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Is National Car Rental legit?

Business-traveller favourite: Emerald Club members pick any car in the Emerald Aisle and skip the counter.

Best overall at HNL, OGG, JFKFewest surprise charges at HNL, OGG, JFKFastest pickup at HNL, OGG, JFK
Rental car companyOwned by Enterprise Mobility (formerly Enterprise Holdings), which also owns Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo Rent A Carnationalcar.comChecked October 16, 2026 by Nurullah GökdoğanHow we check
1 · Is it a real company that delivers?
Yes, it’s legit

National is a major airport rental brand owned by Enterprise Mobility and ranks second in J.D. Power's 2025 rental car study. Its small Trustpilot sample is mixed.

2 · Will you pay what you were quoted?
Usually, with care

Additional driver fee is published ($15/day, $5 in New York) and TollPass caps per rental; one renter reported being billed $15 more than booked, refunded after a call.

How fair is National Car Rental?

Five checks, 1–5 each. 3 is average for rental cars.

Price honestyIs the final bill close to the quote?Additional driver fee is published ($15/day, $5 in New York) and TollPass caps per rental; one renter reported being billed $15 more than booked, refunded after a call.Sources:nationalcar.comdgs.ca.govtravelupdate.com
3/5
Claims and refundsDo damage and cleaning bills arrive after return?No National-specific pattern of damage disputes found; parent-group advocacy files cite damage claims mainly at Enterprise and Alamo.Sources:elliott.org
3/5
Pick-up and deliveryHow quick is pick-up, and can you skip the counter?Emerald Aisle lets members take a car from the aisle without visiting the counter; under-25s may be limited to full-size or smaller at some locations.Sources:travelupdate.com
4/5
Fine printDeposits, debit cards, age rules and fuel termsDebit accepted at airports only with a ticketed return itinerary; otherwise $300–$400 deposit; no prepaid or gift cards to secure a rental; only a spouse/partner can be added on debit rentals.Sources:nationalcar.comnationalcar.com
3/5
SupportHow do disputes end?Trustpilot 2.9 from a small sample; complaints mention outsourced customer service.Sources:es.trustpilot.com
3/5

Fees to expect

Toll programme (TollPass)Enterprise Mobility TollPass terms (2024 revision). Same TollPass programme is billed by Alamo, Enterprise and National. Uncovered/unpaid tolls may carry a $25 admin fee.Source:dgs.ca.gov
$4.95 per rental day, max $24.75 per rental, plus tolls (Northeast transponder); $4.95–$5.35 per usage day, max $26.75 per rental, plus tolls (toll-by-plate states incl. CA, FL, TX)
Additional driverSpouse/domestic partner free; waived for some Emerald Club and corporate rentals.Source:nationalcar.com
$15 per day ($5 per day in New York state)
Debit card depositFor debit renters without a return itinerary; cash not accepted as deposit.Source:nationalcar.com
$300–$400 depending on location and car class
Airport/city surchargeFrom State of Nevada corporate programme summary (Enterprise/National); consumer rates may differ.Source:purchasing.nv.gov
$3–$23 depending on location

Rules that cost renters money

Debit cards
Accepted; at airports only with a ticketed return itinerary. Funds are held from your account. Prepaid/gift cards cannot secure a rental.
Drivers under 25
Young driver fee applies (amount not found); some locations restrict under-25s to full-size or smaller.
Deposit hold
$300–$400 for debit renters without a return itinerary, depending on location and class.
Skip the counter
Emerald Club: choose any car in the Emerald Aisle and drive to the exit gate.
Cancellation
No payment is required to make a reservation (pay-later bookings).

Common problems, and how to avoid them

1
Under-25s blocked from Emerald Aisle cars above full-sizeSometimesAvoid it: If under 25, book full-size or smaller and confirm at the exit gate.Source:travelupdate.com
2
Debit card restrictions at airportsSometimesAvoid it: Bring a printed return flight itinerary or use a credit card.Source:nationalcar.com

What customers say

“These people are amazing.”
Kevin Orlosky · Trustpilot · 2026
“Their outsourced customer service is a total joke!!!!”
James Larkin · Trustpilot · 2026

Short excerpts from public reviews, chosen because they describe the patterns above. They are examples, not a sample.

Alternatives worth comparing

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Highest J.D. Power score of the big rental brands; fees are standard, but damage-claim disputes are the recurring complaint.

#4 of 13 · 55/100Alamo Rent A Car

Enterprise group's leisure brand: usually cheaper, but reviewers report counter upsells and charges they say they declined.

#7 of 13 · 46/100Hertz

Big airport brand; Gold Plus Rewards lets you skip the line, but damage and add-on charges are the most common complaints.

#9 of 13 · 46/100

Questions people ask about National Car Rental

Is National Car Rental legit?

Yes. It is owned by Enterprise Mobility and scored 721 in J.D. Power's 2025 rental car satisfaction study, second among published scores.

Can I rent from National with a debit card?

Yes, but at airports you need a ticketed return itinerary; otherwise expect a $300–$400 deposit. Prepaid and gift cards cannot secure a rental.

How much is National's additional driver fee?

$15 per day ($5 in New York state). Spouses and domestic partners are free.

Sources

Last checked October 16, 2026. Fees and policies change, so confirm on nationalcar.com before you book. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it in the open. We are not affiliated with National Car Rental and earn nothing from it.