A car rental lot at Tulsa International Airport
Just a few weeks ago on a trip to Los Angeles I had my own rental car shock when my Nissan Versa was “suddenly” switched out for a Toyota Yaris at an Advantage Rent A Car location.
How often have you showed up to pick up your rental car and the vehicle you get is nothing like the model you reserved?
Heck, how often do you get there and there isn’t even a car waiting for you or the entire economy class is sold out?
Well there is an answer for that and it's going to be here in Tulsa in September.
Tulsa is one of three markets where National Car Rental is launching a mobile phone app service to let renters pick the exact rental vehicle starting next month.
The program is also going to be available in Richmond, Va. and Omaha, Neb. with national availability later.
In there press release, National says “Using the app, Emerald Club members (app users) can see the real-time inventory available at airport locations with non-secured lots, then choose and reserve the specific car they wish to drive.”
So it sounds like there may still be some last minute shifting, but at least customers can get a heads up about what kind of vehicle they want. It could head off the surprise and then last-second decision that is thrust upon customers at the rental counter.
The app also lets customers change their reservation and car class.
The National Car Rental location here is at the Tulsa International Airport, which probably won't help me because usually my car rentals take place on out of town trips, but its a start.
There was a happy ending to my sudden switch story. I loved the Toyota Yaris. The hatchback was perfect for cutthroat Los Angeles traffic and I could park that tiny bugger anywhere.
And in two days I only used about three gallons of gas.
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