Latest reviews about National Car Rental

zadarlta says "The Worst Customer Service I Have Ever Experienced" about National Car Rental

zadarlta — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:08:23 GMT

On October 30th, 2009 I rented a compact vehicle from National and Returned it Tuesday the 3rd of November. On my way to the San Diego, CA drop off location I got lost and was in a hurry to catch my flight to new york.

Upon dropping off the car I forgot to grab my Garmin NUVI navigational system because I was in such a hurry. I realized I didn't have it with me upon boarding the flight to new york. I immediately called their customer service and told a man about my situation and he told me he would call me back within 48 hours. Two days passed and nothing was reported back to me. So i called again and this time i was directed to the lost and found department. I could not get ahold of anybody so I left a message on their answering machine.

I kept doing this for 5 days straight. Still NO ONE reponded back. Finally I got so fed up that I called the main toll free number and demanded service, and alll they could tell me was that "the car was checked by many people and nothing...

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Fooledbysystem says "0% customer service :(" about National Car Rental

Fooledbysystem — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:04:39 GMT

I booked a Full size car and had a double upgrade coupon so was basically planning to get a Minivan but after calling the rental location was informed that there are no minivan's to rent. So far so good. The customer service asked me to goto the nearest airport location and pickup the van ( she politely mentioned they will add additional airport tax ). Before leaving for the airport I thought of booking a minivan incase the upgrade doesnt work ( which somehow I knew would not work ! )..amazingly a third party website allowed me to book a minivan at a decent rate at the original location !!!! After reaching the airport, they increased my daily rate by 50 bucks and did not allow my coupon - reason being this coupon is valid for an upgrade to full size only, not sure why they charged me a rate of full size and then "upgraded" me to the same car....so i showed them the other reservation ( minivan at a decent rate at the original location ). They did not allow that booking since it was not for...

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RussellDesilets says "National Rental Car is going doen hill fast" about National Car Rental

RussellDesilets — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:57:16 GMT

I rent from National approx 15-20 times annually. They used to be great, but these economic conditions have made them horrible. I am an executive level customer, but they never have any decent cars for their highest level customers. I am relly considering other alternatives if they don't start taking care of their high use customers

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bizzee1 says "National Car Rental is my first choice every time" about National Car Rental

bizzee1 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:51:04 GMT

National Car rental is my first choice every time. As a frequent business traveler I am always in a hurry, so I am an Emerald Club Member. This service is free, and they even reminded me that my license was about to expire! All your information is kept on file so there is never any waiting, you just choose your car, and show your Emerald Card and drivers license at the check out gate. Talk about no hassle! No matter what airport I travel to, whether there is an on site rental, or offsite location, I know I have a car waiting for me with the key in the ignition ready to take off. Even the shuttle drivers are great. Check in couldn't be easier, and I have never had to wait. There is always someone ready to hand me a receipt so I can be on my way. Another great thing is an emailed receipt for later when I have to do my expense report. It's as if they have thought of everything a business traveler needs.

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mbrane says "Criminal Scam" about National Car Rental

mbrane — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:22:17 GMT

In the one location where I rented a few times (Waterloo, Ontario), they just wait for you to miss some damage to the car when picking up, such that they can charge you afterwards.

I had a case where there was a spot inside on a seat the I didn't touch at all, and that was obviously a few months old already. Afterwards they were lying and being rude (using offensive Language).

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frequentlytravels says "worst customer service experience ever" about National Car Rental

frequentlytravels — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:58:37 GMT

I rented a car from National and drove off the lot without checking the gas. I called a day later when i had only driven 5 miles to my hotel to inform the company that they had given me an empty car and request reimbursement for the gas. I was worried after driving 5 miles that i was going to run out of gas before i arrived at a gas station because it was so close to empty. During my customer service experience i was transferred 3 times, then put on hold for 10 minutes, then while on hold i was hung up on, and eventually told i couldn't be helped. When i called back, i was clearly speaking to the person i explained my issue to that had hung up on me. He told me there was nothing he could do because his manager needed to physically see the car in order to check if the person before me filled it up. I asked him if he could do that with my a code on the rental agreement but he said he had to physically see the car. i explained that when he physically sees it he will see that i had to fill...

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nationalsucks says "Unfair, unresponsive. Scam artists" about National Car Rental

nationalsucks — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:07:35 GMT

We rented a vehicle through Alamo/National in France. We bought all the additional insurance (we were "persuaded" to buy more than we originally planned). When we got a flat tire, there was no road side assistance and we had to change it ourselves, during which I pulled a muscle in my back. We had to change our vacation plans to swap the car out, missing out on half a day of more fun things we could be doing. Even though it was not our fault whatsoever, we were charged $189 for a new tire for National, which is preposterous and excessive!

The vehicle was unsafe and not maintained properly. The wear-bar indications were showing on the tire. I'm glad the tire didn't blow-out at high speed or on a curve, we could have been seriously injured.

We used to be a regular customer of them, providing almost 1000$ of business for them a year. Despite this, National was completely unresponsive and unsympathetic to the situation. I will continue to fight this unfair charge...

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HORTIZ460 says "NATIONAL HAS THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE" about National Car Rental

HORTIZ460 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:30:47 GMT

THEY ARE INCOMPETENT, NOT HELPFUL, THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW THERE OWN POLICIES. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND TO MY WORST ENEMY. IF I HERE OF SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT RENTING I WILL JUMP IN AND SWAY THEM TO GO ELSEWHERE.

THIS IS ABOUT THE NEWARK LOCATION ONLY.

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roaddawg0237 says "Too High Expectations From Some Reviewers???" about National Car Rental

roaddawg0237 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:31:43 GMT

I rent from National almost every time I rent (which is about 4 or 5 times per year). They always have newer cars with good selection, and their Emerald Club benefits are much better than any other membership club (except maybe Hertz Gold, but I don't rent enough for that).

My family and I have two priorities while traveling -- finding competitive prices and saving time instead of wasting it at a rental counter. On most occasions, we are in our vehicle and on the road in 10 minutes or less, with little hassle and good service.

Now, that is not to say that we haven't had issues in the past. Once, a gate agent told us that an SUV we found on the Emerald Aisle was "not available for our reservation", and I had to agree to an up-charge before I could leave. However, a quick call to the reservations department and an explanation resolved the issue. Every company has new or bad employees, and it isn't fair to blame the company for one person's rude or inept behavior. A common...

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alyssakenzie says "Well mine was great but I also work there!!!" about National Car Rental

alyssakenzie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:56:02 GMT

Since I work there I do get great rates!!...

homeschoolmom2008 says "Nation Car Rental does it right the first time" about National Car Rental

homeschoolmom2008 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:58:11 GMT

National Car Rental was the best part of our whole trip. I purchased this rental online the night before our travel plans. The car was in excellent condition and enjoyed it more than our own vehicle. Even the mileage was included with the cost. Customer service was outstanding and understanding of our horrible flight experience. Their friendliness helped us to forget all of our pain and suffering at the first airport. Thank you....

Karebear22 says "Mixed emotions" about National Car Rental

Karebear22 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:21:03 GMT

Recently traveled and used a rental car. A few days prior to departure we called to make a reservation and was directed to some outside source I doubt was even in the country. He was unwilling to help us and answer questions, he actually hung up on us when we mention we might look around for a better rate! However, in the end National was the lowest rate we could find so we made a reservation. Upon check-in we had great customer service, the young man behind the counter was more then willing to help, gave us a few discounts, an upgrade and offered good explanations for some things he couldn't offer us. The car we drove was in excellent condition, clean, had very few miles on it and we got great gas mileage! On the down side, National was unable to offer us unlimited miles like you see when making a reservation through a second party interenet source....

steve9631 says "National is my fav" about National Car Rental

steve9631 — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:27:42 GMT

I rent just about exclusively from National when the need arises to rent a car. I've always got the car I ordered, and I have always found their prices competitive for pleasure or for business needs. The Emerald Club membership makes picking up and dropping off a vehicle a breeze, and the accompanying frequent flyer awards, (you can choose which frequent flyer program to award your points to), has worked flawlessly. I have always found the vehicles I rented clean and well serviced. I can't ask much more from a car rental company. ...

cliffmarc says "never again" about National Car Rental

cliffmarc — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:58:57 GMT

My wife and our family traveled to maui for our honeymoon and decided to to hop a plane over to see pearl harbor but we needed a rent a car. well the service was slow and I will never use them again. We decided to use the GPS system which was flash based and did not work so well. When I returned the car I had asked to have a refund for the GPS since it didn't work well 30 minutes later and after speaking with the manager they credited me my $12.00 and change. Not having the GPS really stunk plus all the wait time we only had a day and we waited over one hour to pick up the car and almost an hour and half to drop it off.

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Iwantmygloves says "Thieves" about National Car Rental

Iwantmygloves — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:08:10 GMT

On March 22, 2008, Seattle, WA, I left my sweater and Air Force gloves in the car. It took 4 days for them to find the sweater. But, of course, there was no sign of the gloves. They charged me to have the sweater returned to me but I cannot get anyone to answer the phone to further pursue the issue of my gloves.

These are not gloves that can be bought in a store. One of the employees is wearing them (and they do stand out) and National is too lazy to check it out. They know who cleaned that vehicle and who turned in the sweater (reluctantly, apparently).

I want my gloves back! People forget things all the time. There's no excuse for employee theft and a company which will not actively try to locate and return lost items.

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