flyerbjorn

Picked up around lunchtime on Sunday Feb 19 (President's day weekend)

The Executive aisle was full of cars including a great selection of SUVs. I've got a long rental little kids and lots of luggage, so I was looking for a larger SUV. Didn't pay too much attention to the other cars, but there were lots to choose from.

As I was choosing between the Santa Fes, Pathfinders and Traverses, the attendant walks over and says "Are you looking for something big? What do you want?" I reply "Yep, I'd a large SUV and would prefer a Ford Explorer if you have one." He disappears and brings back a Ford Explorer 4wd Limited with 800 miles on it. Couldn't be happier driving this around for the next few weeks. ^

muricy1

I am curious if anyone has been to National at SEA recently and wouldn't mind to share some info about the cars they've got there momentarily.

My interest is in luxury, premium and sporty stuff...

Appreciate any news, thank you kindly

flyerbjorn

National in SEA doesn't have a lot of luxury cars. I can't even book it (on my corporate rate).

muricy1

Thanks for answering flyerbjorn. I have booked the XTS category for July. If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me which cars they have that fit this category more or less?

flyerbjorn

I don't know the answer to which cars SEA has, as I usually want an SUV here.

Generally speaking, whenever I have a luxury booking with National, I tend to receive some kind of Cadillac. I then tell them I don't like Cadillacs and ask if I can have a BMW or Audi instead. More often than not, it works ^

muricy1

Since I am Swiss and Audis and BMW's are pretty common here, I could live well with a Caddy, would prefer a CTS over an XTS though. Maybe even try to go for a Mustang or Camaro coupe... You happen to know if they have those?

Thanks a lot for taking the time, btw!

AustinToffee

We'll be looking for an SUV on Friday morning. Do you think we'd have a problem finding something a little larger in EA/ES with a third-row seat?

We'll have 5 adults with minimal luggage, and while we could probably squeeze into a small SUV, that third-row would be more comfortable.

TIA

Closingracer

I would rather squish 5 adults in a 2 row suv than a three row unless you can get a Ford flex, explorer, nissan pathfinder or a Toyota highlander.


Not sure if national orders the nissan rogue with a third row but I wouldn't take it over a two row one.

AustinToffee

Right. If it's not a full-size we'll go with the roomiest mid SUV we can find...or maybe the X3 if we get lucky.

Twixboy

Any reason you're looking at an SUV instead of a sedan? You'll typically find full size sedans and midsize SUVs on the aisle. Here's the rear shoulder room of some common vehicles you'll find:

Chrysler 300 57.7"
Impala 56.9"
Hyundai Sonata 56.5"
Nissan Altima 56.4"
BMW X3 56" (not common, but I included it since you mentioned it)
Hyundai Tucson 55.5"
Jeep Cherokee 55.1"

Do you see a pattern here? The sedans on the aisle actually have more rear shoulder room than SUVs do. Assuming not everyone in your party is over 6'3", a sedan would be more comfortable. Now of course if you find a Santa Fe, Explorer or Pathfinder then I would jump on it!

AustinToffee

Interesting. That's good info. Thanks!

bocastephen

The night of May 2 was a festival of SUVs and minivans - nary a car in sight.

SuperPickyNationalExecElite

I usually just lurk on these national forums, but felt compelled to create and account and ask a question:

I have noticed quite a variance in aisle availability/stocking depending on station and time of day. Some stations do well at night with availability and selection, and others do horrible. At the beginning of my switchover to National I chalked it up to flight banks and airport congestion. For instance, I figured that NYC would see an influx of rentals at the early AM due to redeyes arriving, and a different window for west coast. But I have unfortunately been discovering that in reality there is not a method to depletion, or an optimal window to arrive, with the exceptions of MCO and CLT...

That being said, has anybody noticed midnight availability and selection at SEA? I haven't had to arrive at midnight in SEA before, and I am seeing a lot of vans and SUVs posted as being in the aisle most recently... I hate them both! What should I expect to see on the aisle on a Thursday night past 1130pm? I am staying hopeful for a good selection since the app is showing the SSAR for cheap, and the Ghibli available to confirm.

I always grab an SSAR or prem.

Also, how friendly are they to requests to check the storage lots and how frequently have you been able to get requests fulfilled?

On a side note, in CLT last week I was offered Audi/BMW/Infiniti SUVs as EE, as well as Range Evoque and some other prems for free... went with Challenger R/T with 5 miles on it. Haven't seen any RTs until recently, and didn't think national would get them. Same with MLB last month, was offered a new 17 Camaro SS convertible all black at no fee (used to be prem). Is anyone else Exec/EE experiencing these awesome comps lately? Is national REALLY REALLY trying to make us happy or something?

flyerbjorn

SEA selection is heavily influenced by business travellers. There is a good selection on Sun night and Monday morning. Then most of the nice cars go out for the week and return Thu and Fri. SEA is very heavy on SUVs. It rains (well, drissles) a lot of the time. Not a good place to go on a road trip.

The staff at SEA is very nice. Last time, they asked me if I was EA or EE. When I said EE, they asked me what I wanted and got a car from a different lot.

muricy1

Hey

My (our) trip is going to start at SEA and ending in PHO, passing SF, LA, LV and SD... 5 weeks. Even though your statement made my hopes dwindle a bit, still hope to get a fun car (xts res) for the trip.

Would hugely appreciate if someone could post some lot selection lists, especially about cars (not SUV's).

I will make sure to pay back the community with info about my pickup and trip, since until now I just posted questions.

Cheers and safe trips