break) and it always seems to bring up a good rate. It is the Car and Driver code ... 3715444 ... good for everyone and I got a full size for just over $300.00. I am going to keep trying for a minivan, but am thinking it is not going to happen as not many companies have them - unless I want to pay $1100!!! Wowzers!!!

Fullsize with National ... Impalas most likely?? Could have had premium which said LaCross, but didn't think an extra $100 or so was worth it. Oh well ... as long as we can get to our house and fit the luggage in with us, that is going to have to do!!!

Kerri

 

[jerlove]

Sounds like our experience exactly except we picked up in Orlando. The car care center was so easy and the ride was unexpected. We were with National though not Alamo. I think I read somewhere they were "sister companies" Not sure about that though.

You are correct. National, Alamo and Enterprise are all owned by the same company.