DRIVE IN LUXURY! NATIONAL CAR RENTAL

As a frequent bleisure traveler, being a member of National Emerald Club gives me peace of mind each time I’m renting a car. Thanks to my Executive membership from American Express Platinum Card. The AmEx platinum card comes with Car Rental Privileges program which gives you Emerald Club Executive status with National, Avis Preferred status with Avis, and Gold Plus Rewards status with Hertz.

Unlike other car rental companies that assign a specific car to you (even with your elite status) when you rent, with National Car Rental, you can bypass the counter, walk to the lot and pick any car that meets your needs. You only need to show your driver license at the exit gate and off you go. It’s that easy. 

With my Emerald Executive status, I have been able to drive away in exotic cars at no extra cost to me. By renting a mid-size car class, and not having to beg anyone for an upgrade in anyway. 

Below are the pictures of some of my rentals at different locations with National:

Dodge Challenger rented at BWI. Picture shot in Washington DC Monument


Jeep Wrangler Sport rented at Sacramento airport. Shot on I5 (LA – Sac)



A Chevvy Tahoe at Newark Airport

Realistically speaking, National Car Rental gives you value for your money, and also appreciates their members for their strong loyalty. I personally can testify to that.

And it gets even better. From now through February 29, 2020, Emerald Club members can earn free days with National’s famous ‘ONE-TWO-FREE’promotion. According to Rob Connors, VP of brand marketing for National, “Each year, National offers the ‘One Two Free’ promotion to our Emerald Club members in appreciation of their strong loyalty”.

One-Two-Free. Image credit: National

With the one-two-free promo, you earn 1 free-day credit after every 2 qualified rentals with National. Free Registration is required prior to your first rental in order to qualify for this promo. 

Red Dodge Challenger rented in San Antonio. Picture taken in Austin-TX


VW Atlas. Rented in Newark Airport, NJ


Chevrolet Camaro rented at DFW (Dallas) airport

One of the best perks that comes with the free rental day is the fact that they are good on one-way rentals. Usually, one-way rentals can be a bit more expensive as there are other fees like one-way drop off fee that gets added to the cost of a one-way rental.

While the promo runs through end of February 2020, the points and free day coupons will expire by June 15, 2020 at 11:59pm CDT. Although there is no limit to how many free rental days you can earn, you can only redeem up to 3 rental days per reservation.

The free rental day from the one-two-free promo is in addition to your main rental activity. That is, you still earn rental credits or miles (depending on your chosen preference). You can visit National Car Rental’s website for other bonuses packed with the one-two-free promotion that you can also take advantage of.

Car rental status like Emerald Club can save you plenty of time, and money. Especially at a relatively busy airport or during a very busy time of the year. 

Apart from the one-two-free promotion, Emerald Club members requires 7 rental credits to earn a free rental day. Executive members 6 rental credits for a free rental-day, and Executive Elite members 5 rental credits for one free rental-day.

Here, I used the Free Rental for a one-way rental. Thanks to OneTwoFree promo. 2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible. Shot in Niagara Falls, Canada

Emerald Club status is the first tier in the National Emerald loyalty program. As an Emerald Club member, you can pick any car in the Emerald Aisle.
You can achieve Emerald Club Executive status after 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a year. You can also earn this status if you own some of the premium credit cards that offer this status as one of the benefits. Executive members have access to the Executive selection area, where exotic cars await you.

EmeraldClub Executive Elite status which gives you fastest free rental days is attainable with 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days. As an Executive Elite member, you can get a guaranteed car with a 24-hours notice (although up to a full-size, and only in US & Canada). You can also enjoy the benefit of delivering your car to a private airport not more than 50-miles away from the rental car company (US & Canada only).

Go Like A Pro! Become Emerald Club member today and start enjoying all the special frequent benefits whenever you rent.

Have you rented from National recently and what was your experience like? Don’t forget to register for the one-two-free promo before your rental. Happy travels.

2020 Ford Mustang convertible. Rented in EWR airport. Newark, NJ

Featured image courtesy of National Car Rental

Kayode

Nigeria-born, California-based.

Kayode currently holds higher status on multiple airlines and hotel programs. He has visited 4 continents, 30 countries, and 35 of the 50 US states.

He began his adventure journey after selling his first cellphone ever, and used the money to apply for his first passport. He said to himself, “I’d rather have a passport than a cellphone”. And since then, he has been globetrotting.