National Car Rental has what I believe is the strongest promotion in the market each year, “One Two Free.”
You earn a free rental day for every two qualifying rentals (mid-size or larger for 2 days or longer). And when they run the promotion, they do so for long periods of time. The most current offer is for a five month stretch which concludes at the end of January.
I’ve been renting regularly from National for the past couple of years. The unique selling proposition to me isn’t the rewards, though I’ve earned plenty of free rental days. It’s the ‘Emerald Aisle’ where being a member of their Emerald Club program means you walk out to the lot, take your choice of cars from the designated row(s), and just get in and drive to the exit.
Sometimes I’ll take whatever is closest, other times an SUV when I want something larger, and occasionally I’ll get in a bunch of cars to look for the one with lowest miles and features I want. National calls it “speed, choice, and control.” I call it not having to go asking for something other than a Taurus.
As the current One Two Free promotion wraps up, National offered me the chance to interview one of their frequent renters and also give away status and gift cards. I jumped at the chance.
- To be clear, I’m not taking anything from National for doing this — all of the prizes and benefits go to you, my readers.
- I thought if they could put me in touch with someone to interview who rents much more frequently than I do, a minimum of 100 days a year, they could offer a really interesting perspective.
So here’s the giveaway:
- (5) $200 gift cards
- (5) National Emerald Club Executive Elite status upgrades.
There will be (5) prize winners, each to receive a $200 gift card and Executive Elite status. Not only do Executive Elites get to pick from the Executive aisle of higher category cars (as National Executive status allows) but they earn free rental days faster and in my experience are able to redeem those free rental days for premium vehicles.
- Worth noting that WorldElite MasterCard cardholders and American Express Platinum cardholders are entitled to National’s Executive status, which also gets access to the Executive aisle. That’s worth signing up for.
All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post answering the question: what is the one thing that can make your car rental experience better?
Please enter only one time. This contest will run through January 19 at noon Eastern, and I will draw the winners with the assistance of random.org. All of my decisions are final.
Here’s the interview, so you can learn about car rentals from someone who rents more than I do
I had a great discussion with Bruce McNeal who rents well over a hundred times a year, and thought I’d ask how he thinks about his rentals and since he more or less lives in a car how he approaches making it as comfortable and easy as possible.
How often are you on the road, and what leads you to travel so much?
- I am on the road sometimes for 15 days a month. I am part of the store support team on a national retailer. I have locations in ten states.
Are you renting from the same locations over and over, or different locations?
- I fly to 4 or 5 airports and try to know the staff on the Aisle or at the rental counter at the airports. The rest of my rentals come from the great staff at the National located in Naperville, IL. I park my car at that location and drive to areas where I can visit 3 or 4 stores at a time.
How many of your rental days are through National?
- All my rentals are with National, when the Markham location was closed, I tried Hertz local and the cars were inconsistent. I also had an issue with the I Pass ( toll road auto pay)system that they had.
Why do you choose National as your primary rental company?
- Our corporation uses National as a primary car rental company, the special treatment as an Emerald Aisle member and other perks keep me coming back.
How do you book – do you have an assistant, do you book yourself, and if so online/phone/mobile app? Why?
- I book thru a corp. travel site, as required by my company. I used to book on`line and take advantage of the great discounts sent out from National. I do not have anyone assisting me.
When taking cars from the Emerald Aisle what do you look for in making your choice – specific vehicle type? Do you get in multiple cars and select based on features or look at mileage? In other words, do you take the first car to get out quickly or do you use the Aisle to be picky?
- The first thing is a personal matter; I have several family members that either are retired from American car manufactures or are currently working for one; I take great pride in “Buy American” whenever I can. I enjoy SUV’s in the winter when roads can become hazardous. Then I like the great looking cars( in my opinion) like the Chrysler 300. Currently I am crazy about the Ford Explorer especially when it is fully loaded and has satellite radio.
Do you take any accessories or optional items? Why or why not?
- When I am in an area that I do not know and not working, I take insurance, I pass on everything else.
How do you refuel – do you prepay, fill up the tank yourself, or just return the car without a fillup? Why?
- I always refill, the National in Naperville is part of an Enterprise location, so I return with the same amount of gas. The main reason why is that it is our policy not to prepay gas.
How do you use your free rental days? Business or leisure? How do you decide whether to pay out of pocket or use a free rental day?
- More often than not I attach the extra days to a rental when I intend to enjoy a weekend in or near a city that I am working in that week. There have been several times that I let my wife drive my car and use a rental car if her auto in in the shop for several days. I will pay for the rental instead of using free days, if there are great weekend rates in the discount coupons that National sends out. Why use a free day for a nineteen dollar rental?
Any other tips and tricks that my readers should know?
- Being nice goes a long way. There was an airport location, I befriended one of the Aisle attendants; I would call and they would find the best available car for me. Please be pleasant to the people working at the locations, they rent 100’s of cars daily and some things do not always fall together. Lastly a smile means a lot to everybody.
Thanks, Bruce!
Now, leave your comment on this post to enter to win a gift card and status! And take advantage of 1-2 Free while there’s still time!
- You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
The one thing that could make my car rental experience better would be rocket launchers on my car. Seriosuly, have you seen the other drivers on the road? I defenitely need rocket launchers on my next rental.
Ability to return car without full tank and have regular gas prices charged – no surcharge.
Car rental experience can be much better if I had a elite status with the agency and faster pickup process.
Getting a non-smoking car where no one really has ever smoked in it!
Quicker returns. Can’t be late for the flight!
Collect and go – speed of pick up and getting going
Fewer shuttle buses and trains to the rental area
I wish rental car companies would stop with the bait and switch of offering one car online that is different than the one you pick up.
clean nice car with friendly customer service , no dents or scratches that I have to take pictures of before I leave the lot with the car as proof there were already there.
I would like for an express lane attendant to always be present.
having GPS in your rental
a car rental that’s within walking distance to the airport terminals instead of having to wait for the shuttle.
Non smoking, non perfumed cars
This would be great to win!
Better check ins
Not having to worry about minor dings and scratches … Not to say I’ve ever done that
Wish more rental companies would have dollar’s “lock&low”. Lock in the cheap economy/compact price – but usually drive off the lot in a mid-size or bigger!
I rent from different airport locations depending on where my customer is located that week.
The one thing that would make my travel easier would be PRICE MATCHING. Why does National want $535 for one week in PHL and their next-door neighbor Avis wants $228 for the same week?
Bypassing the tedious and time-consuming “walk around” to examine the car with the sales agent. In my opinion, it only increases the anxiety of renting. I have often chosen Hertz just to avoid this.
Small gas allowance.
getting a free upgrade makes it better!
Eliminate shuttles. Have cars delivered to arrivals level for pickup by renter.
Love it when I’m surprised with an upgrade. Once got a camero convertible in Vegas!
A good variety and selection of cars to choose from
faster shuttle service and dropngo
To make it better will be to include free toll passes or EZ passes, and not charge us an enormous fees.
Being able to pick a car that allows for easy child car seat installation! When we travel it always seems that getting the seat installed correctly vaires from each car. Some are super easy, others are much more challenging.
Complimentary upgrade for loyal renters
Auto video cars on departure and return.
Faster airport returns make for a better rental experience.
Having a GPS unit made available at a cheaper rate for Emerald Club members.
Quick and efficient service so I can be on my way!
Having a better pickup/drop off service to the airport for elite customers.
The greater the selection of cars, the better!!
Friendly and helpful service is a must!
Quicker returns
This would come in handy!!
Less airport taxes!
shorter wait times when picking up cars or electronic qiocks.
I wish that there was a cheaper gas option upon return so that I wouldn’t have to try and find a gas station at the last minute (with a small child) before returning my vehicle. That would be so helpful.
Wow, so interesting to get the thoughts from someone who spends so much time in rental cars. Would love to win for some upcoming travel. Thanks!
What’s a qiock?
I loved my recent executive I’ll experience. If this “walk up and grab any car and drive off” feature is remarkable.
Thanks for the giveaway!
A rental car with a video screen for backing up.
Ability to use discover vouchers without limit
Navigation as standard equipment in all cars and less exorbitant gas scheme. For example: charge me only for the gas I use (instead of a whole freakin’ tank!) based upon the price of the station that is closest to the airport. Then add a flat $5 fill-er-up fee to cover the cost of the dude filling the tank.
Better pricing on gas for the times your running late and can’t refill the gas tank.
The one thing that could make it better is no attempt at upsell
Complementary GPS
I agree with other posters who mentioned getting out of the airport quickly with a car. No one likes to start a trip out with a major hassle.