Finding a rental car company that truly rewards your loyalty can transform your travel experience. The National Car Rental Emerald Program stands out by offering a straightforward path to free rental days and elite status perks. Unlike points-based systems, Emerald Club focuses on rental credits, making it easy to understand and benefit from frequent rentals.
Here’s an in-depth look at the National Emerald Club program and how you can maximize its benefits.
Understanding the National Emerald Club Program
The core of the National Emerald Club is its simplicity. Instead of accumulating points, members earn rental credits that directly translate into free rental days. This system is designed to reward frequent renters, particularly those who opt for shorter trips.
Here’s how the credit system breaks down:
- Short Rentals, Fast Rewards: Rentals lasting between one and seven days earn a single rental credit.
- Extended Rentals, Accelerated Credits: For rentals of eight days or longer, you’ll accrue one credit for every four rental days. For example, an eight-day rental earns two credits, and a twelve-day rental earns three.
Once you accumulate seven credits, you unlock a free rental day, redeemable for a midsize car. This structure is particularly advantageous for travelers who frequently rent cars for a few days at a time.
National also enhances convenience with its mobile app, offering contactless checkout. This feature is especially valuable at airports equipped with the Emerald Aisle, allowing members to bypass lines and quickly select their vehicle. Through the app, you can preview available cars, choosing based on year, make, model, color, and mileage, and National will reserve your chosen car for 15 minutes.
Since National is part of Enterprise Holdings, Emerald Club benefits extend to Enterprise locations. By entering your Emerald Club number when booking through National’s website, you can earn credits and elite status qualification on rentals from participating Enterprise locations. However, it’s important to note that Emerald Club elite status benefits are exclusive to National Car Rental.
Unlocking Elite Status with National Emerald Club
While basic Emerald Club membership offers immediate advantages, achieving elite status unlocks even more valuable perks. Let’s explore the benefits of each tier: Emerald Club, Executive, and Executive Elite.
Emerald Club Entry-Level Status: Immediate Benefits
Even as a standard Emerald Club member, you gain access to a range of benefits from day one:
- Rental Credits or Partner Rewards: Earn rental credits towards free days or opt to accrue airline miles or hotel points with National’s partner programs.
- Fast Track to Free Days: Free rental days are attainable with just seven credits.
- Emerald Aisle Access: Skip the counter and head straight to the Emerald Aisle at participating locations. Reserve a midsize car but choose any car—even full-size or larger—and pay only the midsize rate in the U.S. and Canada.
- Upgrades in Europe: Enjoy a complimentary one-car-class upgrade at participating locations in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany (subject to availability).
- No Second Driver Fees: Save on additional driver fees, adding extra value to your rentals.
- Drop & Go Service: Return your car quickly and receive an emailed receipt for a seamless return process.
- Priority Service: Benefit from expedited service at select airport locations across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean through Priority Service.
Emerald Club Executive Status: Enhanced Perks
Reaching Emerald Club Executive status is achieved by completing 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days within a calendar year. Executive status is also a perk offered by several premium travel rewards cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (enrollment required).
Executive members enjoy all the standard benefits, plus:
- Faster Free Days: Free rental days become even more accessible, requiring just six credits.
- Executive Area Access: At select U.S. and Canadian locations, access the Executive Area and choose any car—from full-size to luxury—while still paying only the midsize rate.
- Guaranteed Upgrades: Receive a guaranteed free upgrade when booking full-size through luxury vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.
- Premier Selection Discounts: Access discounted pricing when upgrading to Premier Selection vehicles, featuring upscale models like Cadillac Escalade and Lexus IS 250.
Emerald Club Executive Elite Status: Top-Tier Benefits
Executive Elite is the highest tier in the National Emerald Club program, attainable after 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a calendar year. Executive Elite members receive all the benefits of the lower tiers, along with even more exclusive advantages:
- Quickest Free Days: Unlock free rental days with just five credits, applicable to any car class (excluding trucks and exotic vehicles) and without blackout dates.
- Guaranteed Vehicle: Receive a guaranteed vehicle (up to full-size) when reserving at least 24 hours in advance at the midsize rate in the U.S. or Canada.
- Free Private Airport Delivery: Enjoy complimentary delivery to most private airports within 50 miles of a National location in the U.S. or Canada.
Maximize Your Rewards: Earning Points, Miles, and Smart Rental Strategies
Beyond rental credits, Emerald Club offers flexibility in how you earn rewards. Members can choose to earn points or miles with one of National’s 14 partners instead of rental credits. Partner options include popular airlines and hotel programs, allowing you to align your car rentals with your broader travel rewards strategy. You can find a complete list of partners here.
To switch your earning preference, simply log into your Emerald Club account, navigate to your profile settings, and modify your “Rewards Preferences.”
It’s important to note that National applies a “frequent traveler surcharge” to rentals where you earn partner points or miles. This fee varies by program, typically ranging from $0.50 to $2 per rental day. Always evaluate whether earning partner rewards outweighs the surcharge cost compared to accumulating credits for free rental days.
To further maximize your savings and benefits with National Emerald Club:
- Compare Earning Options: Decide whether rental credits or partner points/miles offer greater value based on your travel goals.
- Utilize Emerald Aisle and Executive Area: Take full advantage of these exclusive access areas for vehicle selection and upgrades.
- Leverage Credit Card Perks: Use a credit card with rental car insurance to decline costly rental company insurance and maximize your savings.
Conclusion: Is the National Emerald Program Right for You?
The National Emerald Club program is a highly rewarding option, particularly for travelers who frequently rent midsize or larger vehicles for shorter durations. With an extensive network of over 1,500 locations globally, National offers convenient rental options for most travel itineraries. If you value straightforward rewards, elite status perks, and efficient service, the National Emerald Club is definitely worth considering for your car rental needs.
