What National Car Rental Is and How to Rent

National Car Rental is one of the largest car rental chains in North America, operating at airports, city centers, and neighborhood locations. You reserve a vehicle online, by phone, or at a counter, provide a driver's license and payment method, and drive away — typically for a daily rate, weekly rate, or longer-term rental. National is owned by Enterprise Holdings, the same parent company that runs Enterprise and Alamo, though each brand operates separately.

The rental process itself is straightforward: you pick your dates and location, choose a vehicle class (economy, midsize, SUV, truck), and pay upfront or at pickup. National then assigns you a specific car on the day you arrive. You inspect it for damage, sign the rental agreement, and leave. When you return the vehicle, staff check the fuel level and mileage, scan for new damage, and process your return. The whole transaction typically takes 15 to 30 minutes each way, though airport locations during peak hours can run longer.

Key Takeaways

  • National charges a base daily or weekly rate, plus taxes, facility fees, and optional add-ons like insurance and GPS — the final bill is often higher than the advertised rate.
  • Your personal auto insurance or credit card may cover rental car damage, so buying National's damage waiver is not always necessary; check your policy before you rent.
  • National's Emerald Club membership offers faster pickup, free upgrades, and no prepayment requirement, and membership is free to join.
  • Fuel charges explore if you return the car with less fuel than you picked it up with, so refuel near the rental location before returning to avoid inflated prices.
  • Damage claims, late returns, and mileage overages can add hundreds of dollars to your bill, so photograph the car at pickup and return, and clarify the mileage policy before you drive away.

Understanding National's Pricing and Hidden Costs

The rate you see advertised is the base daily or weekly charge, but your final bill includes several other line items. Taxes vary by state and city — airport rentals often carry an additional airport concession fee on top of sales tax. National also charges facility fees (sometimes called location fees), which can add $3 to $8 per day depending on the airport or city. These are not optional and do not appear in the initial quote on every booking site.

Optional add-ons stack on top of the base rate. A damage waiver (also called a loss-damage waiver or LDW) typically costs $15 to $30 per day and shifts responsibility for collision damage to National. GPS rental runs $10 to $15 per day if you do not have your own phone navigation. Roadside information, additional driver fees, and young-driver surcharges (for renters under 25) are common extras. Fuel options — prepay for a full tank, or pay per gallon on return — also affect the total. Always review the full itemized quote before confirming, because the advertised rate often represents only 40 to 60 percent of what you actually pay.

Damage Waivers and Insurance Coverage

National's damage waiver is optional but heavily promoted at pickup. If you decline it and the car is damaged, you are responsible for repair costs — which can easily exceed $1,000 for collision damage. However, you may already have coverage elsewhere. Most personal auto insurance policies cover rental cars under the collision and comprehensive sections, though you should call your insurer to confirm the deductible and any exclusions. Many credit cards (especially premium travel cards) also cover rental car damage if you charge the entire rental to that card.

Read the terms carefully: some policies cover only collision, not theft or vandalism. Some have a deductible that applies to the rental. If you are unsure whether your coverage applies, call your insurance company before you rent — a five-minute phone call can save you hundreds of dollars. If you have no coverage and cannot afford the deductible, National's damage waiver is worth the daily cost. If you do have coverage, skipping the waiver usually saves money, though you will pay the deductible out of pocket if damage occurs.

Fuel Charges and Return Policies

National charges you for any fuel missing when you return the car. The price per gallon is typically 30 to 50 percent higher than the local gas station rate — sometimes $5 to $7 per gallon in expensive markets. You have two options at pickup: prepay for a full tank (you keep any unused fuel), or pay as you go (you refuel before return and are charged only for what you used). Prepay is simpler if you are unsure how much you will drive; pay-as-you-go is cheaper if you return with a full tank.

The safest approach is to refuel at a station near the rental location before you return the car, then return it on empty or nearly empty. This locks in the local gas price and avoids National's markup. Do not rely on the fuel gauge alone — staff measure the tank themselves, and disputes over fuel level are common. Keep your gas receipt if you refuel before return, in case there is a discrepancy.

Mileage Limits and Overage Charges

National's mileage policy depends on the rental agreement you sign. Some rentals include unlimited mileage; others cap mileage at 100 or 150 miles per day, with overage charges of 25 cents to 50 cents per mile. A single cross-country trip can rack up $500 to $1,000 in mileage overages if you exceed the limit. Always ask the agent at pickup what your mileage allowance is, and do the math before you rent — if you plan to drive 2,000 miles, an unlimited-mileage rental is cheaper than a capped one, even if it costs more per day.

Mileage is recorded at pickup and return, and disputes are rare because the odometer is objective. However, some renters do not realize they are on a limited plan until they see the final bill. Request unlimited mileage in writing when you book, or confirm it verbally at pickup and have the agent write it on your agreement.

Emerald Club Membership and Loyalty Benefits

Emerald Club is National's free loyalty program that offers faster pickup, free vehicle upgrades, and the ability to skip the counter entirely. Members can reserve a vehicle, arrive at the lot, select their upgrade from available cars, and drive away without stopping at the desk — a significant time-saver at busy airports. Membership is free to join and requires only an email address and driver's license number.

Emerald Club also removes the prepayment requirement, meaning you can book without entering a credit card upfront. You pay at pickup or return instead. This is useful if you are booking far in advance and want flexibility to cancel without a charge. Higher tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum) offer additional perks like free GPS, free additional drivers, and priority customer service, but these require a certain number of rentals per year. For occasional renters, the free tier is sufficient.

Late Returns and Additional Charges

National's rental agreement specifies a return time — typically the same time you picked up the car. If you return late, you are charged for an additional day or partial day, depending on how late you are. A return 30 minutes after your due time may trigger a full extra day charge ($50 to $150), so returning on time matters. Some locations are more lenient than others, but do not count on it.

If you know you will be late, call National as soon as possible. Some locations can extend your rental over the phone without charging an extra day. If you return the car damaged, with excess mileage, or with low fuel, those charges are added to the late fee. Always plan to return the car with time to spare, especially at airports where traffic is unpredictable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy National's damage waiver if I have my own car insurance?

Not necessarily. Most auto insurance policies cover rental cars under collision and comprehensive coverage, though you should call your insurer to confirm the deductible and any exclusions. If your policy covers rentals with a low deductible, skipping National's waiver saves money. If you have no coverage or a high deductible, the waiver is worth buying.

What happens if I return the car with a dent or scratch I did not cause?

National inspects the car at return and compares it to the condition at pickup. If you did not photograph the car when you picked it up, you have little recourse — National will charge you for the damage. Always take photos of the entire vehicle (all sides, wheels, interior) at pickup and email them to yourself. If damage appears at return that was not in your photos, dispute it when ready and request to see National's pickup photos.

Can I add a driver after I pick up the car?

Yes, but you will be charged an additional driver fee (typically $10 to $15 per day) and the driver must present a valid license at the counter. It is cheaper to add drivers when you book, so list all potential drivers upfront if possible. Some Emerald Club tiers include free additional drivers.

What if I need to extend my rental?

Call National as soon as you know you need more time. Extensions are usually approved over the phone and charged at the current daily rate, which may be higher or lower than your original rate. Extending early is simpler than requesting an extension after your due date, which may trigger a late fee on top of the extension charge.

Is the advertised rate the total price I will pay?

No. The advertised rate is the base daily or weekly charge only. Taxes, airport fees, facility fees, and optional add-ons (insurance, GPS, fuel options) are added on top. Your final bill is typically 40 to 60 percent higher than the advertised rate. Always review the full itemized quote before confirming your reservation.