IzzyL

Planning a trip to PDX and driving down to LAX. In my Rez I have a choice of Ex aisle Full size or a Premium crossover for the same price. If I want an SUV should I go with the Premium crossover or take my chances int he Executive Aisle?
This trip will be mid-September arriving at 10PM. Would the Premium crossover rental guarantee me something at that time of night?
Thanks!

missingcolours

For the same price why not book the SUV? It should generally guarantee you an SUV and you can still pick from the executive area if you find something better there.

s0ssos

Which day?
I'd book the premium crossover. Last Monday they had no SUVs in the aisle. Come to think of it, the time prior which wasn't a Mon (which are very busy) they didn't have anything at night as well.
Late at night they could have a full aisle but a bad selection. It depends who you get at the front whether they will pull something up for you (they can get it upstairs as well).
So yes, just book your premium crossover.

SoroSuub1

What did you end up seeing?

davedeboston

I returned a longer term rental at PDX a couple days ago. There were 3-4 cars total between EE and EA. And a line of 20 customers waiting to pickup.
Where have all the cars gone?

SoroSuub1

Yikes, that's concerning. What did you end up driving off in?

davedeboston

Fortunately I was just returning, not picking up.

Auto Enthusiast

Where have all the cars gone?

Sold off whenever possible. Probably warehoused or parked in shopping malls, stadiums, etc when not.

SoroSuub1

Went on 2020-07-01 in the early evening.

Nissan Maxima
Ford Fusion x3
Toyota Camry x2
Kia Optima
Nissan Altima x2
Dodge Charger x5
Dodge Challenger
Mazda CX-3
Chevrolet Malibu
Hyundai Sonata
Toyota Sienna

ES was the only aisle, the EA was parked in non-aisle format (there were 3x Infiniti QX80 there).

ChiefNWA

Not the worst selection on Friday. Several Grand Cherokee Limited models, a few smaller SUVs, Q50 a few minivans and some standard sedans. Upgrades were a GLC a Q50 (odd since they had one in the aisle) and a Q3. Took a Grand Cherokee

KE81

Had a similar experience as ChiefNWA above. Picked up on Thanksgiving (11/26) around 10am. Both aisles were full. There were no fewer than 4 Q50s in ES (with roughly 10-15K miles each) as well as a Grand Cherokee Limited (~9K miles). Took the Grand Cherokee.

El_Chiflero

Looks like this location has been quiet for a while. Doing a rental on 2/25. Let's see what the Exec aisle has to offer.

kswissreject

Keep us posted, headed there 3/11, curious how things are looking.

ExManager

I fly into PDX about once a month. Emerald usually has typical mid size sedans (Corolla, Sentra, small SUV). Executive typically has full size sedans (Camry, Altima, K5, Charger, midsize SUV). In December they were running a special for any upgrade car for $15 per day so I upgraded to a brand new Cadillac SUV. When I was there two weeks ago I checked and EC was the usual midsize cars. I asked if I could upgrade for $15 a day to a BMW (I'm just Emerald). The agent said he would give me any of the regular full size sedans from Exec. I asked if I could upgrade to the small BMW in Exec (it was a 228i). He said I could take it with no problem.

Fun Fact: When I was there in December, Emerald Aisle had a Bronco Sport.

FYI: PDX opened their new RAC facility in November. From baggage claim, go down the escalator and through the tunnel and then up the escalator to street level. National is on the 1st floor.

El_Chiflero

Landed on Friday for a 2/25-2/27 rental from the Executive Selection aisle. Mostly Full Size sedans and smaller SUV's, and a couple of Dodge Challengers. Was about to head over to Hertz and see what they had when I saw a White BMW 330i with 35k miles. Easy choice right there. Good job PDX!