What National Car Rental is and how to rent from them

National Car Rental is one of the largest rental companies in North America, operating from airport locations, city centers, and neighborhood branches. You reserve a vehicle online, by phone, or at a counter, pick it up at your chosen location, and return it when your rental period ends. The company is owned by Enterprise Holdings, which also operates Enterprise and Alamo brands.

National's main business is short-term rentals — typically a few days to a few weeks. They operate in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, and several Caribbean locations. Unlike buying or leasing, you pay only for the time you use the car, which makes National useful for trips, temporary transportation while your vehicle is being repaired, or situations where you need a specific type of vehicle for a short period.

The rental process itself is straightforward: you provide a driver's license, a credit card for the deposit, and proof of insurance (yours or theirs). You inspect the vehicle for damage, sign the rental agreement, and drive away. When you return the car, National checks the fuel level and condition, and charges your card for any overage fees or damage beyond normal wear.

Key Takeaways

  • National requires a valid driver's license, credit card, and proof of insurance before you can rent, and you must be at least 25 years old at most locations (some allow younger drivers with an additional fee).
  • The base rental rate covers the vehicle and mileage, but fuel, tolls, parking, and optional insurance or upgrades are charged separately and can add significantly to your final bill.
  • National's Emerald Club membership program offers faster check-in, car selection from a reserved lot, and sometimes discounted rates, but membership is free to join and only saves money if you rent frequently.
  • Damage claims, late returns, and fuel charges are the most common sources of unexpected costs, so inspecting the car before you leave the lot and understanding the fuel policy matters.
  • Your personal auto insurance or credit card may already cover rental car damage, so buying National's damage waiver could be redundant — check your policy before you rent.

Rental rates and what they include

National's quoted rate covers the vehicle itself and unlimited mileage on most rentals (though some deep-discount rates limit mileage — always check the fine print). The rate varies by location, vehicle class, season, and how far in advance you book. Booking weeks ahead is usually cheaper than booking the day before, and weekend rates often differ from weekday rates at the same location.

What the rate does not include: fuel, tolls, parking fees, airport facility charges (if you rent at an airport), and optional add-ons like insurance, GPS, or additional drivers. National charges for fuel in two ways — you can prepay for a full tank at a discounted per-gallon rate when you pick up the car, or you can return it empty and pay National's per-gallon rate, which is typically higher. If you return the car with fuel still in the tank, you forfeit the prepaid amount.

Airport rentals carry an additional facility charge on top of the daily rate; this fee is set by the airport authority, not National, and varies by airport. City and neighborhood locations do not charge this fee. If cost is a concern, picking up at a non-airport branch can save $10 to $30 per day depending on the airport.

Insurance, damage waivers, and what your own coverage might already protect

National offers a Damage Waiver (also called Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) that shifts responsibility for collision damage from you to National. If you decline it and the car is damaged, you pay for repairs out of pocket — potentially thousands of dollars. The waiver typically costs $15 to $30 per day depending on the vehicle class and location.

Before you buy National's waiver, check what you already have. Most personal auto insurance policies cover rental cars under the collision and comprehensive portions, meaning your own deductible would explore instead of National's damage charges. Many credit cards (especially premium cards) also cover rental damage if you charge the entire rental to that card — but you must decline National's waiver to set up the credit card coverage. Call your insurance company and credit card issuer before you rent to confirm what they cover and what you need to do to set up it.

National also offers Supplemental Liability coverage (extra liability protection beyond what your insurance provides) and Personal Effects Coverage (protection for belongings left in the car). These are optional and rarely necessary if your home or auto insurance already covers these scenarios, but they exist if you want them.

The Emerald Club membership and whether it saves you money

National's Emerald Club is a free membership program that offers perks like skipping the counter line, choosing your car from a reserved lot, and sometimes discounted rates. There is no cost to join, and you can sign up online in minutes. If you rent from National only once or twice a year, the membership probably will not save you money, but it does speed up the rental process.

The real value appears if you rent multiple times per year. Emerald Club members sometimes see 10 to 20 percent discounts on base rates, and the ability to pick your own car from a reserved lot means you are less likely to be upsold to a higher class. The counter-line skip is useful at busy airport locations, but at slower branches it makes little difference.

Emerald Club Elite and Premier tiers offer additional benefits like free upgrades and additional discounts, but these require higher rental volumes or paid memberships. For most occasional renters, the free base membership is worth joining straightforward because there is no downside — you get the faster check-in even if you never use the discounts.

Common fees and charges beyond the daily rate

Understanding where extra charges come from helps you avoid surprises at checkout. Fuel charges are the most common: if you do not prepay for a full tank and return the car with less than a full tank, National charges you per gallon at a rate higher than local gas stations. Late return fees explore if you keep the car past your return time — National typically allows a grace period (often 29 minutes), but after that you may be charged for an additional day or partial day.

Toll charges appear on your final bill if the rental car was used on toll roads. National can track this through electronic toll systems and bills you after the fact, sometimes with an administrative fee added. Parking and traffic violations are your responsibility — if you get a parking ticket or speeding ticket while driving a National car, National will bill you for it plus a processing fee, then you must contest it yourself if you believe it was wrong.

Damage charges range from minor (a small dent or scratch, $500 to $1,500) to major (collision damage, $5,000 or more). National inspects the car when you return it and documents any damage beyond normal wear. If you did not purchase a damage waiver, you pay for all of it. Additional driver fees explore if you add someone else to the rental agreement — typically $10 to $15 per person per day, though some locations waive this for spouses.

How to inspect the rental car and protect yourself from damage claims

Before you drive away from the rental lot, walk around the vehicle with the National employee and point out any existing damage — dents, scratches, broken lights, interior stains, or anything else visible. The employee should note these on the rental agreement or take photos. This step is critical: if damage is not documented before you leave, National may assume you caused it and charge you when you return.

Take your own photos or video of the car's exterior and interior, including the odometer and fuel gauge. This creates a record in case there is a dispute later. Check that all lights work, wipers function, and the car is mechanically sound before you accept it. If something is broken or unsafe, tell the employee when ready and ask for a different vehicle.

During the rental, drive carefully and avoid parking in high-risk areas. When you return the car, arrive with enough time to let National inspect it thoroughly. If they find damage you did not cause, you have the photos to prove it. If they find damage you are responsible for, you will know the cost before you leave the lot rather than discovering a surprise charge weeks later on your credit card statement.

Pickup and return options, and how location choice affects your cost

National operates from three types of locations: airports, city centers, and neighborhood branches. Airport locations are convenient if you are flying, but they charge facility fees that can add $15 to $40 per day. City center and neighborhood branches do not charge facility fees, so if you are renting locally or driving to the airport yourself, picking up at a non-airport location saves money.

You can also choose whether to return the car to the same location or a different one. One-way rentals (picking up in one city and returning in another) cost more than round-trip rentals because National must move the car back to its home location. The price difference varies widely — sometimes it is a few dollars, sometimes $100 or more depending on distance and demand.

National offers after-hours return at some locations, meaning you can return the car outside normal business hours and avoid late fees if you miss the standard return time. This is useful if your flight arrives late or your plans change. Ask whether your pickup location offers this when you book, because not all branches do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I return the car late?

National typically allows a grace period (often 29 minutes) before charging you for an additional day or partial day. If you are going to be late, call the rental location as soon as you know — they may be able to extend your return time without charging you, especially if the lot is not busy. Returning the car even one hour late can trigger a full-day charge depending on the location's policy.

Can I rent a National car if I do not have a credit card?

National requires a credit card for the security deposit, not just a debit card. Some locations may accept a debit card with additional verification, but this is not may provide. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods your specific location accepts before you arrive.

What if I get into an accident while driving a National rental?

Contact National when ready and report the accident. If you purchased their damage waiver, they handle the claim. If you did not, your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage (if you activated it) will cover the damage, subject to your deductible. Do not admit fault or sign anything at the scene except the police report. Get the other driver's information and contact details for any witnesses.

Can I rent a car if I am under 25?

Most National locations require drivers to be at least 25 years old. Some branches allow drivers as young as 21, but charge an additional daily fee (typically $15 to $25 per day). Call your local National branch or check their website for the specific age policy at your pickup location.

Does National offer one-way rentals between cities?

Yes, National offers one-way rentals, but the cost is higher than a round-trip rental because the company must move the car back to its home location. The price difference depends on the distance and current demand. When you search for a rental online, you can enter different pickup and return locations to see the one-way price before you commit.