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

[4407mark]

Was there 11/13-17 and we had a brand new Toyota Corolla with only 6, yes six, miles on the odometer. There were six others that that look like they had just come in off the truck.
Worked great for the four of us.

 

[lawgs]

only problem with a car that new is the gas mileage.....but national does seem to be getting a lot of camry s now...

we pick up today at 11 so will post when we get back what we saw

 

[sandiegosusie]

I know that ea is somewhat of a gamble. I have a few questions that someone may know the answer to...
1. During the week are your chances better at getting a larger vehicle?
2. If you reserve a full size, can you automatically get a van if they have one on ea?
3. Any strategies out there for a new comer?

Needing a van, should I just buck up and pay for it like everyone else, or gamble for it with ea?

 

[DebbieB]

If you need a van, I would not gamble that there will be one on the EA. If there is a van on the EA, you can get it with an EA reservation. The last 3 times I've used it, there was nothing bigger than full size. Last December they had nothing bigger than intermediate, I had reserved full size, so I took one off the full size aisle.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I used National in October and the EA didn't have any Minivans or SUVs.
Ever since National announced that they need to restructure for financial reasons, their selection of cars on the EA have been minimal. I would strongly encourage you to reserve a van if that is what you need.

 

[Wes]

We arrived on United, which put us at Terminal B on Sunday, November 17 at 5PM.

There were no vans or SUVs available at Terminal B. So I made the trek over to Terminal A, and there was just one SUV left (Toyota Rav 4) ... which we chose.

 

[Rickk9]

November 19th in Orlando, there was at least 8 mini-vans, no SUV's, lots of intermediates and 1 full size, an Intrepid on the aisle. First time I have ever seen a mini-van on the aisle.

 

[DebbieB]

Arrived Friday, Dec 6 around 3:00pm. Pickings were slim on the EA. 2 Toyota Carollas, 1 Toyota Echo (very small!), Dodge Stratus, 2 Gallants, 1 Grand Am, 1 Alero. Full size was kind of empty too, I remember a Buick Century, an Intrepid, a Malibu. I was looking for a Toyota Camry, which I'm thinking of buying, but there were none. I liked the Dodge Stratus, it only had 1700 miles. Loaded the luggage, got in, started it and the check engine light was on! I got out to look for an attendant, there was none, so I decided to take the Toyota Carolla which was parked next to it. Moved the luggage over, the line was very long getting out, they were having computer problems. I notice that on the tag they now check off the size, the Carolla was an intermediate.

 

[phowdershell]

Picked up Sat 11/30 around 11 AM. Mostly Centurys, Camrys, and Intrepids. My family, in their usual fashion, couldn't decide on the color(!!). So as I'm standing there waiting for the dust to settle (it's a car, I don't care what color it is...my commuting car is 11 years old with 200K+ miles on it so you can see how much I care about color) a National employee drives up in a silver PT Cruiser so I just took the keys as soon as she got out and said to everyone else "I'm taking this, who else is going with me?". New car with 700 miles on it. Sometimes it pays to wait around a while.

Of course the downside of this is that now I'm being pressured to replace my old clunker!!

 

[madcoco]

Just picked up EA tonight at 720PM.Flight went smooth.Lots of cars in the EAs.Monte Carlos,Intrepids,Centurys,Malibus,etc. Bad part was trying to get out of the lot.It took no less than 20 mins to get through the exit and there was only one car ahead of us.The other side was lined up and they were moving smoothly.Murphy's law.Finally get up to the window.Ask what happened.He said" My first day. Just brought over from Alamo and I'm training".There was no one there to help the poor guy out! Horns behind me started blaring and people thinking your holding up the line.First time this has ever happened on EA.Felt sorry for the employee.

 

[erikthewise]

Hit EA about 11:00AM on Sat Dec 7. No SUVs or minivans of course. No Camrys either which was a disappointment. Several Intrepids; I grabbed one of those. Might have been an Impala, not sure. A lot of Centuries, and a variety of smaller cars. Fullsize aisle was just about empty. Guess they figure fullsize renters will go to the EA anyway.

 

[MomTo2Princess]

We were there at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, 12/14. EA aisles were full of cars. We picked a Chrysler Concorde which could hold six people (or at least has six seat belts available - three in front and three in back). The back seat was fine for our two car seats and another child in the middle. The front was pretty tight for three adults though. The person sitting in the middle can't be too tall since you won't have lots of leg room. But, at least it's an alternative if you didn't want to rent a van. Trunk seems very spacious - could easily hold our three carry-on type of suitcases, a very large duffel bag. and the stroller.

We saw many Camrys and Integras. a couple of small SUVs (like Suzuki Tracker types), and one mini-van.

We also had a little hold-up getting out of the lot. The girl at the computer must be new since she was very unsure of what to do, but she had another gentleman there to help her walk through the process.

Drop-off was very painless. Person there ran the tag through the hand-held computer, checked the mileage, gave us a receipt (which matched perfectly with my print-out), and we were on our way. There were several porters there in case you need help with your luggage.

 

[wdwsue]

Anyone rent anything lately? I'm looking for a mini-van on EA.
Thanks
Sue

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Running a little late in posting this. Too much real work waiting upon our return last Thursday (1/9) . In any case, at our arrival at MCO (A side) on Thursday, 1/2, there were a number of SUVs, many different full size and intermediate sedans, and two minivans. This was about 11:30 am. I took a Toyota Camry, my preferred full size (Pontiac Grand Prix and Chrysler Concorde are my alternates). I have never seen so many choices on the EA in our last six or seven trips spread over two years. By the way, we had an excellent rate of $156 and change for a week long rental, all taxes and fees included. This was an AARP discount code plus a $15 off weekly rental coupon from the mousesavers.com web site.

Ralph

 

[CRI]

I never used EA before, and I've been reading all the postings here. Lets see if I've got it straight. If you rent an intermediate size car you can take any car you want on the aisle, but if there isn't anything good, I am directed to the intermediate cars to choose one? If I want a full size, I must reserve full size in case there are no good ones on the aisle- it that also correct? I get different answers from everyone I speak to at National, including the counter at the airport. The 800# tells me with EA, you always reserve an intermediate, but you are entitled to a full size. I was persistent and told them to humor me and change mine to full size (at the same rate) on my rese. The woman agreed to even though she assured me it wasn't necessary. Any EA veterans care to clear this up for me? Thank you!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Yes, you are correct! I do my ressies online and always put in a full size cause its generally the same price on the EA. When you get to the EA. You can take anything on it, be it a van, full size SUV, Full size or Inter. car., BUT in the event the EA is empty of full size cars and that's really what you wanted you are entidled to go over to the full sized line and take any car! If it is on your ressie otherwise they could possibly tell you to go get an intermediate car. Good luck and happy hunting for cars.

MKY

 

[CRI]

MKY,
Thank you for your reply, I finally think I got it straight!
CRI

 

[DVC California]

We just returned from a trip over MLK weekend and delighted with the tremendous varity of cars to pick from. There were Mitsubishis (Galants?), Toyotas (Corolla and Camry), SUVs (Suzuki SL7), several large pick up trucks, and minivans.

We let our kids pick and they found a PT Cruiser with 11k in miles. It was very clean inside and out, and drove beautifully. (Reminded me of a slightly larger VW Bug!)

The only complaint I had was when we were returning the car. The return lanes for National and Alamo are side by side and there was only one attendent doing double duty. I guess the economy has caused everyone to cut back and I understand that.

But he was really only checking in the Alamo side and left us National renters stewing for 15 minutes! Lucky we gave ourselves plenty of time or we might have been late for a flight.

Steve

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

We also used Emerald Aisle over MLK weekend and were surprised at the variety available on 1/16. We also saw a PT Cruiser, a convertible, three Mitsubishi Outlanders, trucks and minivans along with a big selection of cars.

Thankfully, our return went quickly and smoothly. An attendant was at the car as soon as we pulled up and had the receipt ready before we even had our bags out.

 

[Chance's Mom]

Got a brand new Toyota RAV 4 last week. Loved it, and I could always find our car in the parking lots.