What have you seen on the EA? (running thread)

[n2mm]

I wrote to National about my recent trip and that the EA was empty. Just wanted folks to know that they were very responsive and wrote back within one hour of sending my message. They apologized and appreciated my feedback. Though there was no bells or whistles here, I did appreciate them letting me know that they read my message and apologized for the lack of service received. Other than no selection on EA during our last trip, we have always been beyond pleased with the service we have received and praised their new reward program. I already chalked up 2 free days since it began and used them on my last trip. (Of course it helps that they have been doubling them during the promotion period.)

 

[dudspizza]

bumping....

I arrive in 1 week.... does anyone have an update on the EA?

Duds

 

[decaff38]

I have never used National to rent a car before. My understanding is that you reserve an intermediate car and then are able to choose from a selection of cars called the emeral aisle. I also have an enetertainment book coupon which alows a 2 class upgrade. Can the two be used together to ensure that there is a car available? We will be going on Jan. 7th and I feel the car selection should be okay then since it is the down time of the year. Just don't want to run into a hassle the first step off the plane. Thanks ( we are 5 passengers -3 adults/2 teens(small) Any advice greatly appreciated!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by decaff38
I have never used National to rent a car before. My understanding is that you reserve an intermediate car and then are able to choose from a selection of cars called the emeral aisle. I also have an enetertainment book coupon which alows a 2 class upgrade. Can the two be used together to ensure that there is a car available? We will be going on Jan. 7th and I feel the car selection should be okay then since it is the down time of the year. Just don't want to run into a hassle the first step off the plane. Thanks ( we are 5 passengers -3 adults/2 teens(small) Any advice greatly appreciated!!

I don't think you can use an upgrade coupon with EA but I'm not 100% sure. I think you have to go to the counter with upgrade coupons. You can use all other coupons though.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
I don't think you can use an upgrade coupon with EA but I'm not 100% sure. I think you have to go to the counter with upgrade coupons. You can use all other coupons though.

I've been playing with codes & coupons for my October trip. I tried the upgrade coupon, it automatically flipped me to counter.

I'm only going for 4 days (Oct 13 to 17), I got $118.56 with the Carlson code, EA, intermediate.

 

[mar3990]

We used the EA on July 25th and got a PT Cruiser that worked fine for three kids and two adults. We had plenty of room for our luggage. There were alot of Dodge Stratus and not much else to pick from. I asked the attendant if he had anything bigger but he said no. We used the Carlson code and a $20.00 off Entertainment coupon for a grand total of $213.00 for 8 days.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by mar3990
We used the EA on July 25th and got a PT Cruiser that worked fine for three kids and two adults. We had plenty of room for our luggage. There were alot of Dodge Stratus and not much else to pick from. I asked the attendant if he had anything bigger but he said no. We used the Carlson code and a $20.00 off Entertainment coupon for a grand total of $213.00 for 8 days.

Great news about the Carlson code as I'm going to use it this month and in Oct/Nov.

Also, I'm really surprised to hear you had plenty of room in the PT Cruiser for 2 adults, 3 kids and luggage as most here always say they are very small and to stay away from them; that they have no good luggage space BUT it has always been a dream of mine to rent one! This trip in August will be 2 adults and 3 kids, ages 4, 4, 8 and I'm really trying to pack light but I will have 2 suitcases and a stroller and 2 small booster seats. Then my sister will have her luggage, hopefully one big suitcase.

Do you think we'll fit in a PT Cruiser if I'm lucky enough to see one???

 

[mar3990]

We had 4 medium duffle bags, a large rolling suitcase and a ball equip bag and everything fit. The kids even stuck their carryons over the back seat on top of the luggage but I took mine into the front seat. There is a removable ledge in the hatch back that we put into the bottom in order to fit everything in. I liked driving the Cruiser once I got used to the visibility . The only thing I didn't like was that there was no power locks but we let our DD pick and told her if everything fit we would take it.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by mar3990
We used the EA on July 25th and got a PT Cruiser that worked fine for three kids and two adults. We had plenty of room for our luggage. There were alot of Dodge Stratus and not much else to pick from. I asked the attendant if he had anything bigger but he said no. We used the Carlson code and a $20.00 off Entertainment coupon for a grand total of $213.00 for 8 days.

I'm assuming since this is the EA thread, that you were using EA! If I'm wrong, forgive my question.

Did you enter that coupon on your reservation? I've tried doing that and it switches me to counter service. Can you give them the coupon on the way out, or did you have to stop at the counter.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dan, most every coupon, if not every coupon, EXCEPT upgrades, are able to be handled at the checkout kiosks. Upgrade coupons are supposed to be handled at the counter.

 

[dudspizza]

The only time you have to go to the counter is if you are using an upgrade coupoon. We are using 3 - $20 off entertainment book coupons (renting 3 cars) on Wednesday and the web site let me enter them and it is already taken off of the price. We just hand the coupon to the gate attendant when we check out.

Duds

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by dudspizza
The only time you have to go to the counter is if you are using an upgrade coupoon. We are using 3 - $20 off entertainment book coupons (renting 3 cars) on Wednesday and the web site let me enter them and it is already taken off of the price. We just hand the coupon to the gate attendant when we check out.

Duds

Woo hoo! Mine is not an upgrade coupon, so I'm good to go!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Also, I'm really surprised to hear you had plenty of room in the PT Cruiser for 2 adults, 3 kids and luggage as most here always say they are very small and to stay away from them; that they have no good luggage space BUT it has always been a dream of mine to rent one! This trip in August will be 2 adults and 3 kids, ages 4, 4, 8 and I'm really trying to pack light but I will have 2 suitcases and a stroller and 2 small booster seats. Then my sister will have her luggage, hopefully one big suitcase.

I own a PT cruiser and they aren't really that small.

If the kids are sitting on the booster seats, the stroller folds, and you remove the shelf from the trunk area, or put it down onto the floor, you may be able to fit everything in. Give it a shot when you pick out a car.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

July 21 pick up: It was about 11am side A, nothing but a bunch of sebrings with a lot of miles on the 4 doors 18,000 and higher. 3 pt cruisers, we didn't want (personal choice), and 1 grand am.

Took 1 silver 2 door sebring with 300 miles on it. (after really checking out all the cars). But the 2 doors were a real mistake with luggage. Even with just 2 people.

EA service: in and out in a few minutes, asked worker about aztec etc.. and said short on suv's today and put them on that aisle. So don't bother waiting, or going to side B.

No problems with car, except air conditioning was either to cold or seemed mediocore (maybe not being all it could be all the time), and I don't mean when you just get in the car.

We returned 8/6 @ 9pm saw the same line up with some Impalas added and they were all WHITE, but 4 doors.

Happy hunting, MKY

 

[Esmerelda]

Beattyfamily...

My answer to your question about the PT cruiser is no.....unfortunately...myself and my 2 boys (Enterprise car rental guy being a jerk)...anyhow...we had maybe 2 pullmans (like the 25" ones) each had a small carryon...and my sons nebulizer/meds in a back pack...we stopped and got 2 bags of groceries...and tried to pick up 2 other parties (one child and one adult) but we were so tight already that it didn't happen! We had to drop off all bags at hotel...then come back and get the other two folks....it was VERY small to us and we are not big people. My 12 year old said he hoped we never rented one again due to space....(did I mention that we had rented an SUV when we got stuck with this...this salesperson tried to convince me that it was AN SUV...I told him he was full of Florida s***......and I wrote a letter back to the supervisor regarding the whole incident and was satfisfied with his response) I learned a valuable lesson thru this one....LOL

(add: so as not to confuse you...we didn't pick this car. At Enterprise they assign you your car...now you can see why I was so darn upset...we paid for an SUV)

renting a full size here 4-ever...happy planning!
Esmerelda

 

[farmerswife]

bump

 

[mar3990]

Looks like someone answered the earlier question about the coupon We did not have to go the the counter either. As for the PT Cruiser being considerd an SUV. I would be mad if they gave me one. It was not that roomy but generous enough for our needs. We are medium sized people (2 adults, 2 teens and one elementary age) I was very surprised when all of our stuff fit , but it did and we were happy! The back seat is actually pretty roomy. Also it helps that my DH did an excellent job stacking our luggage in the trunk.

 

[Battleship Bob]

Bump

 

[dudspizza]

Just returned today and here is my experience with EA at National.

Arrived 8/11, 12:00 noon. Found the EA on both A and B sides to be fully stocked with intermediate sized cars. There was nothing bigger. We had a great selection of exactly what we reserved. We grabbed a white Dodge Stratus and started to load up the luggage. We quickly found that it would not at fit. We are a family of 4 with 2 kids ages 5 and 8. We each had 1 suitcase and 1 carry on. I made 1 more walk down the aisle and to also check on my mother and father in law who were loading up a PT cruiser they grabbed off of the aisle when an attendand pulled up a maroon Chevy Impala LS (Full Size). I took one look at the trunk space and jumped in. I drove down to my family and we unloaded the Status and loaded up the Impala and off we went. This car had tons of space and it was loaded. Moon roof, leather seats, everything and it only had 2800 miles on it.

We also used the Carlson code with no problems at all (3 families all used it with no problems). My Brother in law was charged a re-fueling fee becuase the gauge was a tick off of full.

We returned our cars today, 8/18. Very quick return. The EA appeared to be very similar to last week. NO Aztecs, Rondezvous, etc.... just midsize cars.....

Glad to be home.... and sad to be gone from WDW......

Duds

 

[NHmouse]

Arrived 8/13 at 12:30 pm A terminal. Aisle was fully stocked with Impalas, Grand Ams and one stratus. No SUVs or PT Cruisers. Took a gold chevy with 360 miles on it. Car was fine but lacked power and the aircondtyioner wasn't the greatest! No lines no waiting!! Used carlson code no problem!