Renting a 8 passenger vehicle?

[ChiTownZee]

Has anyone ever rented a van that holds 8 or 9 people? I'm looking but can't find anyone that rents them. I know they make minivans that seat 8, but the companies don't seem to rent them. Travelocity shows a classifacation of "standard van" that seats 9, but no one carries them! The next option up is a van that holds 12-15 people!!!! I can't drive that!! I'm getting very frustrated!
But on a good night, both my mother and two brothers, and my sister and her two kids are all coming to visit in august from Chicago. Now I just need to find a way to pick them up from the airport and drive us around!

 

[sgtdisney]

We used National Rent-A-Car during our last trip to Florida and used Emerald Reserve so we could go out to the mini-van aisle and pick out our own van. National had an aisle full of Venture's, Montana's, Astro Vans and Grand Caravan's. The Astro Vans seat 8 or 9 I think. We picked a Montana which had seats for 8. Maybe you could contact National and ask about confirming availability?

 

[Tiggeroo]

I rented from a company called Just4wheels that had 8 passenger vans, and suv's. Enterprise has some astro vans that I believe seat 8, plus have more storage. Durangos also seat eight I think.

 

[laceemouse]

Most Astro vans seat 8, we are a family of 6 and have looked at them to buy. Did any of the rental companies have Suburbans? They seat 8 but can seat 9 if the front is a bench. Good luck and enjoy the visit from your family!!!

 

[ChiTownZee]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
We used National Rent-A-Car during our last trip to Florida and used Emerald Reserve so we could go out to the mini-van aisle and pick out our own van. ...........

What is Emerald reserve?

 

[ChiTownZee]

Just called National, they say they have NO minivans that seat over 7

 

[Fire14]

I'm thinking my parents are renting one from Alamo. They had to call number as their website didn't list them

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by ChiTownZee
Just called National, they say they have NO minivans that seat over 7

Maybe they can't guarantee them, but I did rent an 8 passenger Montana from National last month and they had numerous Astro Vans on the aisle with 8 seats as well.

I know that Dollar used to guarantee 8 passenger vans over the phone. You cannot do it on their website. Maybe you could try them as well.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by ChiTownZee
What is Emerald reserve?

Emerald Reserve is a feature that you can use with National when you are an Emerald Club member. You bypass the counter and go right to the aisle of cars that you reserved. You can pick any car you want from the aisle and proceed to the checkout counter and leave. They also have this feature for people who aren't Emerald Club Members, I beleive it is called Quick Rent.

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

Budget.com has larger vans, but they're gonna be pricy.

Good luck,

herc.