What is on National's Emerald Aisle? *2011*

[gmeh1]

Gmeh,

I have an emerald aisle reservation for mid october for my fiance and I for our honeymoon. I was wondering if you would be interested in holding onto a very nice vehicle for us for when we arrive. I would be willing to tip $100 cash when we pick up the car.

Thanks for your consideration!

If I could do that, I would and would NOT accept the tip. Our fleet of cars are very nice and well maintained, I am sure you will find one that you like and will enjoy.
Happy Honeymoon in advance.

 

[gmeh1]

Hi guys-I'm new to the car rental thing. I have EA and I reserved a mid size for our 10/22-10/29 trip. What are my chances of getting at least a full size car or maybe an SUV on a Saturday afternoon around 4-4:30pm? Slim to none or pretty decent?

My sister and I went to WDW in March-she was renting the car and we got a really nice Nissan Xterra-although the car was on work's dime so while I got a good price for her I tend to be a little more tight for a family vacation.

Right now I have the reservation for $362 and I have been told to keep my eye out for coupons and lower rates and re-book and cancel up until our trip-so I will keep my eye on it.

Thanks for your help!

Your chances for a full size are very good to excellent, hard to say about a SUV.
I don't handle reservations, so, the most I can do for you re: cost is keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[gmeh1]

What I mean by paying more is that if you want to guarantee a fullsize or SUV, you'd reserve a fullsize or SUV category, which probably means you pay more than the midsize/EA rate. So it would seem weird to me if people paying the cheaper midsize rate get the better, lower mileage SUVs than the people who are actually paying the higher regular price for a minivan.

Ok, I will try this again. We know every morning how many cars are going to go out and come in according to the reservations. Of course, that would not include the walk ups. We know every morning how many cars we will need for the EA's. We monitor the aisle and stock them as needed. The rest of the cars go to the appropriate aisles in the respective "companies". The fact that we only put cars on the EA with less than 20k miles does NOT mean that anything on the other rows will be high mileage, in fact they often are very low miles.
Consider that a low mileage car is a perq of being a member of the Emerald Club.
The cars we put on the EA are not better, they are the exact same cars found on the rows, just less than 20K. Just to put your mind at ease, we do not put SUV's and minivans on the aisle very often. Depends on the demands of the day. We know in the morning exactly what size vehicle is being rented also and how many. Again, those numbers would not include walk ups. We have over 700 vehicles on site, and more in a different location. The aisles, both sides (reg. EA and Executive), hold about 50-75 cars, which is a pretty small percentage of our fleet. The chances of you renting something off the the rows with low mileage is pretty good.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Gmeh,

I have an emerald aisle reservation for mid october for my fiance and I for our honeymoon. I was wondering if you would be interested in holding onto a very nice vehicle for us for when we arrive. I would be willing to tip $100 cash when we pick up the car.

Thanks for your consideration!

Welcome to the DIS

It's hard to think of a more inappropriate first post however.

If you want a "very nice vehicle" I suggest you plan to pay for it, not attempt to bribe an employee to give one to you. Personally I hope that this is not what this thread is going to turn into the "can I have special treatment for money thread" The National employee is being very nice to respond to questions. They should NOT be subject to begging/pleading etc on this thread IMHO.

(And $100 goes beyond "tip" IMHO, it's a flat out "bribe to get what I want without paying for it" Even in Vegas where it's common to "tip" for hotel upgrades the going rate is $20)


And let me point out that while we keep reading "less then 20K" miles that's probably "If avaialble" If it's a busy convention week, holiday etc... National may not have midsizes with less then 20K hanging around. In that case, they put them on the EA. I have gotten them quite often. Not a problem IMHO. (Actually it can be an advantage. I had a Genisis a few weeks ago where I was the first driver. I was also the first to discover something was BROKEN LOL!)

 

[Zife]

Just a question about using coupons with Emeral Aisle service.

I had a contract code/coupon combo for a Double Upgrade through Amex that I was using. It would have given me a fullsize for slightly cheaper than a midsize, but it said that I would have Counter Service and, not Emerald Reserve.

Is this the case with all National coupons, or just upgrade coupons? Because I keep getting emails for $35 off weekly rates that I'm going to try, but if I'll have to waste time at the counter, I won't bother.

EDIT: Nevermind, I decided to just try it (not sure why I didn't do that originally). I'm now down to $197.69 for Midsize, Sept 29 - Oct 10. And still Emerald Aisle

 

[Dizneydaz]

I love using National's EA! We have used it for the past 2 years and it works like a dream. Grab our luggage (or sometimes we get the car first) and walk outside to the parking lot. Tell them we have EA and they say great, pick out your car. We have always gotten a car with low mileage (I think we have been the first persons using the car both times. ) Less then 200 miles, as I seem to remember.

2 years ago we got a Buick Enclave-that car was so cool! Best feature was the auto start-As soon as I was within range I would press the button and the car would start. So nice when walking across a hot parking lot (like at AK) and being able to start up the air before you get in. Also the Enclave had a back up camera that displayed in the rearview mirror-also very cool! I forget what we got last year, but it was also a nice vehicle.

I never even thought about the fact that since we usually go in Sept. the 2012 are in. That's great! This year we are going a little later (one month from today, in fact) so I'm sure we will see many 2012.

I will report back on what we find. We arrive just before midnight so sometimes the choice is limited, but always has been very nice.

I am hoping for the rates to go down as right now there are more than I have spent in the past. My DM wants me to get one from Hotwire but I really want to use National and pick my own car (love that feature and National and Alamo).

Here's the Enclave we got 2 years ago. (My DM's uncle, who lives in Orlando, commented that the dashboard on it looked like an airplane cockpit)

 

[Zife]

Can I get a quick clarification from someone? I think I may have been reading, and ignoring if people are saying that cars are in EA, ExA or vice-versa.

The Altimas that I long for, are they usually in the Emerald Aisle, or the Executive Aisle?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Can I get a quick clarification from someone? I think I may have been reading, and ignoring if people are saying that cars are in EA, ExA or vice-versa.

The Altimas that I long for, are they usually in the Emerald Aisle, or the Executive Aisle?

More likely Executive and there are generally not very many of them. So don't get your hopes up too high. The Altima is a Full Size but more wanted by the Executives then the ever popular Malibu.

Generally there will be more US manufacter cars on both aisles.

 

[Zife]

More likely Executive and there are generally not very many of them. So don't get your hopes up too high. The Altima is a Full Size but more wanted by the Executives then the ever popular Malibu.

Generally there will be more US manufacter cars on both aisles.

Darn, I must have read that wrong. Thanks for the info!

 

[gmeh1]

More likely Executive and there are generally not very many of them. So don't get your hopes up too high. The Altima is a Full Size but more wanted by the Executives then the ever popular Malibu.

Generally there will be more US manufacter cars on both aisles.

We put Altimas on the EA and Exec. aisle (depends on the bells and whistles on a particular car) and Maxima's (sometimes) on the Exec. aisle.

You are totally correct about the US manufacter cars, but, that is because we have more "US" cars than "imports". A lot does depend on the demand for the day. We know how many are going to be rented and how many are EA/EAX rentals and the powers that be create a "game plan" for the day and that can and does change from day to day. Of course, we do allow for last minute and walk ups. When I am doing that particular job, I am told what is needed and where and as the cars come in, I direct them accordingly.

 

[gmeh1]

I love using National's EA! We have used it for the past 2 years and it works like a dream. Grab our luggage (or sometimes we get the car first) and walk outside to the parking lot. Tell them we have EA and they say great, pick out your car. We have always gotten a car with low mileage (I think we have been the first persons using the car both times. ) Less then 200 miles, as I seem to remember.

2 years ago we got a Buick Enclave-that car was so cool! Best feature was the auto start-As soon as I was within range I would press the button and the car would start. So nice when walking across a hot parking lot (like at AK) and being able to start up the air before you get in. Also the Enclave had a back up camera that displayed in the rearview mirror-also very cool! I forget what we got last year, but it was also a nice vehicle.

I never even thought about the fact that since we usually go in Sept. the 2012 are in. That's great! This year we are going a little later (one month from today, in fact) so I'm sure we will see many 2012.

I will report back on what we find. We arrive just before midnight so sometimes the choice is limited, but always has been very nice.

I am hoping for the rates to go down as right now there are more than I have spent in the past. My DM wants me to get one from Hotwire but I really want to use National and pick my own car (love that feature and National and Alamo).

Here's the Enclave we got 2 years ago. (My DM's uncle, who lives in Orlando, commented that the dashboard on it looked like an airplane cockpit)

You don't really have to tell them you have EA service, just go to your car and that goes for any level of service you have be it National, Alamo or Enterprise. I still smile when people are amazed that they can pick their own car.

 

[bdtracey]

I am so torn right now! I'd really like to get into something a little bigger than a full size; hopefully a SUV or a mini-van. Right now I have a reservation with Alamo for 11 days (Sept. 20 to Oct. 1) and the full size is coming up as $135 everything all in. If I was to reserve an SUV through Alamo it'd be $235 all in. I'm really on the fence here...should I switch over to National, book the mid size and hope there's something decent on the EA?

I guess I could book at both places, check out what's on the EA, grab it if it's good and cancel Alamo. If EA isn't looking good I could cancel my National ressie and go with Alamo. I'd have to make sure that I book my pick-up time a couple hours after I'm supposed to land but something about doing this just doesn't feel right. Feels kind of dishonest.

What would you guys do?

ETA: Scratch that! I just went back in using my Entertainment Book Contract ID and a current $35 off coupon...I'm at $161 all in for a mid-size using EA. The extra $30 is cheap insurance with good chances at getting something decent.

If I'm picking up at 7 p.m. do I have a pretty good chance at getting something a little bigger?

 

[Dizneydaz]

You don't really have to tell them you have EA service, just go to your car and that goes for any level of service you have be it National, Alamo or Enterprise. I still smile when people are amazed that they can pick their own car.

Thanks. What I meant was as we are walking out to pick our car and one of the employees ask if they can help-we say "we have Emerald Aisle" and keep walking.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I do not recommend booking something smaller then you can live with under any circumstances.

I am also not a fan of the double booking as I think it tends to create issues. (IMHO their computer systems aren't as capable as you might wish when doing the cancellation) Plus it's just easy to forget to cancel in the race to get to Disney as quick as possible!

I don't want to sound judgmental, but I fly weekly and rent from National weekly. While I know the employee is painting a GREAT picture of thier employer my experience is that you should only count on getting what you reserved. The picture being painted is not the same one I have as frequent renter. "Upgrades" are NOT guaranteed and I have seen lots of rather upset families at both MCO and the Southern California airports because "we won't fit in what is on the asile" Just a few weeks ago at LAX there was a rather hysterical family that REALLY needed something like an SUV since they appeared to be moving to Disneyland (Family of five, 8 HUGE suitcases) National did upgrade them to the "crown victoria" boat (or whatever that is called now) but they clearly weren't happy and wanted to take an SUV off the Executive Aisle and were told "no" (Executive at LAX often has SUVs, EA rarely has them) They were told the "walk up" rate for the SUV and decided to take the 'free' 'boat' upgrade the agent was nice enough to offer them.

Plus to be honest it's a race. Some folks will just be more determined then you to get the good cars. (You should travel to locations where you bus to the rental car locations. I have seen grown men basically fight each other on thier way to the cars to make sure 'we get the best offering' LOL! When I saw the LAX situation above I had to take a call and stepped aside to do that. While on the phone I saw the hysterical family and several men basically RUNNING to the cars while elbowing other travelers out of thier way. It was quite a show! )

I have been using National exclusively for a couple of years and have no real complaints, but I think that this thread may be creating some "unrealistic expectations" (and it's not just here. I posted on Flyertalk.com that I got a G37 at MCO a few weeks ago. This week someone posted who was upset that they didn't get that too. IMHO while the G was great it's not something I expect to see every time. If National can rent the preminum they would be stupid to put it on the aisle and "give" it away for the price of a midsize!)

Also remember that EA is marketed to business travelers. We don't WANT a mini van! I won't take a mini van or an SUV and will go complain if that is all they have available. (Sorry but National's SUVs normally do not have covers for the luggage area. I do NOT leave my luggage and laptop exposed like that. It's just asking for it to be taken. Plus I don't want to pay the gas bill or ask my company to pay that... higher travel costs mean less money for salaries )

 

[gmeh1]

I am so torn right now! I'd really like to get into something a little bigger than a full size; hopefully a SUV or a mini-van. Right now I have a reservation with Alamo for 11 days (Sept. 20 to Oct. 1) and the full size is coming up as $135 everything all in. If I was to reserve an SUV through Alamo it'd be $235 all in. I'm really on the fence here...should I switch over to National, book the mid size and hope there's something decent on the EA?

I guess I could book at both places, check out what's on the EA, grab it if it's good and cancel Alamo. If EA isn't looking good I could cancel my National ressie and go with Alamo. I'd have to make sure that I book my pick-up time a couple hours after I'm supposed to land but something about doing this just doesn't feel right. Feels kind of dishonest.

What would you guys do?

ETA: Scratch that! I just went back in using my Entertainment Book Contract ID and a current $35 off coupon...I'm at $161 all in for a mid-size using EA. The extra $30 is cheap insurance with good chances at getting something decent.

If I'm picking up at 7 p.m. do I have a pretty good chance at getting something a little bigger?

The rule of thumb is to book what you actually want. The chances of a SUV on the EA are pretty low, a full size pretty high.
There is nothing dishonest about booking in both places, but, keep in mind, National does state that: Is There a Cancellation Fee?

Guaranteed Reservations: Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

"No show"customers: if the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time, National will charge a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented.

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks. What I meant was as we are walking out to pick our car and one of the employees ask if they can help-we say "we have Emerald Aisle" and keep walking.

Works for me, but, you would be surprised at how many folks think they have to stop and inform.

 

[gmeh1]

I do not recommend booking something smaller then you can live with under any circumstances.

I am also not a fan of the double booking as I think it tends to create issues. (IMHO their computer systems aren't as capable as you might wish when doing the cancellation) Plus it's just easy to forget to cancel in the race to get to Disney as quick as possible!

I don't want to sound judgmental, but I fly weekly and rent from National weekly. While I know the employee is painting a GREAT picture of thier employer my experience is that you should only count on getting what you reserved. The picture being painted is not the same one I have as frequent renter. "Upgrades" are NOT guaranteed and I have seen lots of rather upset families at both MCO and the Southern California airports because "we won't fit in what is on the asile" Just a few weeks ago at LAX there was a rather hysterical family that REALLY needed something like an SUV since they appeared to be moving to Disneyland (Family of five, 8 HUGE suitcases) National did upgrade them to the "crown victoria" boat (or whatever that is called now) but they clearly weren't happy and wanted to take an SUV off the Executive Aisle and were told "no" (Executive at LAX often has SUVs, EA rarely has them) They were told the "walk up" rate for the SUV and decided to take the 'free' 'boat' upgrade the agent was nice enough to offer them.

Plus to be honest it's a race. Some folks will just be more determined then you to get the good cars. (You should travel to locations where you bus to the rental car locations. I have seen grown men basically fight each other on thier way to the cars to make sure 'we get the best offering' LOL! When I saw the LAX situation above I had to take a call and stepped aside to do that. While on the phone I saw the hysterical family and several men basically RUNNING to the cars while elbowing other travelers out of thier way. It was quite a show! )

I have been using National exclusively for a couple of years and have no real complaints, but I think that this thread may be creating some "unrealistic expectations" (and it's not just here. I posted on Flyertalk.com that I got a G37 at MCO a few weeks ago. This week someone posted who was upset that they didn't get that too. IMHO while the G was great it's not something I expect to see every time. If National can rent the preminum they would be stupid to put it on the aisle and "give" it away for the price of a midsize!)

Also remember that EA is marketed to business travelers. We don't WANT a mini van! I won't take a mini van or an SUV and will go complain if that is all they have available. (Sorry but National's SUVs normally do not have covers for the luggage area. I do NOT leave my luggage and laptop exposed like that. It's just asking for it to be taken. Plus I don't want to pay the gas bill or ask my company to pay that... higher travel costs mean less money for salaries )

You make very excellent points and as I told the poster, rent what you want to ultimately have. I rarely see SUV's on the EA, sometimes mini vans, but, mostly full size and mid size. And, you are correct about the covers, they ship with the covers, but, somehow when they are rented those covers tend to disappear or get broken we replace them and the same things happen again.
I had to actually laugh out loud about your comment re: Crown Vic. I also call them boats or land arks.
You are correct about EA being marketed towards business travelers, in fact, that is what National on the whole markets too, BUT, Orlando is the exception to this rule. Many people join the EC because it is free to join and there is the allure of "something better for less" very normal human reaction.
I am not a business traveler and I would not rent an SUV or Mini van. I don't wish to pay for the gas those things consume.
When I did travel a lot and used National's EC, I was willing to gamble on what I would find on the EA. Never had a problem, but, you can bet IF I needed a full size car, I would have booked one from the get go and not taken the chance of finding something less than I needed.
When you book EA service, you are booking a mid size car, if something else appears on the aisle, great, you win.

 

[gmeh1]

Oops, I forgot to say that my observations are from the "B" side of the airport at Orlando. I truly have no experience anywhere else. I know what the expectations are in Orlando on both sides of the airport, but, I do rely (and enjoy) reading about experiences at other airports.

I sincerely hope that I am not guilty of giving comments that increase expectations. Certainly, not my intent.

 

[Zife]

I like OCC's comments about having high expectations, and agree with him about National being a "business person's" rental agency (and I appreciate gmeh1's reply - I think if people are coming away with high expectations, they're reading too much into what you're saying).

I'm certainly not a business traveller. I'm 25, I work in a retail pharmacy (so no travel) and I rent maybe once a year. But, I'm loyal to a fault, and while I liked Enterprise the one time I dealt with them (In 2008, possibly before they bought National? Either way, they were off-site.), I decided to try National the next trip in 2009 (when I found out about the Emerald Aisle), and loved it. Sure, it's a bit more expensive than some of the other places, but that's probably due to the 'business' aspect of the company.

Like OCC, I don't want an SUV or minivan. Maybe a crossover, but even that's not really for me (unless, for some spectacular reason EA starts getting the Mini Countryman, then I'll beg for it). I understand the appeal for families going to Disney, but if that's what you want, you really shouldn't be booking EA and hoping for an upgrade. It's like booking a Double Room at a hotel and expecting to get a Suite when you get there. Book what you need, be happy if you do get upgraded, but don't expect it.

I'm sure there was more of a point when I started this post, but I got sidetracked by work, and can't remember it. Either way, gmeh1, I appreciate your posts on here (and you OCC), they've helped me clarify a few things! And I suppose if you only work B-Side, I won't be seeing you when I arrive. Otherwise, I'd say hi, and thanmks in person. If you happen to be on A-Side that day, I'll likely have a LGMH on my backpack, with my username on it.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Is there a regular midsize row with National separate and apart from the EA? I have booked a reservation with my EC# and when I book the same reservation (midsize - same codes and coupons) without my EC# it is about $13 cheaper.