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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Easier booking process combining discount codes, coupons and free days.
What would make renting a car better/easier? NOT UPGRADING THE SIZE OF MY CAR! I asked for an economical or small car for a reason, I do not need a gas guzzling tank that I will have to buy gas for. It is not a hotel room, I do not need to stretch out. Give me an “upgrade” benefit in the class I signed up for, like a free GPS or something.
This would come in handy for a trip to Phoenix in Feb. thanks for the giveaway!
Cheaper prices from the big chains.
With other options now available (flightcar, silver car, uber, etc), renting a car isn’t as necessary as before, and prices need to come down to reflect increased competition.
The one thing that can make my car rental experience better is nt having to deal with the counter. I love blowing past the lines getting in my car and going.
I typically choose National Car for their consistently good customer service. They have always resolved any issues promptly.
Luxurious complimentary upgrades.
Frequent National renter and I have been very happy.
Manufacturers should provide rental companies with well-optioned vehicles that people would want to drive. When buying a car, previous experience with the brand goes a long way. If all I’ve driven are base model Malibu’s, I probably won’t have a high opinion of Chevy. But if I receive a fully-optioned Passat and am happy with it, I may take a closer look at VW when car shopping.
I’d love to see gas refill rates that are no more than $.40-$.50 above the area’s prevailing gas station rates.
As always, quicker rentals and quicker returns. Leave the trunks open, clear the snow off the windows so they’re ready to go. An elite returns lane so we don’t have to wait for the families of 5 to get the kids out, put jackets on, gather all their stuff, etc.
Quick pick-up of car and the agent not pushing add-ons.
No counter, no problem. The less talking to get the car, the better.
Eliminating the upsell at the counter would be great. I picked the class of vehicle online that I want to drive, don’t need extra insurance coverage for me or the vehicle, and bring my own GPS and smartphone for navigation.
Also, if I rent an SUV at a resort/ski area, I expect 4WD. “Traction control” is a poor substitute on steep, icy roads.
The ability to bypass the counter!
Shorter time from pickup at airport to the rental area. I’ve waited 30 minutes and that’s no fun when I am eager to start my vacation.
Cheaper rates. And easy gas fill up at the end – maybe normal rates for some limited amount of gas?
what is the one thing that can make your car rental experience better? – Having a quick pick up experience (not having to wait inline to double check my credit card and license which is on file)
On-site airport return areas.
Upgrades are the thing I enjoy most I rent 60-90 days but there is just an enterprise near me maybe I should credit to national. 😛
Better customer service and no hidden fees.
short wait and free upgrade is all that i like about National.
Better customer service. I’ve had some really horrible experiences at car rental places recently.
Got a red Mini cooper once – my favorite selection in the Emerald Aisle.
Having the flexibility to chose from various types of vehicles shapes and sizes from within one class.
Quick pickup, and reasonable return fee/cost for gas refill.
Lower Mileage and well maintained vehicles
I would love to not have to fill up the gas tank, and only pay market rate, plus a $2 convenience fee, or something like that, rather than pay double the cost of the gas!
I would love to be able to drop off the rental car right at my terminal to save time.
Quick and seamless pick up and return. I love it when I’m in the car driving off 10 min after deplaning. Same on the return. National seems to be very consistent at this.. Solid experience with National so far!
Ability to bypass the counter and go straight to my car
Faster return would be great
HAve to drive to SAN to catch our flight to SE Asia and this status/GC would come handy for our family.
What would make my rental experience better? The feeling that I got the best value possible.
I don’t rent enough to have earned an elite membership – but why is there always a huge amount of time-wasting paperwork to do at the counter when I’ve already given them all the information when I booked on-line? Surely there’s a better more efficient way of processing the data?
grace period, and luxury cars
A reasonable policy on refueling – market based rate for the fuel and a standardized flat-fee service charge. No more $7/gallon gas.
I enjoy getting to try out new and different car models I have not driven before.
Gas refill rates at a reasonable rate for those times when you’re in a rush.
Fewer worries about being charged for damage not under my watch.
Not having rental car companies inspect my returned car like I’m a criminal, trying to nickel and dime me over invisible dings (that were probably there when I rented it) would improve my experience!
Decent grace period.
A good way to find out what vehicles are at a location so you know what type of car to reserve.
Love National !! No waiting time and smooth check in!
Streamline the car-return process. Although National has this pretty well fine-tuned.
Having my insurance preferences (e.g., decline damage waiver, etc.) on file.
Better grace period and have a pro rated system to cherge if returning beyond the deadline.
The main thing that makes my experience better is National Executive Aisles that have cars that elite status members actually want. A lot full of “full size” entry-level Sonatas is not impressive and cheapens the benefit, in my opinion. I LOVE when there is a vast array of options for the Executive Aisle. Hope to win!
The ability to by-pass the counter to an already air-conditioned or heated car is a truly great benefit – oh yes, and so is earning a free rental. Thanks!
I use National because of my Executive Status. I most often travel to a DFW. I wonder if the Executive Aisle at Love has as much selection.
As an executive, I think it’s a good promo as long as you have a lot of short term rentals planned. You can rent for 2 days 7 times and end up with a bunch of free days.
However, if you have longer rentals then you’re absolutely getting the shaft. You can rent 3 times for an entire week and have barely one free day to show for it with the promo.