National - Experience with Executive Elite - comments appreciated

I'm quickly approaching Exec Elite level for '07. I've read on the website that I'll get a free day after 5 versus 6 rental credits, but other than that what are the major bene's of being Exec Elite? Do you still choose cars from the Executive area? Thanks!

The best (and most underrated) benefit of Exec Elite is the guaranteed car with 24-hour advance reservation...at your regular contract rate. This has saved me many times on last-minute trips, as certain business-traveler-heavy markets sell out of cars quickly. Sure beats spending $150 a day for an economy car at Thrifty.

Car selection is the same as regular Emerald Executive. But compared to Hertz and several second-tier rental agencies I've used in the past, I've found National's cars to be lower in mileage and upgrades (i.e. to SUV or premium) in the Executive Selection to be more generous than Hertz gives me as a 5*.

Agree with Wahooflyer on the 24 hour guranteed car. I fly to PNS and SRQ a lot and have gotten a vehicle when they were sold out on more than one occasion. Also, with the exception of LAX, I think the ExEl selection is a little better.

Interesting point about the guaranteed availability. I've never had an issue with National being sold out of cars so I hadn't really considered it a valuable perk. My sense is that I'll get the most bang for the buck out of the reduced credits to earn a free day.

The only perk I've seen is the 5 rental credits needed instead of 6 which you mentioned earlier. Not much of a benefit to me, but on the phone with the Reservation Agent, they did let me know that Executive Elite has yielded me great rewards. News to me.

I am executive, not executive elite, and I can tell you that I was pretty annoyed when I needed to rent a car in ORD a few weeks ago, but couldn't because they were all sold out. So that benefit of getting a guaranteed car with 24 hr notice is a significant one. Also, if you fly private a lot, they will deliver a car to you at the FBO.