Cars at LAX
Apr 9, 2017, 4:27 pm
#1006
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 54
I understand that Alamo and National are sharing the fleet at LAX. I have an upcoming full-size rental reservation with Alamo, and I would very much like to try and get a Dodge Charger.
I know that car models are not guaranteed, but am I right in saying that I am at least booking the correct class of car rental?
I know that car models are not guaranteed, but am I right in saying that I am at least booking the correct class of car rental?
Apr 11, 2017, 12:41 am
#1008
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 385
Are you referring to walking out the door and seeing a National shuttle pull away before you can run screaming to the pick up curb, then stand there for 30-40 minutes while 20-30 Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc buses drive by before you see another National/Alamo bus which is full by the time it gets to you at Terminal 4+ and drives by without even looking your way?
Yes.
Yes.
I've only once ever missed a flight and it is because of their shuttle. Definitely budget at least 45 min on your flight out of LAX, especially if you are flying Delta/AA domestic, which are the last terminals they drop people off at.
On that note, their EE aisle is also usually garbage. Ended up with a Camry and a Maxima. So many Ford Fusions and non-convertible Mustangs.
Apr 11, 2017, 8:30 am
#1009
Company Representative - National Car Rental
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 47
NationalCares
I understand that Alamo and National are sharing the fleet at LAX. I have an upcoming full-size rental reservation with Alamo, and I would very much like to try and get a Dodge Charger.
I know that car models are not guaranteed, but am I right in saying that I am at least booking the correct class of car rental?
I know that car models are not guaranteed, but am I right in saying that I am at least booking the correct class of car rental?
Apr 11, 2017, 11:59 pm
#1010
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
Been here twice in last month. Literally waited 40 min (no exaggeration) for the shuttle to pick me up. I put them on blast on twitter and they gave me a free day, which was nice.
I've only once ever missed a flight and it is because of their shuttle. Definitely budget at least 45 min on your flight out of LAX, especially if you are flying Delta/AA domestic, which are the last terminals they drop people off at.
On that note, their EE aisle is also usually garbage. Ended up with a Camry and a Maxima. So many Ford Fusions and non-convertible Mustangs.
I've only once ever missed a flight and it is because of their shuttle. Definitely budget at least 45 min on your flight out of LAX, especially if you are flying Delta/AA domestic, which are the last terminals they drop people off at.
On that note, their EE aisle is also usually garbage. Ended up with a Camry and a Maxima. So many Ford Fusions and non-convertible Mustangs.
The EE aisle is where I have scored many really awesome rides:
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with satnav, sunroof and < 1000 miles.
2016 Mustang Converitible with 2, yes 2 miles on it.
Camaro SS Convertible.
Caddilac ATX, XTS,SRX depending on the mood and the route.
When you do not like what you see, ask politely and you won't be disappointed.
I've never had a dull ride from National at LAX.
Apr 12, 2017, 8:01 am
#1011
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 710
I agree the shuttle situation is a disaster (especially if you come in on UA), but I also agree it is a great place to get awesome cars. I've driven a BMW, was upgraded to an Expedition on a minivan rental, even got a pickup truck once (first time I ever drove one).
Apr 12, 2017, 8:15 pm
#1012
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 54
Apr 13, 2017, 10:57 pm
#1013
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,155
Are you referring to walking out the door and seeing a National shuttle pull away before you can run screaming to the pick up curb, then stand there for 30-40 minutes while 20-30 Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc buses drive by before you see another National/Alamo bus which is full by the time it gets to you at Terminal 4+ and drives by without even looking your way?
Yes.
Yes.
Apr 22, 2017, 1:49 pm
#1014
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
Are folks still seeing Fusion Hybrids at this location? I'm a little frustrated in that I want to actually reserve a Hybrid, but the option never shows up on the booking page - yet I remember always seeing at least one or more on the Aisle.
I would prefer to reserve one, but if they are still plentiful on the Aisle, I will try and contact the location and see if they can just hold one for me.
I would prefer to reserve one, but if they are still plentiful on the Aisle, I will try and contact the location and see if they can just hold one for me.
Apr 25, 2017, 11:34 pm
#1015
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Executive Elite
Posts: 34
Rented on Thursday night 4/13/17. Usually ES is littered with SUVs but they were all taken and given to Alamo for Coachella weekend. Just a heads up to those looking to get certain vehicles from the aisle during weekends with events near LA. Since I'm executive elite, I'm sure I could have gotten an SUV if I complained enough but I took a Ford Taurus instead
Apr 25, 2017, 11:35 pm
#1016
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Executive Elite
Posts: 34
Are folks still seeing Fusion Hybrids at this location? I'm a little frustrated in that I want to actually reserve a Hybrid, but the option never shows up on the booking page - yet I remember always seeing at least one or more on the Aisle.
I would prefer to reserve one, but if they are still plentiful on the Aisle, I will try and contact the location and see if they can just hold one for me.
I would prefer to reserve one, but if they are still plentiful on the Aisle, I will try and contact the location and see if they can just hold one for me.
Apr 27, 2017, 12:58 pm
#1017
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
If anyone is passing through LAX over the next week, if you could ask for a manager's email and PM me - usually the only way to have a specific car set aside for a reservation when it won't show up online is to email a manager in advance.
Apr 27, 2017, 7:04 pm
#1018
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
May 7, 2017, 6:02 am
#1020
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 2
Picked up on Apr 18th for a 2.5 weeks trip. Had a mid-SUV reservation. The mid/standard SUV aisle was basically empty (not counting a bunch of Journeys that nobody seems to like). So I went to EA/ES and saw typical sedans plus Rouge SV, Cherokee Limited and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in EA, couple of trucks, Traverse (I missed that) and one Edge AWD Titanium in ES. However new cars were arriving every minute so if I was not in a hurry I could have had a much bigger selection (when driving out I saw a Grand Cherokee Limited parked in SUV aisle).
Finally I took that fully loaded AWD Edge with 8k miles on it and was very happy with the drive apart of one small issue: mid trip I drove to a car wash and found water leaking into the cabin so the floor in the driver's row got wet. I reported this problem when I returned the car and they said they would check it out. I guess the car might have been repaired after an accident and they forgot about something.
Finally I took that fully loaded AWD Edge with 8k miles on it and was very happy with the drive apart of one small issue: mid trip I drove to a car wash and found water leaking into the cabin so the floor in the driver's row got wet. I reported this problem when I returned the car and they said they would check it out. I guess the car might have been repaired after an accident and they forgot about something.