National - Emerald Aisle vs. Exec Selection Confusion

I've been Emerald Isle for sometime now and I've only recently been bumped up to Executive tier.

If I don't like any of the cars on the Executive Aisle am I able to pick any car from the Emerald Aisle?

I recognize this may be a "repeat" but I've been having trouble understanding the difference and the new benefit and the call center is less than helpful.

Yes you can. This is known as "self-downgrading" (as opposed to a rental agent doing it). When you reserve a Fullsize as an Executive, you pay the Midsize price, and get access to the Executive Selection Aisle. The Executive Selection aisle features Fullsize and higher class cars.

If you don't like the selection there, you are permitted to select a car off the Emerald Aisle, which as I'm sure you know features Midsize and Standard class cars, with the occasional higher class cars.

If you're still not finding anything you like, and you're at a location that also has Emerald Reserve (which I believe all ES/EA locations do), you can pick a car from the Fullsize row, or any class below that. I've done this at YYZ many times when the Executive row is nothing exciting but the Midsize section has a loaded Focus, for example.

If the EA/ES is nearly empty, or if it's "pick your color of Malibu" day, you can also find a roving greeter to see about getting an upgrade, say to a Premium car. However, this varies by location, demand, time of day, etc. I've generally found that by making myself known on a friendly basis at locations I frequent means they're usually willing to keep me happy if it's a slow day.

Best of luck!

So in this instance I reserved a standard, so if there is a luxury (Saab or Volvo) on the Executive line I can drive away without an additional charge?

So in this instance I reserved a standard, so if there is a luxury (Saab or Volvo) on the Executive line I can drive away without an additional charge?

Yup! That's what makes the Executive Aisle so great (unlike at Hertz where they charge you an upgrade fee if they park a luxury on the Gold Choice aisle...)

So in this instance I reserved a standard, so if there is a luxury (Saab or Volvo) on the Executive line I can drive away without an additional charge?

Further to drzoidberg's point, there is a hangtag in the rear-view mirror that will indicate where the vehicle was parked (Emerald Aisle, Executive Selection, SUV, etc.) so if there's any dispute you can hand them that so you're not overcharged. This is handy for especially good finds (i.e. the Dodge Durango and Hyundai Genesis I found on separate occasions at YYZ) ^

I received "Executive" status about two years ago and just rented my first car (since then) today. Surprisingly, I still had the status - lucky me!

I rented from SEA Hilton (downtown) and was basically told I could take whatever I wanted. The white dodge challenger narrowly beat out the red mustang convertible, and I couldn't be happier! FYI, I payed midsize I think.