mozilla

Pickup up a car from National in ORD this month, and I was already >50 miles down the I-94 when I realized the gate attendant didn't give me a copy of the RA.

Checked my email, nothing there either, also not in the SPAM folder. I did receive the "we're expecting you" email before I landed though, so they were able to reach me by email.

I did see the rental active in the app and everything looked correct, made a screenshot so at least I had something to go from, and I returned the car a few days later without hassles.

However, I'm wondering, what would I have done if I was caught in a traffic stop (I didn't actually get into one, just wondering)? I always have the RA ready in the car to prove that I legitimately rented the car, but I didn't have anything this time. Not sure if an officer would appreciate the display in the app either, since it's not the actual RA, just a reservation overview. I couldn't find an option to display the full RA in the app.

Is it normal to not get the RA, neither in hardcopy, neither by email?

I'll pay more attention next time, and I'd probably call and ask for a copy by email if I'd notice this too late again. What would you have done?

yitzc

Hmm. I actually had a slightly different experience. Admittedly, I didn't actually make it to the gate agent with a car from the aisle, so can't comment on if that works or not.

I recently rented from JFK with a reservation for a midsize booked through Chase UR. Got to the aisle, and the manager, who was hanging around, asked me what I had booked. I told him a midsize through Chase UR.
He said that I needed to go to the counter to fill out a contract. I told him I was an EE, and should be able to add my EC# directly at the gate. He said he didn't think so, and he called up some other manager who agreed with him.
So I went back to the counter, he printed out the contract, I signed, and then he says - you know, because you booked through a 3rd party, you can't pick from the aisle.
I showed him a conversation I had with the National twitter rep, who said that adding my EC# at the location is fine - but he was adamant. (At this point, I didn't think showing him the flyertalk thread would have helped any more )
Eventually, after seeing how much luggage I had, he was willing to let me "upgrade" to an SUV at no added cost... So all's well that ends well.

AutoSlash

Thanks for the feedback on your experience. It would have been interesting to know what would have happened had you proceeded directly to the exit gate. Since we originally posted about this, we've heard of others who have successfully had their Emerald/EE number associated with their rental at the exit gate, although I can't be sure any of them were at JFK. Would love to hear feedback from others on their experience with skipping the counter on a prepaid res with National.

starbai

I'm so confused by the acronyms.

EA = Emerald Aisle? or Executive Aisle? What about ES?

It would seem that Ea = Emerald, Es = Executive.

I dont have executive status with National, I just signed up for the free Emerald Club... so to get access to 'choose my own car' I'd need to reserve a midsize and choose from the EA not ES aisle... is this correct?

Auto Enthusiast

Correct. We have a whole FAQ sticky section for National, so I'm not sure why this was posted for Seattle specifically.

kxc262

ES = executive
Midsize would let you take anything from EA given that you have no status.

dwbf11

@starbai moved your posts to our FAQ thread.

dwbf11
National Mod

JimboandtheJetset

Hi everyone
I'm flying into MCO this weekend from the UK and a couple of weeks ago I switched my rental car booking to National because I'd heard bad things about the queues to get cars from other companies. This is my first National booking.
I joined the Emerald Club, booked a Midsize, and then this week have status matched up to Executive Elite.
I understand that I can take any car from the Emerald Aisle or executive Area and I'll only be billed for the midsize.
I have three quick beginner questions:
- I can't see how to add a second driver (who shares my address etc). Can I do this at the kiosk on the way out?
- Is there any disadvantage from cancelling the booking and rebooking it, so that it definitely qualifies for the one-two-free promotion?
- Have I missed something here, e.g. could I save money by booking a different size? (I'm not after a bigger/fancier car on this trip, though...)
Thanks in advance for your help.

MSP_Monopoly

MSP_Monopoly

GreeNYC

Anyone knows what happened to the "Last Minute Specials"? nowhere to be found on the new site.

Max M

It will be time renting with National at a location with an actual Emerald Club Aisle-- LAS.

I'm needing to add my spouse as an authorized Driver, will I need to wait in line at the counter @ LAS, or is there a booth near the Emerald Aisle in LAS where I can show my Wife's ID to add her as an authorized Driver?

If I do so at a booth by the Emerald Club, do I simply collect any checked luggage and proceed to the National Shuttle Bus?

Thanks!

bullsfan1227

You can do it at the exit booth on your way out. However, if she shares your last name, it's not necessary for you to manually add her. She is automatically an authorized driver.

MSP_Monopoly

GreeNYC

Thanks. But I can't find any location with a last minute special available. Maybe it's just because of Labor Day weekend, or perhaps it's gone.