Cars at MSP
Feb 4, 2009, 7:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL FO, HHonors Gold, MR Gold, ICH Plat, National EC
Posts: 255
Cars at MSP
I didn't see this city in the other section, so I thought I'd start a new thread as I'll be heading there in late March/early April this year. Anyone have a look at the ES lot here recently?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Feb 6, 2009, 9:55 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: The People's Republik of MSN
Programs: After years of status, back to Peon levels. Anti-Apostheid Platinum, PWP CentCom
Posts: 4,767
Not entirely recently, but I was at MSP in November. The ES was all minivans, and the EA was all HHRs. I was walking around with an obviously POed look on my face, and an attendant tossed me the keys for a Cadillac DTS.
Feb 23, 2009, 8:45 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
some of last week's selections, chased away before I could get a comprehensive tour. I have noticed that the fleet is a lot more Toyota heavy than my visit last month.
ES:
Camry
Volvo S60
Prius
EA:
G6
Corolla
Volvo S40
VW Jetta
HHR
ES:
Camry
Volvo S60
Prius
EA:
G6
Corolla
Volvo S40
VW Jetta
HHR
Feb 23, 2009, 11:59 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Programs: Hilton-DIA, IHG-Plat Amb, Hyatt-DIA, SPG-Plat & 3 star, Marriott-Gold, Nat'l-Exec, NWA-Sil
Posts: 100
Lat week - still a bunch of HHR's, minivans, some grand prix - also dodge avenger/charger - and the caddies are there in the Exec section - but you gotta be there early.
Just wish Nat'l would credit my NWA miles correctly, especially @ MSP - anyone else have this issue?
Just wish Nat'l would credit my NWA miles correctly, especially @ MSP - anyone else have this issue?
Mar 30, 2009, 7:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
The lot attentants at MSP can be very attentive to the customer. I usually walk on to the lot and get a personal escort. I think this is because I come at quiet times and know the layout well so I don't hesitate looking for signage as I enter the lot. This is also my home location so I am usually in jeans and sneakers and without luggage, not the profile you would expect to be in the Executive section during winter.
This weekend had quite a bit of variety in the Executive section and more HHRs than I care to recall on the Aisle. I once again did not get to browse too long as I had my escort within 10 seconds. I settled on a Prius off of the Aisle (3300 miles), attentant did not understatnd why I wanted to downgrade myself.
The return was late so I had to go inside to do the closeout, gave me some room to look around. I noticed that the row of returns was heavy (1/3+) Toyotas (Yaris, Corolla, Camry, Prius) and the VWs and Volvos still have a small presence in the fleet.
Apr 5, 2009, 1:08 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Mexico
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT (2 MM); Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 107
I fly to MSP quite a bit (was there last week and will be there tomorrow), and my company comped us to Emerald and Exec Selection, so I've been renting from National exclusively since. At first, the Nat@MSP ES aisle impressed me with their nice selection of Volvos and Pontiac G8s, but recently those nice cars are a rare sight, at least when I get there (around 9AM on Mondays). One of the managers there told me that the Volvos have dwindled due to how expensive they are to maintain; apparently National has to send the cars to Volvo and they do the maintenance, whereas all other cars are serviced on-site.
However, they do have plenty of newer, loaded Malibus, a lot of recent Nissan product (why can't I grab a loaded Maxima?) and they still do have those elusive G8s (I'd love to drive away in a GT version of these days!). I also discovered a nice, recent addition to their fleet last week: loaded Ford Tauruses (not the egg-shaped ones but the ones based on the previous Ford 300s). Leather seats, powerful engines, and my favorite feature: Microsoft Sync, which allows voice-activated commands, Bluetooth mobile phone operation, and even an iPod voice-activated interface, if you remember to bring your iPod USB cable.
All in all, I like them a lot. They are a pretty friendly bunch, so I look forward to more nice upgrades in the near future at MSP.
However, they do have plenty of newer, loaded Malibus, a lot of recent Nissan product (why can't I grab a loaded Maxima?) and they still do have those elusive G8s (I'd love to drive away in a GT version of these days!). I also discovered a nice, recent addition to their fleet last week: loaded Ford Tauruses (not the egg-shaped ones but the ones based on the previous Ford 300s). Leather seats, powerful engines, and my favorite feature: Microsoft Sync, which allows voice-activated commands, Bluetooth mobile phone operation, and even an iPod voice-activated interface, if you remember to bring your iPod USB cable.
All in all, I like them a lot. They are a pretty friendly bunch, so I look forward to more nice upgrades in the near future at MSP.
Apr 5, 2009, 2:04 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Where & when I have seen Maximas and G8s at National they have been classed as premium cars, not full-sized to be placed on ES. With the presence of loaded Malibus instead of stripper LS and 4-cylinder LT models, this suggests MSP is well above average in the National world.
Apr 5, 2009, 6:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,086
As an owner of a Volvo S80, I can definately understand and agree. Volvo's are definately higher maintenance like all European cars.
Jul 15, 2009, 7:52 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 176
Rented from MSP on July 13 at 7:00AM.
Decent selection in Executive selection with Volvo S60s, Chrysler 300s, Town Cars, some SUVs, among others.
Got a white CTS 3.6 DI with ~3000 miles. Nice car. Would've been nice if it had the moonroof and some of the additional options, but now I'm just being picky
Decent selection in Executive selection with Volvo S60s, Chrysler 300s, Town Cars, some SUVs, among others.
Got a white CTS 3.6 DI with ~3000 miles. Nice car. Would've been nice if it had the moonroof and some of the additional options, but now I'm just being picky
Jul 15, 2009, 5:00 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,396
Rented from MSP on July 13 at 7:00AM.
Decent selection in Executive selection with Volvo S60s, Chrysler 300s, Town Cars, some SUVs, among others.
Got a white CTS 3.6 DI with ~3000 miles. Nice car. Would've been nice if it had the moonroof and some of the additional options, but now I'm just being picky
Decent selection in Executive selection with Volvo S60s, Chrysler 300s, Town Cars, some SUVs, among others.
Got a white CTS 3.6 DI with ~3000 miles. Nice car. Would've been nice if it had the moonroof and some of the additional options, but now I'm just being picky
Jul 20, 2009, 3:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
Sep 30, 2009, 9:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS/PVD/BDL
Programs: PC Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold,HHonors Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite
Posts: 726
Hi.
I am flying into MSP on Columbus Day weekend. I am flying in on Air Tran into Humphrey Terminal on Saturday morning at 10am. I am National Emerald Exec and booked a full size with an entertainment book coupon. My pickup location is the Humphrey Terminal and its saying counter. I called the reservation dept and they couldnt say why. Is Humphrey a totally different National location than the other terminal?
I am flying into MSP on Columbus Day weekend. I am flying in on Air Tran into Humphrey Terminal on Saturday morning at 10am. I am National Emerald Exec and booked a full size with an entertainment book coupon. My pickup location is the Humphrey Terminal and its saying counter. I called the reservation dept and they couldnt say why. Is Humphrey a totally different National location than the other terminal?