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3.8 168 Reviews

National Car Rental Complaints Summary

118 Resolved
50 Unresolved
Our verdict: You can expect a very good level of service from National Car Rental. To navigate their system effectively, thoroughly understand their service scope. Check online forums and review sites for others' experiences. When contacting customer service, clear and concise communication can help resolve your issues faster.
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4:40 pm EDT
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National Car Rental cnn national tv advertising

Regarding your current National Advertising Campaign running on CNN: My Company hosts a large number of clients, vendors and team members within the US and Abroad. We often reimburse these travelers for their travel related expenses as submitted to us... many being National Rental Contracts.

As your national CNN advertising campaign continues to SCREAM LOUDLY throughout our Corporate Offices, which we have always kept tv's on CNN...

We are advising both you and CNN that we will be using neither so long as National Advertising continues to SCREAM their ridiculous advertising 20 decibels louder than all other CNN broadcast.

Your advertising style is obnoxious, childish, much less professional, than our company cares to tolerate.

To that end, we have sent out advisaries to all of our travelers that our companies will no longer be reimbursing ANY travel expenses from National Car Rentals.

We regret this, but given that your Company is not responsive to our earlier complaints, and as the complaints regarding CNN's airing of your advertising comes from our many employees and visitors through out our offices... we just simple intend to avoid CNN and National Car Rentals during this obnoxious advertising campaign.

We are copying both the advertising and corporate divisions of CNN as well.

Kind regards, but we hope you and your team mature a bit... and regain the once professional image your company held.

C. Gargus
Interbrand Technology Associates
JuYuan Companies, International

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12:30 am EDT

National Car Rental over-charging a long term client

I have rented exclusively from National for nine years and love the Emerald Aisle. I started with a new company and told our secretary to book a flight, hotel, and car with National (since I had a long term relationship.) My secretary booked an SUV ... but I am so used to using the Emerald Aisle I took a standard car. I received a bill for $300, instead of the $100 to $120 I was expecting. I filed a complaint and have yet to have my bill reduced to a "long term client" rate. Instead of resolving the issues and making this easy, I was asked for my new company's corporate account number.

Why doesn't National say "yes, we know you've rented from us 100 times and yes we know you're a long term client ... we're going to give you the corporate rate for the Emerald Aisle car you actually used"? This seems like common sense ... but this is up to customer service managers to decide.

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8:16 am EDT

National Car Rental excessive billing

I have already submitted this complaint once with no response. We collected a hire car from Port Hardy Airport and there was no one at the desk when we arrived. We had to call and after the second call some one arrived who said that they were not the regular person and that Debbie had a water leak so she was helping out.

This person then told us that our rental started at 140, by this time it was around 9.15 am, despite the rental contract saying a different time, we apologised and asked the lady not to rush. she then told us that the vehicle was off site and we had to go with her to collect and then come back. At no time was it discussed that we would have to pay extra for one hours use and in fact by the time we had been to collect the car it was nearer 9.45am.

I feel that we have been unfairly charged additional costs which we were not made aware of and did not get an extra hour car rental. In view of this I would like the additional charge refunded to my credit card please.

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10:24 am EDT

National Car Rental executive elite

I would like to know benefits of executive elite. I can never get the vehicle I want and I have already rented around 200 days this year, sent people to rent from company and told I can't switch into a suburban from a Durango but I can get a Armada. I know how it works, they use suburban to up grade people when there is little to no cars left. I rent weeks at a time and can't get a vehicle I want when there are several of Fords set aside. My question is whatw the purpose of executive elite because I don't see any perks.

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1:35 pm EDT
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National Car Rental national car rental - damage form after being told everything was fine.

As an Executive Elite Member I rented a vehicle in Norfolk VA on July 21, 2019 and returned at Dulles Airport on July 23rd. When I picked up the car in Norfolk, I did check out the car and walked around but if you've ever been there the car rental garage is not the most well lit location. It's so bad that I'm having my son who is in the Navy go take a picture since I remember the parking spot the car was in. I discovered no damage that stood out.

When returning the car, the national employee noticed that the front passenger bumper looked slightly off. It was difficult to tell but it was not flush, like the passenger side. You had to see it, go to the other side and walk back to notice it. It wasn't dangling and there were no scratches or anything where it showed obvious damage. I doubt a picture will truly show any damage. The employee said it's fine and gave me a receipt. I repeated 'we are fine' and he said yes. Then fast forward 2 days later and I get a damage report wanting payment. No amount listed yet.

IF the employee said this is probably going to be an issue I would have spoken with the General Manager at the time and would have taken pictures. But no, he stated fine and I went on my way. I had 4 hours before my flight so I was in no rush and could have addressed this.

This is such a faceless scam and the process is ridiculous and it's basically extortion. Luckily I have great insurance and I paid for it on my Chase Visa which has auto protection as well which will cover any difference. But that's not the point. The point is the crappy process from National to just say it's fine and send you a report & demand for payment a few days later.

As an Executive Elite member they can now forget about any future business from me and I'll go back to Hertz where I also have elite status with them. It was nice picking out the cars and I loved that service, but not worth this type of situation from National.

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2:04 pm EDT
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National Car Rental article left in the car while returning the car

Hi Team,

My name is Ravi Rao and my Emerald ID [protected]. I have used the services from 15th April till 8th June, and than from 6th Jul till 15th July this year. Contract # RES [protected].

While returning the car on 15th July, I had forgotten to picked my umbrella from the car. Immediately I called up one of the contact Evelyn Gonzalez from National and gave my contract and car details to locate the umbrella. She had confirmed on the same day in the evening that they have found it and safe guarded in the office and I can collect it on my availability.

I could not go due to heavy engagement in the office until 19th July. On the eve of 19th July, I went to pick it up and that is when I faced the rude behavior from the team.

I am sure everything is recorded now a days. Please check the recording as I have waited for more than 30 mins and no one has given me an update on it and even tried to put the blame on me.

Car was always in my possession and I remember it perfectly as why and when did I leave the umbrella in the car. It is expensive and dear umbrella to me. Request you to please investigate and help me get it back asap.

Let me know if you need more details on this.

Best Regards,
Ravi Rao

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11:07 am EDT
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National Car Rental customer service

With all the location I visit, National is the best in customer service and convenience. However, your staff in Atlanta airport ar by the far the worst in customer service. They're unfriendly, aggressive and frankly rude. I've experienced issues with pick up, drop off and management lack of professionalism and just plain bad attitude.

This is very unfortunate and as a loyal customer of national, I strongly recommend that upper management do something about this location.

Customer# [protected]

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11:22 am EDT
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National Car Rental inconsistent charges

We are a large international organization and our division has been rotating several USA employees to work in Germany since the summer of 2018. We mainly rent cards from the Frankfurt National Car Rental company. Since the beginning of the year I started noticing charges on several employee invoices and credit cards statements that should not be charged to them, bluetooth, tire puncture, insurance (we have insurance through our office), etc.. Everything should be simple and straightforward.

I regret to inform you that we will be taking our business elsewhere, because the Frankfurt National Car Rental company has continually been falsely charging our employees for items that they did not ask for and billing for items afterwards without any invoice to substantiate the charges. I will also be taking this up with the manager of our corporate National Car Rental company account.

Mary Kay Robertson
[protected]@oceaneering.com

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7:18 am EDT
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National Car Rental additional charges

We had a hire car arranged to collect at Port Hardy airport and arrived around 9.00 to collect the car. No one was there so we had to call and wait for someone. When a lady arrived she said that the main person had a water leak and she was just helping out but that our rental did not start until 10.00am. We apologized and asked her not to rush and she thrust the paperwork at us as she was in a rush and then she drove my husband off to collect the car. He came to pick me up at around 9.45.

When we dropped the car off in Victoria we found to our shock and dismay that we had been charged an extra hour. at no time was this additional charge discussed with us and we were telling the lady not to rush not realising that we were being charged for the time. Not only is this an appalling rip off it seems to me that it is very poor customer practice to add charges without discussion.

Whilst I accept that we did sign the agreement we were given no time to examine the contract and were told that if there were any queries that they would be discussed in Victoria which we have also been told is incorrect

I have attached a copy of the rental agreement and request that the additional hour be refunded to my credit card

Thank you

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11:39 am EDT

National Car Rental cleaning fee

I'm writing regarding a recent cleaning charge that was assessed for RA [protected] on 5/29. When I returned the car I told the return agent that it was smokey and that I had to purchase Febreeze to help with the smell. I also told him it should be cleaned and not placed on the Emerald Aisle due to the smell and the higher mileage. When he asked if he could do anything to make it better, I told him the rental was corporate so it would not be giving anything back to me. I explained that I used to work for EHI so I knew how it worked and that I wouldn't be traveling back to NY anytime soon so he could just get it cleaned and prevent someone else from experiencing what I experienced. After he sat in the car and let the vent run to smell the smoke he wrote on the window of the car to have it cleaned and gave me a receipt. I asked him to kindly hand me the Febreeze out of the car and went on my way assured this was taken care of.

Needless to say, receiving a $100 cleaning fee a month later is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE and I would like this refunded immediately. I do not smoke, never have smoked and I actually purchased the Febreeze because the smell of smoke gives me migranes. This location didn't even have the courtesy to call and address this prior to charging my card. If they had, this would have been resolved and never charged to my corporate account. I need this resolved IMMEDIATELY as I have to turn my company expenses in by 7/10/19 and I will not be responsible for this cleaning fee. Please have a manager call me to let me know this has been resolved.

I have also reported this to corporate, ref # [protected].

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2:39 pm EDT

National Car Rental tier days

I rented a car from April 21 to May 12, 2019 in Kuwait and they have not updated my rental days so I can achieve my EE status.

Emerald Club# [protected]

I should have 60 Rental Days

I have submitted several requests to have my Emerald Club Account updated and it has not been completed.

Reservation# [protected]

Can you assist in resolving this matter?

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Update by Jeremy Hasley
Jul 04, 2019 2:41 pm EDT

I have attached the receipt, reservation and tier status as an update.

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10:19 pm EDT
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National Car Rental vehicle damage

I rent vehicles from National Car frequently because I travel extensively for work and they are my favorite rental company, I am even an Emerald customer. In May, I chose to rent the Nissan Maxima, upon leaving the parking garage, I gave my phone to the woman in the booth to scan (Emerald Checkout) as well as my driver's license. When I returned the vehicle, it was in the same condition as when I rented it. Upon return, a manager was on duty inspecting cars and she said they found a "small scratch" on the side of the vehicle and that the vehicle would be non-rentable due to the damage and that I would have to fill out a statement at customer service. I told the woman that nobody inspected the vehicle, nor did anyone inquire about the condition of the vehicle prior to taking possession. I was told by the man checking my car in that it is only a "small scratch" and that the statement is simply a formality for their records. I completed the statement stating that the National Car rental employee did not notate any damage done to the car prior to my possession.

30 days elapse, and I get a statement stating they have tried to contact me numerous times (they did not by phone or email) and that my bill due is over $1, 000, they included fees for the vehicle not being rented. However, when I look at my rental statement, and I look at the quote from the damage company, there's nearly 200 miles (half way to LA) placed on the vehicle from the time I returned it to the time it was inspected by the body shop. How does anybody know what damage was on the vehicle before I rented it, after, and in the 200 miles it was driven AFTER I returned it?

If National Car is not going to physically inspect, ask customers to inspect vehicles or maintain time stamped photos before and after, how can they be sure when damage occurred? They have not proved who caused the damage, only that damage has occurred and I'm who they want to pay.

I am left wondering if National Car Rental is renting the vehicle out while damaged and pinning claims on innocent people.

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11:07 am EDT

National Car Rental regarding change in my rental amount for the rented car without informing

Hi,
I am complaining about car that I rented from National Car. Below are the complete details:
Rental Agreement # [protected], Bill Ref # [protected],
Renter Name: Deepshikha Jain
Rental Location: Washington Reagan Airport, VA 22202
Return Location: Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark NJ 07114-3
Date rented: 08-June :07:16 AM to 09-June : 11:57 PM ( 2days)

Issue:
When I booked the car as per the above details, the amount that was shown to me was USD 167 in total for 2 days. When I got invoice while returning the car, they charged me USD 503.65. I contacted their customer care multiple times and they provided me the reference # for my complaint which is: [protected] and told me that branch manager from Washington Reagen airport will contact me but no one has contacted me even after 1 week.
The issue is they changed the daily rate to USD 193.15 and did not inform me when I picked the vehicle. Also, they charged me for Damage Waiver (USD 49.98) and Roadside Assistance Program (USD 11.98) which was shown to me as free while booking as I am Emerald club member.
So, in nutshell, 2 issues:
1. They charged me on a very high daily rate and did not inform me that the rate has changed of my rental since the time I booked.
2. They charged me for Damage Waiver and Roadside Assistance which is free for Emerald members.
I would like to get the money refunded for both the accounts.

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4:59 pm EDT
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National Car Rental columbus ohio national car rental office

On 6/5/19 11 30 pm I attempted to rent a car from the emerald Isle in Columbus oh, John Glenn airport, and was told I did not have a reservation. I had to remove my bags leave the car, and rent a car from dollar.
I talked to the manager at the national office in columbus, I think Darrell, he said for monday tuesday and Wednesday I would have to reserves the weekend before.
My concern is, I have never had a problem, in dallas, Orlando or cleveland. Why does columbus seem to only have a problem monday Tuesdays and wednesdays

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8:50 am EDT

National Car Rental rental in Prague using points

I am a very good National Customer ( [protected]).

Made car rental using points at Vaclev Havel airport in Prague, Czech Republic for a vacation (Rentals #'s: [protected] - 7 days; [protected] - 3 days).

I called Customer service 5 months ago to assure they accepted points.

Arrived in Prague and was told at counter they do NOT accept points.

So should every just cancel their trip and go home?

Or maybe stand at the bus stop and wait for a bus to take them to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria?

This has completely screwed up the trip and National needs to fix this now..

I can be reached at google international phone # [protected].

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9:51 am EDT
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National Car Rental lost key fee with rental car return atl

On May 8, 2019 I (Emerald Member [protected] and Invoice [protected]) rented a Nissan Sentra (Trip #[protected]) from the Atlanta Airport (ATL) location and after my 3 hour rental, I returned the car to the ATL facility. Upon returning the car which had a push button starter, the keys were in the Center Drink Cup Holder and the agent receiving the car asked if I would like a receipt. I replied no thank you, I am an Emerald Club member and I will retrieve the receipt via email. The agent stated that I was good to go and everything is in order. When I reviewed my American Express statement on May 20, I noticed a $250 charge by National. When I contacted the facility, they indicated it was a lost key charge that was placed on my account. I called the facility and another agent indicated that the key has been found and the $250 would be credited. I then received an email from Okeabria Mangham, Manager at the ATL facility indicating that there was a lost key charge and that the matter will be investigated. After repeated attempts to contact Okeabria Mangham, there has been no reply and no resolution. I am not happy at all with this situation, and as an Emerald member for over 20 years, this appears to be a new ongoing pattern to get more revenue. Please credit my account for this errant charge so that I do not have to pursue the matter in any other way.

Respectfully

Danny Clark

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6:55 pm EDT

National Car Rental lost and found

I left my jacket in the front seat of the car. As I boarded my plane in San Antonio, I realized I did not have my jacket. I tried calling the San Antonio National Car rental but they do not list local numbers so I had to call the main number. The lady explained that I needed to fill out a form on line rather than connecting me to the San Antonio location. After 3 weeks of not hearing anything from National car rental I called the number. They said they would look, put me on hold. No they did not have it. I left a message for the "manager" to contact me. It took 4 days for her to call me back. I explained I left it in the front passenger seat. She said she would have someone look more in depth and call me back. I have never received a call. This was not an expensive jacket but my work jacket that I wear with our logo. National should stand by ethics and if items left in the car, they should be remained for the customer. IF not asked then fine with employees taking after 1 month. In my opinion National STOLE from me. No one even cares. PLUS I'm an executive member.

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5:05 pm EDT
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National Car Rental emerald club

My name is Timothy Key. I have been patiently on the phone for 2 hours on my second call and 30 minutes on my first.

I called to merge my emerald club numbers. I asked would I be able to use my credits from what would have been my old account to my new account. I was assured it would happen instantaneous. Not only did it not happen that way, all my company's negotiated benefits which includes unlimited mileage, supplemental insurance, accidental and collision coverage was now deleted from the database.

Forget about the free rental, I'd rather have my benefits. of course I want my free credit which I have earned for being a loyal customer.

Amy (no last name), Operator 101NH, tells me I need to take it up with my company. This policy has been in effect for the last 18 years I was a member. Amy refused to verify this information from my prior rentals. Her agent made a mistake! Amy did not apologize, empathize or anything. She blamed me and my company.

Amy claims to have a title of Escalation Agent. There is no one above her. No one to reconcile with. I doubt her claim. There is someone Amy reports to. She disagrees.

Please merge my contract properly and fairly. I didn't ask anyone to delete information. This procedure should have been explained to me beforehand. It was not. 3 agents came back with different information. At the very least, these "qualified agents" need to be retrained and reminded about the corporate structure and Chain of Command.

Timothy Key
Your loyal customer.

[protected]@aol.com
[protected]

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11:58 am EDT
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National Car Rental usury damage fees

My rental was vandalized in the Orlando Florida area in April 2019. I received a damage claim from National in the amount of $1, 447.02 - way too hire. I did receive an offer to lower this from Randall Hardie of National (he was very professional) but this is still too high based on the damage and business my firm does with National. Claim #[protected]. Brian McNiff

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8:53 am EDT
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National Car Rental car rental

I rented a nissan versa may 7 2019 loc san jose intl airport ca ra [protected]. while driving 880 n fwy I hit an object dropped by car before me no way to avoid caused damage front bumper driver side I have pic to this date no reprt repair cost from national need these asap so I can get $ from car benefit services from my credit card pls send docs asap to [protected]@yahoo.com

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National Car Rental contacts

Phone numbers

1800 946 541 1800 691 682 More phone numbers

Website

www.nationalcar.com

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