National Car Rental’s Emerald Club loyalty program is designed to provide frequent renters with a faster and more convenient car rental experience.
Members enjoy special privileges reserved for frequent renters, such as bypassing the counter and choosing any vehicle on the Emerald Aisle.
The program offers three status tiers and offers interesting perks and partner opportunities.
In this article, we will explore the National Emerald Club’s benefits and features, providing you with a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your membership.
How To Earn National Emerald Club Rewards
Earning rewards with Emerald Club is a breeze. You’ll receive one rental credit for every qualifying rental lasting 1-7 days. For longer rentals of 8+ days, you’ll earn one credit for every 4 days. So, if you rent a car for 8 to 11 days, you’ll receive 2 credits.
This system benefits frequent renters who book shorter trips. Your earning rate remains consistent regardless of your elite status, but higher tiers unlock better redemption options.
One of the best things about Emerald Club is that you can earn credits with National and Enterprise. Simply provide your Emerald Club number when booking with Enterprise, and you’re good to go. This makes it incredibly easy to accumulate credits quickly.
While you can earn airline miles or hotel points instead of rental credits, remember that you’ll incur a small daily surcharge for doing so. Sticking with the free rental days offers a better value in most cases. However, if you don’t rent frequently and want to boost your airline or hotel account, having this option is a nice perk.
Redeeming Free Days
Now, let’s dive into the exciting part—redeeming those well-deserved credits for free rental days! The number of credits required for a freebie varies based on your elite status:
- Emerald Club (entry level): 7 credits = 1 free day.
- Executive: 6 credits = 1 free day.
- Executive Elite: 5 credits = 1 free day.
You can use your free days to cover the base rate on rentals for up to 7 days at most National locations worldwide. However, you’ll still need to pay taxes and fees when redeeming your credits. A savvy way to maximize value is to redeem for one-way rentals, which typically cost more when booking with cash compared to roundtrip rentals.
Another fantastic perk is that your free days earned through the Emerald Club program itself don’t expire as long as your account remains active. This is a significant advantage over many other programs that impose time limits on rewards. However, some free day credits earned through promotions or transferred from someone else usually have an expiration date.
When redeeming, keep in mind that free days can’t be used for certain specialty vehicles, such as trucks and exotics. Blackout dates and availability restrictions may also apply, so it’s wise to book early to secure your preferred car and dates.
Emerald Club Elite Status
Emerald Club offers three elite tiers, each with its own set of benefits. Here’s what you need to know about each one:
Emerald Club® Status
This is the starting tier for everyone who signs up. At this level, you’ll enjoy perks like:
- Choosing your own car from the Emerald Aisle when you book a midsize.
- Waived second driver fees.
- Priority service at rental counters.
- Earning free days and status with Enterprise rentals.
- Skipping the counter and going straight to your car at most locations.
- Using “Emerald Checkout” in the National app to select your ride ahead of time.
Emerald Club Executive® Status
To reach the middle tier of Emerald Club Executive elite status, you’ll need 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a calendar year. In addition to all the entry-level benefits, Executives get:
- Guaranteed free upgrades on midsize and larger cars.
- You can access the exclusive Executive Area at some locations, where you can select full-size and better cars for the midsize price.
- Reduced rates on Premier Selection vehicles.
- Earning free days faster (6 credits instead of 7).
- A dedicated phone line for quicker service.
You may already have access to Emerald Club Executive status if you register a premium travel credit card. Cards that offer this status are the following:
Emerald Club Executive Elite® Status
Emerald Club Executive Elite status is the top tier of National Rental Car elite status. To reach this status, you’ll need 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a year. On top of everything the lower tiers get, Executive Elites can expect:
- Guaranteed car with 24 hours’ notice when booking a midsize.
- Just 5 credits are needed for a free day.
- A private “Executive Elite” phone line.
- Free private airport delivery within 50 miles of a National branch.
It takes a lot of renting to make Executive Elite, but if you’re constantly on the road, those extra perks can be game-changing—especially the guaranteed availability and private airport delivery.
National Status Match
Already have status with another car rental, airline, or hotel program? You may be able to match it to Emerald Club. Fill out the online form on National’s site and provide proof of your current elite status.
Your matched status usually lasts until the end of the following calendar year, giving you ample time to enjoy the benefits and potentially re-qualify yourself. It’s an easy way to test-drive Emerald Club’s elite status without starting from scratch.
Nearly all major loyalty programs, such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, and Hilton Honors, are eligible for matching. If you have status somewhere, seeing if National will match it can’t hurt.
Earn Points and Miles with Emerald Club
While most people focus on the free rental days, you can earn airline miles or hotel points with Emerald Club partners instead. National partners with several major airlines, including American, Delta, Alaska, Southwest, and Lufthansa. They have partnerships with Hilton, Best Western, Radisson, and more on the hotel side.
Earning rates depend on the partner but typically range from 50-500 airline miles per rental day or 500 hotel points per rental. The catch? You’ll pay a small daily “Frequent Traveler Surcharge” when you choose to earn with a partner. In most cases, you’re better off sticking with the free rental days.
To earn airline or hotel points, make sure to link your Emerald Club account to your preferred airline or hotel program. You can do this directly on the National site or by calling customer service. Once linked, you’ll automatically earn your chosen airline or hotel points every time you rent.
One thing to watch out for is certain partners may have minimum rental requirements or other rules, so be sure to read the fine print.
Tips for Maximizing Car Rentals
Want to get the most value out of your Emerald Club membership? Try these pro tips:
Use discount codes: National often runs promotions that can significantly reduce your rental rates. Check their site for current offers and watch for codes specifically for your employer, clubs/associations you belong to, or your credit card.
Book at Emerald Aisle locations: Reserve a midsize car at a location with an Emerald Aisle, and you can take your pick of any car on the row, potentially scoring a free upgrade. This applies to all members, regardless of status.
Aim for the Executive Area: If you’re an Executive or Executive Elite, look for locations with an Executive Area. You’ll have access to bigger and better cars while only paying the midsize rate.
Get the National app: The mobile app is your secret weapon for managing reservations, picking your car ahead of time with Emerald Checkout, and skipping the counter. It’s a huge time-saver and makes renting a breeze.
Make the most of one-way rentals: Use those free days if you need a one-way rental! They’ll cover the base rate and any one-way drop fees, which can add up quickly.
Pay with a card that offers primary rental coverage: Several credit cards come with primary rental car insurance when you pay for the rental using the card. Some of my favorites include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
The Verdict
National Emerald Club offers a rewarding and convenient experience for frequent car renters. By understanding the program’s earning and redemption structure, elite status tiers, and partner options, you can maximize your benefits and enjoy a smoother rental process.
With a little strategizing and the right credit card, you’ll be well on your way to earning free rental days and enjoying elite perks in no time.
