Originally Posted by
BugsyPal
Quite honestly NYC garages (what's left of them anyway, *LOL*) are often hit or miss. Have always found airports (either LGA or EWR) have better options on average than Manhattan locations.
Garages in city don't have dedicated Emerald aisles nor other sections for EC members. Though have to say in > 20 years of renting with National locations in Manhattan do go out of their way for EC members to best of ability.
Manhattan real estate is expensive and National rents garage space, so for past almost decade or so they've kept less vehicles stored say overnight or whatever. Much excess is usually sent out of city to airport or other destinations.
If you have something specific in mind such as luxury, certain type of SUV or whatever then you're much better off most times going out to one of the airports. LGA is easily reached from Manhattan by mass transit or short taxi/uber ride.
One thing to look out for is one way rental ban. Sometimes airport locations will allow one way rentals (picking up at airport but dropping off in city), others they won't and system will reject any such reservations. Driving outside of city and dropping off in another state is not an issue.
For the city branches, what do you mean by they will go out their way to help you - do you have to call them up in advance and let them know your status and what you hope to get or do they usually just do it without you asking? Do city branches often send the nice luxuries car back to the airport and keep more basic cars in the garage or vice versa? Not sure if the NYC crowd is a picky crowd that would expect exactly what they reserve and a nice car.