National/ Alamo FAQs and Questions
Dec 13, 20, 8:50 am
#1306
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SJO
Programs: Avianca LifeMiles. Hilton Gold, Meliá Gold, Radisson Gold. National Car Executive Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 182
I will arrive at IAD, and I already booked a Premium SUV (Suburban or similar) using Emerald Club rewards free days. I'm Emerald Club Executive Elite, but I have never used the benefits in the USA (I'm from Costa Rica).
- According to the free days program policy, as a Executive Elite member, I can select any car, from any category, except trucks and exotics... Am I entitled to request cars from the Premier Selection to the counter agent at no extra-cost?
Thank you for your orientation.
- According to the free days program policy, as a Executive Elite member, I can select any car, from any category, except trucks and exotics... Am I entitled to request cars from the Premier Selection to the counter agent at no extra-cost?
Thank you for your orientation.
Last edited by ariel_sjo; Dec 19, 20 at 10:30 am
Mar 21, 21, 6:08 pm
#1307
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AA ExPlat, Marriott lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire/Ambassador
Posts: 23,257
(#4) Q: Does National offer a grace period for late returns?
A: Yes, there is a 29 minute grace period, and additional (hefty) charges may apply after that (beyond 2-3 hours an additional day will be charged). In some extenuating cases, the managers may waive the charges.
A: Yes, there is a 29 minute grace period, and additional (hefty) charges may apply after that (beyond 2-3 hours an additional day will be charged). In some extenuating cases, the managers may waive the charges.
I just returned a car to PHX, I was 19 mins late, they were however so busy with spring breakers that there was only one agent directing traffic. Car didn't get check back in until 42 mins, so it fell out of 29 minute grace period.
Is there still a 29 min grace period?
-
Mar 21, 21, 9:21 pm
#1308
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,499
is there still a grace period?
I just returned a car to PHX, I was 19 mins late, they were however so busy with spring breakers that there was only one agent directing traffic. Car didn't get check back in until 42 mins, so it fell out of 29 minute grace period.
Is there still a 29 min grace period?
-
I just returned a car to PHX, I was 19 mins late, they were however so busy with spring breakers that there was only one agent directing traffic. Car didn't get check back in until 42 mins, so it fell out of 29 minute grace period.
Is there still a 29 min grace period?
-
Mar 22, 21, 6:37 am
#1309
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,330
If he took a photo of the car in the return lane, there will be a timestamp in the metadata to serve as proof.
Mar 22, 21, 8:22 am
#1310
Join Date: Mar 2021
Programs: HH-Diamond, National-EE
Posts: 2
Chicago O'Hare 7 Passenger Vehicle Questions (ORD)
I live in the Milwaukee area, and I'm taking a Spring Break road trip; wife & 4 kids. I'm an Executive Elite National member. I've had very good luck with vehicle upgrades when I travel alone, but it seems like when I have the family, and I NEED the upgrades, I run into all kinds of problems.
My questions:
- I called National Customer Service - they said as a EE, I could do an "Executive Elite reservation". Call 24-48 hrs in advance, and they'd have a Minivan or Premium SUV (7 passenger) vehicle pulled aside for me when I arrive.
- I called MKE National - Only carry Chevy's, no minivans, and a stern message that Premium SUV is highly unlikely or available for an upcoming week long rental. When I called the local MKE National location, they had never heard of an "Executive Elite reservation". I talked to (2) separate people at the location, one over the phone & one in person (I seem to get better service face-to-face, so I took a drive to the location).
My questions:
- Can I book the full-size vehicle and expect to find a minivan or Suburban at O'Hare (ORD)?
- Is there such a thing as an Executive Elite reservation?
- If so, does ORD honor them (as opposed to MKE which has never heard of them)
- ... any other advice to ensure we get a 7 passenger vehicle
Mar 24, 21, 12:07 am
#1311
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,330
I live in the Milwaukee area, and I'm taking a Spring Break road trip; wife & 4 kids. I'm an Executive Elite National member. I've had very good luck with vehicle upgrades when I travel alone, but it seems like when I have the family, and I NEED the upgrades, I run into all kinds of problems.
My questions:
- I called National Customer Service - they said as a EE, I could do an "Executive Elite reservation". Call 24-48 hrs in advance, and they'd have a Minivan or Premium SUV (7 passenger) vehicle pulled aside for me when I arrive.
- I called MKE National - Only carry Chevy's, no minivans, and a stern message that Premium SUV is highly unlikely or available for an upcoming week long rental. When I called the local MKE National location, they had never heard of an "Executive Elite reservation". I talked to (2) separate people at the location, one over the phone & one in person (I seem to get better service face-to-face, so I took a drive to the location).
My questions:
- Can I book the full-size vehicle and expect to find a minivan or Suburban at O'Hare (ORD)?
- Is there such a thing as an Executive Elite reservation?
- If so, does ORD honor them (as opposed to MKE which has never heard of them)
- ... any other advice to ensure we get a 7 passenger vehicle
The only way to guarantee a 7 passenger vehicle is to book one. That said, minivans are fairly easy to find at aisle locations.
Apr 6, 21, 4:03 pm
#1313
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,965
The computer does not care, but there may not be a car available. You will still be billed in rolling 24 hr periods though so early pick up means earlier return to avoid the additional fees.
Apr 25, 21, 7:51 pm
#1314
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: CSR, SW CP.
Posts: 12
Got a question about corporate rates. My fiancee has a super good corporate code through her work that can be used for leisure travel. She will be with me and be able to provide ID if they need it. I was wondering if I would run into any issues with booking it under my name as I have Executive status? National tells me to contact her company but they use a third party to handle employee discounts and have literally no contact information. If its an issue I'll just book it under her name and forgo the aisle choice and add myself as a second driver. it would just be nice to use my account for the status.
Apr 25, 21, 9:05 pm
#1315
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,499
Got a question about corporate rates. My fiancee has a super good corporate code through her work that can be used for leisure travel. She will be with me and be able to provide ID if they need it. I was wondering if I would run into any issues with booking it under my name as I have Executive status? National tells me to contact her company but they use a third party to handle employee discounts and have literally no contact information. If its an issue I'll just book it under her name and forgo the aisle choice and add myself as a second driver. it would just be nice to use my account for the status.
Apr 28, 21, 2:34 pm
#1317
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Hilton-Diamond; National-EE; Hertz-PC; WN-A* List
Posts: 19
Locations Out of Cars
Hey! Wondering if anyone has recent experience with reserving a specific car class. Have the locations been pretty good with honoring those and having the car class available? I made a reservation about 5 months back for a full size suv because I need that specific passenger and luggage capacity so being put in something smaller is not an option for me. I’m only concerned because two of the past few times I’ve traveled on a regular EE aisle reservation (Nashville and Orlando), I’ve found myself waiting for the location to get a car available with no cars in sight even in the “Emerald Reserve” areas.
May 23, 21, 10:36 am
#1318
Join Date: May 2021
Programs: National Emerald Club Executive, Avis Preferred Plus, Alaska MVP
Posts: 3
OGG booking through Expedia, benefits still apply?
Hi! I have seen a lot of questions around booking through third party websites and using the benefits. But most are through Priceline and Autoslash. We booked through Expedia for OGG airport in Maui, and there was no option to add our EC number. The reservation did not show up on the national portal automatically, but we were able to find it by looking it up using the reservation number. Under the pickup section, it says go to the counter. I understand that memberships are linked with driver's license, but will we still be able to use the executive area if the reservation is not linked to our EC number?
May 23, 21, 10:45 am
#1319
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,499
Hi! I have seen a lot of questions around booking through third party websites and using the benefits. But most are through Priceline and Autoslash. We booked through Expedia for OGG airport in Maui, and there was no option to add our EC number. The reservation did not show up on the national portal automatically, but we were able to find it by looking it up using the reservation number. Under the pickup section, it says go to the counter. I understand that memberships are linked with driver's license, but will we still be able to use the executive area if the reservation is not linked to our EC number?
Often with National, you can still use choose your own vehicle from the aisle even if your EC# is not on the reservation. Just choose and drive to the exit booth as usual if your EC member number is linked to your driver's license. We've seen it work in the past.
May 23, 21, 10:57 am
#1320
Join Date: May 2021
Programs: National Emerald Club Executive, Avis Preferred Plus, Alaska MVP
Posts: 3
Hi! Thanks so much for the reply! We went back to expedia and figured out that the issue was that we can only type in our EC number if we choose a "pay later" rate, if it's "pay now", the car rental program section would not be shown(duh, it's a pre-paid reservation). Can't post a screenshot bc im a new user 
but yea we will definitely try just drive up to the exit! Thank you again!
but yea we will definitely try just drive up to the exit! Thank you again!
