Is National Car Rental Good? (Top 5 Issues + Comparisons)
National Car Rental probably has the highest rental rates, surpassing industry behemoths like Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise.
However, the steep price comes with a renting experience that bests the rest in the market, although it isn’t without problems.
Is National Car Rental Legit?
Despite the customer complaints, which is inevitable for a company of this size, National is a legit car rental business, with over 1,500 rental locations in nearly 80 countries.
The reservation experience on its website is one of the best, with user-friendly layouts and transparent pricing throughout the process.
Is National Car Rental Part of Enterprise?
Enterprise Holdings owned Alamo and National when the Taylor family of St. Louis acquired both car rental companies in 2007.
Is National Car Rental Reliable?
All major car rentals suffer from location-specific issues with their customers.
Still, National Car Rental is one of the more reliable ones in North America, with JD Power ranking the company in the second spot, behind only Enterprise in overall satisfaction.
National’s ratings at Consumer Affairs are also the best among car rentals.
National Car Rental Problems & Complaints:
#1 Overbooked & No Car at Pickup
Overbooking is a prevalent practice in the industry, so seeing this issue near the top of any problems list is inevitable.
Many customers at National car rental, like at other companies, made reservations, including prepaid ones, only to show up at the counter without a vehicle for their trips.
During peak holiday seasons, when alternative car rentals face the same shortage, such occurrences can wreck the family’s vacation.
A viable alternative is the Turo car-sharing app – see how it stacks up against other major car rental companies.
Unlike corporate car rentals like National, Hertz, or Enterprise, Turo works much like Airbnb in the short-term accommodation space, where you rent from private car owners, so vehicle availability is a non-issue after confirming a booking.
#2 Charges for Damages the Renter Didn’t Cause
Several customers have reported getting charges for vehicle damages that they did not cause.
More frustratingly, attempts to get in touch with the rental company via letters and emails with numerous visual documentation failed to get a response.
Customers find it hard to accept when the charges come without proof of damage but with merely a claim.
In some cases, the protracted process of resolving the issue took months.
A useful recommendation is to take photographs and videos of the rental car at pickup and drop-off; when returning the vehicle, make the visual documentation before the rental rep can drive off.
#3 Evasive Customer Service
Especially with billing issues, National Car Rental customers reported that the Customer Service rep gave them the run around when contacted on the phone, passing from one manager to another.
Attempts to reach National via email or phone often went unanswered, and when they succeeded, a resolution was typically hard to get.
Many customers at other car rentals share similar complaints, unfortunately.
#4 Multiple Unauthorized Credit Card Charges
Some customers complained that they discovered multiple charges on different days, amounting to several times higher than the reservation.
Efforts to contact customer service often failed to reach the person in charge. Instead, the customer had to wait for a return call that never came.
One customer claimed that the documents the rental company sent contain many discrepancies, with manual-entry information rather than system-generated ones.
The extra charges typically come with claims and not legitimate supporting evidence.
#5 Additional Charges from Improper Car Return Processing
Although some details weren’t available, a customer reported that the credit card bill he received included rental days past the vehicle return date.
The return wasn’t processed properly or on time, resulting in hundreds of dollars more than anticipated.
Some customers need to return the vehicles after hours, which is unavoidable.
Still, customers that drop off during the day should ensure that a proper signing-off document is in place before leaving the counter, especially with a car rental they are using for the first time.
National vs. Other Car Rental Companies:
National vs. Alamo Car Rental
| NATIONAL | ALAMO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 837/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Moderate to Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $300-$400 for credit and debit cards; debit cards accepted only if accompanied by a ticketed return itinerary. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes; charges apply and vary depending on the location. Higher rental rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Available in all vehicle classes. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $5-$15/day, location dependent. Free for spouse or domestic partner. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | 21-24-year-olds pay approx. $25/day surcharge, location dependent. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $12/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes, crated. Service animals without carrier is OK. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Most US vehicles can travel into Canada. Exotics and vans may not travel outside the US. Most renting locations forbid travel into Mexico w/o additional insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
National car rental surpasses Alamo in general customer satisfaction across popular review sites, and it has the best website user interface, including upfront rates for ease of navigation.
But if cheaper rates are your top priority, Alamo’s offers are more affordable than National’s, although both have a comparable number of locations for convenience.
National vs. Avis Car Rental
| NATIONAL | AVIS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 if you prepaid with a debit card. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes; charges and higher rates apply, and they vary depending on the location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes; standard for most vehicle classes and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11/day in Nevada, max. $65/rental. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Qualifying family members drive for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | 21-24-year-olds pay $28-$35/day surcharge, location dependent. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI pay $41-$84/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | Up to $14/day, depending on rental length. Must return the seat to the same location, or pay a $50 fee. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes, but keep the car clean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Can travel into Canada w/ prior arrangement; a Canadian non-resident insurance may be necessary. Can drive into Mexico only when renting from select Avis locations, through a corporate account, and with special Avis insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
National holds the edge over Avis car rental, with higher consumer satisfaction and pricing transparency when booking on their websites.
National also offers the best experience when placing an online reservation on its website, indicating fees in an easy-to-view manner along the process.
National vs. Budget Car Rental
| NATIONAL | BUDGET | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 807/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
Suppose you don’t mind the higher price and want a better rental experience; In that case, National is the better choice than Budget, with evidently better ratings across customer review sites, including JD Power.
National vs. Dollar Car Rental
| NATIONAL | DOLLAR | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 786/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | Available at time of rental. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $13.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $400 de-smoking fee. |
Although National’s rates are markedly pricier, it offers a better and more reliable rental service than Dollar, supported by more positive consumer feedback across major review sites, including JD Power.
National vs. Enterprise Car Rental
| NATIONAL | ENTERPRISE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 861/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $400-$850, depending on the vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes, but only at participating outlets. A one-way drop charge applies but varies by location. Higher rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes for most car classes. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | $0.10-$0.25 per additional mile, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $5/day in New York. $15/day in other States. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $12/day; max $72/rental. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes, but crated. Cleaning fee may apply if unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Generally, no. But allowed for select pickup trucks in Enterprise truck rental locations. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes; anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large vans. Can drive into Mexico with Enterprise’s special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
Although Enterprise Holdings is the parent company and both earned high levels of renter satisfaction, National edges ahead of Enterprise, judging by the overall reservation experience on their websites (transparent pricing and clear user interface for easy navigation.)
But if you can find a better deal on Enterprise for your destination, don’t hold back.
National vs. Fox Car Rental
| NATIONAL | FOX | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes, all vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Nil. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $10.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Restrictions vary by State. Check each State’s policy for details. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. Cleaning fee applies. |
With Fox’s lower renter satisfaction, going with National, which has significantly more locations for accessibility and one-way rentals, is a straightforward decision.
That said, National’s often prohibitive rates may not work for all renters.
National vs. Hertz Car Rental
| NATIONAL | HERTZ | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes, for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes (rpd). Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | $19/day per driver. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $13.99 |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $400 cleaning fee. |
National and Hertz are some of the largest rental services in North America, though the latter has more locations in the US and globally.
Still, National surpasses Hertz as the better car rental, judging by the user reviews on Consumer Affairs and JD Power’s latest satisfaction survey.
Plus, the reservation process on National’s website is the best of all car rentals.
National vs. Payless Car Rental
| NATIONAL | PAYLESS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $250 for credit cards. $300 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes, depending on the rental location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $13/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | $25/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes. $250 cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes, but must notify the rental location first. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
In one of the clearest differences in overall quality, National trumps Payless car rental with service excellence, rental locations, and transparent pricing.
Only in situations where the renter is familiar with a Payless location, its agent, and service quality would Payless’ lower rates be a safe choice.
National vs. Sixt Car Rental
| NATIONAL | SIXT | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | Minimum $200. $2,500 or more for the priciest vehicle group. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes. $0 between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes for most vehicles, except for some sports and premium models. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | $0.55/mile or higher, vehicle-dependent. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $15/day. Free for renter’s spouse and immediate family members. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $15/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
Sixt may have cheaper rental rates, but National car rental’s higher service quality and positive consumer reviews are significant pluses to choose it.
However, Sixt has a great selection of vehicles and provides an outstanding booking experience on its website; if you get an attractive offer and watch what you sign, you have no strong reasons to shun Sixt.
National vs. Thrifty Car Rental
| NATIONAL | THRIFTY | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | 768/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Yes, at select locations. One-way drop fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | Yes, standard. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | $13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Yes. But $50-$250 cleaning fee if returned with damage or unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada (rpd). Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes. Can cross into Mexico only with Mexico Insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $400 smoke cleaning fee will apply if evidence of smoking found. |
Judging by JD Power’s satisfaction rating and online user reviews, National should be the preferred car rental over Thrifty, with service quality and fleet size among its pluses.
However, National’s rental rates are among the most expensive in the market, so it may not work for all budgets.
National vs. Turo Car Rental
| NATIONAL | TURO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 852/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey to Exorbitant. | Very low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.5/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 5.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes. | No. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $15/day per driver. | No. |
| Under-25 Fee | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $12-$13.99/day. | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. |
National Car Rental is more upfront about the additional charges when booking on its website than most other rental companies.
Still, Turo is comparable in its pricing transparency, and its broader vehicle choices and cheaper rates should work better for most renters than National.
National Car Rental FAQs:
Does National Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?
Except for rare Exotics, National rental cars have unlimited mileage, removing the need to manage the miles.
Does National Car Rental Charge for Mileage?
National Car Rental offers unlimited mileage with most of their vehicles, and you don’t need to worry about extra mile charges.
Does National Car Rental Allow Pets?
Like most major car rentals, National allows renters to bring their pets in the rental vehicles.
However, you will need to crate your pet and return the car in clean condition, free of pet hair and damage; otherwise, cleaning fees will apply.
The exception to crating applies to service animals.
Does National Car Rental Allow Towing?
National strictly prohibits towing with or attaching a hitch to their rental vehicles.
Does National Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?
National rental cars typically can travel anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large passenger and cargo vans. Check with the specific rental location to be sure.
Most National rental locations, however, do not allow driving into Mexico. Only select National rental locations in States bordering Mexico will allow you to cross the border, subject to the purchase of additional insurance covers.
Does National Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?
Authorized additional drivers at National car rental pay $15/day for each extra driver in all States, except for New York ($5/day).
Only these additional drivers are exempt from the extra charge:
- Renter’s spouse or domestic partner.
- Renter’s immediate family members (father, mother, son, daughter, brother, and sister) who has the same address on the driver’s license as the renter with the Emerald Club membership.
- Renter’s employer or co-worker through a corporate account.
- One companion to a renter with driving disability.
Regardless of the additional driver’s relationship to the renter, the person must:
- Meet age requirements, with under-25 drivers potentially incurring an additional charge.
- Appear at the rental counter with the renter at pickup or during the rental.
- Present a valid driver’s license.
Only the renter’s spouse or domestic partner is a permitted additional driver for a rental secured with a debit card.
What Is National Car Rental’s Cancellation Policy?
You would not incur a cancellation fee if you did not prepay.
If you pre-paid and want to cancel, these fees will apply:
- Cancel at least 24 hours before pickup: refund prepaid amount, minus a $50 cancellation fee.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before pickup: refund prepaid amount, minus a $100 cancellation fee.
- No-show: prepaid amount forfeited.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/national_car_rental.html