National Car Rental
Reviews and Complaints

I recently had a disappointing experience with National Car Rental that left me frustrated and dissatisfied. Despite being an Emerald member and booking with a corporate discount code, I was misled and provided with a lesser vehicle than promised. The staff, particularly a person claiming to be a manager, displayed unprofessional behavior, refused to honor the agreed-upon terms, and even threatened to deny us a rental car if we complained. This level of service was unacceptable, and I felt disrespected and mistreated throughout the entire ordeal. As someone who has rented from various companies for years, this experience with National Car Rental was by far the worst. I strongly advise potential customers to reconsider using their services and to avoid the Rental Counter at Richmond International Airport. It's essential to be treated with respect and integrity when renting a car, and unfortunately, National Car Rental failed to deliver on these basic expectations.

Trip # [protected] invoice [protected]

The vehicle I was giving pulled to the right. Loud noises while driving the most uncomfortable vehicle I had in 10 years of being a customer. I had it for two days and I was charged $890.65. I called National customer service and didn't get a reply back. This was a ripoff and would NEVER rent from LONDON again.

I rented a car through National Rental Car in Strasbourg, France (gare/train station) on July 21, 2023. When I returned the car on July 25th, I was told that there was damage to the side of the door. I never hit anything, never noticed the scratch, and have no idea how it occurred or if it was there before me. However, regardless of this, it was just a scratch. It also fit perfectly within the "circle" provided by the employee for acceptable regular wear-and-tear. This is evident in my photos below.

I was pressured to sign a damage acceptance form, in French, that I didn't understand. I was told I would be contacted for next steps. Instead, right after I left, I was charged $1500 to my credit card.

Please review the pictures below to see the scratch. This is not a $1500 damage. Even though I have insurance, I do not believe this was handled correctly. I should have been contacted directly to discuss how this $1500 was decided and given recourse for disputing with my own evidence. Furthermore, I was not properly explained what the damage form I signed meant.

We rented a large SUV from Asheville airport for a family trip to the Smokey Mountains. Day 3 the car broke down near Bryson City. We called customer service who was sending a tow truck and an Uber to take us to our cabin and then send us a new car. None of that happened and we had to get a ride from somebody to our cabin. We are now stranded with no car and after 6 calls to customer service and National car roadside assistance. We have nothing but a trip starting to be ruined. They keep telling us come drive 2 hours to get a new car but we have no way to get there and should not have too.

I picked up a rental car yesterday at Pensacola Airport, florida.

The car rented was not cleaned, the following is what was found in the car:

Trash (water bottle, candy wrappers)

Alcohol bottle (still contains alcohol),

Medical waste

Car seats are dirty with what appears to be peanut butter/chocolate.

thus far this year I have rented a car for a total of 115 days with National.

How is it acceptable to rent a car in such conditions? Who is responsible for the clean up? Are the cars inspected before rental?

At this time, I am truly disappointed with the service rendered and I would like a call to discuss a solution. I can be reached at [protected].

Thank you,

Laureine Dice

I have spent 2 days with numerous phone calls I keep getting bounced around these are a list of the numbers I have been given [protected] , [protected] , [protected] , [protected] , so far nobody wants to take the payment my policy # [protected] they keep sending me payment requests. I WANT to pay this and so far nobody will take my payment. I have asked for higher up employees that can help me so far there has been nobody that I can be transferred to. All that is owing is 29.50 us I have wasted 2 days trying to get this delt with. I have been Emerald Club member [protected] since 1999 this to me is the worse customer service I have ever had. My phone number [protected] [protected]@clas8mfg.com

Thanks Dave Scott

I am an emerald member [protected] had a reservation for a vehicle at the Anchorage, Alaska airport for pickup on February 16th, 2023, confirmation number 2058333050count; when I arrived, I was told that it didn't matter that I had a confirmation number. Anybody can book online and they did not have any vehicles. I told them this was booked through our corporate travel department at Burns And McDonnell and they said who cares Pretty crappy customer service.

Hello,

My name is Adrian Belbe, I have rented a car from your Nice airport agency on 24.07.2022 for one day, paid with my Visa card.
Reservation initially was 145 euro, after that I have paid additionally insurance 35 euro, but from my card was charged in total with 395.69 euro, for guarantee they said.
Up to now, I have not received back the guarantee, even if has been past many month, could you please check when you will reimburse the difference of 214 euro?

Appreciate your fast answer on this!
Thank you,
Adrian

It's interesting, I "Googled "National Car Rental Scam" and found so many similar stories! I also found the following link (https://www.complaintsboard.com/national-car-rental-charging-me-for-damage-i-know-nothing-about-c6226)

On Nov 10th, 2022 at around 8:00 pm we rented a car from National car rental at Billy Bishop airport in Toronto. The car we picked up was half filled with gas and the agent noted that.

On Nov 12th at night, me, my pregnant wife and toddler went to a restaurant near by. After leaving the car made a large muffler noise and a “check engine” light came on.

The full amount of mileage that was driven on the car from the moment we picked it up, up to that night was probably around 30-35 miles.

I called National/ enterprise that night and I explained what happened and the agent stated to call in the morning so I can drop it off at the airport and get a replacement car.

So I called national/ enterprise the morning of the 13th and they said to drop it off at Pearson airport as there was no other cars to exchange it for at Billy Bishop. I told them the car seemed to make noise and I wasn’t sure if it was safe enough to drive it, the representative said if it moves then it would be faster an easier to just drive it to Pearson and get a replacement car then wait for a towing truck. So I drove it to Pearson and received another car. Keep in mind I had a toddler with me this entire time and my pregnant wife.

Once I arrived at Pearson airport I told the desk that the car had some mechanical issues and there an “check engine” light that’s on, and I have nothing to do with it. I did not get in an accident and the car was mostly parked. They stated that it was fine and to get another replacement.

On Nov 17th I received an email from Damage Recovery. They requested information on the damage. I sent 3 emails explaining what happened exactly. All emails explained that the car did not get in an accident and it was parked 85% of the time and was used very lightly. I received No response.

On Dec 10th I received an email from damage recovery stating that I owe $1904.02 for the following damages a catalytic converter, an oxygen sensor bank upstream and downstream. The letter states that that these were damaged and had to be “replaced”. They also sent a detailed invoice from the mechanic that had the cost of the replaced parts.

I called national customer service, damage recovery, sent emails with no response!

What I was trying to figure out was how I could have damaged a catalytic converter and an oxygen sensor within two days?

Isn’t that accumulative? Due to lack of maintenance?

Of course no one got back to me.

A few weeks pass, and I heard nothing, then I check my spam and I find an email from an agent from damage recovery stating that, those weren’t damages, that the catalytic converter was stolen!

So, my question is, why am I being told this a month later, via an email? Why wasn’t this stated on the legal letter I received?

And why wasn’t I told immediately after they noticed it was stolen so legal action can be taken, and the police can be informed. Because the only place I went to was the restaurant with my family. They inform me via email, a month later, after I’m in a different country! It’s very shady!

Regardless, not only did national cause so much inconvenience to me any my family while we are on vacation but now they claim we owe $1904.02 for damages that we have no idea if they are true due to their ill transparency!

I will never rent from them, and I don’t advise anyone to rent from them!

On Nov 10th, 2022 I rented a car from National car rental at Billy Bishop airport. On Nov 12th at night, the car suddenly made a weird noise. I barely drove it anywhere, it probably had 35 miles or less on it from the moment I took it. So I called enterprise the morning of the 13th and they said to drop it off at Pearson airport in Toronto as there was no other cars to exchange it for at Billy Bishop Airport. I told them the car seemed to make noise and the representative said if it moves then it would be faster an easier to just drive it to Pearson and get a replacement car then wait for a towing truck. So I drove it to Pearson and received another car. Keep in mind I had a toddler with me this entire time and my pregnant wife, and I told the representative that it may not be safe as I have a child with me. He didn’t say anything except to just drop it off and to get another car. Once I arrived at Pearson Airport I told the front desk that the car had some mechanical issue and I have nothing to do with it. I did not get an accident and the car was mostly parked. They said its fine, just get a replacement car. On Nov 17th I received an email from Damage Recovery. They requested information on the damage. I sent 3 emails explaining what happened exactly. All emails explained that the car did not get in an accident and it was parked 85% of the time and was used very lightly. I even detailed where I drove it and how many miles I drove, and there was no way I was responsible for any mechanical damages as I did not even drive it for a long period of time. It was merely impossible! I received No response. On Dec 10th I received an email stating that I owe $1904.02 for the following damages; a catalytic converter, an oxygen sensor bank upstream and downstream. First of all catalytic converters are damaged due excessive clogging. Meaning it doesn’t go bad suddenly by one person driving it in one day, so I wasn’t the one who caused the excessive clogging, this is due to National not maintaining their cars. Second of all oxygen sensor banks are damaged by excessive byproducts of combustion. Meaning I couldn’t have damaged the sensor in one day by driving less than 40 miles. It absolutely makes no sense! This is accumulative, and its due to them not maintaining their cars. I couldn't have done this excessive damage in one day by driving it less than 35 miles. It’s such a shame that these mechanical issues could have been avoided by the maintenance, because not only did they cause me great inconvenience by having to replace a car in the middle of my vacation but having to put my toddler and my pregnant wife in a car that was very unsafe to drive just because it was inconvenient for them to tow it and replace it. And now they bill me for their incompetence of maintaining their cars! I should be refunded for the inconvenience and stress I had to go through! Unbelievable do not rent from them!

I have appealed this bogus claim with you in numerous emails with pictures and requests for proof the car was not damaged when I picked up.

I did not damage this car. This was an older car with 32000 rental car miles from Illinois that I picked up on the executive aisle in a dark garage at the Pittsburgh airport.

You have ignored every inquiry and basically flipped me off every time. I contacted National Support and I reached out to Emerald Club this week and was told I do have a right to appeal.

I notified Amex when you ignored my first request for appeal to avoid you coming after me for non-payment of this bogus claim.

I have been an Emerald Club member since the early 80’s and I have tried to work with you to only be ignored.

This is a matter of principle and how you have treated me.

This claim is not closed, as I once again, I am contesting you trying to pin the damage on me and not even allowing my appeal to be addressed.

Why would I ever risk renting from you?

Thankfully, I rented and paid with my American Express Card which covered damage. Oh yeah, you obviously knew that.

I rented a car from you guys on August 5,2022 to August 6,2022 a 2021 Nissan rouge that broke down on the freeway I was stuck for four hours. I rented through priceline originally pick up location in Ontario ca had to exchange car in Las Vegas they gave me a discount but I was charged the discount and the full price to my credit card. I was not compasated for anything. I was suppose to be getting a full refund. Now it's back on my credit card. I would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible. I have my receipts. I've been trying to get this resolved for three months now. I spoke to a supervisor on Aug 23,2022. Who was trying to help but said I had to wait on a email

Hi,

I rented a white hyundai for the weekend of September 9 - 11 2022 from Dundas st branch in London ontario. The car walk around was done in less than 1 min and there were damages in the front bumper which was noted by Enterprise and myself. Since the complete longer check was not done, there was no way to tell the car had any other damages. I had no accidents while driving the car. However when I returned the car there was a small crack on the lower bumper. So a claims was started. The claim damage report indicates that the full front bumper needs to be replaced. I requested second review and they are firm on the decision that i need to pay for the full front bumper replacement. However, the branch agrees with me the only damages was the small crack on the front bumper. Claim number is [protected].

Our Company has been loyal to Enterprise Holdings / ANC Rental as Emerald Club Executive status members for many years. Very recently we signed a fleet agreement with Enterprise with hopes of continuing our relationship as our company expands. That relationship has been severely wounded by an experience we cannot seem to get resolution to. One of our employees (who likewise holds Executive status) flew to Gainesville, FL to assist with the needs of Hurricane IAN victims. To say Nationwide actively practices PRICE GOUGING is an understatement. Not only was our colleague charged an EXORBITANT RATE, he has yet to receive a call or email back from ANYONE to explain the charges on his bill.

We have 1) Spoken TWICE with customer service who said they were sending our query to GAINESVILLE, FL airport location, 2) Spoken THREE TIMES with Gainesville, FL employee who identified himself as Manager, 3) Sent email to Customer Service.

NO REPLY.

WE HAVE NO RECOURSE NOW BUT TO REVISIT OUR CURRENT CONTRACTS WHILE AWAITING A REPLY FROM :

1) THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

2) THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

3) CONSUMOR RESOURCES.ORG

I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND NATIONAL RENTAL CAR SERVICE AT THIS POINT... CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON EXISTANT!

I rented a 2022 Toyota corolla through National Car Rentals at the San Antonio, Texas airport. I was told when I first received the car at the airport location that when I return the car before my flight home, I should just park the car in the designated area for returns. There was no person available to "check me out with a walk around of the car" which I have always done with returning my car rentals. I did not have an accident or damage the car in any way, it was in perfect condition when I returned it to the garage at the airport. I later received a bill for 1082.44 (claim# [protected]) for damages done to the car bumper. Again, I did not have an accident or damage the car in any way. The only scenario that I can think of is that someone must have done the damage while it was parked in the airport garage upon my return of the vehicle. I contact the representative, Ebony Wright [protected] X 6172) on October 24, 2022, to attempt to resolve this issue. She indicated that because the car return location did not perform a walk around of the automobile, she could not send this to the disputes department. This makes no sense to me as it is clearly the fault of the National Car Rental clerks at San Antonio Airport that were at fault in not performing a walk around. I rent cars often and have been satisfied so far with National as my preferred and my company's preferred provider, so I do sincerely hope that this can be resolved.

Thank you

Hi, I'm looking to rent a car in Corsicana, Texas, and I'd like to use one of the free days that I've earned. There are only Enterprise facilities at this location though, and when I am routed to their website I lose the option to apply the free day. If this is not available then that will be a disappointment and I will most likely book the entire reservation with a different company. I have been Executive Elite for several years, and I'm fairly certain I have done this previously.

I originally started this message as a question submittal on the National website, but because they're search engine for rental locations could not find Corsicana, TX, it is now a complaint. Thanks!

Allow me the ability to use a free day that I've earned both with National and Enterprise rentals in the past year or two to book a free day with Enterprise.

This should not be a complicated transaction to conduct. It should literally be a selectable option on the website, and then the problem will be resolved entirely for everyone involved.

Rental started and ended at the Dublin International Airport location.

Tue, Sep 20 to Sep 25th 2022

First they ultimately charged me for SUV while I drove a compact.

Not main issue but will be dealt with I hope.

Main issue is that when checking out I selected full coverage and left with the vehicle. After a week of driving around the Dublin and surrounding areas I returned the vehicle. As I was checking out the attendant said they saw an inch scratch on the driver side. I said that was so small and I had paid for full coverage. She said I had not and would be charged for the 1600.00 deductible. I spent 30 minutes talking to them with no resolution. As the day was ending asked if I could have proof of the lack of coverage and they denied me. Then I asked if that was not covered ,then I would like to use my own insurance. They said I couldn't do that.

Now I have asked for clarification via the recommended course and have not had resolution. I will stop using Enterprise, National and Alamo and cease my every other week rentals that I have been doing for many years. Hope the compaint will help make the system better. As of 10/11/2022, the issue is not resolved and the charge of 1600 is still on my charge.

Dennis Rueckert - Claim [protected] - 07/29/22 - Rental Agreement #[protected]

My client rented a car which was checked in by National Rental Car with NO DAMAGE and was signed off by the associate that checked in the car. All of the sudden we receive a bill for damages. We request pictures of "said damages" and they send us pictures of "said damages" but there isn't a license plate, entire car photo, or anything to prove this was the actual car he rented within any of the pictures. We know we did not do this but we will be sure to video every car that is turned into any rental car company but yours. FYI we rented 4-5 rental cars from your company every month. I hope this was worth losing that kind of business. Plus he works for a large radio station so we will be sure everyone we can reach knows about the "damage scam". I sent you the pictures your company sent us. I'm sure you can tell exactly what car it is with those pictures...not so much. At this point we will pay this amount but it's sad that your business does this...honestly.