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!
It would be great if they can have the car ready when I arrive so I don’t have to wait in line.
I love being able to pick which car I want
LAX National has always treated me well!
I want to have more control of the kind of car I rent. As someone who drives a compact Toyota most of the time, I have a lot of difficulty managing a full-sized Ford. I also hate worrying about being charged an exorbitant amount of money if I forget to put in gas.
Smaller cars. Please don’t “upgrade” us!!
I love your site! My husband is the road warrior but I constantly forward your posts to him. Your alert that Delta would be raising award mileage at the beginning of the year was great! We took it into account and booked our trip early for 2015. Thanks again!!
Less cars with over 50k miles!
All inclusive rates (airport taxes etc.)
More clarity about whether buying the insurance is actually in your best interest (I take it that it’s usually not). Makes me feel like I’m being suckered.
The 1 thing that makes my car rentalore pleasant is pre-registering all information with the car rental company so when I arrive At my destinTion to rent, I’m ready to go with minimal inconvenience.
I’ve always enjoyed surprise upgrades. Nice way to start a trip.
Great Blog – Would love elite status with National
A nice clean car !!
Elimination of National locations that don’t have Emerald Club Aisles (RNO comes to mind from being there a couple weeks ago)
I think Hertz is the top of the group but I will certainly give National a try.
Know my preferences.
Enough with the up-sale. I know what I want – let’s just go with that.
Having more rental buses running through airports so that pickup and drop off are faster and less crowded. In airports where they have a central rental for all agencies, would be awesome to have your own National Buses running to expedite and eliminate all the other people.
bypassing the counter works best.
I wish they would consistently put a map of the local area and directions to the nearest freeway in the contract folder when you are picking up the car. I have been lost countless times getting out of the airport.
The one thing that can make car renting better is consistency between descriptions of the type of car and what the actual car is. Descriptions don’t always match with expectations.
All that’s really important to me is that I get the car Inreserved (not a minivan, please) and it runs well.
Not having to listen to the sales pitch for insurance and gas refill.
Quick service and competitive rates
Most important that I don’t have to wait for a car and that it is ready for me.
Pick up and drop off at the airport, instead of having to travel to a remote rental car facility.
The one thing that will make the car rental experience better is for RAC co’s to issue electronic “boarding” passes like airlines which are coded. Upon boarding the shuttle or approaching the rental center, the immage can be scanned along with a license(if necessary). You are then “checked in” and proceed to an aisle; pick out a car and exit. Both your pass and the car”s code are auto scanned upon exit.
1, 2 3. Less people, more efficient, faster.
When they upgrade me free at the counter!
National is one of my favorites…
more competent staff equals less wait time equals happier everyone
i have status with national – love them!
Asking for an upgrade and getting one without the up charge. #winning
a great rental car is one that hasn’t been smoked in
Quick check-in and out!
Best part of Alamo and national together….you can pick up your compact Alamo car in the national emerald aisle…
I appreciate clear instructions on returning a car.
Already use National, but this would be a nice BONUS!
Never smoked in and no cheap deodorizer used
Help! I need help! Putting my bag in the trunk, figuring out how to put the head rest down, tune the radio, adjust the seat, use the gps. These new fangled cars are just too much for me!
Clean car with easy to understand controls.
Clean car with go safety features.
It would be better if all rental car companies let you bypass the desk and pick your car with loyalty program membership–like National does.
Quick and easy check in and out is crucial. I agree with building a rapport with the National team.
Easy in and out service.
Chancer
Hire more people so there’s less waiting
no full day charge for less than 1 hour.
Could definitely use the credit for some upcoming trips! (and would mind some status).
Short lines and good customer service.
Getting a fair price for gas