$55 to keep Executive Aisle - worth it?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Silver, HHDmd, MBvLTPLT, PCAmb/Dmd, HYT Dis
Posts: 1,577
$55 to keep Executive Aisle - worth it?
I have 10 rentals for the year... and no more trips that will require a car. I figure I can do 2 compact rentals next weekend at LAX, keeping the car for an hour each time, for $27.50 each including taxes to get to my 12th rental and keep Executive Aisle for another year.
Executive Aisle came in handy a few times this year - so thinking I will do this - but looking for validation! Any thoughts?
Executive Aisle came in handy a few times this year - so thinking I will do this - but looking for validation! Any thoughts?
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Of course, if you won't be renting from National often next year, or won't be renting where they have an Emerald Aisle, Exec Select is of little value.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Silver, HHDmd, MBvLTPLT, PCAmb/Dmd, HYT Dis
Posts: 1,577
#6
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
I'd say probably worth it - since you're likely to earn 1 more extra free day during 2008 if you're Executive than if you were base Emerald.
I'm debating what I should do myself - since I think I need one more rental to requalify (at least according to CS) - probably will take one out for a few hours on a Saturday during the next 2 weeks.
I'm debating what I should do myself - since I think I need one more rental to requalify (at least according to CS) - probably will take one out for a few hours on a Saturday during the next 2 weeks.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA EXP,MR PP,Hyatt Diam, SPG Plat,PC Plat, HH Gold, National EE
Posts: 791
In the locations I frequent...
Most of the National locations I go to (outside of New York) have a very big difference between the Emerald and Exec. Aisles. For my last 10 rentals or so, I have driven Avalons and Volvos S60 mostly- even saw a Cadillac STS at the MCO Exec. Aisle but I needed a Minivan that day (weren't any Minivans in the Emerald Aisle) so I missed out on that. I almost never see these premium cars in the Emerald Aisle- and I check (just b/c you never know- there may be something better in the Emerald Aisle- hasn't happened yet). Question is- isthat important to you? If you're very happy getting your Grand Prixs and such probably worth it to lay out the money (also the rental credits- depending on how much you rent next year may be worth it). If sometimes you're gonna need Minivans (not to say there aren't Minivans in the Emerald Aisle- it's just not as frequent) or like to have bigger cars and leather seats and more power (love the Volvo S60)- then it's definitely worth it.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Rental 1. Qualifying one
Rental 2. Rented at the time of returning the rental 1 - non qualifying one
Rental 3. Rented after returning rental 2 - Qualifying one
You can keep going forever. When I have a long rental I typically break it into one day non qualifying rental in between because you don't earn any point over 28 day rental.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
I have 10 rentals for the year... and no more trips that will require a car. I figure I can do 2 compact rentals next weekend at LAX, keeping the car for an hour each time, for $27.50 each including taxes to get to my 12th rental and keep Executive Aisle for another year.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Silver, HHDmd, MBvLTPLT, PCAmb/Dmd, HYT Dis
Posts: 1,577
Thanks for all the advice. I think renting at IAD the past few times (where you can barely get a car, forget the difference between the two aisles) made me forget my earlier rentals where I found a big difference (i.e. an STS for driving SFO-LAX, a minivan at LAX when I needed to move last spring). Since I will rent once a month next year, the extra free day (getting 1 in 6 vs. 7) and probably needing a van again in March for another local move ended up making it an easy decision.
Did the first rental yesterday/today. Was just going to get a compact for $25 including taxes/fees (got the price down a few bucks with the motor club discount), but ended up paying $2 extra for a mid-size as they had a Sienna van on the aisle. I had some family in town - the van let us take one car instead of two last night.
Will do another rental next weekend.
Did the first rental yesterday/today. Was just going to get a compact for $25 including taxes/fees (got the price down a few bucks with the motor club discount), but ended up paying $2 extra for a mid-size as they had a Sienna van on the aisle. I had some family in town - the van let us take one car instead of two last night.
Will do another rental next weekend.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: honolulu, hi
Posts: 27
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 163
They work like this.
Rental 1. Qualifying one
Rental 2. Rented at the time of returning the rental 1 - non qualifying one
Rental 3. Rented after returning rental 2 - Qualifying one
You can keep going forever. When I have a long rental I typically break it into one day non qualifying rental in between because you don't earn any point over 28 day rental.
Rental 1. Qualifying one
Rental 2. Rented at the time of returning the rental 1 - non qualifying one
Rental 3. Rented after returning rental 2 - Qualifying one
You can keep going forever. When I have a long rental I typically break it into one day non qualifying rental in between because you don't earn any point over 28 day rental.
So I plan on renting a car from Manhattan on Sun 12/30 and returning to EWR on Mon 12/31 (National has a special $25 rate for this, presumably to help them shuttle cars back-and-forth from Manhattan).
I then need a car on 12/31 thru 1/1 (which I understand will count towards 2008 status). So I figured I would pickup at EWR right after dropping off the Manhattan car.
Does anyone know if this is considered a consecutive rental even though the pickup locations are different? I can also take the airport shuttle bus to the Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall to kill an hour or two, if necessary (to make them non consecutive rentals).
#13
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,580
This isn't policy, but I did a one-day one-way rental from MCI to STL a couple of years ago followed by a local rental in STL -- and both rental credits posted. YMMV, obviously.
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA EXP,MR PP,Hyatt Diam, SPG Plat,PC Plat, HH Gold, National EE
Posts: 791
Only from the same location
I've been told several times that it's only considered a consecutive rental if they're both from the same location (although someone once told me the same city- but in Miami we don't have that b/c one's Miami and one's Miami Beach and one's North Miami Beach) and I've done this many many times and gotten credit for both (at one time I had three cars out from 3 diff. locations and they all posted credits).