Cars at RDU
Jun 8, 2015, 3:15 pm
#76
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I've seen and taken multiple Traverse(s) from the RDU ES, but mainly because they didn't have any PCARs available for a PCAR res any time I've rented there. Outside of the size, which I didn't need, the Traverse isn't much to write home about (through I don't have any problem with its cousin the Enclave).
Jun 12, 2015, 8:21 am
#77
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,320
Thursday around 940pm
Emerald Aisle had a smattering of Malibus, Camrys, and Journeys.
Executive Selection had Malibus, Jeep Patriots, a Traverse, an Equinox, a Grand Cherokee with cloth and no nav, and a Corolla(wth?).
I needed a van and asked the agent if he had any coming around. He returned 3 minutes later with a Grand Caravan SXT with 19.5k miles and XM still working.
Minivan, one-way for 3 days paying out of pocket total of about $1.50 in taxes. The absolute best way to use free day coupons.
Emerald Aisle had a smattering of Malibus, Camrys, and Journeys.
Executive Selection had Malibus, Jeep Patriots, a Traverse, an Equinox, a Grand Cherokee with cloth and no nav, and a Corolla(wth?).
I needed a van and asked the agent if he had any coming around. He returned 3 minutes later with a Grand Caravan SXT with 19.5k miles and XM still working.
Minivan, one-way for 3 days paying out of pocket total of about $1.50 in taxes. The absolute best way to use free day coupons.
Oct 27, 2015, 10:47 am
#78
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA, BOS, SFO, DFW, ATL, DCA
Programs: DL DM 1MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA PS, VX, Natl EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 117
Just started renting weekly from RDU again after a few months away. Sunday nights usually have a pretty decent selection, especially if you take note of the Executive spaces against the fence that are somewhat not in your immediate field of vision because of the bright lights in the Emerald Aisles. If you dont see anything you like, the volume of traffic is so high that the entire lot will likely flip in 10-20 minutes.
Midweek is much more suspect- I showed up at 11pm on a Monday a few weeks ago and the ENTIRE lot (not just the Emerald Aisles) was empty. There was a line of customers waiting for cars, and you had to take the first car offered to you.
The employee (manager maybe) drove up to gentleman in front of me with a minivan and exclaimed "I GOT A MINIVANNNNN" and he was visibly annoyed.
Lucked out and got an XC60 right after him
Midweek is much more suspect- I showed up at 11pm on a Monday a few weeks ago and the ENTIRE lot (not just the Emerald Aisles) was empty. There was a line of customers waiting for cars, and you had to take the first car offered to you.
The employee (manager maybe) drove up to gentleman in front of me with a minivan and exclaimed "I GOT A MINIVANNNNN" and he was visibly annoyed.
Lucked out and got an XC60 right after him
Nov 5, 2015, 8:32 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640
good exec aisle selection on 10/29, with lots of SUVs, trucks, and nicer cars including a sexy yellow '16 Camaro CVT
we ended up with a modestly equipped Nissan Pathfinder 4WD, was pleasantly surprised to see it get 26ish MPG
we ended up with a modestly equipped Nissan Pathfinder 4WD, was pleasantly surprised to see it get 26ish MPG
Dec 17, 2015, 10:44 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM (Lifetime Gold); Marriott Gold; National Exec Emerald's
Posts: 337
Feb 9, 2016, 8:37 am
#82
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: WN,DL,BA
Posts: 619
2/6/15 Thursday Afternoon
EA Malibu, plenty of small to mid size SUVs
ES very nice selection, Challenger, Camaro, Full Size SUVs and Minivans
grabbed a brand new Tahoe after arguing that a Ford Expedition is in the same class as a Tahoe.
EA Malibu, plenty of small to mid size SUVs
ES very nice selection, Challenger, Camaro, Full Size SUVs and Minivans
grabbed a brand new Tahoe after arguing that a Ford Expedition is in the same class as a Tahoe.
Feb 18, 2016, 7:35 pm
#83
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA (close to KPAE)
Programs: QFF NB, DJ Gold, A3 Gold, HHonors Gold, Marriott Silver, Carlson Silver, A|Club Gold
Posts: 482
Tuesday night, extremely late. All minivans ALL THE TIME! Both Aisles were 80% minivans of all shapes and sizes. Very very slim pickings. A number of Hemi Rams and an F150. Three challengers, one of which had 4 miles on the clock. I took that Challenger and took it well away from RDU, all the way to Omaha! Hah!
There was a Hemi Charger RT on the upsell line right in front of the main office, however it was apparently "rented" to one of the staff. I would have LOVED to have taken that instead.
There was a Hemi Charger RT on the upsell line right in front of the main office, however it was apparently "rented" to one of the staff. I would have LOVED to have taken that instead.
Feb 18, 2016, 8:00 pm
#84
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,320
Tuesday night, extremely late. All minivans ALL THE TIME! Both Aisles were 80% minivans of all shapes and sizes. Very very slim pickings. A number of Hemi Rams and an F150. Three challengers, one of which had 4 miles on the clock. I took that Challenger and took it well away from RDU, all the way to Omaha! Hah!
There was a Hemi Charger RT on the upsell line right in front of the main office, however it was apparently "rented" to one of the staff. I would have LOVED to have taken that instead.
There was a Hemi Charger RT on the upsell line right in front of the main office, however it was apparently "rented" to one of the staff. I would have LOVED to have taken that instead.
When I lived in the area, I'd regularly burn free days for lengthy one-way rentals in minivans with the family.
RDU is a PITA for lost-and-found, but when it comes to a stocked aisle, and agents willing to "hunt" the lot for a specific vehicle, it was top notch.
Aug 5, 2016, 4:36 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Odd mix of Dodge Ram trucks (several), Dodge Minivans, One cloth Nissan Maxima, Nissan Rouge and a Camaro on the Executive Aisle today.
I took a previously mentioned tip and headed straight back to the 3 deep rows of cars on the far Executive Aisle. There was a Explorer Limited in the middle and an Infiniti QX70 at the rear. With the wife and 5 year old in tow I didn't feel like moving cars around and took the QX70.
The exit booth asked if someone gave me this car. I replied it was at the back of the aisle. She said it was my lucky day.
It's a nice car....but crazy base. No aux input...just a USB port for Iphones only. No bluetooth streaming and a very dated infortainment screen. I'm going to have the car for 8 days ($220 all in) and might try and exchange it for an Explorer. The lack of streaming audio is pretty big. Not Nationals fault, but annoying.
There's no where to park and "check the aisle" so I might have to gamble and just hope for a decent exchange.
Nice car otherwise...just 1500 miles.
I took a previously mentioned tip and headed straight back to the 3 deep rows of cars on the far Executive Aisle. There was a Explorer Limited in the middle and an Infiniti QX70 at the rear. With the wife and 5 year old in tow I didn't feel like moving cars around and took the QX70.
The exit booth asked if someone gave me this car. I replied it was at the back of the aisle. She said it was my lucky day.
It's a nice car....but crazy base. No aux input...just a USB port for Iphones only. No bluetooth streaming and a very dated infortainment screen. I'm going to have the car for 8 days ($220 all in) and might try and exchange it for an Explorer. The lack of streaming audio is pretty big. Not Nationals fault, but annoying.
There's no where to park and "check the aisle" so I might have to gamble and just hope for a decent exchange.
Nice car otherwise...just 1500 miles.
Aug 5, 2016, 5:24 pm
#87
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
Did you have the QX70 or the QX60? The 60 has three rows and the 70 two. I previously rented the QX60 (PGAR, only 3K miles). But had to swap out as I found the seats to be atrocious. National is not ordering the Premium Pack which adds power lumbar support...I found it pretty atrocious that a $45K vehicle doesn't come with adjustable lumbar standard but so be it.
Aug 5, 2016, 5:58 pm
#88
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Did you have the QX70 or the QX60? The 60 has three rows and the 70 two. I previously rented the QX60 (PGAR, only 3K miles). But had to swap out as I found the seats to be atrocious. National is not ordering the Premium Pack which adds power lumbar support...I found it pretty atrocious that a $45K vehicle doesn't come with adjustable lumbar standard but so be it.
Aug 6, 2016, 12:47 pm
#90
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168