Will this work for getting a minivan rental?

[Inkmahm]

Minivan rental costs are sky high right now but I really need a minivan for our trip to WDW in March. We have 6 people for that trip including my mom in a wheelchair.

I have a minivan reservation at Dollar for about $350. I can get a National reservation for the same period for a mid-size car at $205. What if I keep both reservations and see if there is a minivan on the Emerald Aisle at National when we get to the garage? If there is, I take it and get the rental for $205. If there isn't, I used the Dollar backup reservation and pay the $350 for the guaranteed minivan. I cancel one of the reservations when I'm at MCO after I've picked up the vehicle from the other reservation.

Will this work?

 

[Sammy]

I'm in the same boat as you, so I would love to know the answer to this one!

 

[taitai]

Why would they let you take a minivan if you only reserved a mid-size? I am confused.

 

[francie57]

I'd be surprised if they let you out the parking lot with a minivan when you only rented a mid-size. We saw them turn back a family that took an 8 passenger minivan when they had only reserved a 7 passenger minivan - the family was discussing which van to take when we were picking out ours and they ended up in line in front of us so we got to watch the whole mess.

 

[n2mm]

I'd be surprised if they let you out the parking lot with a minivan when you only rented a mid-size. We saw them turn back a family that took an 8 passenger minivan when they had only reserved a 7 passenger minivan - the family was discussing which van to take when we were picking out ours and they ended up in line in front of us so we got to watch the whole mess.

I think the OP forget to mention that he is an Emerald Aisle member and "us" EA members rent a midsize car, but can choose any car in the Emerald Aisle and sometimes there are minivans. OP, I've done something similar, but often I take my netbook with me and there is free wireless at the Orlando airport. I rented the 15 passenger van last October for $99 for the week and was afraid they would not honor it, so I did a backup with Dollar. Once I got my van rental successfully at the price offered, I openned my netbook and cancelled my Dollar rental. However, I'm always leary to do this with my Emerald membership because of them having my cc on file. I'm afraid I might get dinged with a cancellation fee for cancelling last minute. If you do this, please let me know. I generally have a need for a minivan a couple of times a year and know that the EA is a murphy's law and if we need it, we won't find it. Case in point -- went to WDW Jan. 21-30, 2 of us, and there were 6 minivans on Side A, the regular Emerald Aisle, and yes we took one for just the 2 of us.

 

[Inkmahm]

I think the OP forget to mention that he is an Emerald Aisle member and "us" EA members rent a midsize car, but can choose any car in the Emerald Aisle and sometimes there are minivans. OP, I've done something similar, but often I take my netbook with me and there is free wireless at the Orlando airport. I rented the 15 passenger van last October for $99 for the week and was afraid they would not honor it, so I did a backup with Dollar. Once I got my van rental successfully at the price offered, I openned my netbook and cancelled my Dollar rental. However, I'm always leary to do this with my Emerald membership because of them having my cc on file. I'm afraid I might get dinged with a cancellation fee for cancelling last minute. If you do this, please let me know. I generally have a need for a minivan a couple of times a year and know that the EA is a murphy's law and if we need it, we won't find it. Case in point -- went to WDW Jan. 21-30, 2 of us, and there were 6 minivans on Side A, the regular Emerald Aisle, and yes we took one for just the 2 of us.

Sorry, that's exactly what I meant. I am currently executive level but will be back to emerald aisle only in March. I can't count on there being a minivan in the emerald aisle and then not have one there when we arrive. I also travel with my netbook and internet connection so that is how I planned to cancel one or the other of the reservations.

When it is just DH and me traveling, it doesn't matter if we get a smaller car (although the exec aisle almost always has a Charger or two.) But with 6 of us going in March, we must have a minivan for 7 people.

I don't think either National or Dollar have anything written on their sites about cancellation fees as far as I know.

 

[Sammy]

Oops...EA here as well. I've never had a problem taking a van off the Aisle int he past, but I've been reading lately they haven't been as plentiful. We are arriving on a Saturday night, so I'm not holding out much hope of having any left.

I will have to check to see what companies do not have cancellation fees.

 

[Inkmahm]

Oops...EA here as well. I've never had a problem taking a van off the Aisle int he past, but I've been reading lately they haven't been as plentiful. We are arriving on a Saturday night, so I'm not holding out much hope of having any left.

I will have to check to see what companies do not have cancellation fees.

We're getting in late morning on a THursday so I actually have hope that there could be a minivan on the EA. I just can't chance not having one though.

I read through the Dollar site and can't find anything in the policies about a cancellation fee. I doubt National has one, either, but I'm checking.

 

[Inkmahm]

I found this policy for National:

Guaranteed Reservations may be required on specialty vehicle reservations, such as minivan, SUV, and convertible car classes at all Corporate locations and at participating licensee locations.

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.

In the case of a "no show" of a customer, the reservation will be canceled. National charges a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented, if the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time.

The following credit cards are accepted for Guaranteed Reservations:

American Express
Diners Club
Discover
MasterCard
Visa
I sent an email question to National to ask if an EA reservation qualified as a guaranteed reservation or not. Has anyone here ever been charged a no show fee by National for not canceling a reservation within the 24 hour guideline?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Please do not book back-up reservations, knowing well and good you are not going to keep both of them. Overall, this creates volatility in capacity calculations and results in overall higher prices for everyone.

 

[Inkmahm]

Please do not book back-up reservations, knowing well and good you are not going to keep both of them. Overall, this creates volatility in capacity calculations and results in overall higher prices for everyone.

I wouldn't do this on a regular basis; this is an exception for me. Normally I can book only one reservation and be happy with whatever car I get. I don't have that option this time as I need to have a minivan. I also can't justify paying about $150 more for the guaranteed vehicle when there is a chance that I can find it on the EA for the lower cost.

I'm guessing that the rental companies take last minute cancellations into consideration in their capacity calculations.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I wouldn't do this on a regular basis; this is an exception for me. Normally I can book only one reservation and be happy with whatever car I get. I don't have that option this time as I need to have a minivan. I also can't justify paying about $150 more for the guaranteed vehicle when there is a chance that I can find it on the EA for the lower cost.

I'm guessing that the rental companies take last minute cancellations into consideration in their capacity calculations.

Sure they take cancellations into consideration, but ultimately it affects the rates for everyone. If you're not willing to pay the rental for $150 more, then cancel the reservation, and take a chance, if you're not willing to take the chance, cancel the risk.

 

[Inkmahm]

Sure they take cancellations into consideration, but ultimately it affects the rates for everyone. If you're not willing to pay the rental for $150 more, then cancel the reservation, and take a chance, if you're not willing to take the chance, cancel the risk.

No, thank you.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

No, thank you.

Not trying to come off too harsh, but then you're being selfish for your own self interest. I'm all for being fiscally responsible, as long as my actions are legal and responsible not just for myself, but to others.

If you scored a great rate and someone else didn't, good for you, but intentionally booking something you do not intend to keep (the current case) fails the tests I referenced, sure its legal, but its not responsible.

 

[mousey]

I would either try priceline and see if you can get a van for the price of the midsize. If this proves unsuccessful, use your midsize National rental and keep your fingers crossed. I have seen 1 in the aisle to 10 of them just sitting there for the taking.

 

[Inkmahm]

Not trying to come off too harsh, but then you're being selfish for your own self interest. I'm all for being fiscally responsible, as long as my actions are legal and responsible not just for myself, but to others.

If you scored a great rate and someone else didn't, good for you, but intentionally booking something you do not intend to keep (the current case) fails the tests I referenced, sure its legal, but its not responsible.

That would be your opinion. I heard you the first time.

No, thank you.

 

[renda460]

Just an fyi on your Dollar minivan rental in case you end up using it. This happened a few years back, but we booked a minivan through Dollar and when we were picking it up they informed us it wouldnt be big enough for the 6 of us and luggage. They said we needed to pay extra for the larger minivan (caravan vs. grand caravan). There was no option when booking on line at that time for the larger vs. smaller minivan. If you are traveling with someone with a wheelchair, you may want to check on this before getting down there at the counter when you are forced to pay a higher fee for the upgrade like we did.

 

[Inkmahm]

Just an fyi on your Dollar minivan rental in case you end up using it. This happened a few years back, but we booked a minivan through Dollar and when we were picking it up they informed us it wouldnt be big enough for the 6 of us and luggage. They said we needed to pay extra for the larger minivan (caravan vs. grand caravan). There was no option when booking on line at that time for the larger vs. smaller minivan. If you are traveling with someone with a wheelchair, you may want to check on this before getting down there at the counter when you are forced to pay a higher fee for the upgrade like we did.

I think 2 years ago they switched to only having Grand Caravans. I remember that discussion from the first time we took my mom with the wheelchair and that was March, 2008. Thanks for the heads up though!

 

[n2mm]

I think 2 years ago they switched to only having Grand Caravans. I remember that discussion from the first time we took my mom with the wheelchair and that was March, 2008. Thanks for the heads up though!

When we have used the minivan aisle or found a minivan on the aisle, they have been either the Grand Caravan or the Town & Country w/sto and go (this is what we had a couple of weeks ago -- my choice).

 

[Sammy]

When we have used the minivan aisle or found a minivan on the aisle, they have been either the Grand Caravan or the Town & Country w/sto and go (this is what we had a couple of weeks ago -- my choice).

Are you talking about National or Dollar?