If you rent cars often—especially out of major airports—National is one of the easiest brands to “set and forget.” The reason is simple: Emerald Club + the Emerald Aisle can save you time at pickup and (in many cases) let you drive away in a better car without paying for a higher class.
In this guide, we focus on what actually moves the needle: how to book smarter, how Emerald Club works in real life, what elite status changes, and which fees tend to surprise people.
Who National is best for (and who it isn’t)
National is a strong fit if you:
- Rent frequently for work or you do multiple airport rentals per year
- Value speed at pickup and the ability to choose your own car
- Want a loyalty program that earns free days quickly (via credits)
National may not be ideal if you:
- Only rent once a year and primarily care about the absolute lowest base rate
- Mostly rent at small neighborhood locations where Emerald Aisle service is limited
How to save with National (quick playbook)
1) Price the location before you price the car
Airport rentals are convenient, but the total often rises due to airport fees and taxes. If you can, compare a nearby off-airport location (even a few miles away) before booking.
2) Reserve a midsize and let Emerald Aisle do the “upgrade”
At participating locations in the U.S. and Canada, the classic National strategy is:
- Reserve a midsize
- Walk to the Emerald Aisle (or Executive area)
- Choose the best car available
- Pay the midsize rate (rules vary by aisle/status)
3) Treat prepaid rates like airfare
Prepay can be cheaper, but it usually comes with stricter change/cancel rules. If your schedule might move, a pay-later rate can be worth the extra cost.
4) Use “Account Number” discounts only if you’re eligible
National discounts are frequently tied to an Account Number (corporate/association pricing) and/or a Coupon Code (upgrade, money off, free day, etc.). If you’re not eligible for a particular corporate rate, the discount can be removed at the counter.
If you want a safer path, start with our National discount codes guide and only use corporate codes you can substantiate.
5) Decide on insurance before you arrive
Most expensive counter “surprises” come from add-ons. Know what you’re covered for through your personal auto policy and credit card benefits, then only buy what you truly need.
6) Don’t let fuel and tolls inflate the bill
Fuel prepay often looks appealing but rarely pencils out unless you plan to return nearly empty. For tolls, understand the toll product rules for the market you’re visiting (and what you’re comfortable managing yourself).
Emerald Club: why National feels different
National’s loyalty program is Emerald Club. The headline benefit isn’t points—it’s the pickup experience.
Emerald Aisle basics (how it actually works)
At participating locations in the U.S. and Canada:
- Reserve a midsize
- Bypass the counter (when eligible at that location)
- Go to the Emerald Aisle (or the Executive/Executive Elite area if you qualify)
- Choose any car in the aisle/area and pay the midsize rate, subject to program rules
Two practical notes:
- Selection varies by airport and time of day. The aisle at 9am Monday can be very different from 11pm Friday.
- If the aisle is thin, ask an attendant what’s available “back line.” Sometimes the best cars are not sitting in the most obvious row.
Emerald Aisle vs. Emerald Reserve Service
National also offers Reserve Service at participating locations, which is designed for times you need a specific class (SUV, minivan, etc.) and want to bypass the counter for that reserved class.
Emerald Club elite status (and what changes as you move up)
National’s elite tiers mainly change two things:
- Which area you can choose from (Emerald Aisle vs. Executive area), and
- How quickly you earn free days (credits per free day).
Emerald Club Member (base tier)
This is the default tier after joining Emerald Club. Core benefits include:
- Emerald Aisle access at participating U.S./Canada locations
- “Choose Rewards” (free rental days or partner miles/points)
- Standard free-day earning via rental credits
Important: National’s marketing often highlights “no second driver fees,” but additional-driver fees can still apply depending on who the additional driver is, how you pay, and local rules (see the dedicated section below).
Emerald Club Executive
You typically earn Executive with 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a calendar year.
What you gain:
- Executive Area access (typically full-size and above in U.S./Canada)
- Faster free days (fewer credits required per free day)
- Stronger “guaranteed upgrade” style benefits at non-aisle locations (where applicable)
Emerald Club Executive Elite
You typically earn Executive Elite with 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a calendar year.
What you gain:
- Faster free days (again fewer credits per free day)
- More flexibility on how you use free days (including broader car class eligibility under certain rules)
- High-touch perks like private airport delivery in select scenarios/locations
How to earn free rentals with National
National’s free days are primarily earned through rental credits, not spend-based points.
The simple model
- You earn 1 rental credit per qualified rental
- Once you reach the threshold for your tier, you earn a free rental day
- Higher status = fewer credits needed for a free day
“Choose Rewards”: free days vs. airline/hotel partners
With Emerald Club, you can typically choose to earn:
- Free rental days (credits), or
- Miles/points with a partner program
In practice, if you rent often and want predictable value, free days are usually the cleanest choice. If you rent infrequently, partner miles/points can be simpler.
National promotions (like “One Two Free”)
National periodically runs promotions that let Emerald Club members earn extra free days faster—often requiring registration and qualifying rental lengths. Because the rules and dates change, treat promotions as opportunistic upside, not the foundation of your savings strategy.
Additional drivers: the most misunderstood “perk”
National does have scenarios where additional driver fees are waived, but it is not a universal “always free for anyone” benefit in every rental situation.
As a baseline:
- Additional-driver fees can apply, and
- Waivers often depend on whether the additional driver is a spouse/domestic partner (and sometimes address matching), your payment method (credit vs. debit), and local rules.
If you plan to add a driver, it’s worth checking National’s current policy before you arrive—this is a common counter-time surprise.
National small business program
National offers a small business rental program designed to provide business-friendly pricing and features for smaller companies.
If you’re a business owner or manage travel for a small team:
- Compare the business program rate against your “best public rate”
- Decide whether you want employee travelers to attach their own Emerald Club numbers for benefits/credits
- If you’re building out a broader small-business travel stack, our small business travel programs guide can help you connect the dots across airlines, hotels, and rental cars
National Car Rental Promo Codes
National discounts typically come in two forms:
- Account Number: identifies a special rate (corporate, association, partner pricing)
- Coupon Code: usually adds an incentive (upgrade, dollars off, free day, etc.)
For the safest approach, start with our National discount codes guide, then compare against the other majors so you have pricing context:
| National Car Rental Special Offers and Promotions |
| Free Single Upgrade on Your Rental Car |
| $20 Off Weekly Base Rate |
| $20 Off Weekend Base Rate |
| Last Minute Specials |
Frequently Asked Questions
National is owned by Enterprise Holdings, along with other agencies including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Alamo Rent a Car
No. At this time they do not participate in the AAA discount program.
Yes. National has a military discount program that offers members of the military discounts on their rental cars.
Yes. National has many travel partners that allow you to earn points in their program vs. free rental days. These include both airlines and hotels.
No, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is not part of National Car Rental. They are, however, owned by the same company, Enterprise Holdings. They also offer some great discounts and weekend specials.
No, you can’t use your National Car Rental free rental day credits with Enterprise. However, you can earn National free rental credits and elite status by renting a car from Enterprise.
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