Originally Posted by Family flyer
I'm holding reservations at PHL with both Dollar and National. Dollar is $20 cheaper. I'm wondering whether I should pay the extra cost and skip the counter with National, or save the money and wait in Dollar's FastLane. Is FastLane actually fast or is it as long as Dollar's regular line?
I have rented from both of them in PHL. I used to rent EXCLUSIVELY from National until they required a minimum 2 day weekend rental, even if you brought the call back in 24 hours or less. That is when I switched to Dollar.
Yes, you skip the chek-in line at National with Emerald Aisle but the line to leave at the exit gate can take FOREVER! That is where all of the paper work is done. It is often a LONG line and what appears to be an eternal wait. Even MORE important than that is that the National shuttle bus is inconsistent and you often wait 15-20 minutes to et a ride back to the terminal after you check-in your car. It was a royal PIA. The National rental car location is too far to allow you to walk back to the terminal.
On the other hand, while Fast Lane can sometimes be almost as long as the counter, most of fthe time the car is waiting for you in the designated Fast Lane spots. It is a breeze to get past the employee at the exit gate. MOST IMPORTANT>>>>> You can walk to and from the terminal. Dollar is across from Terminal B/C, across the street from the PHL Marriot.
At least for me, even with some inconveniences with Dollar, it works better than National. I do this week in adn week out on Thursday evening at 8 PM, returning the car Friday at 1 PM.
Good luck with whichever rental agency you choose and let everyone at FT know aht your personal experience was at PHL.