National

Pros: Pick-up and return was easy. New cars. Choose your own car. No hidden charges. Affordable.
Cons: None!!!

This was my first time using National and it will not be my last. I paid much less than other companies were charging. I returned the car at a different city, no one-way charge. I even used a $25 dollar coupon for my one-way rental. I was very impressed with the selection of cars. All of them were new. I chose a 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo with 13 miles on it. The car was non-smoking, which was great. The rental process was very quick, about 10 minutes with a reservation. A little longer without a reservation. Returning the car was even easier. Drove into the parking garage, the attendant scanned the car back in and I was finished. I hope National is the least expensive the next time I need to rent a car. I'm not very loyal to one company. I usually choose the company that is the least expensive, but if the price is close I'll probably use National again. Do yourself a favor and give them a look. You won't be sorry you did.

Pros: Great prices; multiple in town sf locations.
Cons: In different to reservations; indifferent service.

I Travel a lot and have rented many cars. Actually I have rented from National quite often.
The offices in the Bay Area need much to be desired. I rented a car from the location in San Francisco on Union
Square and I was shown too a dirty car which had not even been fueled. When I told the clerk about the car being under full it was disputed. Much work needs to be done at that station.
A second time I rented from the location at Mission and Van Ness. This time they did not have my car. I was told that since I had made a web booking the company did not take my reservation that seriously. That because I was paying a lower price my reservation had a lower priority.
Well, I certainly won't be using those locations again and I would not recommend them. Which is a shame since service at National has been exemplary.

Pros: Airline discount offered
Cons: Indifference of rental sales associate in PR; Poor exterior condition of the car

Back in May, I rented a car in Puerto Rico to get to my parents home and back to the airport, so the use was minimal. I noticed lots of scratches in the car, it was not the usual in very good condition car that one usually gets in a rental car. But since I had not made a reservation and it was hard to get a car that week-end I settled for it. On the check out, I wondered how they kept track of all of the scratches, but assumed that they knew what they were doing. BIG mistake. When I went back to return the car they asked me if I had had an accident. I thought "here we go, I should have listened to that little voice". Today I got my MC bill and, of course, National Rental Car is charging me $340.00 for the scratches on the car. I called them in Puerto Rico, and the sales rep simply does not care. My advise, DO NOT rent a car in less than perfect condition.

Pros: Excellent service and employees.
Cons: Need better directionals to the parking lot.

The first thing I found wrong with National was the signage to the parking area for National cars was poorly placed. I had to ask at the counter. I was helped immediately because no one was in line.

That was the last thing I found wrong with National. Check- out was smooth and hassle free. The car performed flawlessly. Check-in was smooth with minimal wait time. All employees were courteous and helpful.

National will be my first choice from now on.

Pros: Emerald Club
Cons: Frequent flyer program is poorly managed.

I rented from National Car Rental for years and despite multiple calls and half a dozen e mails to their customer service, the company has still not credited my frequent flyer account. They send me in circles saying it is the airlines fault. The only issue is National Car Rentals computer systems.

After going in circles for a year, National took the easy route by saying that the window for crediting the miles has closed.

Lesson for frequent travelers: Rent from Avis and Hertz if you want your frequent flyer miles.

Pros: None
Cons: Impossible to make an insurance claim when the company will not provide repair details.

I have hired small cars from Priority Car Rentals in Auckland on several occasions. Their prices are reasonable and I have had no complaints about the cars. However, in Jan 2006 I returned a car to them with a damaged mudguard and I have paid since paid their bill of NZ$559.29 for the repairs. I carried my own travel insurance and now need a detailed invoice from them in order that I can make an insurance claim. I have telephoned them repeatedly and have visited their office on two occasions in attempts to obtain such an invoice and while they have said every time it will be made available it never is. They are, in fact in breach of NZ Goods and Services Tax (GST) regulations in failing to provide an invoice but still refuse, apparently, to provide me with one. Unless I can obtain an invoice I cannot make an insurance claim and what was a reasonable hire charge now becomes an expensive one.

My opinion is to avoid this company

Pros: Nice car
Cons: Over sell of unneeded extras,low choice of cars

Don't purchase roadside assistance. Friends visiting from India rented a car from National because they had received a coupon for a 5 day rental for the great price of $128. By the time they left the rental counter the bill was $358. Being from a foreign country the purchase the additional insurances for piece of mind. They were also sold a roadside assistance policy at the rate of $5 per day ($25)total. When engine light came on while in Yellowstone they called for assistance. They were told that it was not available where they were, instead they were told that the light probably indicated low antifreeze. Without the additional roadside policy I'm sure they would have received the same help. After talking to the local manager, who was not in the people business (kinda snooty) he agreed to refund the $12 paid for the refill of antifreeze (which if the car had been properly maintained before rental would not of been required). So buyer beware of roadside assistance additions. It's not worth it.

Pros: Pickup and drop-off vans were efficient. No time waiting
Cons: no car was available at time of reservation wasted alot of time

Rented with National twice in Hawaii. One time at Honolulu Airport and Kuhului (Maui) Airport. Both times, the full-size cars that were reserved in advance were not available. In Honolulu, the clerk has to leave her station to claim a returning car for rental; she then quoted a price 100 dollars higher than the agreed rental price and have to adjust the rate since we have the doc to prove price agreed on. We then have to wait another 30 minutes before the car is cleaned and washed. In Maui, no full size is available, so tried to rent us a convertible. Since the luggage won't fit, we have to switch car again and finally the agent was able to find a car that was just sitting on the lot. Wasted alot of time.

Pros: NONE.
Cons: High price and Orlando airport gas rip-off scam.

I had to call twice to confirm my rental, and when I showed up to pick up my car they did not have any record of the reservation, and they did not have the Camry that they promised they would have for me. They did not offer or explain the pre-paid gas option, and when I returned the car the gas charge was $95.00 which brought the total price for a one day rental to $252.00. As the tank was not empty, I tried to negotiate with the manager who was extremely rude and would not give me any break on the charge. Note: when returning a car in Orlando, be sure to fill up the tank 10 miles from the airport because there is NO place to fill up the car once your near Orlando International. My advice: skip Orlando and don't rent cars from Alamo/National.

Pros: The person at the counter is most often nice.
Cons: I hate that they contract with only one car company.

I have had repeated problems with National when renting for business travel. I get cars that were smoked in when I specify non-smoking, I get cars that aren't clean, I have no service when I return the car. For example when I return with many other different car companies there is someone there to meet me with a little wireless device and a printer to print me a receipt right then and there. Not with National. If I have to shuttle... I will watch Budget, Hertz and Avis drive by 10 to 15 times before I see a National shuttle. This is true of Dollar too.

Pros: Price, although they charge customers for employees' abuse.
Cons: Very poor customer service.

Awful experience with these guys in Paris. Chose them to avoid local, unknown companies, but my decision proved wrong.

Returned the car on time, but somebody -an employee, I Guess- decided to have a ride on it. They charged me for an extra day and extra fuel when I returned the tank completely full. Their records showed that I returned it half a day after my airplane took off from Paris. After several days I got my extra day back, but ended up financing the gas for a long, long ride of an employee.

Pros: NONE!!!
Cons: RIP OFF!!!

I rented a car from this company and they have enough fine print in their contracts to fill a phone book!!

Long story short, a $350 rental turned into $615 with hidden mileage charges!

When I called to complain, they basically said too bad; you rented it!

I have been a member of their Emerald Club for 10 years; Imagine how they would treat non members!!

BEWARE!!!

Pros: Polite and helpful
Cons: none

I had a great experience with National. They had a discount for premium vehicles at $30/day. DEAL! They offered me a Lincoln Towncar, but said I could wait for Cadillac. I opted to wait 15 minutes for delivery. What a smooth ride. Outstanding cornering. GREAT CAR! I had a blast.

Pros: Excellent service, great online pricing and really nice vehicles.
Cons: Only two choices in vehicles at time of rental.

SJ, CA airport last week. Online pricing is soooo much better than counter/walk-in pricing. At the counter the price for a compact car for one week was around $189. Reserving online, I paid $107!!! Walked to counter, they were very quick. Within 5 minutes I was told, "here's your paperwork, go out that way and pick your car!" There were only two cars to choose from but at least one was real nice, the Pontiac Sunfire. The other choice, a Chevy Cavalier. I Took the Sunfire for one week. A little over 2300 miles on it. Still smelled brand new. When I returned the car I was handed a receipt in the lot. Unfamiliar with their process, I went to the counter. The guy told me that I was already all set since I had that receipt. WOW! What a concept! No paperwork, no bs. Return the car and your on your way. Boy I liked this service! - Would've liked to keep the car too!

Pros: NONE
Cons: EVERYTHING

I made a reservation to pick up a rental car in Lubbock, Tx and return it at Midland, Tx. My rate was to be $63.00 per day. When I turned in the vehicle at 7:30 am on Saturday there was no one at their counter or any other rental counter. I left the information required and proceeded to catch my flight.
On sunday I received my statement via e-mail for $361.02. This was $100.00 more than expected. Today I called the customer service number and after a 10 min wait I finally talked to a representative. He told me that I was being billed according to my contact. I asked to speak with a Supervisor and was transferred to a FAX NUMBER!!! I then called customer service again and asked to speak with a supervisor. The lady told me that I had to give her an opportunity to correct my problen and also that there were no supervisors available. expressed my disbelief and insisted on speaking with a supervisor she hung up on me.
I will never rent from National or their sister company, Alamo. I travel frequently and use rental much of the time. BUYER BEWARE OF NATIONAL CAR RENTAL