Does National only want corporate business customers?
#16
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 373
Many times National's prepaid leisure rates are within a few dollars of Alamo like this or this. Sometimes, you'll find National even lower than Alamo like this. The nice thing about these deals is that you can still take advantage of all of your EC benefits as they can associate your member number at the exit booth (no need to stop at the counter).
edit: Nevermind, just saw you were referring to rates bookable on Autoslash.
edit#2: The example you posted for Orlando in which National was cheaper than Alamo is only showing as $102.57 for a midsize when booking with the regular Emerald Club discount vs the $132 showing up as the prepaid midsize rate. In fact, in that example, you could also apply a free weekend day or the $20 off 3 day weekend coupon to the Emerald Club rate and get it into the 80s without pre-paying.
Last edited by NCLSEA123; Dec 11, 2018 at 7:30 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
OP is the best example of why National charges what it charges.
A car is a car is a car. Yet, he is willing to pay more to National.
If you want a 4-door mid-sized car, then rent from the cheapest and most convenient place for you. If you are paying double for the same car, don't blame National.
Blame yourself.
A car is a car is a car. Yet, he is willing to pay more to National.
If you want a 4-door mid-sized car, then rent from the cheapest and most convenient place for you. If you are paying double for the same car, don't blame National.
Blame yourself.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
Many times National's prepaid leisure rates are within a few dollars of Alamo like this or this. Sometimes, you'll find National even lower than Alamo like this. The nice thing about these deals is that you can still take advantage of all of your EC benefits as they can associate your member number at the exit booth (no need to stop at the counter).
Alamo, of course, does offered prepaid rates, but they're rarely worth using. Alamo just offers cheap rates to everyone who looks. Go to their webpage, search "deals" and viola.
In Florida this week, I'm paying less than $21/day for a full size midweek rental. I did cashback with that, and even gave them a $50 Daily Getaways coupon. It took me 1 minute at the counter and I got a brand new Ford Fusion Hybrid (I still picked my own car, turning down stuff like Camrys). This is why National's strategy seems silly to me.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,206
It's not so silly when it doesn't impact National's premium brand image to the average person, nor does it accrue liabilities of offering you free days, that of course you use for the most expensive long distance one-ways.
#20
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,645
I'm confused. National offers prepaid rates? Where? When I clicked your links, there were no cheap National rates quoted.
Alamo, of course, does offered prepaid rates, but they're rarely worth using. Alamo just offers cheap rates to everyone who looks. Go to their webpage, search "deals" and viola.
In Florida this week, I'm paying less than $21/day for a full size midweek rental. I did cashback with that, and even gave them a $50 Daily Getaways coupon. It took me 1 minute at the counter and I got a brand new Ford Fusion Hybrid (I still picked my own car, turning down stuff like Camrys). This is why National's strategy seems silly to me.
Alamo, of course, does offered prepaid rates, but they're rarely worth using. Alamo just offers cheap rates to everyone who looks. Go to their webpage, search "deals" and viola.
In Florida this week, I'm paying less than $21/day for a full size midweek rental. I did cashback with that, and even gave them a $50 Daily Getaways coupon. It took me 1 minute at the counter and I got a brand new Ford Fusion Hybrid (I still picked my own car, turning down stuff like Camrys). This is why National's strategy seems silly to me.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
Enterprise, National and Alamo all offer prepaid leisure rates through various channels like credit card reward portals like for Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi Thank You. They are also offered as opaque rates through Priceline. AutoSlash will show these deals when they are lower than pay-later deals.
#22
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,645
The "image" argument doesn't strike me as compelling (National ain't Gucci), and I very much doubt that the National folks are laser focused on the relatively few customers who have the skills and need to most effectively "game" their rewards program.
Well, you've effectively convinced me to try your service again. That said, being very candid, I don't use your service very often because you have yet to find me a rate lower than what I have found for myself.
Well, you've effectively convinced me to try your service again. That said, being very candid, I don't use your service very often because you have yet to find me a rate lower than what I have found for myself.
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
Yup, that's why I keep doing it. It's easy and maybe someday it will work. But, yet again, it didn't work. Which is a shame because I really want your service to be useful. As you know, no trick works all the time when it comes to cheaper car rentals, you have to try different things (and the higher the price, the more things you try!). I want your service to be another useful tool. You get good reviews from some the bloggers who I have apparently overestimated in their travel booking skills.
#24
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,645
Yup, that's why I keep doing it. It's easy and maybe someday it will work. But, yet again, it didn't work. Which is a shame because I really want your service to be useful. As you know, no trick works all the time when it comes to cheaper car rentals, you have to try different things (and the higher the price, the more things you try!). I want your service to be another useful tool. You get good reviews from some the bloggers who I have apparently overestimated in their travel booking skills.
Last edited by AutoSlash; Dec 13, 2018 at 10:01 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
Just out of curiosity, do you typically use corporate discount codes for your rentals or only discount codes that are typically in the public domain (frequent flyer programs, AAA, Costco, etc? We don't search corporate discount codes for obvious reasons, so that might explain why our service is more useful to some than others.
I don't think I am your target customer though. I'd probably be classified as a Professional Car Renter. I am certain I have rented more cars than 99.9% of the population. I would think your service would be more useful to more typical car rental customers.
#26
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,645
It will probably be hard for us to compete against corporate discount codes in many cases. If you have a rental where you're not using a corporate code and you find that you're able to beat the best rate we've found, we'd love to hear about it. Feel free to PM us. We may be able to get creative and find you an alternative.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,377
It will probably be hard for us to compete against corporate discount codes in many cases. If you have a rental where you're not using a corporate code and you find that you're able to beat the best rate we've found, we'd love to hear about it. Feel free to PM us. We may be able to get creative and find you an alternative.