Navigating the US Government Rental Car Program: Are National and Avis Options?

The U.S. Government Rental Car Program is designed to offer advantageous rates and exclusive benefits to U.S. federal government employees and service members when they require car rentals for official travel. This program facilitates access to cars, passenger vans, and SUVs through a selection of pre-approved rental agencies. Governed by the U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5, it ensures consistent and favorable terms for government travelers.

One of the key advantages of this program is the guarantee of vehicle availability. Should the reserved vehicle class be unavailable upon arrival, the rental company is obligated to provide a vehicle of equal or higher class at no extra cost. Furthermore, if a vehicle isn’t available within an hour of arrival, alternative transportation will be arranged to reach the destination, and a vehicle will be delivered subsequently, all without additional charges to the traveler. The program also eliminates blackout dates and minimum rental periods, offering unlimited mileage on most rentals, excluding one-way rentals. Rates are capped at established maximums, ensuring cost-effectiveness.

A significant benefit of the Government Rental Car Program is the elimination of extra fees. There are no additional charges for authorized additional drivers or for drivers aged 21 and older. While drivers aged 18-20 may incur an underage driver fee, this fee is reimbursable. It’s crucial to list all drivers on the rental agreement, even additional ones.

Insurance coverage is automatically included in the program. Renters receive Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)/Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and liability insurance at no extra charge. The liability coverage extends to $25,000 for property damage, $100,000 per person, and $300,000 per incident for personal injury and wrongful death. Government travelers are explicitly advised not to purchase any supplementary insurance, as adequate coverage is already provided.

While the provided document doesn’t explicitly list all participating rental companies like National Car Rental and Avis, these are typically major participants in government programs. To confirm if National and Avis are part of the U.S. Government Rental Car Program and to access the specific benefits, federal employees should consult the official U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement and fact sheets for the most up-to-date list of approved vendors and program details. These resources will provide clarity on which rental companies, including National and Avis, participate and how to access the program’s benefits when booking through them. For detailed information, refer to the Rental Car fact sheet.

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