One of the nation’s oldest car rental companies is National, which is based in Clayton, Missouri. For many years, they have operated throughout the United States, providing one of the best customer service programs. They have locations today in almost every regional and international airport, as well as independent offices in large cities and even small towns. It has become a trusted name and a favorite of many frequent travelers, especially those who use the Emerald Club benefits. There are over 2,000 locations in the country today. National also has a locations throughout Canada. 

History
National Car Rental began on August 27, 1947, being the collaborative endeavor of 24 different independent rental car agents. At that time, there were 60 locations opened. Later in 1966, the company also purchased and took over Tilden Rent-A-Car, a well-known Canadian rental car company. A new change was made in 1987, when National started the Emerald Club, which is a members-only program designed to help customers check out their vehicles faster. National was bought by Enterprise Holdings, an international company that also owns Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo. In 2007, Enterprise bought Cerberus Capital Management’s Vanguard Automotive Group also.

Benefits
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, National offers customers the option to join the Emerald Club. This was designed to promote loyalty and give customers a discount for their continued business. There are four levels: The Emerald Club, The Emerald Club Executive, The Emerald Club Elite and The Emerald Executive VIP. Each time a customer who is in the club rents a vehicle, they will earn points toward free rental days. In several locations throughout the United States, members of the Emerald Club are able to skip using the rental counter and go directly to the lot of rental cars. In higher tiers of the club, members will be charged the rental price of a vehicle that is in a lower class. For example, an Executive or Executive Elite member would be able to rent a full-size vehicle for the rate of a mid-size. Members are also allowed to choose the vehicle they want, instead of being assigned to one. This gives the customer the freedom to choose the specific make and model of vehicle in the class they wish to have.

Rental Policies
United States citizens who plan to rent a car from National will need to have a valid state-issued driver’s license. All rental applicants must present a card in their name; they must also be 25 years of age or older. Additional renters may be added to the policy for a small fee. A major credit card may be used to make the reservation. Debit cards are accepted for out-of-state residents with an appropriate deposit, based on a percentage of the total rental price. Drivers from out of the country will need to show a major credit card and a valid international driver’s license. National also encourages drivers to purchase an insurance policy while renting the car. This is optional, but drivers must be aware that they will be responsible for any and all charges resulting from accidents. National suggests that drivers should be aware of the state minimums for liability insurance in the state they will be renting in. Not every state has the same minimum requirements, so drivers may find that their personal auto insurance policy is insufficient. Those who need a temporary policy can purchase one for a daily rate at the time of rental. There are many different additional items that National offers for a small price, such as child seats, ski racks, GPS systems and XM radio.