National Car Rental Review
National is a well-established car rental service with US and international locations. The company boasts 1,500 locations worldwide and offers a wide range of vehicles for long and short-term rental at competitive prices. National’s Emerald club rewards frequent users with free rental days and offers an enhanced customer experience when picking up and dropping off vehicles.
National Car Rental Pros
National’s clear pricing displays the full price that you’ll pay including taxes and fees in your initial search so there are no nasty surprises when you click through to reserve. The company has a great reputation for customer service and online reviews praise the benefits of its Emerald Club which offers one free rental day for every seven completed rentals. It also lets renters upgrade their car on midsize rentals when superior vehicles are available. National’s website is clear and easy to navigate and the range of vehicles will suit almost every budget. Emerald Club members can also use their credits at Enterprise car rental.
National Car Rental Cons
National is by no means the cheapest rental car company and charges a young renter fee for renters between 21 and 24 years old. The cost varies depending on the location. The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21 years of age with the exception of Michigan and New York. The average charge for an additional driver is $12 per day for non-Emerald Club members. National does not accept debit cards at the time of pick up unless renters meet strict requirements which could be an issue for those not in possession of a credit card. National doesn’t offer any pickup or drop off services for customers.
National Car Rental Bottom Line
National provides a quality service with an easy to use online interface and a great range of cars. With 1,500 locations across the globe, it’s easy to find an office near you. The company’s Emerald Club offers great rewards for regular users and a high level of customer experience with good support. However, National doesn’t offer the best value on the market and it is not a great option for young drivers.
How National Rental Car Works
If you are using National for the first time, you can search for available vehicles by location and date by filling in the information on the website homepage. A list of available cars will be displayed showing the price before and after taxes and fees are applied. It’s easy to join National’s Emerald club by providing your driver’s license and personal details and you can start earning credits immediately.
Variety Of Cars Offered From National Car Rental
National offers an amazing variety of vehicles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a fuel-efficient compact car, a full-size elite vehicle, or a sporty jeep or SUV then National will usually have it. They even offer vehicle types beyond your standard cars and SUVs, including pickup trucks, minivans, passenger vans, and moving vehicles. Of course, the actual availability of specific vehicles will vary from one location to the next and it’s always a good idea to book well in advance.
Earn Points For Free Rental Cars
National Car Rental Loyalty Program
National Car Rental also earns top marks for its loyalty program, called the Emerald Club. Every time you book a car through National you earn one credit and once you accumulate seven credits you get a free rental without blackout dates and which can be applied to any class of car. Not only is the Emerald Program extremely generous, but members also get Emerald Aisle Access, meaning they can choose any midsize or above car that’s in the Emerald Aisle but only pay midsize rates. Finally, Emerald Club members get to skip the line when checking out.
National Car Rental Customer Service
If there is one area where National Car Rental stands head and shoulders above the competition it is in terms of customer satisfaction. The car agency is consistently ranked among the top rental car businesses on customer satisfaction surveys of the industry. Counter staff tends to be extremely courteous, which is helped by the fact that prices are transparent, free upgrades are common, and representatives rarely try to push unnecessary add-ons onto your bill that you don’t want. The customer service center scores high for addressing any billing issues you might have. The company holds regular representative meetings which help keep the quality of customer service high across most locations.
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