National Car Rental lets you cancel most reservations free up to the day before pickup, but the exact rules depend on your rate type and when you booked
National's standard cancellation policy allows you to cancel without penalty if you do so before midnight on the day before your rental starts. This applies to most everyday rates. However, some discounted rates—particularly those marked as non-refundable or prepaid—cannot be cancelled at all, or come with cancellation fees. The key is knowing which rate you purchased and what the confirmation email actually says about changes.
When you cancel, National refunds the full amount to your original payment method if you booked a refundable rate. If you prepaid a non-refundable rate, that money does not come back. The difference matters because a rate that looks cheaper upfront often locks you in completely.
Key Takeaways
- Standard National rates can be cancelled free up to midnight the day before pickup; prepaid and non-refundable rates cannot be cancelled at all.
- Your confirmation email states whether your specific rate is refundable or non-refundable—check this before assuming you can cancel.
- Cancellations made after the important date or within 24 hours of pickup may trigger a fee equal to one day's rental cost.
- If you need to change your pickup date or location instead of cancelling entirely, National usually allows this free on standard rates.
- Your National membership status (Emerald Club) does not override the cancellation terms of your booked rate.
What your confirmation email tells you about cancellation
When you book with National, the confirmation email includes a section labeled "Rate Details" or "Cancellation Policy." This section states one of three things: "Free cancellation," "Non-refundable," or "Prepaid." That label is your contract. If it says "Non-refundable," National will not return your money no matter when you cancel. If it says "Free cancellation," you can cancel anytime before the important date without losing money.
The important date itself is always midnight on the day before your rental begins, in the time zone where the car is located. If you booked a car in Denver and your rental starts Friday at 8 a.m., you must cancel by Thursday midnight Denver time. Cancellations after that point—even by one minute—trigger a one-day rental charge.
Save your confirmation email or take a screenshot of the cancellation policy section. When you call or go online to cancel, National will ask for your confirmation number, but having the original terms in front of you prevents disputes about what you were promised.
How to cancel your reservation
You can cancel online through National's website without calling. Log in to your account, find the reservation, and select "Cancel Reservation." The system will confirm whether your rate is refundable and show you the refund amount (which may be zero). This takes about two minutes and generates a cancellation confirmation number when ready.
If you prefer to cancel by phone, call National's reservations line at 1-800-227-7368. Have your confirmation number ready. The agent will verify your rate type and process the cancellation on the spot. Phone cancellations are processed the same way as online ones—the method does not change your refund may be able to access.
Do not straightforward fail to show up on your rental date. National will charge you for the full rental period if you do not cancel formally. The company treats no-shows as completed rentals, not as automatic cancellations.
What happens if you cancel within 24 hours of pickup
If your reservation is for a refundable rate and you cancel fewer than 24 hours before pickup, National charges you one day's rental cost. This is not a cancellation fee—it is a partial rental charge. If your daily rate was $45, you lose $45. If you cancel 30 minutes before pickup, the charge is the same.
Non-refundable rates have no grace period. You lose the entire prepaid amount regardless of when you cancel, whether that is two weeks early or two hours early. This is why the rate type matters so much: a non-refundable rate at $35 per day for a five-day rental means you have already paid $175 with no way to recover it.
If you are unsure whether you will need the car, do not book a non-refundable rate. The savings are usually only 10 to 20 percent, and that discount disappears the moment your plans change.
Changing your pickup date or location instead of cancelling
If you want to keep the rental but shift the dates or pick up from a different National location, that is a modification, not a cancellation. National allows free modifications on standard refundable rates up to 24 hours before pickup. You can move your pickup date forward or backward, or switch to a different location, without losing money or triggering fees.
Log into your account online and select "Modify Reservation," or call 1-800-227-7368 and ask to modify rather than cancel. The agent will check availability at your new date or location and adjust your rate if necessary. If the new rate is higher, you pay the difference. If it is lower, you pay the lower amount—National does not refund the overage.
Non-refundable rates cannot be modified. You must cancel the original reservation (losing your money) and book a new one at the new date or location.
National Emerald Club membership and cancellation
Your Emerald Club status does not change National's cancellation policy. Whether you are a member or not, the rate type you booked determines your cancellation rights. A non-refundable rate is non-refundable whether you are a regular customer or a frequent renter with elite status.
Emerald Club membership does offer other benefits—faster check-in, car selection, and sometimes discounted rates—but none of these override the cancellation terms of your specific reservation. If you want cancellation flexibility, book a refundable rate, regardless of membership level.
Refunds and how long they take
When you cancel a refundable rate, National processes the refund to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your next statement. If you paid with a debit card, the funds return to your account, though your bank may take an additional 2 to 3 business days to post the credit.
National does not issue refunds as separate checks or to a different payment method than the one you used to book. If you paid with a Visa, the refund goes back to that Visa account only.
If your refund does not appear within 10 business days, contact National at 1-800-227-7368 with your cancellation confirmation number. The company can trace the refund and confirm whether it has been processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a prepaid rate and get my money back?
No. Prepaid and non-refundable rates are final. National does not refund these bookings under any circumstances, including cancellations, changes in plans, or emergencies. If you need flexibility, book a standard refundable rate instead, even if it costs slightly more per day.
What if I cancel but then need a car on the same dates?
You can book a new reservation when ready after cancelling the old one. Availability and pricing may differ from your original booking, so you might pay more or less. National does not hold your original rate once you cancel.
Do I lose my reservation if I modify the pickup time but keep the date?
Changing the pickup time on the same day is not a modification—it is a request you make at the counter when you arrive. National does not charge for this, but availability of your car class may change. Call ahead if you need to pick up significantly earlier or later than your original time.
What happens if National cancels my reservation?
National occasionally cancels reservations due to vehicle shortage or system errors. If this happens, the company contacts you and offers a full refund or a rebooking at the same rate on nearby dates. You are not charged anything if National initiates the cancellation.
Can I cancel through a third-party booking site like Kayak or Expedia?
No. You must cancel directly with National using your confirmation number. Third-party sites do not process cancellations—they only show you National's rates. Log into National's website or call National directly to cancel, regardless of where you booked.