What National Car Rental is and how to rent from them
National Car Rental is a car rental company owned by Enterprise Holdings that operates at airports, downtown locations, and neighbourhood branches across the United States and internationally. You reserve a vehicle online, by phone, or at a counter, pick it up at your chosen location, and return it at the same place or a different one. The rental period can be as short as a few hours or as long as several months, and the daily rate depends on the car type, location, season, and how far in advance you book.
National is known for its frequent-renter program, called National Emerald Club, which lets members skip the counter line and choose their own car from a designated lot. You do not need to join to rent, but membership is free and can save time on repeat trips. The company also offers one-way rentals, where you pick up in one city and return in another, though these typically cost more than round-trip rentals at the same location.
Key Takeaways
- You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (your own or National's) to complete a rental.
- The rental rate shown online usually does not include taxes, airport fees, or optional add-ons like extra drivers, GPS, or damage waivers.
- National's damage policy holds you responsible for any harm to the car unless you purchase their damage waiver or decline coverage if your own insurance covers rentals.
- Returning the car late, with less fuel than you picked it up with, or with damage will result in additional charges beyond your base rental fee.
- National Emerald Club membership is free and allows you to skip the counter and choose your own vehicle, which can speed up pickup on busy days.
Documents and information you need to rent
At pickup, National will ask for your driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. Your driver's license must be valid and not suspended. The credit card is used to hold a deposit (usually $200 to $500 depending on the car type and location) and to charge the final rental cost. The card does not need to be a major brand like Visa or Mastercard at all locations, but some branches may decline certain card types, so calling ahead if you have questions about payment is worth the time.
Proof of insurance can come from your own auto policy, your credit card's rental car coverage, or National's damage waiver. If you decline all coverage options and have no insurance, you are responsible for the full cost of any damage to the vehicle. Some employers and credit card companies include rental car coverage automatically, so check your documents before you arrive at the counter.
If you are under 25, National will rent to you but will charge a young driver fee (usually $15 to $25 per day). If you are 21 to 24, some locations may require you to provide additional documentation or may not rent certain vehicle types to you. Calling your local National branch before booking can clarify their specific rules for your age.
How the rental rate is calculated and what is not included
The daily or weekly rate you see online is the base rental cost for the vehicle category you chose. This price does not include state and local sales taxes, which vary by location and can add 5 to 15 percent to your bill. If you are renting at an airport, you will also pay an airport concession fee, which is set by the airport authority and is typically 10 to 15 percent of the rental cost. Some cities add additional taxes on car rentals specifically.
Optional charges that appear at checkout or during your rental include fuel options (prepay for a full tank, or pay per gallon for what you use), extra drivers ($10 to $15 per day), GPS rental ($5 to $15 per day if you do not use your phone), child car seats ($15 to $20 per day), and damage waivers. National's damage waiver, called the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), costs roughly $15 to $30 per day and removes your financial responsibility for damage to the car. If you decline the LDW and your own insurance does not cover rentals, you pay for all repairs out of pocket.
Fuel is a common source of extra charges. If you prepay for a full tank, you pay National's per-gallon rate upfront, which is usually higher than gas station prices. If you choose the pay-as-you-go option, you pay only for what you use, but National charges a per-gallon rate at return. Many renters find it cheaper to fill the tank themselves at a gas station near the return location and bring the car back empty or nearly empty.
Damage, fuel, and late return charges
When you pick up the car, the agent will walk around it and note any existing dents, scratches, or damage on the rental agreement. You should inspect the car yourself and point out anything you see before you drive away. If you cause damage during your rental and did not purchase the Loss Damage Waiver, National will charge you for repairs. The amount depends on the damage — a small scratch might cost $100 to $500, while major damage can cost thousands.
If you return the car with less fuel than you picked it up with, National will charge you to refill it. The per-gallon rate they charge is usually $2 to $4 higher than the local gas station price. If you prepaid for fuel and return the car with fuel remaining, you do not get a refund — you lose the unused portion.
Returning the car late incurs additional charges. If you are a few minutes late, National may not charge you, but if you are more than an hour late, you will typically be charged for a partial or full extra day. The exact policy varies by location. If you know you will be late, call the branch where you are returning the car and ask if they can extend your reservation, which may avoid the late fee.
National Emerald Club membership and frequent-renter benefits
National Emerald Club is a free membership program that offers benefits on every rental. The main advantage is that members can skip the counter line at participating locations and choose their own car from a designated lot. This can save 10 to 20 minutes on busy days, especially at airports. Membership also gives you a dedicated phone line for reservations and roadside information, and you earn points toward free rental days with each rental.
To join, you provide your name, email, driver's license number, and preferred rental location on National's website or at a counter. There is no cost, and you can cancel anytime. Your membership number is sent to your email, and you can use it when ready on your next reservation. If you rent cars several times a year, the time saved at pickup alone often makes membership worthwhile.
Points earned through Emerald Club can be redeemed for free rental days, upgrades, or other rewards. The number of points you earn per rental depends on the rental cost and your membership tier. You can check your points balance and redeem rewards through the National website or mobile app.
One-way rentals and returning at a different location
National allows you to pick up a car at one location and return it at another, which is useful if you are traveling between cities. One-way rentals typically cost more than round-trip rentals because National has to move the car back to its original location or balance its fleet across branches. The additional charge, called a one-way fee, can range from $50 to $300 or more depending on the distance and the car type.
When you book online, you can select your return location, and the system will show you the total cost including the one-way fee. Some locations have higher demand than others, so returning to a busy airport may cost more than returning to a downtown branch in the same city. If you are flexible on your return location, comparing prices for different branches can save you money.
At return, you follow the same process as a round-trip rental: you fuel the car (or pay National's fuel charge), the agent inspects it for damage, and you receive a receipt. If you are returning to an airport location, allow extra time for parking and walking to the return counter, especially during peak travel times.
Insurance, damage waivers, and what happens if you have an accident
National offers several ways to cover damage to the rental car. The Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is National's own insurance product and removes your responsibility for damage caused by collision, theft, or vandalism. It does not cover damage from misuse (such as off-road driving) or damage to the interior. The LDW costs roughly $15 to $30 per day depending on the car type and location.
If you have your own auto insurance, check your policy to see if it covers rental cars. Many policies do, and if yours does, you do not need to purchase the LDW. Some credit cards also include rental car damage coverage as a cardholder benefit. If you rely on credit card coverage, call the card issuer before your rental to confirm the coverage limits and what types of damage are included.
If you have an accident, call National when ready and provide your rental agreement number. Do not admit fault or sign anything other than the police report. National will assess the damage and either repair the car or declare it a total loss. If you purchased the LDW, National covers the cost. If you did not and your insurance does not cover it, you pay the repair bill. Rental car damage claims can take weeks or months to resolve, so keep all documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car if I do not have a credit card?
Most National locations require a credit card in your name to hold a deposit and charge the rental. Some branches may accept a debit card, but this is not may provide. Call your local National branch to ask about their payment options before you arrive.
What happens if I return the car dirty?
National may charge a cleaning fee if the car is excessively dirty inside or outside. The fee typically ranges from $50 to $200 depending on the level of cleaning needed. Returning the car in the condition you received it avoids this charge.
Can I extend my rental if I need the car longer?
Yes. Call the National branch where you are returning the car and ask to extend your reservation. If the car is available, they will extend your rental and charge you for the additional days at the current rate. Extending by phone is usually cheaper than returning late and being charged a late fee.
Do I have to buy the prepaid fuel option?
No. You can choose to pay for fuel as you use it, or fill the tank yourself at a gas station before returning the car. Prepaid fuel is convenient but usually costs more per gallon than filling up on your own.
What if my driver's license is expired?
National will not rent to you with an expired license. Your license must be valid at the time of pickup. If your license expires during your rental, that is usually acceptable as long as it was valid when you picked up the car.