National - Non EA/ ES location experience

I know at major airports you can just go to your aisle and pick a car, but what has beeen people's experience at counter locations. Do they offer you a choice of vehicles, or are you stuck with what you reserve, ie For ES you normally reserve full size and pay midsize and the aisle will contain at least full size, with chance of luxury, suv or mini van in aisle. If I do that at a counter location am I guaranteed a full size? I live in Tulsa, which has an Emerald booth. I normally rent from Hertz when local, but my corporate rate with National , which we can use for Leisure, has LDW included and guaranteed rates.

Expect to be offered a vehicle from the reserved car class. I may ask what they have in the class, or even walk the lot for the relevant class (and lower), but the 'upgrade' is getting a full size for the midsize rate.

Expect to be offered a vehicle from the reserved car class. I may ask what they have in the class, or even walk the lot for the relevant class (and lower), but the 'upgrade' is getting a full size for the midsize rate.

Agreed - they might give you a further upgrade if they don't have any in / or running low on your class - but generally you'll get what you reserved.

Expect to be offered a vehicle from the reserved car class. I may ask what they have in the class, or even walk the lot for the relevant class (and lower), but the 'upgrade' is getting a full size for the midsize rate.

That is what I expected. The nice thing in Tulsa is the Emerald booth is by the lot, so you can get a good view of the cars, while at the booth.

I reserved a full size at TUL and was given a choice of Malibu, Impala, Maxima, or Avalon. Took the Avalon and greatly enjoyed the ride home. It is a nice ride.

I reserved a full size at TUL and was given a choice of Malibu, Impala, Maxima, or Avalon. Took the Avalon and greatly enjoyed the ride home. It is a nice ride.

Nice - since the Maxima & Avalon are Premiums.

Also, thanks for reporting back - too often on Flyertalk, members ask questions / have complaints and never follow up with what actually happens / resolutions. Reports back help cofirm / expand our knowledge base. ^

Has anyone been successful in renting from a non-EA/ES location (i.e. a downtown hotel location) and then swapping out at an airport EA/ES location, if they receive a less-desirable car?

Obviously, I am looking to avoid the stupid airport charges - I don't begrudge National making their money or even a legitimate sales tax - but, these stupid charges are truly getting onerous...and I wouldn't feel bad - even for a second - trying to get out of paying them.

I rented at CLL, a counter location and the agent noted that I was the only EE with a res that day and offered me choice of the lot. Got a MKZ, luxury for a midsize price (fullsize reservation). Probably not a common occurrence, but the lot was pretty full so I guess it was slow.

Has anyone been successful in renting from a non-EA/ES location (i.e. a downtown hotel location) and then swapping out at an airport EA/ES location, if they receive a less-desirable car?

Obviously, I am looking to avoid the stupid airport charges - I don't begrudge National making their money or even a legitimate sales tax - but, these stupid charges are truly getting onerous...and I wouldn't feel bad - even for a second - trying to get out of paying them.

I rented a Premium on a one way from CLT to DAB from the Uptown Ritz-Carlton location and the agent gave me a "brand new" Impala LT (had 1,500 miles or so on it, so not sure I'd call it brand new) since they did not have any premium cars. As I was paying about $16 more for a Premium over a Full, I took it to the airport where they were very short on Premiums but happily offered to swap me into either of the two they had on the lot (an Avalon that was returned just ahead of me and needed to be cleaned, or a 300 that had just been cleaned, went with the 300).