National - Great Selection @ Executive Selection LAX

Both the Executive Selection and standard Emerald Aisle were full of upgraded cars when I arrived at the LAX location this morning.

The Executive rows had pretty much everything in full-size and above: standard Buick Centurys and Monte Carlos, the Impala LS with leather, as well as several TrailBlazers, Durangos, PT Cruisers, and Dodge Caravans. Surprisingly, there were even a few Sebring convertibles mixed in as well.

Emerald Aisle also had some SUVs and minivans mixed in with the ordinary Grand Ams and such.

I ended up choosing a Buick Park Avenue out of the Executive Selection. Not bad for $22.99 a day (intermediate rate + free Executive upgrade + contract ID discount)!

The LAX selection was much more extensive than it was at SFO last weekend. Best I could manage in San Francisco out of the Executive Selection was a new Chevy Malibu (not the "Classic" but the new design).

I was there last earlier this month and all they had on the Emerald Aisle were Classics. From a distance I could see a couple of SUVs and new Mailbus on the Executive Aisle. I guess it depends on the time and date.

Was there last week and the Aisle had SUVs, something like a LeSabre, and other full size cars, as well as what I assume are "classics". Got my first drive of a rendevous.

LAX has, hands down, the best Executive Selection I've seen anywhere. I've rented from this location about 15 times this year.

New Durangos, Sebrings, Park Avenues, PT Cruisers, Grand Cherokees and even Caddys are the norm.

To add to the selection, the majority of the cars are brand new - and when I say brand new, I'm talking cars with 3 miles on the odometer when I pick them up.

To add to the selection, the majority of the cars are brand new - and when I say brand new, I'm talking cars with 3 miles on the odometer when I pick them up.That happened to me at Palm Beach International Airport earlier this year.

I had a fellow FlyerTalk member with me, who was astonished that I not only could choose any vehicle that I wanted, but that the one I chose only had 3 total miles on it!

I will be arriving at the airport in Los Angeles tomorrow. I hope the vast selection still includes mini-vans and sport utility vehicles in the Executive Selection area when I arrive.

I was at LAX this morning (landed at 9:30) and found the selection in Emerald Executive to be very limited. Essentially my onlyl choice was between the Buick Park Avenue and Monte Carlos and a few mini-vans (blah!). No SUVS, convertibules, etc.) I lucked out that they had ONE Grand Prix which I happen to love so I snagged that up.

Don't know what everyone else experienced with LAX, but they seem to be selling out of their cars (supposedly) daily.

To add to the selection, the majority of the cars are brand new - and when I say brand new, I'm talking cars with 3 miles on the odometer when I pick them up.
My car at LAX today had 22,829 when I started it up. :eek: Not that I really care that much. I've only had one rental that was brand spankin new, with 7 miles on it.

I found the selection of vehicles to be pitiful in Los Angeles.

Not only was there no mini-vans or sport utility vehicles in the Emerald Executive Selection area, but I had to pay extra to get the mini-van, which I needed. The mini-van will wind up costing me around US$313.00 for the week, including all taxes and fees.

A prime example of YMMV, I guess.

Last week the selection at LAX in the Executive Selection had dwindled significantly. Only a few cars were there, period, and the choices were not too good. Three Buick Centurys, two Impalas (nice car but horrible sight lines out of the rear window IMHO), a Jeep Liberty, and a couple of Bonnevilles. I ended up with a Buick Rendezvous with 23,000 miles on it (!) and a broken right-hand mirror. Fortunately I was only renting for one day; otherwise I would have tried to flag down an employee in the lot to see if he could find something better.

When at LAX on the weekends I never have a problem getting what I want out of the ES.

I just arrived tonight around midnight and the selection was a little slim as well.

If you're familiar with the Executive Aisle layout, you'll know that there are many SUV's and other cars parked around it. Some of these have tags on the rear-view mirror, some don't. Some have keys in the doors, some don't.

Usually, if the selection looks bad in the aisle itself, I take one of the SUVs or premium cars around the aisle - which I did again tonight. I've never had an issue doing this and no one has ever said anything - so I'm assuming that it's ok. I'm also guessing that they give the Exec. Elites a little more leeway and I'm always very nice when I get to the gate. :)

Am presently in DAY on business and was surprised to grab a brand new Dodge Magnum.

Am presently in DAY on business and was surprised to grab a brand new Dodge Magnum.

Your lucky. I was there last week and had my choice of SUV's and Centry's.

Nice to see that there's more variety at National lots across the country with the addition of Chrysler vehicles. The ORD location had some Chrysler Pacificas mixed with the Cadillacs in the Luxury aisle this past weekend.

This is a pretty old thread - but wanted to add vs. starting a new one. Anybody rented at LAX recently? I need to move (local) next weekend and have some free days to use. Was wondering what the chances of getting an SUV in the Executive Isle are on a Thursday morning?

Dunno about Thursday AM, but I'm flying into LAX Monday evening. I'll try to remember to post how the Executive Selection aisle is after I rent and drive down to my hotel.

Thank you. That will actually be perfect... my move starts Thursday, but just remembered I am flying back from LAS Wednesday night, so scheduled a 10:30 PM pickup.

OK, here's my report from last night:

Executive Selection at LAX was... loaded with SUVs, crossovers and larger sedans. My view confirms with the OP that LAX has got to be the best ES Aisle I have seen in my travels. I was able to drive off in a Jeep Commander, leather seats and sunroof, with only 1700 miles on the meter. More than one Jeep on the aisle too.

Hope you find the ES Aisle as bountiful later this week as I did on Monday evening.

OK, here's my report from last night:

Executive Selection at LAX was... loaded with SUVs, crossovers and larger sedans. My view confirms with the OP that LAX has got to be the best ES Aisle I have seen in my travels. I was able to drive off in a Jeep Commander, leather seats and sunroof, with only 1700 miles on the meter. More than one Jeep on the aisle too.

Hope you find the ES Aisle as bountiful later this week as I did on Monday evening.

Sometimes the selection is good sometimes it is god awful. I rent from LAX location for maybe 6 months a year - yes for 6 months.

If the ES is bad I normally have a look at what cars they have outside of the Emerald Isle or just wait for few minutes for employees to bring some new cars. Also I occasionally ask from the podium what cars they have downstairs that they could give me.

Because radio stations in LA suck big time I won't drive a car without Sirius or XM. This complicates the selection process somewhat but I have been able to get satellite radio with every rental though.

holtju2 - you will have to tell us what day of the week you have issues, because being there this past Wednesday and Thursday night, not sure I know how they could run out of good choices. Did not check how many of the cars had satellite radio, but not only was the Exec isle filled with acceptable choices, they had SUVs stacked 5-6 deep at the end of the 2nd level. My impression would be the same as dmitzel - they were loaded.

On Wednesday night, I had plenty of time to try and figure out whether a Toyota 4Runner or Chevy Trailblazer would have more room to move things in (people were showing up, but they had 4 trailblazers and 2 4runners). Ended up taking the 4Runner for my free day. Seeing how many SUVs they had, still needing to move more stuff, and that a 3-day weekend rental would only be $80 with coupons, decided to try my luck again Thursday. Ended up with a Toyota Sienna van - which for my need was like hitting the jackpot. If I had stronger friends, I could probably even move my washer and dryer in it (vs. hiring 2 guys and a truck). Tons of room when you put all the seats down.

I am pretty new to National - my company switched from Hertz so was able to have my Hertz status matched - have to say so far (6 rentals) I am liking this whole choose your own car setup and the service in general.