Cars at MDW
Oct 2, 2021, 10:55 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Natl Emerald EE, Hertz PC, DL Gold
Posts: 18
Rent here on Oct 2 (Sat) morning. A Rogue and a Ford Explorer were also there. The premier selection had a RAV4 XLE, and a small chevy SUV... There were at least four 7-passenger SUVs and two challengers, probably not available for aisle reservation.
I had a premium elite SUV reservation with a free day and was told that they have a Land Rover being washing. After waited for about 15 mins, the manager told me it had a recall. They had nothing else luxury, picked the Explorer (2021 model, 21k miles, limited trim) in the end, since it had a type-c port (forgot to bring a type-A wire). Kind of an annoying experience, but the manager was friendly.
When I returned on Oct 2 (Sat) evening, the selection was similar, but with fewer cars.
I had a premium elite SUV reservation with a free day and was told that they have a Land Rover being washing. After waited for about 15 mins, the manager told me it had a recall. They had nothing else luxury, picked the Explorer (2021 model, 21k miles, limited trim) in the end, since it had a type-c port (forgot to bring a type-A wire). Kind of an annoying experience, but the manager was friendly.
When I returned on Oct 2 (Sat) evening, the selection was similar, but with fewer cars.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:08 am
#64
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 67
What a mess. Picked up on Saturday 10/23 around 2pm with a minivan reservation. I arrived to find a mass of people waiting for cars. National was servicing National, Enterprise, and Alamo out of the National kiosk in front of the Executive Aisle. There were about 6-8 staff there at any particular time. One guy was taking down names on a clipboard based on when you arrived, irrespective of the company or car class booked. A college soccer team was there waiting for large cars. I have no idea what they reserved but they got the next 3 largest cars (2 Pacificas and a 4Runner).
After 30 minutes, I'm starting to get fairly annoyed. I kept being given the same runaround from multiple employees:
"We have minivans, they're just being sanitized"
"There are two that have already been cleaned and are just being cleared for rent"
"Oh, those two got sent off somewhere else (where to?!) but there are more coming"
"It'll just be a few more minutes, there are more coming up now"
Finally, I asked the guy who looked to be in charge (and I use that term VERY lightly), "You really have no idea whether it will be 1 minute from now or 1 hour and 1 minute from now, do you?" He finally admitted that he didn't. I started to really complain, and for good reason, my pregnant wife and 3 little kids were waiting back at the airport. We're going on 45 minutes now that I've been waiting.
And that's when the excuses start:
"Do you think I like having people waiting?"
"All the rental car companies sold half their fleet"
"There were supposed to be 4 minivans returned already and they're not back yet"
"Two more of the minivans were damaged"
"I'm doing the best I can" - this I really questioned, because eventually it was just me and another large party waiting for a minivan, and there were 6 people in the booth doing absolutely nothing. Maybe there really was nothing they could have done. But, there was zero sense of urgency. I rarely throw status around in a do-you-know-who-I-am kind of way, but in this case, I felt obligated to ask if this is how National treats their Executive Elite customers these days? I did not get a response to this one.
Finally, he could see a Tahoe and a minivan heading down to be cleaned from the return aisle. So he told me I could have either one when it came back up. Which really meant the National staff were appeasing customers with lies about wait times when they really had zero idea. Also during the hour I was waiting, I had multiple National staff ask he how many people are in my party. First of all, that is none of their business. I expect what I reserved or an equivalent. And, with 3 car seats, there is no guarantee that they will fit in one row. So stop trying to convince me to take a mid-sized SUV.
A few minutes over an hour, the Tahoe finally showed up. A 2020 LT with 54,017 miles. I incredulously asked if they were kidding, as I was quite pissed off by this point. And the "manager" told me they are now renting cars out to 65,000 miles. Good grief. All in all, it was by far the worst experience I have had with National.
If there is a fleet shortage, which of course I know there is, maybe stop taking reservations?? And maybe give some preference to your elite customers. And maybe don't lie to people to appease them. And maybe call someone at the cleaning facility to move a large vehicle to the front of the row. The apathy from the staff working was appalling.
Sorry for the rant.
After 30 minutes, I'm starting to get fairly annoyed. I kept being given the same runaround from multiple employees:
"We have minivans, they're just being sanitized"
"There are two that have already been cleaned and are just being cleared for rent"
"Oh, those two got sent off somewhere else (where to?!) but there are more coming"
"It'll just be a few more minutes, there are more coming up now"
Finally, I asked the guy who looked to be in charge (and I use that term VERY lightly), "You really have no idea whether it will be 1 minute from now or 1 hour and 1 minute from now, do you?" He finally admitted that he didn't. I started to really complain, and for good reason, my pregnant wife and 3 little kids were waiting back at the airport. We're going on 45 minutes now that I've been waiting.
And that's when the excuses start:
"Do you think I like having people waiting?"
"All the rental car companies sold half their fleet"
"There were supposed to be 4 minivans returned already and they're not back yet"
"Two more of the minivans were damaged"
"I'm doing the best I can" - this I really questioned, because eventually it was just me and another large party waiting for a minivan, and there were 6 people in the booth doing absolutely nothing. Maybe there really was nothing they could have done. But, there was zero sense of urgency. I rarely throw status around in a do-you-know-who-I-am kind of way, but in this case, I felt obligated to ask if this is how National treats their Executive Elite customers these days? I did not get a response to this one.
Finally, he could see a Tahoe and a minivan heading down to be cleaned from the return aisle. So he told me I could have either one when it came back up. Which really meant the National staff were appeasing customers with lies about wait times when they really had zero idea. Also during the hour I was waiting, I had multiple National staff ask he how many people are in my party. First of all, that is none of their business. I expect what I reserved or an equivalent. And, with 3 car seats, there is no guarantee that they will fit in one row. So stop trying to convince me to take a mid-sized SUV.
A few minutes over an hour, the Tahoe finally showed up. A 2020 LT with 54,017 miles. I incredulously asked if they were kidding, as I was quite pissed off by this point. And the "manager" told me they are now renting cars out to 65,000 miles. Good grief. All in all, it was by far the worst experience I have had with National.
If there is a fleet shortage, which of course I know there is, maybe stop taking reservations?? And maybe give some preference to your elite customers. And maybe don't lie to people to appease them. And maybe call someone at the cleaning facility to move a large vehicle to the front of the row. The apathy from the staff working was appalling.
Sorry for the rant.
Oct 29, 2021, 11:47 pm
#65
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Programs: United, Hilton
Posts: 691
Thank you both for the responses. At least my expectations are lowered so I won't be too disappointed.
On a side note - it is just getting so old to hear the pandemic being used as an excuse by so many businesses. I think they are just dragging their heels to see how little they can restore so that they can be more profitable.
On a side note - it is just getting so old to hear the pandemic being used as an excuse by so many businesses. I think they are just dragging their heels to see how little they can restore so that they can be more profitable.
Jan 8, 2022, 9:42 pm
#66
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: Southwest A-List Preferred / CP holder, National Exec Elite, Enterprise Gold
Posts: 194
Picked up at MDW earlier in the week. This was my second time here... There were a bunch of 300S's, Camaro, Challenger, and Mustangs in ES. I'm guessing with the snow no one wanted them (neither did I.) There was a Cherokee TrailHawk in ES I was going to grab, but it had a broken hood release. Ended up with a Silverado LT. Not exactly impressed with the selection at MDW from my last two experiences. Glad I'm Executive to get a bit of a better pick.
Jan 10, 2022, 8:52 am
#67
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: MDW/ORD
Programs: WN A list, UA Gold, AA Gold, Marriott LT Gold, IHG Platinum, National EE, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 526
Picked up at MDW earlier in the week. This was my second time here... There were a bunch of 300S's, Camaro, Challenger, and Mustangs in ES. I'm guessing with the snow no one wanted them (neither did I.) There was a Cherokee TrailHawk in ES I was going to grab, but it had a broken hood release. Ended up with a Silverado LT. Not exactly impressed with the selection at MDW from my last two experiences. Glad I'm Executive to get a bit of a better pick.
Mar 12, 2022, 7:22 pm
#68
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: Southwest A-List Preferred / CP holder, National Exec Elite, Enterprise Gold
Posts: 194
Any update at MDW?
Just curious how things are at MDW? Still have a sour taste in my mouth from previous experiences here, but it’s easier to fly into MDW than MKE.
Have ES and hoping for a Jeep Grand Cherokee or something similar.
Have ES and hoping for a Jeep Grand Cherokee or something similar.
Mar 24, 2022, 4:19 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
I was at MDW on the morning of 3/10, maybe a 7am flight arrival. There was exactly one vehicle available anywhere (I am exec) fortunately for me it was a 2021 Jeep (not Grand) Cherokee.
Mar 24, 2022, 8:36 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott LT Plat; WoH Exp; AS Gold; AA Plat
Posts: 369
Are aisles typically pretty empty for early pickups? Or have most of you frequent renters found that early pickups can just as easily yield excellent choices in EA/ES?
Mar 26, 2022, 4:31 am
#71
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
The latter, for me. Monday mornings and Friday mornings seem to be best, followed by Saturday/Sunday nights.
Apr 7, 2022, 8:33 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: Southwest A-List Preferred / CP holder, National Exec Elite, Enterprise Gold
Posts: 194
Decent experience
Picked up tonight at MDW. LOTS of options, was pleasantly surprised. there was a Lincoln aviator, BMW sedan, Cadillac XT6 and a few others for upgrade. ES had 2 explorer limited (took one) both with AWD. LOTS of Equinox, Pacifica in all flavors and pickups (Titan)
Jun 3, 2022, 11:56 pm
#74
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: ORD/MDW
Posts: 19
Decent selection picking up this evening around 5:30pm. Aisle was pretty empty (maybe 1 Corolla) but EE was stacked with a few Rams, a Lincoln sedan, the usual Altima/Exinoxes; and a black Challenger that I was about to take when a smoke gray one was pulled up and the attendant told me it had the Hemi engine so I took that. 13k miles, sweet ride although strangely the horn does not work which I only found out when I pulled out onto Cicero into the usual traffic and had to honk at somebody cutting into my lane. I will say the employees at this location are SUPER friendly, it’s a nice vibe to walk into.
Jun 25, 2022, 5:27 pm
#75
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: CO *G, UA 2P, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 149
Wed 6/22 Early Afternoon
EA
Two Chevrolet Colorados
Toyota Camry
EE
Your choice of nearly two dozen Chevrolet Malibu LTs
Two Dodge Charger
Dodge Challenger
Ford F150
Nissan Titan
Jeep Grand Cherokee
I had stacked reservations, so I got notification that Avis upstairs had a Cadillac CT5 as PC waiting for me, so went to see what Hertz and National had on offer. Started off at Hertz on the first floor which had 0 cars in PC selection and a line at the gold booth so skipped that. Made my way up to National the next floor up and also saw the choice of Malibus on EE so took a peek down EA and saw not much better. They have a Audi A4 S-Line Quattro in "upgrade". As I was walking out employee asked if I was looking for anything specific, and was non-committal knowing I had the Caddy up stairs and freely offered if I'd like the Audi to take it. Nearly new car 1400 miles, flawless inside and out. Two thumbs up to the staff at this location. I returned Saturday noon and the availability was dismal. Two Colorado's and a Mazda CX30 in EE and that was it with an empty return line. They had tons of staff standing by on the return line so hopefully that meant they were flipping cars as fast as they were coming in.
EA
Two Chevrolet Colorados
Toyota Camry
EE
Your choice of nearly two dozen Chevrolet Malibu LTs
Two Dodge Charger
Dodge Challenger
Ford F150
Nissan Titan
Jeep Grand Cherokee
I had stacked reservations, so I got notification that Avis upstairs had a Cadillac CT5 as PC waiting for me, so went to see what Hertz and National had on offer. Started off at Hertz on the first floor which had 0 cars in PC selection and a line at the gold booth so skipped that. Made my way up to National the next floor up and also saw the choice of Malibus on EE so took a peek down EA and saw not much better. They have a Audi A4 S-Line Quattro in "upgrade". As I was walking out employee asked if I was looking for anything specific, and was non-committal knowing I had the Caddy up stairs and freely offered if I'd like the Audi to take it. Nearly new car 1400 miles, flawless inside and out. Two thumbs up to the staff at this location. I returned Saturday noon and the availability was dismal. Two Colorado's and a Mazda CX30 in EE and that was it with an empty return line. They had tons of staff standing by on the return line so hopefully that meant they were flipping cars as fast as they were coming in.