Choose any car... Just joking...
May 1, 2015, 5:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Silver, National EC Exec Elite
Posts: 31
Choose any car... Just joking...
Was at JFK last week. Booked midsize, am Emerald Elite. I confirmed on the phone prior AND at the counter that I can choose ANY car. Yes was the resounding answer. In fact here it is on my confirmation:
"To choose your own car at this location:
BYPASS THE COUNTER -- Go straight to the Aisle -- the keys are in the cars.
CHOOSE ANY CAR -- Any size, color, make or model on the Aisle is yours at your reserved Midsize rate."
I tried three cars and found no keys, and each time I was told 'Oh sorry you have to pay an upgrade for those'. So it really is not ANY car then?
"To choose your own car at this location:
BYPASS THE COUNTER -- Go straight to the Aisle -- the keys are in the cars.
CHOOSE ANY CAR -- Any size, color, make or model on the Aisle is yours at your reserved Midsize rate."
I tried three cars and found no keys, and each time I was told 'Oh sorry you have to pay an upgrade for those'. So it really is not ANY car then?
May 1, 2015, 6:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Marriott Titanium, National EE
Posts: 538
The key phrase is "on the Aisle", not any car on the lot. Also are you sure you actually have the Executive Elite status? It would have said something like "Executive Selection" or "Executive Area" if that would be the case. Aisle is for regular Emerald Club members.
May 18, 2015, 6:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta DM, HH Gold, MR Plat, Nat. EE
Posts: 8
This happened to me at JFK several weeks ago. I took a car from the Executive Isle.. As I was driving out the attendant literally chased me down and had me get out of the car mid-way to the gate. When I asked why, he said I can have anything on the isle except 'that' car.. And we was very rude about it. Still no idea why. Now when I got to JFK I don't use National.
May 19, 2015, 9:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Was at JFK last week. Booked midsize, am Emerald Elite. I confirmed on the phone prior AND at the counter that I can choose ANY car. Yes was the resounding answer. In fact here it is on my confirmation:
"To choose your own car at this location:
BYPASS THE COUNTER -- Go straight to the Aisle -- the keys are in the cars.
CHOOSE ANY CAR -- Any size, color, make or model on the Aisle is yours at your reserved Midsize rate."
I tried three cars and found no keys, and each time I was told 'Oh sorry you have to pay an upgrade for those'. So it really is not ANY car then?
"To choose your own car at this location:
BYPASS THE COUNTER -- Go straight to the Aisle -- the keys are in the cars.
CHOOSE ANY CAR -- Any size, color, make or model on the Aisle is yours at your reserved Midsize rate."
I tried three cars and found no keys, and each time I was told 'Oh sorry you have to pay an upgrade for those'. So it really is not ANY car then?
This happened to me at JFK several weeks ago. I took a car from the Executive Isle.. As I was driving out the attendant literally chased me down and had me get out of the car mid-way to the gate. When I asked why, he said I can have anything on the isle except 'that' car.. And we was very rude about it. Still no idea why. Now when I got to JFK I don't use National.
Jun 11, 2015, 6:28 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Silver, National EC Exec Elite
Posts: 31
My other question: For non-aisle questions, is my status still worth it? Meaning do we get access to any car that is rentable at that location at the time? It seems like I get exactly what I book (Midsize or Full) and when I ask if there is anything else they say 'Not for this reservation'. I usually drop it there.
Jun 11, 2015, 7:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Marriott Titanium, National EE
Posts: 538
Sorry for the delay. Yes 110% Executive Elite. To be fair these cars were in the aisle and I was directed to 'pick anything in these two rows' by the agent.
My other question: For non-aisle questions, is my status still worth it? Meaning do we get access to any car that is rentable at that location at the time? It seems like I get exactly what I book (Midsize or Full) and when I ask if there is anything else they say 'Not for this reservation'. I usually drop it there.
My other question: For non-aisle questions, is my status still worth it? Meaning do we get access to any car that is rentable at that location at the time? It seems like I get exactly what I book (Midsize or Full) and when I ask if there is anything else they say 'Not for this reservation'. I usually drop it there.
Can you share what cars they refused you to take? If it's something like a BMW then it's likely misplaced or confusing signs. Nowadays I think it's impossible to find a Luxury or Elite car on ES aisle. Not saying they are in the right, but it would be a too good to be true deal.
As for the non-aisle locations, they are not required to further upgrade you as you are already automatically upgraded one class during reservation (e.g. if you book a Premium car you are actually paying the Fullsize rate). However I've been to locations that will let you take something better, especially if you are a frequent customer and they know you. I remember one location in particular, I was already paying a dirt cheap rate of $20 a day and the attendant told me to take any car on the lot (ok it turned out he didn't realize their was a Caddy SRX on the lot but he was nice enough to let me go with it).
Last edited by zerolife; Jun 11, 2015 at 7:42 pm
Jun 11, 2015, 8:24 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Location: TUL
Programs: Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, HHonors Gold
Posts: 986
My other question: For non-aisle questions, is my status still worth it? Meaning do we get access to any car that is rentable at that location at the time? It seems like I get exactly what I book (Midsize or Full) and when I ask if there is anything else they say 'Not for this reservation'. I usually drop it there.
Jul 28, 2015, 3:09 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,320
I rent almost exclusively at a non aisle location (TUL). There is a certain lady who works there and knows me from frequently renting so often. When I get to the booth she asks "What would you like to drive today?" A mid size res can get me a Q50 or a Premium Crossover. With other agents my EE status can get me a PCAR or smaller SUV.
Frequent renter from PNS here...a non-aisle location.
After confirming my reservation, the next question is always "What would you like to drive today?" With standard or mid-size reservations, I've had Avalons, Explorers, Edges, and a Tahoe. I've been trying to snag the QX56, but it's always gone by the time I get there.
