Originally Posted by D3ranged

Hi, we need a standard or full-sized SUV for our trip to America in this December, preferably a 4WD.

No guarantee of 4WD especially at a Southern California location; if it's not a guaranteed-reserve class, you'll have to check for badging / controls inside a given vehicle. Something to be mindful of.

We will be arriving at LAX. As a EC member I can chose a midsize car and get access to the Aisle, but the SUV choices there are quite limited apparently. (If I'm mistaken and there are consistent amounts of big SUVs at LAX please let me know)

If you check our Cars @ LAX thread it seems that is definitely not the case. Not sure what you mean by "Big" SUV's (e.g. Tahoe - Suburban - maybe not so many but seems folks are reporting plenty of normal SUVs).

I have 2 choices: Book the midsize car option, and upgrade to a standard or full-sized SUV at LAX if there aren't any good SUVs on the Aisle, or book a standard SUV online (don't know why there isn't a full-sized SUV option online).

If it's blocking full-size SUV that means there are none available for your dates/times for advance reservation. It's a reservable class.

You also have a third choice, which is make two reservations - 1 for midsize and 1 for the SUV class you desire. If there's an SUV available on the aisle, cancel the SUV reservation, or vice versa.

My question is: If I were to book a standard SUV, will I still get Emerald Club privileges like shorter queue times, less hassle in the car-taking process?

If you book Standard SUV and you're a part of Emerald Club, you skip the line and head out to the "Standard SUV" section in the parking deck and pick from whatever they have out there. You won't be assigned a specific vehicle. Greeters will direct you where to go.

Will I get a rage of options of SUVs to chose from (like full-size) or will I be assigned to one?

It's broken down by class, so if you book SFAR expect vehicles like the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, maybe a VW Atlas. There will be a lineup of different vehicles in the class.

If I were to book a midsize car, do I need to spend money to upgrade to standard and full-size SUVs?

If it's on the Emerald Aisle, no charge for the upgrade. If there's no SUV on the Emerald Aisle that suits your needs, then yes, you'll have to pay whatever they ask for the upgrade. You cannot just take a class you didn't reserve that isn't out for Aisle taking.

Thank you for your advice!