National Car Rental Consumer Reviews

ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA -- I rented a small economy car for a week to visit my children. I'm 43 and was expecting my 1st grandchild. I get to the airport AEX and all they have is a luxury Tahoe. At first I thought wow... an upgrade for no extra money but the thought of the gas cost made me hesitate. It was a bad thunderstorm when I flew in and I decided to go with it. The manager told me to come back in 2 days and he should have something to switch out. I was okay with that.

After one day of driving, I spent over $60 in gas and realized that by the time I would go back and switch the vehicle I would have probably put $200 in my gas tank! So I called customer service, which was a nightmare, hoping I could find a location to switch out vehicles sooner than my original plan with the AEX location. Well after hours, the customer service line rolls over to people that have a hard time understanding me and vice versa.

They gave me names of Enterprise locations near the town I had driven to which was about 2 hours from my original pick up location. I felt like as an Emerald Club member I should have gotten a better level of service. I would have thought that customer service would have arranged the switch for me. I didn't even know Enterprise and National were affiliated. So I did all the legwork on my own trying to switch out this car and save my gas allowance for the trip.

I finally got an answer from the Enterprise in Opelousas. ** was the associate who helped me. She acted as if I was bothering her. I tried to be polite but it was a challenge. I was so frustrated. Multiple phone calls, no resolution, and the customer service line hung up on me repeatedly. It was beyond frustrating. I switched the Tahoe out for a VW Jetta. It was filthy, only had 1/4 tank of gas and nobody mentioned that. If I had not questioned it, I could have been on the hook for an entire tank as that is what my original paperwork stated. ** at Enterprise handwrote a note on my original agreement.

I was so sick of all of this that I just left. Well, 2 minutes down the road and the car dies. I recrank it and decide to go back and get the Tahoe because a gas guzzler is better than a broke down beater any day. I go back, and they are closed. So I spend the rest of the evening trying to get from place to place. My nerves were shot. The next day, I call the original place I rented from. They did not have another car but told me to head that way and they would work it out. So I did that.

The entire staff and manager were awesome. They apologized for everything, gave me a gorgeous Malibu and one day credit on my rental. It was a great resolve to my dilemma. I still spent way more on gas than I wanted to but I felt respected and I appreciated ** helping me so much. I don't feel like there is an issue at the National Rental Car location. There is an issue with the Emerald Club customer service you receive via telephone and there is an issue entrusting your customers to Enterprise because they do not treat you like a valued client but rather an inconvenience.

NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA -- This company is really fraud, someone warned me about them before, I should have listened. I arrived at JFK airport and had a reservation for Enterprise. I ended up at National because Enterprise was closed and I was told that Enterprise and National are the same. I prepaid for my toll as the agent offered.

A month after my trip, I saw a charge for $261 on my Credit Card. I called them, after tossing me around for hours, I finally got someone to say it was for toll. I was in shock, I was not notified and when I requested a statement, they promised to send it and never did. They were rude and inconsiderate. I will expect that the first thing that I will receive will be notification before my Card is charged. I hope people stay away from National Car Rental.

KALISPELL, MONTANTA -- I just received a bill from National - THREE months after I rented a vehicle for four days in Kalispell Montana. The bill was for $983.90 for a LESS THAN 1/2" chip in the windshield. I was not notified of this nor was I contacted to discuss this "CLAIM" and how it was to be handled. They included an invoice from Safelite auto glass for $874.90 - when I obtained a quote for cash from Safelite - it was for $310.00. National then added their own "fees" to this as well. Everything about this screams scam and ripoff.

Let me clarify that they did no inspection of the vehicle with me - before or after - they just told me to report everything larger than a quarter. This chip (not a star) was less than 1/2" in length, and it was not in the driver's line of sight. National took it upon themselves to replace the entire windshield, and send a ridiculous bill. Do not rent from this company! I rent cars at least 6 times a year and this is a first!!!

I went through two different channels with National to try and resolve this matter. They don't care ! ZERO customer service !!!

JAMAICA, NEW YORK -- I visited New York and rented a Car from National Car Rental at JFK Airport, I bought Toll gate coverage and called the next day to confirm it, but 3 weeks after I returned the Car, they charged $261.57 to my credit card. When I called them they said that it was for Toll fee. There was no notification before they put on this charge. I called their customer service who asked me to call that department to refund my money but they refused.

The department who put the charge on is in Florida. I wish they are somewhere where I can deal with them face to face, but that is what they do. I am going to investigate further of how I will get my money back. Honestly I will pay more to get this money back if I have to just to show them that they cannot just continue to defraud people like this.

KANSAS -- We rented a car in Orlando, FL to be returned in W Palm Beach. The first thing we noticed is the car reeked of marijuana! After that no real issues with the car itself but when we returned the car, in a hurry to catch a plane at West Palm Beach airport, we left a sports coat and expensive ladies' cardigan in the trunk. We notified them as soon as we noticed, I believe the next morning, and our items were never found. And we know that's where they were. So obviously some of the employees in West Palm Beach at least are thieves.

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA -- I just want to say thanks to the management team for pick up at the Greensboro NC airport and a job well done. I have a business that operates during furniture market times in High Point, NC and my clients fly in from all over the world and can be picky when it comes to what they ride in.

I chose National because I needed a van for some clients who booked at the last minute and I could PUT from the airport. The first van I picked up had a medium dent in the back and the seats had medium coffee stains on just about every seat. Not wanting to deal with my clients' comments I asked for another rental van which I knew would most likely be impossible since the HP market was in full swing.

Red, Lauren and Todd went the extra mile to make me feel comfortable about that request and hunted around until they located me another van that was much better with very clean seats and exterior. It took a lot of work because they were really busy and I understand that. The detail guy in the shop washed it and brought it up ASAP. With that kind of customer service I will be back in the spring and next fall as well to rent.

LAX, CALIFORNIA -- We will NEVER use National again! Picked up vehicle from airport location in March. Car hadn't been inspected prior to us taking. Had gashes in tire, they wanted us to return the vehicle to LAX from Anaheim. We weren't going to sit in traffic for over an hour. They sent out AAA to replace, only to be told by AAA it was a donut & not suitable for highway driving. We were heading to San Diego in 2 days. Again National wanted us to return vehicle to airport, finally agreed to we could replace at John Wayne Airport.

Upon calling John Wayne told they didn't have same vehicle, only small cars. After long argument with LAX they agreed to bring replacement to us, but would be between 4-6 hours. Through all this they charged us $59 to AAA to come change the tire. We missed an entire day's ticket at Disneyland amounting to $364 US for 4 of us & when we did return the vehicle nobody was willing to do anything about it.

We've had NO satisfaction from National's Regional Manager at all on this. Not even an courtesy call to apologize. This is pathetic. Used other car rentals in the past & never had such poor customer service in my life-time. Will never recommend them to anybody, if fact will go out of our way to tell everyone to stay clear of National. The most helpful reviews and complaints are factually correct, include details from your firsthand experience, and have photos.

JFK AIRPORT, NEW YORK -- Rented a car from the National Car Rental at JFK airport, was told $409 for four days after reviewing and agreeing to the price. On my return I was told the car was only for three days not four and I was charged additional $136. After reviewing it with the manager she said she would honor the $409 quote that I was given. After several days I was charged by National Rent-A-Car $136 on my checking account which was not authorized. After reviewing it with the manager she said she would honor the $409 quote that I was given.

After several days I was charged by national Rent-A-Car $136 on my checking account which was not authorized by me. I guess this is a common scam that National pulls on customers. This is my last National car rental I will ever get. Very unprofessional, extremely sneaky

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA -- Rented a reg vehicle. All they had left was a Suburban LT left for me - I briefly walk around and didn't see any damage. When I return the vehicle I got blame for a damage bumper way underneath that you couldn't see walking around the vehicle. I have been renting cars for 18 years now. In the last year our company switch from Avis to National and now I see why they switch back. National acts like that you have a preferred status but when they can try to back charge you for something they will. I was going to look at the vehicle with the asst mgr. He told me there was no need that he would look at himself.

The lady that check me in to the asst mgr were so rude and not professional at all. If they had work for me they both would of been fired on the spot. Their both answers to me were, "Oh well, ** happens. You are responsible. We can't help you even thou you are a Emerald Club." The same issue happen to one of my co-workers 2 months ago and he went thru the same thing. I am lucky that our corporate have extra coverage on our vehicle. But I still have to go thru paperwork and send it so they can take care of it. I am glad we as a major company have switch back to AVIS who actually cares about their preferred customers.

TAMPA, FLORIDA -- I was at a red light in my rental when a car made a left at the cross street and hit me head on. FL state trooper's very helpful - National Car Rental something else. I called several different numbers (given to me by employees) as I called the wrong department apparently. After 2 hours with being on hold, I finally did reach the correct department "roadside assistance" who I did speak with on call #2, but was told not their issue and gave me someone else to call. At no time did anyone offer to transfer me. I was told the replacement car would arrive within 2 hours.

At 5pm when I heard nothing, I called and was told ETA was 10 minutes. Now at 6:30 pm - still no car. Another call to National I was told driver just got to airport. I then heard how busy they are etc... Guess what?? I am the customer don't tell me how busy you are. I stayed put to be able to receive the vehicle. What a waste of my first day of vacation. No I do not want a coupon for my next car rental! NEVER AGAIN will I rent from National. I will pay the extra $$ and go with Avis or Hertz. At least they know what good customer service is.