Cars at SFO
Dec 8, 2016, 2:49 pm
#466
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Hi All,
We're flying in to SFO on 5th of March (Sunday), after short city tour, we will be driving down Highway 1 to LA (our first time in US). I've already registered as an Emerald Club member so I can potentially book midsize for EA access. I've read the forum for a few days and what I gather is that SFO doesn't have a good selection in EA, usually. The thing is that I'd really like to rent something more fun than Altima or a Buick with poor acceleration, but then again, budget is a bit limited. Midsize car goes for £99 at the moment, premium is £126 - I understand I still get access to EA if I don't find premium selection satisfying? If there is any chance of getting something sporty, would it be better by booking premium to pay less for upgrade? How would you rate a Sunday at beggining of March, is it a bad day to pick a car from EA?
I understand it all depends and I can possibly negotiate with the attendant without problems, but I would just appreciate some comments beforehand - should I gamble with midsize or go for premium (while hoping to get something sporty, not really into SUVs). Thanks!
We're flying in to SFO on 5th of March (Sunday), after short city tour, we will be driving down Highway 1 to LA (our first time in US). I've already registered as an Emerald Club member so I can potentially book midsize for EA access. I've read the forum for a few days and what I gather is that SFO doesn't have a good selection in EA, usually. The thing is that I'd really like to rent something more fun than Altima or a Buick with poor acceleration, but then again, budget is a bit limited. Midsize car goes for £99 at the moment, premium is £126 - I understand I still get access to EA if I don't find premium selection satisfying? If there is any chance of getting something sporty, would it be better by booking premium to pay less for upgrade? How would you rate a Sunday at beggining of March, is it a bad day to pick a car from EA?
I understand it all depends and I can possibly negotiate with the attendant without problems, but I would just appreciate some comments beforehand - should I gamble with midsize or go for premium (while hoping to get something sporty, not really into SUVs). Thanks!
Dec 8, 2016, 10:24 pm
#467
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 880
Hi All,
We're flying in to SFO on 5th of March (Sunday), after short city tour, we will be driving down Highway 1 to LA (our first time in US). I've already registered as an Emerald Club member so I can potentially book midsize for EA access. I've read the forum for a few days and what I gather is that SFO doesn't have a good selection in EA, usually. The thing is that I'd really like to rent something more fun than Altima or a Buick with poor acceleration, but then again, budget is a bit limited. Midsize car goes for £99 at the moment, premium is £126 - I understand I still get access to EA if I don't find premium selection satisfying? If there is any chance of getting something sporty, would it be better by booking premium to pay less for upgrade? How would you rate a Sunday at beggining of March, is it a bad day to pick a car from EA?
I understand it all depends and I can possibly negotiate with the attendant without problems, but I would just appreciate some comments beforehand - should I gamble with midsize or go for premium (while hoping to get something sporty, not really into SUVs). Thanks!
We're flying in to SFO on 5th of March (Sunday), after short city tour, we will be driving down Highway 1 to LA (our first time in US). I've already registered as an Emerald Club member so I can potentially book midsize for EA access. I've read the forum for a few days and what I gather is that SFO doesn't have a good selection in EA, usually. The thing is that I'd really like to rent something more fun than Altima or a Buick with poor acceleration, but then again, budget is a bit limited. Midsize car goes for £99 at the moment, premium is £126 - I understand I still get access to EA if I don't find premium selection satisfying? If there is any chance of getting something sporty, would it be better by booking premium to pay less for upgrade? How would you rate a Sunday at beggining of March, is it a bad day to pick a car from EA?
I understand it all depends and I can possibly negotiate with the attendant without problems, but I would just appreciate some comments beforehand - should I gamble with midsize or go for premium (while hoping to get something sporty, not really into SUVs). Thanks!
Why not book a full size instead of premium? Full size you can get a Dodge Charger ranging from the SXT, SXT with AWD, and the SRT with the HEMI inside. Personally I like the car but with no backup camera I usually avoid those. They are classified at FCAR at National/ Enterprise no matter which model you get.
Dec 9, 2016, 12:30 am
#468
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Hi, Closingracer,
Thanks for the feedback. Dodge Charger sounds nice and maybe exactly what I'm looking for. I've seen some list what different sizes mean for national, but didn't realize that Charger is on full size list. Care to link me the cars avaialable, if possible? Maybe the list I found is old..
Ford Fusion is what Ford Mondeo in Europe (as I see from pictures Googled), so I'm not interested in that
Full size seems a safe bet, since it's only £5 more than midsize for three days.
Thanks for the feedback. Dodge Charger sounds nice and maybe exactly what I'm looking for. I've seen some list what different sizes mean for national, but didn't realize that Charger is on full size list. Care to link me the cars avaialable, if possible? Maybe the list I found is old..
Ford Fusion is what Ford Mondeo in Europe (as I see from pictures Googled), so I'm not interested in that
Full size seems a safe bet, since it's only £5 more than midsize for three days.
Dec 9, 2016, 1:02 am
#469
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
Why not book a full size instead of premium? Full size you can get a Dodge Charger ranging from the SXT, SXT with AWD, and the SRT with the HEMI inside. Personally I like the car but with no backup camera I usually avoid those. They are classified at FCAR at National/ Enterprise no matter which model you get.
As to Closingracer's point, no, there won't be an SRT Charger (Hellcat) on the Emerald Aisle...and there's a difference between that and the Charger RT w/Hemi V8, which exists in the fleet but in very limited numbers. At best, you'd get a V6-equipped RWD Charger (you won't want or need All Wheel Drive, and the California fleet does not have those anyways), which is "sporty" in name only. It drives like a boat.
That said, I would book a Premium. It would be more likely that you could negotiate your way into a nicer vehicle that way and there are plenty of good choices in that class...the Chrysler 300(and 300C), Nissan Maxima SV, etc. Sometimes the station will throw Volvos and Infinitis into the Premium mix too, even though they are technically considered full size or standard "elite" models.
Dec 9, 2016, 7:23 am
#471
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 880
My SFO-specific feedback is that I think I'd keep my expectations low for the Emerald Aisle...when I was there in March it was mostly boring sedans (Toyota Camry, Chrysler 200). I would most certainly recommend you book the Premium given the small cost difference. And if you go back over the past many pages of this thread, you'll see most people report the selection to be underwhelming.
As to Closingracer's point, no, there won't be an SRT Charger (Hellcat) on the Emerald Aisle...and there's a difference between that and the Charger RT w/Hemi V8, which exists in the fleet but in very limited numbers. At best, you'd get a V6-equipped RWD Charger (you won't want or need All Wheel Drive, and the California fleet does not have those anyways), which is "sporty" in name only. It drives like a boat.
That said, I would book a Premium. It would be more likely that you could negotiate your way into a nicer vehicle that way and there are plenty of good choices in that class...the Chrysler 300(and 300C), Nissan Maxima SV, etc. Sometimes the station will throw Volvos and Infinitis into the Premium mix too, even though they are technically considered full size or standard "elite" models.
As to Closingracer's point, no, there won't be an SRT Charger (Hellcat) on the Emerald Aisle...and there's a difference between that and the Charger RT w/Hemi V8, which exists in the fleet but in very limited numbers. At best, you'd get a V6-equipped RWD Charger (you won't want or need All Wheel Drive, and the California fleet does not have those anyways), which is "sporty" in name only. It drives like a boat.
That said, I would book a Premium. It would be more likely that you could negotiate your way into a nicer vehicle that way and there are plenty of good choices in that class...the Chrysler 300(and 300C), Nissan Maxima SV, etc. Sometimes the station will throw Volvos and Infinitis into the Premium mix too, even though they are technically considered full size or standard "elite" models.
Dec 9, 2016, 3:16 pm
#472
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
You cannot apply the coupons ($xx of a weekly, etc.) within 24h of pickup.
Dec 13, 2016, 6:16 am
#474
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
What happens if I get to the counter with multiple reservations, will there be any consequences? I've read that people do that, but I don't really understand when do they cancel all the bookings - are they checking out EA first, seeing that there's nothing good, then cancelling mid size and going to counter to get their premium booking? Or how does it work?
Thanks!
Dec 13, 2016, 7:47 am
#475
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
Hi, do you mean multiple reservations at different providers? Or inaddition to my National premium booking, I should also book mid size/full size as well?
What happens if I get to the counter with multiple reservations, will there be any consequences? I've read that people do that, but I don't really understand when do they cancel all the bookings - are they checking out EA first, seeing that there's nothing good, then cancelling mid size and going to counter to get their premium booking? Or how does it work?
Thanks!
What happens if I get to the counter with multiple reservations, will there be any consequences? I've read that people do that, but I don't really understand when do they cancel all the bookings - are they checking out EA first, seeing that there's nothing good, then cancelling mid size and going to counter to get their premium booking? Or how does it work?
Thanks!
Apr 10, 2017, 1:57 am
#477
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Posts: 70
Must be a really busy week, both EA and ES were nearly empty tonight at 10 pm. Nothing too exciting, saw a Dodge Charger, a Chrysler 300, a small Buick SUV, and the regular couple of Sonatas, Camrys, Corollas and Altimas. I peeked in the next row that's unmarked and found a BMW X3 with the keys inside. Asked the booth attendant and was told I could take it as part of that promo that's going on until May 31st! A pretty good find, car was built last month and had 1300 miles (only 1 previous renter who drove it one way from Arizona to SFO). Disappointed that it doesn't have a backup camera though for a new 2017 vehicle though.
Last edited by berkeleysquirrel; Apr 10, 2017 at 2:02 am
Apr 10, 2017, 7:50 am
#478
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 880
Must be a really busy week, both EA and ES were nearly empty tonight at 10 pm. Nothing too exciting, saw a Dodge Charger, a Chrysler 300, a small Buick SUV, and the regular couple of Sonatas, Camrys, Corollas and Altimas. I peeked in the next row that's unmarked and found a BMW X3 with the keys inside. Asked the booth attendant and was told I could take it as part of that promo that's going on until May 31st! A pretty good find, car was built last month and had 1300 miles (only 1 previous renter who drove it one way from Arizona to SFO). Disappointed that it doesn't have a backup camera though for a new 2017 vehicle though.
Apr 27, 2017, 11:15 am
#479
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
4/27 2am
Late night arrival due to delays. ES were mostly empty with a camaro, a ram SUV, couple old town & county, Malibu, etc. Asked attendant regarding X3 promotion and got a grey X3 with 150 mies on it. Not a bad car for a short trip to Napa.
May 11, 2017, 10:04 am
#480
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 610
Arrived Monday 5/8.... walk down the exec aisle. Huge selection of the usual. Then I see a BMW 430 convertible parked. I actually asked the attendant if that's supposed to be there... he goes -- take it man!
No issues leaving the lot at checkout. What a sweet car. I've never seen one in exec aisle anywhere before. Sad I have to return it.
No issues leaving the lot at checkout. What a sweet car. I've never seen one in exec aisle anywhere before. Sad I have to return it.