Any point booking Premium over midsize with EE status?
Dec 3, 2018, 10:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, National EE, AS MVP Gold 75K, AC 75K
Posts: 1,000
Any point booking Premium over midsize with EE status?
At TPA and FLL, every time I book a Premium car, they just point me to the Executive aisle, is there a point booking this class if I already have the status?
Dec 3, 2018, 1:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Delta Tupperware Medallion, National EE
Posts: 158
I believe EE only guarantees full size or better. Premium is one step above full size, so you will at least get a premium. If you don't see one in the Exec Aisle, they should give you what you are paying for.
Dec 3, 2018, 4:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 102
There seems always be some crappy Prem car on EE aisle, I did have some success asking lot attendants for cars in paid upgrade section with Prem reservation, not sure if booking prem helped. That was also before they started the rule of upgrade discount for elites.
Dec 3, 2018, 10:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 375
Bottom line, if you HAVE to have a certain car class, book it. Also as an Executive Elite travelling on Free Days, always book the best class available, (Luxury or Luxury SUV) since LCARs are typically sparse on the aisle. One-way LCARs are typically only reservable between 10-20% of the time, but are typically the best value, unless you need a SUV.
Dec 5, 2018, 3:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: National EE, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond, AC 50K
Posts: 422
Some of the more northern National locations are fairly SUV heavy in the Winter time.
If you really want a (premium) sedan then it's best to reserve one.
If you find one in the isle you could always try asking them at the gate to drop your reservation down to a full size.
If you really want a (premium) sedan then it's best to reserve one.
If you find one in the isle you could always try asking them at the gate to drop your reservation down to a full size.
Dec 7, 2018, 8:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 777
My standard advice is if one truly *needs* or *wants* a certain class of vehicle; then that is what should be reserved. This way when location pulls contract or whatever they have a heads up who is looking for what on any particular day. Even with aisle locations managers keep on top of inventory to match (hopefully) reservations for that day. During peak travel times such as major holidays they also need to know how much and of what they can safely allow hikers to take to other locations that are short vehicles.
Always joke that National has tons of minivans, large SUVs and big sedans when you book an ICAR. OTOH when you *do* book such things then they don't have... *LOL*
Always joke that National has tons of minivans, large SUVs and big sedans when you book an ICAR. OTOH when you *do* book such things then they don't have... *LOL*