Enterprise To Buy National Car Rental
Mar 30, 2007, 6:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STL
Programs: AAdvantage (since 1981) Lifetime Platinum; Marriott Lifetime Platinum; National Car Rental VIP;
Posts: 73
Enterprise To Buy National Car Rental
ST. LOUIS — Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced late Friday it has agreed to buy Vanguard Car Rental Group Inc., which operates the Alamo and National chains.
Both companies are privately held, and Enterprise did not release financial details of the acquisition. The deal must be approved by antitrust regulators in the United States and Canada before it goes through.
Enterprise is the largest U.S. rental car company, with 7,000 locations worldwide and a fleet of 800,000 vehicles. Tulsa, Okla.-based Vanguard has 3,800 locations and 300,000 vehicles worldwide, according to Enterprise.
Purchasing Vanguard would help Enterprise expand its airport rental business, the company said.
Most of St. Louis-based Enterprise's branches are found in neighborhoods or on commercial strips, with only 230 located at airports, while virtually all of Vanguard's outlets are at airports, said Enterprise spokeswoman Laura Bryant.
No decision has been made as to whether the Alamo and National brands would remain, or if they might be renamed under the Enterprise flag.
One benefit of the planned acquisition for Enterprise would be increased leverage with automakers, said Chris Brown, managing editor of Auto Rental News.
"I would imagine their buying power will get even better," Brown said.
Both companies are privately held, and Enterprise did not release financial details of the acquisition. The deal must be approved by antitrust regulators in the United States and Canada before it goes through.
Enterprise is the largest U.S. rental car company, with 7,000 locations worldwide and a fleet of 800,000 vehicles. Tulsa, Okla.-based Vanguard has 3,800 locations and 300,000 vehicles worldwide, according to Enterprise.
Purchasing Vanguard would help Enterprise expand its airport rental business, the company said.
Most of St. Louis-based Enterprise's branches are found in neighborhoods or on commercial strips, with only 230 located at airports, while virtually all of Vanguard's outlets are at airports, said Enterprise spokeswoman Laura Bryant.
No decision has been made as to whether the Alamo and National brands would remain, or if they might be renamed under the Enterprise flag.
One benefit of the planned acquisition for Enterprise would be increased leverage with automakers, said Chris Brown, managing editor of Auto Rental News.
"I would imagine their buying power will get even better," Brown said.
Mar 30, 2007, 7:09 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STL
Programs: AAdvantage (since 1981) Lifetime Platinum; Marriott Lifetime Platinum; National Car Rental VIP;
Posts: 73
I’m interested in what my fellow Emerald Aisle travelers think about this. I have the executive aisle status and enjoy this very much and will be very disappointed if Enterprise doesn’t keep the concept alive. Sadly, I predict that Enterprise will convert National to an all-Enterprise operation. Enterprise tends not to be very user-friendly for frequent business travelers at Airports.
Mar 30, 2007, 9:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: FNT/MBS
Programs: DL Gold, National Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 399
I’m interested in what my fellow Emerald Aisle travelers think about this. I have the executive aisle status and enjoy this very much and will be very disappointed if Enterprise doesn’t keep the concept alive. Sadly, I predict that Enterprise will convert National to an all-Enterprise operation. Enterprise tends not to be very user-friendly for frequent business travelers at Airports.
Mar 30, 2007, 9:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
This Is Without A Doubt The Worst News Ive Read On Flyertalk Ina Long Time. I Was Hoping It Was Some Kind Of Sick Joke. As An Everyday Renter (my Company Pays For My Rentals And Ive Have A Corporate Contract With National), I Have Been Privileged To Be An Emerald Club Executive Elite Member For 2 Years Now And Have Enjoyed Unparalled Cs At The Locations Ive Rented. Great Rates, No Hassles With Minor Scratches Or Dings At Airport Locations, Additional Coupon Combining, And Bonus Mileage Credit Are But A Few Of The Perks At National. Before National, I Was With Hertz (pres. Circle) And Avis (pref. Select) And Their Service, Rates, And Cs Dont Come Close. Before That (2000-2003) I Had The Extreme Displeasure Of Being With Enterprise. Horrendous Cs, Overpriced Rates And Sub-par Vehicles Are Some Examples Of That "organization". Please Tell Me This Is An Early April Fools Joke - I Havent Seen This News Anywhere Else. If Its Not, We Would Be The Losing The Only Truly Customer Friendly Car Rental Organization In The World. Hertz, Avis/budget, And Dollar/thrifty Dont Come Close. Enterprise Isnt Even On The Same Page - I'd Rather Go With Rent-a-wreck.
Mar 30, 2007, 10:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Programs: Hertz Five Star, National Emerald Club, Avis Preferred, Aeroplan
Posts: 90
This is very bad news and I will no longer use National due to this change. I had very bad experiences with Enterprise and refuse to rent from them. This is terrible news for car renters.
BTW, this is not an April Fools joke. See below:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879232/
BTW, this is not an April Fools joke. See below:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879232/
Mar 30, 2007, 11:02 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood/Marriott Plat, Others of little note
Posts: 1,148
ST. LOUIS — Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced late Friday it has agreed to buy Vanguard Car Rental Group Inc., which operates the Alamo and National chains.
Both companies are privately held, and Enterprise did not release financial details of the acquisition. The deal must be approved by antitrust regulators in the United States and Canada before it goes through.
Enterprise is the largest U.S. rental car company, with 7,000 locations worldwide and a fleet of 800,000 vehicles. Tulsa, Okla.-based Vanguard has 3,800 locations and 300,000 vehicles worldwide, according to Enterprise.
Purchasing Vanguard would help Enterprise expand its airport rental business, the company said.
Most of St. Louis-based Enterprise's branches are found in neighborhoods or on commercial strips, with only 230 located at airports, while virtually all of Vanguard's outlets are at airports, said Enterprise spokeswoman Laura Bryant.
No decision has been made as to whether the Alamo and National brands would remain, or if they might be renamed under the Enterprise flag.
One benefit of the planned acquisition for Enterprise would be increased leverage with automakers, said Chris Brown, managing editor of Auto Rental News.
"I would imagine their buying power will get even better," Brown said.
Both companies are privately held, and Enterprise did not release financial details of the acquisition. The deal must be approved by antitrust regulators in the United States and Canada before it goes through.
Enterprise is the largest U.S. rental car company, with 7,000 locations worldwide and a fleet of 800,000 vehicles. Tulsa, Okla.-based Vanguard has 3,800 locations and 300,000 vehicles worldwide, according to Enterprise.
Purchasing Vanguard would help Enterprise expand its airport rental business, the company said.
Most of St. Louis-based Enterprise's branches are found in neighborhoods or on commercial strips, with only 230 located at airports, while virtually all of Vanguard's outlets are at airports, said Enterprise spokeswoman Laura Bryant.
No decision has been made as to whether the Alamo and National brands would remain, or if they might be renamed under the Enterprise flag.
One benefit of the planned acquisition for Enterprise would be increased leverage with automakers, said Chris Brown, managing editor of Auto Rental News.
"I would imagine their buying power will get even better," Brown said.
Mar 31, 2007, 12:52 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: ex AC SE100K now 75k :-( / Bonvoy Titanium / All Accor Gold/ Avis Presidents Club / National EE
Posts: 164
If the Emerald benefits are stopped there will be a mass exodus to hertz/avis. The one time I rented with enterprise, the vehicle had many defects and was not well maintained. The manager of the location I rented from gave me a coupon for one free upgrade. Great compensation for a car that had a problem with the reliability. National is not the greatest company but I am happy to say that they have always been good to me as a customer. Lets all hope that Enterprise takes a page from Nationals book to improve their product and keep their loyal National customers happy!
Happy Travels!
Happy Travels!
Mar 31, 2007, 7:36 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: HYX
Programs: ~IHG(p)/BW~Nat'l.Exec~ ~NW(SE)~ ~Cessna~ NASM.do-07 ~AAAF.do-05/06/07/08/09
Posts: 1,529
It's not like this will finalize by lunchtime on Monday, kids: panic is unwarranted.
I'll be content to see how things go on my first rental after the takeover; at the first sign of an infection of the typical Enterprise corporate behavior, our Green-cards can be gone in the next morning's mail.
/.
I'll be content to see how things go on my first rental after the takeover; at the first sign of an infection of the typical Enterprise corporate behavior, our Green-cards can be gone in the next morning's mail.
/.
Mar 31, 2007, 9:23 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 199
enterprise
This is so true. I always experienced hard sell on insurance and at return looking for some scratch they can get you on. This is indeed bad news....
QUOTE=jedison;7501187]Get ready for bait and switch, the hard sell on insurance, and all manner of other scams that Enterprise engages in daily. After too many such episodes I have sworn off Enterprise entirely. Now National and Alamo will be off my list. Luckily there are lots of other choices.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=jedison;7501187]Get ready for bait and switch, the hard sell on insurance, and all manner of other scams that Enterprise engages in daily. After too many such episodes I have sworn off Enterprise entirely. Now National and Alamo will be off my list. Luckily there are lots of other choices.[/QUOTE]
Mar 31, 2007, 10:55 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Manhattan NV
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 3,030
Time to cash in the free rental credits. Enterprise could stay with the National method, but I do not see their zombie like culture allowing outsiders to prevail. Even the brainless Alamo allowed National to keep Emerald Aisle.
Alamo and Enterprise would be a good fit. Perhaps they will spin off National.
Alamo and Enterprise would be a good fit. Perhaps they will spin off National.
Mar 31, 2007, 11:33 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Avis First, Hertz Gold, National EE
Posts: 178
I just learned about this from my local National location today. Argh! I hope you people are right about Enterprise keeping the National brand/loyalty program. It's the only thing that keeps me from switch permanently to Hertz, even when National is a bit more expensive. Love those rental credits!
The local staff said they're polishing up their resumes, expecting to be closed when the take-over happens. I hope they're wrong!
I'm betting they keep the National (and maybe Alamo) brand, at least for the interim. While I don't like Enterprise operations, they're not so stupid that they'd dump the brand/EC and lose all that customer loyalty. In buying National, they're paying for that "goodwill" and I'd doubt they'd be willing to throw it away. Some comfort, at least.
The local staff said they're polishing up their resumes, expecting to be closed when the take-over happens. I hope they're wrong!
I'm betting they keep the National (and maybe Alamo) brand, at least for the interim. While I don't like Enterprise operations, they're not so stupid that they'd dump the brand/EC and lose all that customer loyalty. In buying National, they're paying for that "goodwill" and I'd doubt they'd be willing to throw it away. Some comfort, at least.
Last edited by s3n; Mar 31, 2007 at 11:39 am
