If you’ve ever walked past the rental car counters at an airport, you’ve probably noticed National Car Rental’s distinctive green branding and wondered what makes them special. The short answer? Speed, simplicity, and serious perks—especially if you join their loyalty program. Did you want to learn national car rental tips and tricks? This post is for you.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just planning one big trip, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get the most out of National. We’ll cover how the Emerald Club works, how to earn and redeem free rental days, where to find discount codes, and the best strategies to get maximum value from your bookings—especially with one-way rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Car Rental’s Emerald Club?
Emerald Club is National’s free loyalty program. Members get benefits like skipping the rental counter, choosing any car from the Emerald Aisle (if eligible), and earning credits toward free rental days.What is the Emerald Aisle?
The Emerald Aisle is a designated row of vehicles available to Emerald Club members who book a midsize car. You can choose any car from the aisle and only pay the midsize rate.What is the Executive Aisle?
The Executive Aisle is available to Emerald Club Executive and Executive Elite members. It offers a wider selection of higher-end vehicles, and midsize bookings come with a guaranteed full-size or better.What is the One Two Free promotion?
“One Two Free” is National’s seasonal promotion where you earn one free rental day for every two qualifying rentals of two or more days. You can also earn bonus credits through partner actions and app bookings.Does National Car Rental offer promo codes?
Yes. National supports promo codes, coupon codes, and contract IDs (CIDs). You can enter these during the reservation process under the “Account Number / Coupons” section.Where do I enter a promo code on National’s website?
On the reservation form, click “Account Number / Coupons” to expand the input fields. Enter your Contract ID in the “Account Number” box, and coupon codes (if any) in the “Coupon” fields.Who can use the Costco Travel discount?
Anyone with a valid Costco membership. You must book through the Costco Travel website to receive the discounted National rates and perks like a free additional driver.Does AAA offer National Car Rental discounts?
Yes. AAA members can access discounted rental rates and benefits like waived underage fees or CDW in select regions. Use your AAA portal or enter the associated Contract ID.What credit cards give National Executive status?
American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer complimentary Executive status. You must link your Emerald Club account through the credit card’s benefits portal.Can I earn airline miles with National rentals?
Yes. Booking through airline portals like United, Delta, or Southwest allows you to earn miles in addition to using Emerald Club benefits. Some rentals also come with discounts.How National Car Rental Works
Renting a car is a simple process: you reserve a vehicle online by selecting the dates, pickup location, and car type, then go to the rental office—usually at an airport or in the city—with your driver’s license and credit card.
At pickup, you’ll sign a rental agreement, choose whether to add insurance or extras, and either get assigned a car or choose one yourself (if you’re part of a program like National’s Emerald Club).
After a quick inspection, you drive off and use the car as agreed. When you’re done, return it on time with a full tank (unless you prepaid for fuel) and in good condition to avoid extra charges.
Renting a car is often cheaper than using taxis or rideshare services like Uber—especially if you plan to make multiple stops, travel longer distances, or explore areas outside city centers.
For example, a single Uber ride from an airport to a hotel can cost as much as a full day’s car rental, and daily Uber fares can add up quickly. With a rental, you pay a flat rate, have unlimited mobility, and avoid surge pricing—which makes it a cost-effective choice for road trips, business travel, or family vacations.
Among rental companies, National Car Rental is one of the most rewarding, thanks to its Emerald Club loyalty program. It lets you skip the counter, pick any car from the Emerald Aisle (often a free upgrade), and earn free rental days through promos like “One Two Free.” For frequent travelers or anyone who values flexibility and speed, National offers some of the best perks in the industry.
How National’s Free Rental Days Work
Two of the best perks of National Car Rental’s Emerald Club is the ability to choose any car and earn free rental days, which can save you serious money—especially on one-way trips or premium vehicles.
How to Use National Car Rental Promo Codes and Discounts
The first national car rental trick? Don’t skip the promo code section—you could save big with a few extra clicks. Whether you have a corporate discount, a membership code (like AAA or Costco), or a coupon, applying them during checkout is simple.
Where to Enter Promo Codes
When you start a reservation at nationalcar.com, look for the “Account Number / Coupons” section just below the pickup and return fields. Here are some organizations that provide national car rental discounts. Your organization may have specific contracts, so always check.
| Source | Eligibility | Benefits | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Travel | Costco members | Discounted rates, free additional driver | Book via CostcoTravel.com |
| AAA | AAA members (USA/Canada) | Discount, waived underage fee, optional CDW | Enter AAA CID or book through AAA portal |
| Amex Platinum | Cardholders (Personal/Business) | Executive status, preferred rates | Link to Emerald Club via Amex portal |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Cardholders | Executive status, may offer discounts through Chase Travel | Use Chase Ultimate Rewards portal |
| USAA | Military & eligible family members | Discount + free CDW | Book via USAA website (login required) |
| United MileagePlus | Any MileagePlus member (free to join) | Earn miles + discounted rates | Book via United car rental portal |
| Delta SkyMiles | Any SkyMiles member (free to join) | Earn miles + potential savings | Book via Delta’s rental car portal |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | Any RR member (free to join) | Bonus points + possible discounts | Book via Southwest car rentals page |
| AARP | Members age 50+ (or anyone who joins) | Senior discounts on rentals | Book through AARP Travel portal |
Here’s how to use it:
- Enter your location (city, ZIP, or airport code).
- Select pickup and return dates/times.
- Choose Renter’s Age (most deals apply to drivers 25+).
- Click on “ACCOUNT NUMBER / COUPONS” to expand the fields.
- Enter a Contract ID (e.g.,
85729504) in the “Account Number” box. - Optional: If you have a coupon code, add it in “Coupon 1” and click “Add Coupon +”.
- Then hit “Check Availability” to see rates with the discounts applied.
What Is National’s Emerald Aisle?
The Emerald Aisle is one of the standout perks of renting with National Car Rental. It gives you the freedom to skip the counter and choose your own car—often getting a free upgrade in the process.
How It Works
When you reserve a midsize car at a participating airport and you’re a member of National’s free Emerald Club, you can walk straight to the Emerald Aisle. There, you’re free to choose any car in the row—whether it’s a sedan, SUV, or even a premium vehicle.
You pay only the midsize rate, no matter what you drive off with.
💡 Example: Book a midsize, but find a Jeep Grand Cherokee or BMW X1 waiting in the aisle—same price but better ride.
Who Can Use It?
- All Emerald Club members (even base tier) can access the Aisle at eligible locations.
- Executive and Executive Elite members get access to better vehicles in premium aisles.
Enrollment in Emerald Club is free and takes just a few minutes online.
Where Is It Available?
- Most major U.S. airports
- Some international airport locations
- Not available at smaller city/neighborhood branches
You’ll see the option during booking if your pickup location supports it.
Why It’s Valuable
- You can Skip the line at the counter
- You can choose your own car instead of being assigned one
- Free upgrades depending on what’s available
- Fastest rental experience—just scan your license at the gate and go
Whether you value convenience, choice, or a better car for the same price, the Emerald Aisle is one of the most rewarding features in the rental car world.
How Do You Earn Free Days?
In addition to the ability to choose any cars, you earn 1 credit per qualifying rental, and once you earn 6 credits, you automatically receive a free rental day certificate in your Emerald Club account.
National also runs a seasonal promotion called “One Two Free”, which speeds things up: you get 1 free day for every 2 qualifying rentals.
How Do You Use a Free Day?
Redeeming your free day is simple:
- Log in to your Emerald Club account.
- Choose your pickup and return location and dates.
- During checkout, select “Apply Free Day” if one is available.
This waives the base daily rate. You still pay taxes, airport fees, and optional extras like insurance.
Best Uses for a Free Day
To get the maximum value:
- Use it on one-way rentals, which often cost $150–$300+.
- Apply it to SUVs or premium cars rather than economy models.
- Redeem at expensive airports or peak travel times like holidays or ski season.
✅ Example: A one-way rental from LAX to San Francisco around Thanksgiving could run $200/day. With a free day, you just pay taxes—saving over $150.
There are no blackout dates, and you can redeem free days at most National and some Enterprise locations in the U.S.
Emerald Club Status & Perks
National’s loyalty program is called Emerald Club, and the perks start as soon as you sign up (which is free). As you rent more, you move up to higher status tiers with even better benefits.
| Status | Requirements | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Club | Free to join | Skip the counter, choose any car in aisle |
| Executive | 12 rentals or 40 days/year | Guaranteed upgrades, access to better cars |
| Executive Elite | 25 rentals or 85 days/year | Guaranteed full-size car, best vehicle selection |
If you hold premium travel credit cards like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you might qualify for Executive status instantly. This can mean the difference between choosing from basic sedans or grabbing a nearly-new premium SUV at no added cost.
“One Two Free” Promotion Explained
This national car rental tricks can really save you money. National runs its biggest promotion—called One Two Free —once a year, typically between August and February.
Here’s how it works:
- Register for the promo through your Emerald Club account.
- Earn 1 free rental day for every 2 completed rentals of 2+ days.
You can track your progress online, and the certificates are added to your account automatically once earned.
💡 Strategy tip: Book back-to-back 2-day weekend rentals. They’re usually cheaper than weeklong bookings and let you rack up free days faster.
Sweet Spots for Free Day Redemptions
A sweet spot for using National’s free rental days is on one-way rentals or premium vehicles at high-cost airports. These rentals can easily cost $150–$300 per day, especially during peak seasons or holidays.
By applying a free day certificate, you can waive the base rate entirely and only pay taxes and fees—saving a substantial amount. You can also mix and match free days with paid days.
For example, booking a one-way SUV from New York to Washington, D.C. around Thanksgiving might normally cost $180, but with a free day, your out-of-pocket cost could drop to just $30–$40. The more expensive the rental, the more valuable your certificate becomes—so avoid using it on cheap, weekday economy rentals and aim for maximum redemption value.
Final Thoughts
National Car Rental makes renting a car smooth and rewarding. With the Emerald Club program, you get to skip the lines, pick the car you want, and earn valuable free rental days along the way. This post explains national car rental tips and tricks to save you money.
If you time your rentals right—especially during promotions like “One Two Free”—and use your certificates on premium or one-way routes, you can save hundreds of dollars per trip.