National Car Rental Rewards Day gives you extra perks on a single rental, but the benefits don't automatically roll into your next trip
National Car Rental's Rewards Day is an annual promotion that grants members a day of rental benefits — typically including a free upgrade, waived fees, or bonus points — on one may have access to rental. The catch is that Rewards Day is tied to a specific calendar date each year, usually in September, and you must complete your rental on or before that date to use it. If you miss the important date, the benefit expires and cannot be transferred to a future rental.
You cannot extend Rewards Day itself, but you can plan your rental timing to use it before it expires, or you can explore other National rewards programs that offer year-round benefits. Understanding how Rewards Day works and what happens when you don't use it will help you decide whether to adjust your travel plans or focus on National's other loyalty options.
Key Takeaways
- Rewards Day is a one-day promotion with a fixed expiration date, usually in September, and the benefit cannot be carried over to a later rental.
- To use Rewards Day, you must be an active National Emerald Club member and complete your rental on the designated date or before the important date.
- If you miss Rewards Day, you lose that year's benefit, but you can still earn points and redeem other rewards through your Emerald Club membership.
- Planning a rental around the Rewards Day date, even a short trip, is the only way to capture the benefit before it expires.
- National's year-round loyalty program offers upgrades, fee waivers, and point multipliers that may provide ongoing value if you rent regularly.
When Rewards Day expires and what you lose
National Car Rental announces the Rewards Day date each year, and it is a hard important date. Once that date passes, the promotion ends and the benefit is forfeited — there is no grace period, no way to use it retroactively, and no option to explore it to a rental booked before the date but completed after. If you were planning a trip after Rewards Day and hoped to use the benefit, you will not be able to do so.
The specific benefit offered on Rewards Day varies year to year. Past promotions have included a free one-category upgrade, waived rental car fees (such as facility or vehicle licensing fees), or a bonus point multiplier on your rental. Losing Rewards Day means you miss out on whichever benefit National chose for that year, and you cannot make it up with a different promotion or redemption.
How to use Rewards Day before it expires
The most straightforward way to capture your Rewards Day benefit is to schedule a rental on or before the expiration date. This does not have to be a long trip — even a one-day rental counts, as long as you are an active Emerald Club member and you complete the rental within the promotion window. Check your National account or the National website for the exact Rewards Day date each year, usually announced in late August or early September.
When you book, make sure you are logged into your Emerald Club account so the system recognizes you as may be able to access. The Rewards Day benefit should appear automatically in your reservation if you are booking during the active period. If you do not see it listed, contact National's customer service to confirm your membership status and may be able to access before you complete the rental.
Emerald Club membership and year-round rewards
Rewards Day is one benefit within National's Emerald Club loyalty program, but it is not the only way to earn perks. Emerald Club members earn points on every rental, can redeem points for free rental days, and receive benefits like free upgrades and waived fees based on their membership tier. These benefits are available throughout the year, not just on Rewards Day.
If you rent with National regularly, your Emerald Club membership may deliver more value over time than a single Rewards Day benefit. Higher tiers (Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite) unlock additional perks such as may provide upgrade availability, priority service, and higher point multipliers. Even if you miss one year's Rewards Day, your ongoing membership continues to earn and reward you for future rentals.
What to do if you missed Rewards Day
If the Rewards Day important date has passed and you did not use your benefit, the promotion is over for that year. National does not offer a makeup promotion or an extension, and customer service cannot retroactively explore the benefit to a past rental. Your only option is to wait for the next year's Rewards Day announcement and plan accordingly.
In the meantime, focus on your Emerald Club points balance and your current membership tier. You may have accumulated enough points to redeem a free rental day or a discount on your next trip. Check your account online or call National to see what rewards you have available right now, and consider using those before booking your next rental.
Planning around Rewards Day to avoid losing the benefit
The best strategy is to mark the Rewards Day date on your calendar as soon as National announces it. If you know you will need a rental around that time, book it before the important date. If you do not have a trip planned, consider whether a short rental — even just a one-day car pickup — is worth the benefit you would receive. For some members, a free upgrade or waived fees on a weekend trip can justify the rental cost.
Alternatively, if you rent infrequently and Rewards Day does not align with your travel plans, prioritize your Emerald Club membership itself. The points you earn on every rental, combined with occasional promotions and tier benefits, may provide more consistent value than waiting for a single annual promotion. Review your rental history to see whether you use National often enough to justify planning around Rewards Day or whether your loyalty is better spent elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Rewards Day on a rental I booked before the important date but complete after?
No. The rental must be completed on or before the Rewards Day important date. A reservation made before the date does not count if you pick up the car after Rewards Day ends. Book and complete your rental within the promotion window to use the benefit.
What if I have multiple Emerald Club accounts?
Each account is treated separately, and only one Rewards Day benefit is issued per membership account per year. If you hold multiple memberships, you may be able to use Rewards Day on each account, but confirm with National that both accounts are active and in good standing before booking.
Do I have to pay for the rental to use Rewards Day, or is it a free rental?
Rewards Day is a benefit applied to a paid rental, not a free rental. You still pay the base rental rate, but the benefit (such as an upgrade or fee waiver) is applied at no extra charge. The exact terms depend on what National offers that year.
Can I combine Rewards Day with other promotions or discounts?
National's terms vary by promotion. Some discounts and promotions can be stacked, while others cannot. Check the terms of both the Rewards Day promotion and any other discount code or offer you want to use, or contact National directly to confirm they can be combined on your specific rental.
What happens to my Emerald Club points if I don't use Rewards Day?
Rewards Day and your point balance are separate. Missing Rewards Day does not affect your accumulated points. You keep earning and can redeem points on future rentals regardless of whether you used that year's Rewards Day benefit.