National Car Rental

I rented a car in Kalamazoo, MI on July 25, 2020 that was returned at the Minneapolis airport the next day (July 26, 2020). The person who checked it in stated that there were no problems with the car. Shortly after this, I began receiving emails and mail stating that the car had been damaged. I called National and the person I spoke to said there was no record of the car being damaged. He gave me a number to call and over the following two days I spent more than two hours on hold without ever being able to speak to a human.

I reserved a car at National on Phone at Tyler, Airport. When I went to pick car at the scheduled time, they said car was not available and the receptionist lady communicated with Hertz and referred to go to Hertz which said car available at higher rate for same size than rate reserved on phone. The disappointing part is I called back at reservation phone number who said car was available at Tyler, Airport location where we were booked. So I felt the receptionist lady was simply doing business to refer to different company and get the commission. I had to cancel my 4 days trip, important meetings, and a potential job position. They ruined my life. Incident: August 13, 2020. Really disappointed at the way they were handling their customer. The Receptionist lady was unwilling to hear anything and said that cars get taken quickly while the recalling the reservation still showed the cars availability.

We were happy with the convenience and the friendliness of the National worker when we picked up the car at Denver Int’l, but when we dropped it off we were met with two rude and seemingly sexist men. Within 30 seconds of getting out of the car, my 20yr old daughter and I (mid 40’s female) were informed that we had put a dent/scrape on the car. I explained to the man that we had no incidents with the car whatsoever, and that there must be some record that the dent existed before we rented it. He called over his manager and both men were disrespectful, rushed, and condescending in their tone and attitude towards us. I have traveled with my husband (a mid 40’s businessman) many times and I get the unfortunate impression that if he had been with us, we wouldn’t have been accused of denting the car and we would’ve been treated more respectfully.

I call to get road service due to a mechanical issue, road service says, "Ok, we booked you a replacement car, go to location and pick up." I go to location, no record of me and to make it worse, no cars. I call road service back, they say, "Ok checking" and then hang up before finishing the where to go next, and no call back. I call back for the 3rd time, "Sorry everyone is closed, maybe you can fix it yourself." It's a good thing the car was still drivable, they offered no solutions and pretty much didn't seem to care... This will be my last rental with NATIONAL, to just say, "Sorry - we can't help you" is not acceptable and I will also be sure to spread the word to all 25,000 co-workers. "BEWARE RENTING FROM NATIONAL."

We purchased our rental through Allegiant. There were extra taxes and fees charged at the airport. The car was not cleaned well, none of them were. With covid 19 you would think they would be concerned about that. Thankfully I brought disinfecting wipes. We decided on National because their desk and cars were the closest to the terminal only to find they had moved, with very poor signage, to the back lot with Alamo. My mother in law has trouble with her knees and we wanted to keep the distance short for her. I did leave her at baggage and picked her up in the car. Upon returning at 3:30am it was unclear what lot we were supposed to go to until we turned into a lot that said National only to be greeted by a sign scribbling out National and telling us to go to another lot. We couldn't because the return lots have tire spikes at the exits.

I have left a handicapped placard after I returned my rental to DFW. I filed a lost and found and went to the rental car center about 1.5 weeks later. The people at the National refused to help and told me to go home and wait. Of course, their rule is that once you filed the Lost and Found you can also search the lost and found website to see if there's anything that matches and inquire. They did find a parking permit. After putting a request with the National Rental Website, I get an email to call the local DFW number or go to the rental center again. The number is essentially an unmanned since nobody ever picks up the phone. I went by the office and told them the item number. This time the personnel said that it was a handicapped placard that they found close to the day of my return, but of course he refused to return claiming that someone was coming to pick it. I asked him to check the number to make sure it was not my placard. Of course he didn't.

I have rented dozens of times exclusively for business and personal use from National Car Rental and now I NEVER will rent from them again. I rented a car from them and when I returned it, they pointed out damage that I couldn't even see (AND DIDN'T DO). I was in a hurry to get to the airport and didn't take photos, but explained to the lot person that I didn't do the damage they think they see under the front bumper. They said their manager would be in touch and they never did. Then, I get a letter from the Damage Recovery Unit claiming that I need to pay them and they don't even say how much, nor prove with any photographic evidence or any itemization of WHAT was damaged. I promptly turned it over to my insurance agency who found me not responsible for whatever damage that National Car Rental said I was on the hook for.

I rented my first car on March 17, 2020 from Charleston Airport in S.C. I picked the car up at 6:40am and was dropping it off at Myrtle Beach Airport in S.C. at around 9:00am. When we picked the car up, it was early morning, so it was dark and the car was black. We were told at the desk that we did not need to do anything more and were told where the car was located in the lot. No attendant came out to look the car over with us and no attendants were in the parking lot to look over the car (which at the time we had no idea this was supposed to happen- remember first time renters). We drove the car the 100 miles with no stopping and no issues- hardly anyone drives that road at that time.

After reviewing other experiences, I had to contribute. My car was picked up at Calgary airport in a dimly lit garage. Damage document was laying on the front seat for me to approve, and had no damage reported. The car was not well washed, if at all prior to my arrival. No attendant assisted with a search for damage nor was there a scan for damage done prior to my arrival. How do I know? The windshield was significantly damaged but nothing marked on the report. I did a walk-around, noticed the windshield damage but was unable to see nor notice other damage, took photos but due to lighting and angle it was difficult to see the damage. However, after reviewing the photos, definite blemish can be seen exactly where the damage was.

I have endured the browbeating and bullying of National's Damage Recovery Unit for the last time. A word to the wise: Rent from National and you will pay the price--quite literally--for differing inspection standards between National locations, such that damage caused by predecessor renters will be paid for by you. You will be shaken down and harassed for even minor damage. Good luck arguing with them that the damage was inherited, and that perhaps a car rented in an airport parking garage might have damage unnoticed until returned to a different, brightly sunlit location. In my case, for recouping $1,000 for trivial dents they have lost the business of this Emerald Club member dating back to 2000, in the course of which I spent more than that on an annual basis. I hope they consider it was worth it to them.