USA airport locations without Emerald Aisle
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
USA airport locations without Emerald Aisle
To my surprise, I discovered this weekend that SLC doesn't have an Emerald Aisle. I had to go to the counter and I couldn't pick my own car; despite some cajoling, the best I could do on my Executive rez was a Chevy Equinox (which I don't like, I think they're under-powered).
At least the cars are in the adjoining parking lot (no bus needed), so it wasn't all bad.
Are there other major USA airports without Emerald Aisle service? I was surprised by SLC.
At least the cars are in the adjoining parking lot (no bus needed), so it wasn't all bad.
Are there other major USA airports without Emerald Aisle service? I was surprised by SLC.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,579
To my surprise, I discovered this weekend that SLC doesn't have an Emerald Aisle. I had to go to the counter and I couldn't pick my own car; despite some cajoling, the best I could do on my Executive rez was a Chevy Equinox (which I don't like, I think they're under-powered).
At least the cars are in the adjoining parking lot (no bus needed), so it wasn't all bad.
Are there other major USA airports without Emerald Aisle service? I was surprised by SLC.
At least the cars are in the adjoining parking lot (no bus needed), so it wasn't all bad.
Are there other major USA airports without Emerald Aisle service? I was surprised by SLC.
Compared to Hertz at SLC, I will still happily use National.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
#4
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: CMH usually
Programs: AA PLT, WN A+ (and Sometimes CP) | Hilton Diamond | Avis Preferred | National Car Exec
Posts: 414
It's off the beaten path for most, but HRL (Harlingen, TX - Rio Grande Interntaional) is a counter-only location.
I was somewhat spoiled by the Aisle locations offering a vast selection of anything I want to drive (which usually included SUVs and MiniVans) but having to specifically book that at this location. Had to pay about double here for a vehicle on vacation earlier this year.
I was somewhat spoiled by the Aisle locations offering a vast selection of anything I want to drive (which usually included SUVs and MiniVans) but having to specifically book that at this location. Had to pay about double here for a vehicle on vacation earlier this year.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
It's off the beaten path for most, but HRL (Harlingen, TX - Rio Grande Interntaional) is a counter-only location.
I was somewhat spoiled by the Aisle locations offering a vast selection of anything I want to drive (which usually included SUVs and MiniVans) but having to specifically book that at this location. Had to pay about double here for a vehicle on vacation earlier this year.
I was somewhat spoiled by the Aisle locations offering a vast selection of anything I want to drive (which usually included SUVs and MiniVans) but having to specifically book that at this location. Had to pay about double here for a vehicle on vacation earlier this year.
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Programs: Amtrak Select Executive, Hertz PC, National EE, IC Diamond Ambassador, ALL Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 530
SBA - Santa Barbara (Goleta) Airport doesn't have an aisle. They have a space marked Emerald Aisle but it usually has a VIP car in it. The folks at the counter usually ask what vehicle you would like though and try to accommodate when possible. They usually have at least 1 BMW or Mercedes to upsell as well as a Luxury car and/or convertible.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,993
PIT and SLC are two of the locations that surprise me most. Others I have used in the last few months include ERI, CHO, CHS, and LYH. None of those surprise me much.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: CMH usually
Programs: AA PLT, WN A+ (and Sometimes CP) | Hilton Diamond | Avis Preferred | National Car Exec
Posts: 414
I feel your pain; I have 3 kids and almost ALWAYS book with National for family trips to get the larger vehicles on the Aisle. As anyone who's ever wanted to book a minivan knows, these cars usually have ridiculous rates online -- often more than 2x the price of a full sized car. (I guess the rental cars consider them to be a niche market that they can exploit.) When there aren't big vehicles on the Emerald Aisle and you need/want one, you feel "disappointed."
Bingo. You said it. After having rented a fully decked out Tahoe from the Executive row for my corp rate for a week, going on vacation and having to cough up almost $800 (after taxes, etc.) for a minivan for the week was painful.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,580
The lack of Aisles in upstate NY airports always surprises me a bit -- none in BUF, ROC, SYR, or ALB. I'd also wager that the pilot airports for the new "virtual aisle" app -- OMA, RIC, and TUL -- are probably fairly busy locations.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: CMH usually
Programs: AA PLT, WN A+ (and Sometimes CP) | Hilton Diamond | Avis Preferred | National Car Exec
Posts: 414
Wait - What? BUF doesn't have Aisle? They must have taken it out, because I rented there in 2012 and they did... I just checked, and it was definitely an Aisle rental because I paid for ICAR and drove a FCAR.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,993
Your receipt would have shown exactly what you said if you rented an FCAR. You always pay the ICAR rate, even at non-aisle locations.
#13
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
#14
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: CMH usually
Programs: AA PLT, WN A+ (and Sometimes CP) | Hilton Diamond | Avis Preferred | National Car Exec
Posts: 414
I rent at BUF regularly, more often in the past. They don't have an Aisle but there is a counter in the garage where you can checkin rather than use the main counter. They are very nice in upgrading from what was reserved though sometimes out of necessity since the inventory is highly variable - last time I rented they had no sedans and I got a Grand Cherokee just missed an MKX and Infiniti FX.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: East Coast
Programs: DL GM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Gold, National Emerald Exec-Elite; Hertz Five Star
Posts: 113
MSN...ugh...
MSN doesn't have an Emerald Aisle, but I suppose it doesn't surprise me because it's more of a medium-size airport. DL and F9 are the only two airlines that offer mainline jet service; UA and AA fly RJs and US Airways is nowhere to be found.
The single worst thing about MSN is that it's not owned by National corporate. Rather, it's owned by an in-state GM dealer (who I believe owns the GRB, CWA, MKE and RHI National locations, as well) so it's almost all GM cars there. That has historically translated into a whole lotta old Impalas.
The new Malibus are fine and I haven't driven a 2014 Impala, but Equinoxes stink (IMHO) and they have proliferated there.
As an Emerald Exec, they once offered to "upgrade" me to a three year old Saturn Vue. Niiiiiiice.
The single worst thing about MSN is that it's not owned by National corporate. Rather, it's owned by an in-state GM dealer (who I believe owns the GRB, CWA, MKE and RHI National locations, as well) so it's almost all GM cars there. That has historically translated into a whole lotta old Impalas.
The new Malibus are fine and I haven't driven a 2014 Impala, but Equinoxes stink (IMHO) and they have proliferated there.
As an Emerald Exec, they once offered to "upgrade" me to a three year old Saturn Vue. Niiiiiiice.