Not in my experience. There are two ways to use EC. First book E aisle which is usually a full size at a intermediate rate - although depending on inventory at the location you may find a higher class in the aisle. Or you book another class (ie. convertible) choose a convertible and still proceed to the guard booth. Under both you skip the standing in line (although you still may have to wait in line at the guard booth with your car).

I suppose you could choose another class than you reserved but unless you were comp'ed it sure seems like at the guard booth you would have to pay. Further, I think there are different insurance charges for different classes of vehicles. National customer service confirmed this but has anyone really got away with this?

Another benefit of EC is that you don't have to worry about gas gouging. They charge EC members the regular area price (in SFO it was actually a little less than local price) for any gas thats required to bring it up to full. Despite being a Hertz Five Star Gold, I got zapped nearly $45.00 for a tank from a one way to BOS. There were no local stations. Never again.

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AA-Plat;Stawrood-Plat

[This message has been edited by marksec (edited 10-13-2001).]