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!
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Will try National at HOU in a few days!
All inclusive rate advertising both taxes and fees the way airlines are forced to do. This adds transparency.
I wish it was easier to find the car with the lowest mileage
Great contest!
I’d love to use the card on my next trip.
I love National!
Car rental rate should include all taxes and fees.
Winning would be awesome for a planning-in-progress family trip. Thanks!
Always enjoy me some National. Friendly staff, good cars.
I want a piece of that cake!
Sign me up!
National is one of the best!
I would love extra help lugging my suitcases out to the rental car or having them pull the car up for me. I often travel alone with children and we have a lot of baggage.
great read, thanks!
Would love to try National on my next trip to Houston.
Japanese or European cars. Sorry Detroit.
I just know I won’t win.
Love the blog! Thanks for the contest!
A better rental car experience would be shorter lines and more expedient delivery of the car.
More efficient pick up process. If I reserve a car online, they should not need to ask/re-ask me about info such as car type, refueling preference, insurance preference, etc So when I go pick up a car, all they should really need is my driver’s license before handing me the keys.
i would like to comment about what is the one thing that rental companies should be doing that I haven’t heard about yet is
They should start including all tolls in the rental price and not charge exorbitant fines for going through a toll lane and not having an ez pass with you at the time.
I rent from the Philly airport every single week. It’s not always the same rental company as the price fluctuates so much there. As much as $30 a day.
Always have a car ready when a customer shows up. My local Hertz office overbooks regularly, and often has multiple people waiting for a car to be returned before they can rent and go.
the ability to grab a car without having to go inside and get in a line.
Love National except for at small airports
Fast and convenient. What can be better than that (except free)!
Totally agree with you points on National and the Emerald Aisle experience. I traveled weekly to Newark, NJ on Amtrak between the Airport and Penn Station location via Enterprise, the consistency was superb. I got to know the staff and they were always willing to help me get a similar model each time, and an SUV in bad weather. This made my travel much less stressful.
I have never been able to find the lowest rental with National in the NY/NJ area.
I was just looking into status with National – great timing!
National is great if you’re in a hurry
i like to use National
Two things actually:
1) Not having to deal with Enterprise’s vehicle inspection
2) Not having to wait in line at the counter
I can use the gift cards!
Dry the drivers window so it does not streak when checking out
Never rented from National before
Hey, Gary, Do car rental agencies status match like airlines do?
Free loss and damage waiver insurance included in an award rental
I can go for that.
Thank you!
Last year I rented a car for 44 days with National – not to mention the days rented under my husband’s name. Sometimes we didn’t even NEED another car, I just love picking one out from the aisle when there’s a great deal.
So far I’ve earned 8 free days from their recent promo.
The one thing that can make car rental better? More convertibles in the executive aisle!
I’ve never used National, but I definitely would
Having a completely clean car (including windows) every time.
Fingers crossed! 🙂
Less pressure to buy extra insurance, would make my rental car experience much better.
Pick me!
As non-car owners, a rental car allows us to have a fun weekend getaway without a plane involved!
What would improve the rental experience would be consistency across a brand. Especially in Canada and Europe, your favorite company can differ tremendously.
Gosh.
No Kia’s and a clean car every time.
In the winter, I love it when the shuttle bus is heated inside. keep it warm!