Originally Posted by
frogster
I've got a similar question - since we just switched from Hertz I'm not quite sure how things work with national.
I've got my first rental with National coming up but I'm not quite sure I fully understood how the selection/upgrade process works (I've got executive status).
Currently I'm seeing mid-size and full-size renting for the same price, a 3$/day surcharge for premium and 10$ a day on top of that for luxury - all sedan rates and not SUVs (both compact & standard SUV are pretty much the same rate as luxury).
Since we'll have quite a bit of luggage I'll need a full-size car or an SUV with sufficient space in back. I'll be getting the car at EWR so there will be an executive aisle.
If I understand everything correctly renting either mid-size or full-size would get me access to the ES and basically offer the same selection of cars.
How is the selection & the upgrade handled for the better categories?
Cars in the aisle are usually at least fullsize so it doesn't really matter whether you book midsize or fullsize. You'll be choosing from the same pool of vehicles either way, so just choose whatever is cheaper.
As far as selection goes, you'll often see SUVs in the aisle, but it really depends on how you hit it. With Emerald Executive status, you'll have a better/wider selection than the average customer, and generally, we've found that as an EE customer, if you don't find anything in the aisle that suits your needs, you can ask and they often will accommodate you, but YMMW.
Note that if you book premium, luxury, SUV, etc. then that's known as Emerald Reserve service and you choose from a different section at aisle locations.