Originally Posted by
queboy89
Some updates and notes for DSM. I've been coming out to Iowa (CID is the other location I frequent) almost weekly since August and have rented with National exclusively.
- Regardless of your status, if you're Emerald Club, they'll generally give you some leeway. Just ask what's available and they'll usually be nice about it.
- They offer "upgrades" with minivans. Every, single, time. During the farm progress show (50K+ travelers), I got stuck with one.
- They have a small lot (approx. 10-20 cars), but the offsite lot is massive (100+). That's why they charge for on the spot SUV upgrades, they have to pull one over from the lot.
- They always have a Camaro sitting there looking pretty and unwanted.
- Surprisingly, the selection here rarely includes the crap fleet vehicles (Impala Fleet or Captiva). I've only ever seen the NMY Impalas and Malibus, which is why I mistakenly accepted the one fleet version I got. And promptly returned it the next day for a Chrysler 200. I was driving to Cedar Rapids, and like hell was I going without Bluetooth at 23MPG.
Here are the cars I've received so far. All reservations were for midsize rates (corporate policy).
- 2014 Toyota Camry w/ 4.5K miles
- 2015 VW Passat Wolfsburg w/ 50~ miles (I had to peel off plastic wrap)
- 2014 Toyota Sienna w/ 10K miles
- 2015 Chrysler 200 w/ 2K miles
- 2014 Nissan Altima w/ 4K miles
- 2014 Chevy Impala Fleet Edition w/ 10K miles (swapped for the following)
- 2015 Chrysler 200 w/ 5K miles
Looks like you've been doing alright. Have there been long line-ups to get a car? We are in there on Friday morning and I've got an Enterprise vehicle booked. I just want simplicity of getting in and out of there--no hassles or waits. I could just as easily switch over to National if it looks like it will be decent.
Thanks for the update...