Tell me about National EA...

[Mickey_Maniac]

I have been reading alot about EA here on the boards. Can someone please provide some info on this program?

Is it worth the $50 (I missed the free offer), do you get any discounts, are there limitations, etc...

Also, how do National's prices compare to the other major players?

Thanks in advance...

 

[pbhunt]

No it's not worth $50 to join just a rental car club (It should be free). If you join Disney Club for $29.95, (check w/your employer) you may obtain free membership in the Emerald Club (offer valid thru 09/01/01). Disney Club membership also provides substantial discounts for National Car rental, Disney Store purchases, lodging, etc.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Bump... Looking for more opinions...

 

[Mish]

I just joined for free since i was a disney club memeber. I have a car for 10 days. It is costing me $191.00 for a midsize but when i get there they said i have a choice of a full size car. To me that is worth it but i did get to join for free. Michelle

 

[Epscot]

I was just finishing a long reply to Mickey_Maniac when I lost everything. I'm not going to take the time to redo it, but the gist was that I saved $47 on my upcoming Sept rental using the Disney Club (DC) discount code and coupon. It costs $30 to join the DC ( see www.mousesavers.com ), plus I get other discounts for the next year - a very wise investment in my estimation.

I've found that National's regular rates are in the middle of the pack. They are consistently more than Alamo, about the same as Dollar & Budget, and usually less than Avis & Hertz. With the DC discounts, their rates and convenience (they are on-site at the airport) are better than anyone's.

Epscot

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

A couple of quick questions.

Epscot,
1) Do you get any kind of discount for joining the EA club?
2) Are there restrictions on what kind of rentals it applies to?
3) How do you find the selection at MCO? Do they usually have a good number of cars to choose from?

Mish,
Did you get to join for free since you were a DC member, or did you just happen to join during National's fre offer?

 

[pbhunt]

Since you are requesting responses by name, perhaps I shouldn't reply, but I am subscribed to the post. .....Joining National's Emerald Club by itself provides a rather insignificant discount. Disney Club combined w/EC is a better discount. It's major advantage is your ability to use the Emerald Aisle. Rent a fullsize or midsize car and have your pick of any car on the Aisle, possibly sportscars, mini-vans, SUV's, etc. you are however, only guaranteed the class of car that you rented. Only applicable to f/s and m/s rental. Emerald Club provides speedy checkout from the Aisle, no waiting at the counter. Both Emerald Aisle and Emerald Choice have been explained in previous posts.

 

[lovingthemouse]

I will respond with our experience - we joined free through www.Biztravel.com which had been mentioned back in some postings last December. In our first experience on the EA this past Feb, it was so easy - no desk, we just walked to the EA and got a great full sized car and simply checked out at the kiosk. We could have selected any car there but did decide on this particular car which was perfect for us. Hope that our experience might provide you with some more feedback!

 

[Epscot]

M_M, pbhunt is correct. You get your best discount by joining the Disney Club (DC), which gives you complimentary membership in the Emerald Club and therefore let's you use the Emerald Aisle service, and using the DC contract code to make your reservation on National's web site. Your DC welcoming packet will also include National (& other) coupons for you to use. I realized my $47 savings by combining the DC contract code (20% discount) and a coupon code ($20 discount) when making my reservation.

You must reserve at least an Intermediate size car to qualify for Emerald Aisle service. My experience, however, is that there is very little cost difference between an Intermediate and a Full-Size. Remember, you are only guaranteed to get a car in the class that you have reserved. If you go at a busy time and have reserved an Intermediate but really need a Full-Size and the Emerald Aisle is wiped out, National is only obligated to provide with you an Intermediate.

As far as the selection, my only experience at MCO was last September. I arrived at about noon on a Thursday and found 12-15 cars on the Emerald Aisle. The mix was roughly 3 Blazers, 1 PT Cruiser, 2 Dodge Intrepids, several 4 door Buicks (Regals & LeSabres). Of course, this is just luck of the draw and I've read others on these boards that found convertibles and minivans available on the EA. As always, your mileage may vary.

Epscot

 

[workinmom]

I just mailed my EC application throught the DC earlier this week. The form said expect 4-6 weeks to receive card. I have gotten a price of $151.14 (taxes included) for intermediate for October in Tampa. Will the price be any cheaper with EC? If I reserve now just with DC contract & coupon, will I get EA, or do I have to wait until I get my EC card to reserve through the EC part of the website? Hope this isn't too confusing.

 

[pbhunt]

You have to be an Emerald Club member and have been issued a number in order to use Emerald Aisle or Emerald Choice service. You may be able to obtain the membership # a little sooner, by phone or e-mail from National without having to wait for your card. The base price might be slightly cheaper as an EC member, however, you will be overwriting the EC contract # with the Disney Club contract # anyway.
P.S. the biztravel free EC signup offer is apparently over.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

If I make a ressie with National now using the Disney Travel discount, will National let me add the DC discount later after I join?

Also, when I join DC, am I automatically enrolled in EA, or do I need to enroll in that as well?

 

[pbhunt]

The Disney Travel Coupon (1freeday) is available to anyone. The Disney Club 15% off is a contract code#, you can make a reservation if you have the# from the member's site, but you will need to have your DC card when you p/u your rental. The Disney Club free membership in Emerald Club offer is only valid until Sept. 1, 2001, and you must apply separately to join National's Emerald Club.

 

[TheWho]

I just used the National's EA last week. I think my price wasn't bad. The reason I'm writing is the absolute ease in using EA. You pick up your bags, walk across the street and pick what you want. There were all types of cars and SUV's. All you do is get in, drive to the booth, and off I went. I also agreed to refill at local gas prices which was a nice perk. Drop off just as easy.

 

[JaxnBanditFan]

I joined the Emerald club and reserved a car for Sept. It says on my reservation level of service is counter. Please report to the rental counter. Ugggh that was the reason I joined to avoid the line. Anyone else have to go to the counter ? The only reason I can think of is I am using an entertainment coupon . Thanks for any responces.
Wanda

 

[pbhunt]

First a question, then a possible option. Did you click on level of service when you made the reservation? Counter is the default choice on first use. Level of service is actually a drop down box that allows you to choose, or change back to Emerald Aisle. Second, if you reserved a mid or full size with Emerald club, you can call National and ask them to change your ressie to EA and fax you a new confirmation.

 

[mikek]

if you picked a fancier car (minivan or SUV for example) it will force counter service on the confirmation.

Not sure if its still the same- you may want to call and check with the local office- but last time we were down they sent EVERYONE with a confirmation to the lot for the quick check out. EC or not. The only people how had to stop at the counter had changes or walk ups etc. THey were even taking coupons etc at the drive out booth.

 

[eyeores mom]

JAXNBANDITFAN I just received my confirmation and it also said Level of service - counter. i called national and she said i could use Emerald choice that i did not need to stop and the counter, so im not going to

 

[Mish]

Micky Maniac I joined for free because i am a DC member. They mail you an application or you can join on line. Michelle

 

[kda]

We used EA for the first time last September and could give the coupon to the person who checked us out. We went to the counter first (because of the coupon) and were told we were in the wrong place.