National - Noob - Help with Free Day for 6 people

Can anyone give me any ideas on how to use my Free days (from rental credit and rent rent reward) for a family of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids) when you can only use it up to a full size car which only sits 5 people plus luggage??

Going to be in SFO next week with the family.

Thanks in advance.

Are you going to be picking up at SFO? Are you an Emerald Club member eligible for Emerald Aisle (or much better, Executive Selection)? One might hope for a minivan or a 7-passenger crossover like a Dodge Journey/Mazda CX-9 (3rd row only for children) or Ford Explorer.

First, I'd make a backup reservation for a minivan or full size SUV/crossover (Traverse/Acadia/Suburban/etc). That way, worst case scenario, you still get what you need.

Use the 1-2 Free to make the full size reservation. Upon arrival, I'd ask nicely if they will let you grab a minivan or the SUV, if none are out on the aisle/ES. If they say no, you still have the backup so you're not stranded.

First, I'd make a backup reservation for a minivan or full size SUV/crossover (Traverse/Acadia/Suburban/etc). That way, worst case scenario, you still get what you need.

Use the 1-2 Free to make the full size reservation. Upon arrival, I'd ask nicely if they will let you grab a minivan or the SUV, if none are out on the aisle/ES. If they say no, you still have the backup so you're not stranded.

Thanks for the idea.

Q: When you have 2 reservations and then use only one of them, doesn't National charge a no-show or cancellation fee for the 2nd reservation?

No. Avis/Budget sometimes does that.

Q: When you have 2 reservations and then use only one of them, doesn't National charge a no-show or cancellation fee for the 2nd reservation?

No fee but it is advisable to cancel the unwanted reservation before you check out (on your cellphone / smart phone) to avoid the confusion that can occur at check out of your car.

Sorry to dig up this old thread.

But I thought I would post an update to my question so that if someone Google the same question, they would have an answer.

For the SFO trip, we changed hotel and stay at Embassy Suite by Airport which has a shuttle and also a shuttle going to downtown on Fridays and Sat.

To rent a minivan for 6 people using free days, you have to Executive Elite then you can rent any car type based on availability which includes a minivan.

Sorry to dig up this old thread.

But I thought I would post an update to my question so that if someone Google the same question, they would have an answer.

For the SFO trip, we changed hotel and stay at Embassy Suite by Airport which has a shuttle and also a shuttle going to downtown on Fridays and Sat.

To rent a minivan for 6 people using free days, you have to Executive Elite then you can rent any car type based on availability which includes a minivan.
Correct. That's a stated benefit of the program.

Alternatively, even if you are not Executive Elite, you can still potentially use your free days for a minivan (whether rewards or 1-2-Free) if you use the advise that was originally given.