National/ Alamo FAQs and Questions
Jul 31, 2013, 9:52 am
#646
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: (SJC)
Posts: 2,198
I am an Executive and picked up at YVR airport ES lot.
When pulling away (and calling National in STL) I asked if my father (visiting on holiday) could drive the car. Both told me $10 a day even as an Executive.
When visiting another branch to "add" my father, the agent said the fee is waived for up to 9 people as you are an executive.
Who is right here? I got my dad on the res for free, but why all the misinformation?
When pulling away (and calling National in STL) I asked if my father (visiting on holiday) could drive the car. Both told me $10 a day even as an Executive.
When visiting another branch to "add" my father, the agent said the fee is waived for up to 9 people as you are an executive.
Who is right here? I got my dad on the res for free, but why all the misinformation?
Jul 31, 2013, 9:56 am
#647
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
Depends on the contract ID used to make the reservation...if using the Emerald Club code, there are no charge additional drivers, including those who do not share an address with you (i.e., unrelated people). If you are a member of the Emerald Club (regardless of status level) anyone who shares an address with you on their license (spouse, parent, etc), as well as co-workers, are allowed to drive the vehicle without being added on.
Aug 8, 2013, 3:17 pm
#648
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,229
Depends on the contract ID used to make the reservation...if using the Emerald Club code, there are no charge additional drivers, including those who do not share an address with you (i.e., unrelated people). If you are a member of the Emerald Club (regardless of status level) anyone who shares an address with you on their license (spouse, parent, etc), as well as co-workers, are allowed to drive the vehicle without being added on.
Aug 8, 2013, 6:03 pm
#649
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
Aug 26, 2013, 2:05 pm
#650
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: SPG, Aeroplan, WJ, Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold, Fairmont PC, IHG, Marriott, Airmiles, Aventura,Avion
Posts: 104
If you are a Costco member and rent using the costco contract id or through the costcotravel.com site, the additional driver wee is waived according to my understand.
I also thought that Alamo Insiders got a free additional driver as well but perhaps it's only those with the same address.
I also thought that Alamo Insiders got a free additional driver as well but perhaps it's only those with the same address.
Aug 26, 2013, 9:29 pm
#652
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7,710
I usually rent with Budget, but just reserved a National car for a four day weekend+ trip I'm taking next month because National wanted ~30% of the total price Budget was quoting me... it also says I'll get 6,000 Club Carlson points for the $70 rental. Will the reservation/price be honored? I made it direct on the national website after seeing the rate on Kayak, but it's pay at counter and I don't currently have membership with National.
Aug 27, 2013, 6:51 am
#653
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
I usually rent with Budget, but just reserved a National car for a four day weekend+ trip I'm taking next month because National wanted ~30% of the total price Budget was quoting me... it also says I'll get 6,000 Club Carlson points for the $70 rental. Will the reservation/price be honored? I made it direct on the national website after seeing the rate on Kayak, but it's pay at counter and I don't currently have membership with National.
And you should absolutely sign up for Emerald Club (it's free). It makes the whole pick-up experience MUCH quicker and smoother, and you'll likely be able to get a much nicer car out of it than what you reserved. After you join, call National and ask them to apply your membership number to your reservation.
Aug 27, 2013, 8:32 am
#654
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
Hi,
I'm planning a trip to California in October, and i will rent a Convertible (pick up in LAX). From what i searched, Alamo and National will give me the best price with the insurances included, but i have some questions:
- Which of them do i have more chance to get a Mustang or Camaro renting the standard convertible, Alamo or National?
- I have a 14h flight and i will not be in the mood to be hassled by the counter guys. I know that Alamo have some kind of kiosk that allows to skip the counter, does National have this kiosks too?
- Do you recommend to rent the toll system in the rental company? What are the alternatives?
Best regards,
Ricardo Araújo
I'm planning a trip to California in October, and i will rent a Convertible (pick up in LAX). From what i searched, Alamo and National will give me the best price with the insurances included, but i have some questions:
- Which of them do i have more chance to get a Mustang or Camaro renting the standard convertible, Alamo or National?
- I have a 14h flight and i will not be in the mood to be hassled by the counter guys. I know that Alamo have some kind of kiosk that allows to skip the counter, does National have this kiosks too?
- Do you recommend to rent the toll system in the rental company? What are the alternatives?
Best regards,
Ricardo Araújo
Aug 27, 2013, 8:47 am
#655
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Welcome to FlyerTalk! 
Most of the time, Alamo and National pull from the same fleet of cars, so the cars you'll find within each class will be very similar between the two brands. That said, as the top-tier brand, National will tend to collect the nicer and/or lower-mileage cars.
National does not have kiosks. However, if you are a member of National's Emerald Club, you can skip the counter completely and just walk directly to the lane of cars matching the kind you have reserved (including accessing the Emerald Aisle if you've reserved at least a midsize), show your license at the exit gate, and be on your way. It's free to join, so absolutely no reason not to.
There are very few toll roads in California. The bridges in the Bay Area are tolled, and some (very few) expressways in the Los Angeles area are tolled. In SoCal (L.A. and San Diego), single-occupant vehicles with a toll transponder can access some (but not many) High-Occupancy Vehicle (carpool) lanes for a fee. Unless you plan on driving across a lot of bridges in the Bay Area or need access to these lanes in SoCal, the toll plan is not necessary. And if you do plan on using these toll roads, just stop at any participating merchant (check the FasTrak authority for your destination area--try this Google search for starters--and pick up a transponder yourself. Typical costs are $25 for the transponder, but that includes $20 of toll credit, so the net cost of the transponder is only $5, assuming you plan on using $20 worth of tolls.
You may be able to avoid using a transponder altogether, although some bridges (like the Golden Gate) have gone to 100% electronic tolling (you can't pay cash).
You may have more luck getting a comprehensive answer if you do two things: post your specific destination area and route of travel and do so in the California destination forum.
You may be able to avoid using a transponder altogether, although some bridges (like the Golden Gate) have gone to 100% electronic tolling (you can't pay cash).
You may have more luck getting a comprehensive answer if you do two things: post your specific destination area and route of travel and do so in the California destination forum.
Aug 27, 2013, 8:53 am
#656
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
Most of the time, Alamo and National pull from the same fleet of cars, so the cars you'll find within each class will be very similar between the two brands. That said, as the top-tier brand, National will tend to collect the nicer and/or lower-mileage cars.
National does not have kiosks. However, if you are a member of National's Emerald Club, you can skip the counter completely and just walk directly to the lane of cars matching the kind you have reserved (including accessing the Emerald Aisle if you've reserved at least a midsize), show your license at the exit gate, and be on your way. It's free to join, so absolutely no reason not to.
There are very few toll roads in California. The bridges in the Bay Area are tolled, and some (very few) expressways in the Los Angeles area are tolled. In SoCal (L.A. and San Diego), single-occupant vehicles with a toll transponder can access some (but not many) High-Occupancy Vehicle (carpool) lanes for a fee. Unless you plan on driving across a lot of bridges in the Bay Area or need access to these lanes in SoCal, the toll plan is not necessary. And if you do plan on using these toll roads, just stop at any participating merchant (check the FasTrak authority for your destination area--try this Google search for starters--and pick up a transponder yourself. Typical costs are $25 for the transponder, but that includes $20 of toll credit, so the net cost of the transponder is only $5, assuming you plan on using $20 worth of tolls.
You may be able to avoid using a transponder altogether, although some bridges (like the Golden Gate) have gone to 100% electronic tolling (you can't pay cash).
You may have more luck getting a comprehensive answer if you do two things: post your specific destination area and route of travel and do so in the California destination forum.
Most of the time, Alamo and National pull from the same fleet of cars, so the cars you'll find within each class will be very similar between the two brands. That said, as the top-tier brand, National will tend to collect the nicer and/or lower-mileage cars.
National does not have kiosks. However, if you are a member of National's Emerald Club, you can skip the counter completely and just walk directly to the lane of cars matching the kind you have reserved (including accessing the Emerald Aisle if you've reserved at least a midsize), show your license at the exit gate, and be on your way. It's free to join, so absolutely no reason not to.
There are very few toll roads in California. The bridges in the Bay Area are tolled, and some (very few) expressways in the Los Angeles area are tolled. In SoCal (L.A. and San Diego), single-occupant vehicles with a toll transponder can access some (but not many) High-Occupancy Vehicle (carpool) lanes for a fee. Unless you plan on driving across a lot of bridges in the Bay Area or need access to these lanes in SoCal, the toll plan is not necessary. And if you do plan on using these toll roads, just stop at any participating merchant (check the FasTrak authority for your destination area--try this Google search for starters--and pick up a transponder yourself. Typical costs are $25 for the transponder, but that includes $20 of toll credit, so the net cost of the transponder is only $5, assuming you plan on using $20 worth of tolls.
You may be able to avoid using a transponder altogether, although some bridges (like the Golden Gate) have gone to 100% electronic tolling (you can't pay cash).
You may have more luck getting a comprehensive answer if you do two things: post your specific destination area and route of travel and do so in the California destination forum.
Sep 8, 2013, 11:52 pm
#657
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 233
I think I read somewhere that they'll waive a drop fee for Emerald Club members, but I can't find it anywhere on National's website. It seems unlikely, given that Emerald Club is free to join, but does anybody know?
Failing that, is there a good way to get a comp one-way on National or Alamo? I'll be taking a full-size SUV from SFO to DEN, with a total time of about eighteen days (but I'll be in Denver after a week, so I could return it and get a local rental if need be). I'll be using the .co.uk sites for inclusive packages (I'm from Australia).
And, if any of these plans involve joining Emerald Club, does anyone know how to do so from overseas? The online form requires a US/Canada license.
Failing that, is there a good way to get a comp one-way on National or Alamo? I'll be taking a full-size SUV from SFO to DEN, with a total time of about eighteen days (but I'll be in Denver after a week, so I could return it and get a local rental if need be). I'll be using the .co.uk sites for inclusive packages (I'm from Australia).
And, if any of these plans involve joining Emerald Club, does anyone know how to do so from overseas? The online form requires a US/Canada license.
Sep 9, 2013, 6:34 am
#658
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
There are no drop fee waivers for simply being an Emerald Club member. The only way to get a free one-way is to 1) apply free days, and 2) use a rate plan that does not have a separate drop fee, but increases the daily rate for one-ways. That may not be available to non-US residents, or may not include the special insurances they may need.
Regular free days take a while to accrue, there is a max of 7 you can redeem consecutively, and unless you're Executive Elite, do not allow reservations of specialty vehicles. You may need to split up the rental into local and one-way components, if at all possible. There is also a 1-2 Free promotion right now (see the T&Cs of how that works), so if you're traveling before mid-June, and can earn those free days, it would be helpful to you.
Regular free days take a while to accrue, there is a max of 7 you can redeem consecutively, and unless you're Executive Elite, do not allow reservations of specialty vehicles. You may need to split up the rental into local and one-way components, if at all possible. There is also a 1-2 Free promotion right now (see the T&Cs of how that works), so if you're traveling before mid-June, and can earn those free days, it would be helpful to you.
Sep 9, 2013, 9:08 pm
#659
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 233
Thanks for your suggestions, Auto Enthusiast.
I tried a short one-way coupled with a standard rental in Denver, but there was no saving.
Anyway, I've still got pretty good rates available to me, so I'll pay up for the one-way if I need to.
I tried a short one-way coupled with a standard rental in Denver, but there was no saving.
Anyway, I've still got pretty good rates available to me, so I'll pay up for the one-way if I need to.
Sep 25, 2013, 10:08 pm
#660
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: National - Exec, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Delta - Gold, AA - Plat
Posts: 94
Hi all, and sincere Thank you/welcome to rentalguy and Pam!
I had a quick question about DriveAlliance and Alamo. I'm Exec with National and do 99.9% of my business with them. I have a 13 day rental coming up with Alamo at PHX (their minivan rate was amazing...1/3 of everyone else). How do I get the rental day credits over to my National account. As easy as showing my card to the Alamo agent?
Question 2: Keeping in mind I have a minivan already reserved, will the Exec with National do anything for me? I had my heart set on a Gold Town and Country (just kidding). But a serious question in case I should keep my eyes out for something neat.
I had a quick question about DriveAlliance and Alamo. I'm Exec with National and do 99.9% of my business with them. I have a 13 day rental coming up with Alamo at PHX (their minivan rate was amazing...1/3 of everyone else). How do I get the rental day credits over to my National account. As easy as showing my card to the Alamo agent?
Question 2: Keeping in mind I have a minivan already reserved, will the Exec with National do anything for me? I had my heart set on a Gold Town and Country (just kidding). But a serious question in case I should keep my eyes out for something neat.
Last edited by leighjohnwi; Sep 25, 2013 at 10:24 pm