National Car Rental
 Go National, go like a pro | |
| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Rental car |
| Founded | August 27, 1947 |
| Headquarters | Clayton, Missouri, United States |
| Parent | Enterprise Holdings, Inc. |
| Website | www.nationalcar.com |
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National Car Rental is a rental car company based in Clayton, Missouri. National was founded by 24 independent rental car agents on August 27, 1947. It has grown from 60 locations in the United States in 1947 to over 2000 locations worldwide as of 2005.
National was owned by an investment group containing William Lobeck of Tulsa, Alvin Swanner of New Orleans and Archer McWhorter of Houston.[1] Later sold in 1995 at an estimated price of $1 Billion.[1]
In 1996, National acquired the Canadian fleet and operations of Tilden Rent-a-Car.
National is owned by Enterprise Holdings, which also owns Alamo Rent a Car and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
On August 1, 2007 Enterprise Rent-A-Car assumed control of Vanguard Automotive Group. It was purchased from Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
Emerald Club
In 1987, National launched the Emerald Club, aimed at speeding up transactions for frequent business and leisure travelers.[2] A basic membership keeps the member's driver licence and credit card information stored so that their contract can be printed before they arrive at the rental location. More frequent renters can earn Executive and Executive Elite status which carry enhanced benefits. Emerald Club's top-tier status, Executive VIP, is an invitation-only status reserved for the company's top revenue customers. All members can choose to earn credits each time they rent that can redeemed for free rental days.
At some US and Canadian locations, members bypass the rental counter and proceed directly to the rental lot, where they can choose their own car.[2] Emerald Club members who reserve a mid-size car are directed to the Emerald Aisle, where they are allowed to choose any designated car (including upgraded classes), all at the mid-size rate reserved. Executive and Executive Elite members are directed to the Executive Selection lot, where they can choose from full-size or higher class cars for the price of a mid-size, thus guaranteeing at least a one-class free upgrade. Member who reserve other classes (i.e. SUVs, minivans) choose from a row of their reserved class in the Emerald Reserve section.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/05/business/gm-agrees-to-sell-car-rental-unit.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Emerald Club Member's Corner". National Car Rental. Retrieved 29 April 2014.