Cars at YYZ / YOW
May 14, 2008, 8:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Avis CHM, Hertz Plat, National EE, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Le Club Plat, CX Gold
Posts: 367
Cars at YYZ / YOW
Hey folks,
Anyone have some recent experience renting from either Toronto (YYZ) or Ottawa (YOW) and what kind of car to expect to choose from as an Executive Emerald Club Member?
I've booked a fullsize for the upcoming weekend. Do either of those two cities have executive lineups?
Thanks!
Anyone have some recent experience renting from either Toronto (YYZ) or Ottawa (YOW) and what kind of car to expect to choose from as an Executive Emerald Club Member?
I've booked a fullsize for the upcoming weekend. Do either of those two cities have executive lineups?
Thanks!
May 15, 2008, 6:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YOW-YUL-YHZ
Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Fairmont PC, AC nobody, VIPorter, National Exec, Hertz #1 Club Gold
Posts: 60
Yow
Rented from the Ottawa downtown location 2 weeks ago. As an exec member, booked a mid-size and was given the choice of a barebones Avenger, an Impala/Grand Prix or a Nitro. Took the Nitro - had sunroof and Sirius radio...nice ride but hard on gas. Also spotted a Ford Edge and a couple Minivans while there.
May 19, 2008, 6:26 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: Starwood Plat UAL 1MM Hertz 5* Hyatt Diamond NAT Exec Elite AA EXP
Posts: 103
I've been into YYZ 4 - 5 times since last November. The selection always seems sort of sparse, but the staff have always accomodated me to find a decent car from their inventory. Picked up an F150 with Sirius and Sync last time. It was particularly helpful because it was snowing like all get out!
May 19, 2008, 6:30 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,405
I have rented about 30 times from YYZ. Recently taking my business to Hertz, as National has been TERRIBLE. The past 4-6 rentals I have been DOWNGRADED, as they are out of cars! Last time I was told a mazda 3 was a PREMIUM!!! I have spoken with the location manager, and he assures me things will "get better", but I havent seen it, and will only rent Hertz from now on.
NO EA at the int. terminal. NO UPGRADES! If you rent a fullsize, you MIGHT get a fullsize!
NO EA at the int. terminal. NO UPGRADES! If you rent a fullsize, you MIGHT get a fullsize!
Jun 18, 2008, 6:31 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, National EE, Sixt Platinum, Hertz PC, AVIS PC
Posts: 1,909
Any experiences at Toronto Airport recently? How about the downtown locations (Yonge/Bloor / Union Station)? Have some rentals next week.
Ron.
Ron.
Jun 27, 2008, 8:09 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Going to YYZ from Aug1 - Aug4
Was wondering if National has anything under 150 for the weekend... im searching and coming up with nothing under 190.. and im mixing and matching codes and coupons like crazy...
I think i got a headache.. good grief..
Anyhelp?
Was wondering if National has anything under 150 for the weekend... im searching and coming up with nothing under 190.. and im mixing and matching codes and coupons like crazy...
I think i got a headache.. good grief..
Anyhelp?
Nov 23, 2008, 1:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Anyone recently?
Anybody had any recent experience at YYZ?
It was hell last time I went, in June, had to wait 45 mins to get a car. I complained and they swapped me into a convertible
Do they still have Emerald Reserve in T1? I'm flying into T3 but I'll gladly take the Link train if I can pick my own car at the other terminal. What's the selection like these days?
It was hell last time I went, in June, had to wait 45 mins to get a car. I complained and they swapped me into a convertible
Do they still have Emerald Reserve in T1? I'm flying into T3 but I'll gladly take the Link train if I can pick my own car at the other terminal. What's the selection like these days?
Dec 5, 2008, 7:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Dec 12, 2008, 12:49 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Update
Hey gang - So I landed at YYZ just after 11 this evening and I picked up my car at Terminal 3, which is counter service. I had a fullsize booked, and was offered a Grand Prix. I asked her if she had anything else and she asked me what I wanted. I asked her just to list a few options, and she offered a couple of different SUVs or a Lincoln MKZ, which I agreed to take. Then she casually mentioned that the upgrade would add $150 to my bill, so naturally I took the Grand Prix. It had 32,000 km on it and the XM radio trial was expired. 
The only other fullsize car was a Charger, and I noticed at least three FCAR bookings on the board, so what do we want to bet the non-status customer who happened to be the last one in got the MKZ for free..... They also had a few PT Cruisers, a Kia Spectra and a couple of Jeeps, nothing too exciting. I noticed Hertz had a 328i and A4 sitting in their Gold stalls. ^
I zipped over to Terminal 1, where Emerald Reserve is, to see if they had anything that might tickle my fancy. The aisle was closed as it was near midnight at this point, so all customers have to go to the counter for service. Here were my observations:
Midsize
Close to a dozen PT Cruisers, a handful of Calibers (still don't get how they pass these off for midsizes), a Nissan Sentra, and two Dodge Avengers.
Fullsize
Mostly more Grand Prixs, a few Impalas and 2009 Sonatas, and one or two Altimas.
Premium
Empty.
Luxury
Two Grand Prixs and a base model Impala...not even joking. I did notice a Taurus X with leather seats sitting in Luxury as well.
Compact
Cobalts and Spectras from what I could see.
Minivan
All Grand Caravans, and quite an impressive number of them.
SUV
Didn't get a good hard look, but I'm pretty sure I saw some smaller Jeeps and maybe a Ford Flex.
So yeah, I left somewhat underwhelmed. I've been fiercely loyal to National since my corporate account waives the underage fee. This year will be my second in a row qualifying for Executive Elite based on number of rentals. That said, barring any unforeseen circumstances this will be my last trip to Toronto before turning 25. I'm thinking more and more that I'll be giving another company a try. Like Hertz, I'd rather have paid $25 a day to take a BMW or Audi than to pay that same amount to National, where I rent from 30 times a year, to essentially get a Ford Fusion with a Lincoln badge.
Sorry, rant over. Hope my observations are helpful to any YYZ travelers.
The only other fullsize car was a Charger, and I noticed at least three FCAR bookings on the board, so what do we want to bet the non-status customer who happened to be the last one in got the MKZ for free..... They also had a few PT Cruisers, a Kia Spectra and a couple of Jeeps, nothing too exciting. I noticed Hertz had a 328i and A4 sitting in their Gold stalls. ^I zipped over to Terminal 1, where Emerald Reserve is, to see if they had anything that might tickle my fancy. The aisle was closed as it was near midnight at this point, so all customers have to go to the counter for service. Here were my observations:
Midsize
Close to a dozen PT Cruisers, a handful of Calibers (still don't get how they pass these off for midsizes), a Nissan Sentra, and two Dodge Avengers.
Fullsize
Mostly more Grand Prixs, a few Impalas and 2009 Sonatas, and one or two Altimas.
Premium
Empty.
Luxury
Two Grand Prixs and a base model Impala...not even joking. I did notice a Taurus X with leather seats sitting in Luxury as well.
Compact
Cobalts and Spectras from what I could see.
Minivan
All Grand Caravans, and quite an impressive number of them.
SUV
Didn't get a good hard look, but I'm pretty sure I saw some smaller Jeeps and maybe a Ford Flex.
So yeah, I left somewhat underwhelmed. I've been fiercely loyal to National since my corporate account waives the underage fee. This year will be my second in a row qualifying for Executive Elite based on number of rentals. That said, barring any unforeseen circumstances this will be my last trip to Toronto before turning 25. I'm thinking more and more that I'll be giving another company a try. Like Hertz, I'd rather have paid $25 a day to take a BMW or Audi than to pay that same amount to National, where I rent from 30 times a year, to essentially get a Ford Fusion with a Lincoln badge.
Sorry, rant over. Hope my observations are helpful to any YYZ travelers.
Dec 12, 2008, 12:29 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Avis CHM, Hertz Plat, National EE, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Le Club Plat, CX Gold
Posts: 367
National Executive is a joke at YYZ
Had a reservation for a full-size a few weeks back, I'm Avis CHM but I just wanted to see what National was like.
Was waived into the booth in the T1 lot, asked for my National ID. She said take anything parked in the fullsize lot. Walked over to a base silver 300 parked in a fullsize spot. The lady came running out and told me it would be $9 more per day to have it.
I protested for a few minutes, she was very firm and wouldn't let me leave. Got out of the car and into a tired old Impala. Drove over to the exit gate and the guy working the booth asked me what all the fuss was about. I explained the situation and he said to go put the Impala back and grab the 300.
Just as I was driving out with the 300, booth lady was seen in my rear view mirror walking briskly towards me and the gate attendant.
Just horrible...
Had a reservation for a full-size a few weeks back, I'm Avis CHM but I just wanted to see what National was like.
Was waived into the booth in the T1 lot, asked for my National ID. She said take anything parked in the fullsize lot. Walked over to a base silver 300 parked in a fullsize spot. The lady came running out and told me it would be $9 more per day to have it.
I protested for a few minutes, she was very firm and wouldn't let me leave. Got out of the car and into a tired old Impala. Drove over to the exit gate and the guy working the booth asked me what all the fuss was about. I explained the situation and he said to go put the Impala back and grab the 300.
Just as I was driving out with the 300, booth lady was seen in my rear view mirror walking briskly towards me and the gate attendant.
Just horrible...
Dec 12, 2008, 2:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
I'll bet that was the same lady I had the pleasure of dealing with last June....
Yeah I definaterly think I'm trying someone else next time. I left Thrifty in YZZ due to poor customer service and now I'm getting the same with National. That and they really have a lack of variety for cars. I was hoping for even a base model G8 or something relatively fun. I know state-side they have more of the "fun" cars so I'll probably try my luck down there.
National in YYZ is consistently getting poorer, I remember standing around waiting for cars last June and I heard a guy stand beside me say "I'm in a different National car every week all across North America and this is the only place I ever have a problem."
Yeah I definaterly think I'm trying someone else next time. I left Thrifty in YZZ due to poor customer service and now I'm getting the same with National. That and they really have a lack of variety for cars. I was hoping for even a base model G8 or something relatively fun. I know state-side they have more of the "fun" cars so I'll probably try my luck down there.
National in YYZ is consistently getting poorer, I remember standing around waiting for cars last June and I heard a guy stand beside me say "I'm in a different National car every week all across North America and this is the only place I ever have a problem."