National Car Rental

• Available in All 50 States
• Available at Most Airports
• Instant Return
• Roadside Assistance
• Toll Prepay Option

Available in All 50 States

National car locations live up to its name with locations in all 50 states. Many of their competitors have fewer locations. With a location in every state, it makes planning for a trip out of town easier, knowing a National branch will be there.

Available at Most Airports

National's rental counters are at most major-and some minor-airports throughout North America. For the most part, they cannot be found outside of the airports, except in New York City, for example. Local residents may find it difficult to rent cars at major airports when competing with out of town customers.

Instant Return

National offers instant return if you are enrolled in their Emerald Club membership. It is called their "Drop and Go" feature. You get convenient email receipts and can just drop off your car and leave (if your car has not been damaged during the rental). If you're not an Emerald Club member or if your car has been damaged, you have to drop the car and keys off in person. Most companies do not offer this convenient feature.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance is offered 24/7 at $4.99 a day. This is a lower price than most rental companies, who charge at least $1-3 dollars more per day. Customers can sign up for roadside assistance online while making their reservation.

Toll Prepay Option

National lets customers order toll passes through their website during the reservation process to make their commute easier. Their toll pass device is $3.95 per day. This guarantees a toll pass is available when you arrive to pick up your vehicle. Some places make you order toll passes at time of check-in.

Visit Site

• High Rental Prices
• On-Site Fuel Discount
• Lack of Transparency with Cancellation Policy
• No Online Check-in Options

High Rental Prices

Economy prices with National are much higher than the industry average. National's price doesn't include additional add-ons like GPS and roadside assistance, so the overall price is much higher for economy customers.

On-Site Fuel Discount

National does not offer an on-site fuel discount, and it appears best to fuel your car on your own. On-site gas, depending on the National location and current gas prices, may end up costing you more.

Lack of Transparency with Cancellation Policy

National's cancellation policy is undisclosed. This is unusual for a car rental company. Typically car rental companies promote their cancellation policy on their website. The cancellation policy is an important factor to consider when renting a car or making an online reservation, so customers having to contact the company to ask about their policy is not appropriate. All the necessary rental policy information should be available without having to contact the company.

No Online Check-in Options

There is no online check-in option at this time. You can provide your driver information when you are using the online reservation tool, but there is still a check-in process at the counter with National Car Rental.