National/ Alamo FAQs and Questions
Aug 13, 2023, 8:44 am
#1457
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
Apologies in advance if this is already answered but I couldn’t find anything. If I’m Exec Elite and rent a car that’s says go to aisle, Full Size, but the rental is after status has expired and I didn’t meet renewal requirement what happens. Does status at booking count or do you need status at collection?
Aug 14, 2023, 11:15 am
#1458
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
Apologies in advance if this is already answered but I couldn’t find anything. If I’m Exec Elite and rent a car that’s says go to aisle, Full Size, but the rental is after status has expired and I didn’t meet renewal requirement what happens. Does status at booking count or do you need status at collection?
But even if you're just an Executive (not an elite), the process wouldn't be any different.
And even if you have just regular Emerald Club status, you'd still go to the Emerald Aisle and pick whatever is there for you.
Aug 14, 2023, 9:48 pm
#1459
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,211
The problem could be if you used Executive or Executive Elite status to reserve something you otherwise couldn't do- fullsize at the midsize price, premium at the fullsize price, free day with a specialty vehicle, etc.
Aug 16, 2023, 2:18 pm
#1460
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,019
Basic question - Re - Tolls
Renting an SUV at DFW location. Will the SUV already have a transponder or toll tag? Or do I have to get it just before driving off the lot?
It is a 2-day rental (spanning three days of the week). However, I intend to use toll lanes in the DFW area.
Renting an SUV at DFW location. Will the SUV already have a transponder or toll tag? Or do I have to get it just before driving off the lot?
It is a 2-day rental (spanning three days of the week). However, I intend to use toll lanes in the DFW area.
Aug 17, 2023, 9:25 am
#1461
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: 23,197
Basic question - Re - Tolls
Renting an SUV at DFW location. Will the SUV already have a transponder or toll tag? Or do I have to get it just before driving off the lot?
It is a 2-day rental (spanning three days of the week). However, I intend to use toll lanes in the DFW area.
Renting an SUV at DFW location. Will the SUV already have a transponder or toll tag? Or do I have to get it just before driving off the lot?
It is a 2-day rental (spanning three days of the week). However, I intend to use toll lanes in the DFW area.
I actually can't recall if rental cars in Texas typically come with toll tags, but if they don't, the toll agencies bill toll usage by license plate, so regardless, from your perspective, I don't think there's anything to do (no transponder to collect)--simply drive your rental car on a toll road and you'll get charged in accordance with National's policy for Texas. Worth asking the rental agent when you pick up to clarify, though.
Aug 17, 2023, 9:30 am
#1462
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,437
get a
Aug 17, 2023, 7:24 pm
#1463
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,019
Thank you all!
Update from DFW—
as jackal said —- there is no tag or transponder.
The license plate is read by the toll plaza and billed. They said it can take upto six weeks to get the toll bills.
Had to drive back to airport To get everyone…
For the toll to enter/exit the airport — we had to get a physical ticket at the booth and pay by credit card. You can’t drive through the automated lanes to enter/exit the airport. Luckily I asked about this at National before driving to airport!
Update from DFW—
as jackal said —- there is no tag or transponder.
The license plate is read by the toll plaza and billed. They said it can take upto six weeks to get the toll bills.
Had to drive back to airport To get everyone…
For the toll to enter/exit the airport — we had to get a physical ticket at the booth and pay by credit card. You can’t drive through the automated lanes to enter/exit the airport. Luckily I asked about this at National before driving to airport!
Sep 13, 2023, 3:46 pm
#1464
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,019
Thank you all!
Update from DFW—
as jackal said —- there is no tag or transponder.
The license plate is read by the toll plaza and billed. They said it can take upto six weeks to get the toll bills.
Had to drive back to airport To get everyone…
For the toll to enter/exit the airport — we had to get a physical ticket at the booth and pay by credit card. You can’t drive through the automated lanes to enter/exit the airport. Luckily I asked about this at National before driving to airport!
Update from DFW—
as jackal said —- there is no tag or transponder.
The license plate is read by the toll plaza and billed. They said it can take upto six weeks to get the toll bills.
Had to drive back to airport To get everyone…
For the toll to enter/exit the airport — we had to get a physical ticket at the booth and pay by credit card. You can’t drive through the automated lanes to enter/exit the airport. Luckily I asked about this at National before driving to airport!
There is a daily service charge for using the toll lanes.
The service charge is called "Toll Pass Convenience Fee" on the statement (3.95$ per day up to a maximum of 19.75$ per rental).
Sep 15, 2023, 6:52 pm
#1465
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 7
Hi All. Just wanted to confirm - I am an executive member and reserved a car from Luxury category (it was the cheapest for some reason). I can still also pick from Executive isle as well (in case cars are better than lux), without being charged a higher midsize rate, correct?
Sep 15, 2023, 6:55 pm
#1466
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
Technically, no. They may allow it but they don’t have to. What you have is called Emerald Reserve service which is different than Emerald Aisle service when you reserve a midsize.
Oct 31, 2023, 8:08 am
#1468
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Hello all, new potential National customer here. Hilton Aspire added a perk so now I'm an Exec level customer. Apparently it enters "emerald club members" as the rate code. However, I've checked rates for my next 12 rentals and National is 2x Hertz, Budget, and Enterprise. Shocking rates actually. I'm not trying to find a contract ID I am not eligible for - but wondering, are there any generally good contract IDs like for AAA, AARP, Mastercard/Visa credit card cardholders, Airline loyalty programs, etc? Ones that are easy for me to acquire (or that I may already hold)?
Nov 5, 2023, 2:08 pm
#1469
Join Date: Jul 2023
Programs: National Executive Elite
Posts: 4
Hey everyone. I'm Exec Elite with National, I typically get 30-day rentals via work and use my airports emerald aisle/executive selection to choose a car. Lately, I've been passing by the airport more often with work and I'm wondering if it's okay if I exchanged my car every week or so just to try a variety of different vehicles out (planning on purchasing something soon). Is there any limit to the amount of exchanges you can do on a single 30-day reservation? I have exchanged middle of rental once in the past and it was quick and easy and they didn't even ask for a reason so I assume they don't really mind but I just want to make sure there's nothing against this.
Nov 6, 2023, 11:12 am
#1470
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,709
Hey everyone. I'm Exec Elite with National, I typically get 30-day rentals via work and use my airports emerald aisle/executive selection to choose a car. Lately, I've been passing by the airport more often with work and I'm wondering if it's okay if I exchanged my car every week or so just to try a variety of different vehicles out (planning on purchasing something soon). Is there any limit to the amount of exchanges you can do on a single 30-day reservation? I have exchanged middle of rental once in the past and it was quick and easy and they didn't even ask for a reason so I assume they don't really mind but I just want to make sure there's nothing against this.