National Car Rental

Very pleased with my service. The team was very helpful and courteous! I was in and out when I got my car with no issues. Also, when I returned the vehicle they were right there to help me and get me on my way! The car was very clean!

I travel quite a bit and normally have a positive experience with National. Came into Dulles around 5:00pm. Shuttle bus was delayed and then he drove past National before asking if I was with National or Alamo. He opened the door and I walked back to the Emerald Aisle where there wasn’t anyone to be found. Many cars were piled up and unavailable. I simply grabbed what I could and left. Pretty unimpressive service overall.

Very pleased with the ease with which we can just pick up any vehicle of our choice. Love the Emerald membership.
However, when I dropped the car off the guy charged me for 2 gallons of Gas when I only drove 30 miles on a Chevy Impala. I think Impala is definitely better than 15 miles per gallon.

On the plus side, National had the vehicle that fit the requirements for the trip and at a reasonable price while Hertz had either a vehicle that was too small for the same price or a vehicle that was the right size for way too much. On the minus side, I had reserved a vehicle with the Adventurer option that provides a hot spot for up to five devices, perfect for the five of us traveling on business. However, upon arriving at pick up I was told that they only had one vehicle that had that option and it was already rented. Then I was told that they had more ‘devices” in the back but that none of them worked. Very confusing, but bottom line, I did not get the option I reserved and it would have been nice to know this before I was standing at the rental desk and had no time for alternatives. Something else that was a great annoyance is that the vehicle appeared to not have been cleaned regularly. Rental agreements from multiple past renters were stacked in the glove compartment, multiple device names were left cluttering up the sync function on the media center, and worse, the car smelled as if it had been seriously over-​doused with whatever masking fragrance is used by the service department or someone had broken a bottle of cheap after shave and no one attempted to clean it properly to mitigate the smell. Maybe not an issue for some but it was uncomfortably noticeable for the entire two day trip. I’ll be heading back to Hertz.

Very disappointed that in the middle of winter with approaching snow storms approaching that there wasn’t an ice scraper located in the vehicle. I had to borrow one from someone else just to scrap the ice/​snow off of my windshield so I could see and drive.

I am subscribed to the Emerald Club program, it is easy to select the car in major airports and I don’t have to go to the counter. However, I did have to return to the rental car location once I exit because the guy who processed the paperwork was unable to give a GPS. It was a waste of time.
Also, at the return location at University Park Airport, PA, I reported a missing item in the car, and it has been more than 10 days and they are very negligent in returning my calls.

I am a frequent traveler to the DC area. National has a winning combo at IAD — the National App on my phone, the ready portfolio of clean vehicles at Dulles (yes, and with clean glass!) and a friendly and professional staff. I could not be more pleased. Dwight D.

Lost my headphone case in the rental car and realized this when I was just through security on my way to the plane. Called the facility with a request to radio one of the folks to get it from the car. Got the run around with the message I had to file a claim with National head quarters through the web site. The car was still on the lot, with the best chance of retrieval of the lost item, but employee was unwilling to help. Disappointing.

I am giving a two star, because of the following:
1 — It was difficult to get someone to help at pick; there was no one at the kiosk, I had to go inside the main office where I was redirected to the kiosk only to be redirected once again.
2 — Drop off was slightly better, but still confusing directions from the National staff where I was suppose to go.
This is my first time renting from this location, I usually go to National Airport in Arlington. Not sure I will be renting from here again.

I travel almost weekly and generally use National (36 rentals so far this year). This location (Dulles Airport) along with DCA seems to be playing games with hidden damage. If there is minor body damage or damage to the underside of bumpers they are very reluctant to document it as you leave. The last time I had to wait while they dug up a manager to document the damage. They will do their best to assure that the the damage is nothing to worry about and that they don’t look for damage on the underside of bumpers at return.
Unfortunately, the people at the exit gate and those checking in cars on return seem to not have a shared understanding of what should be documented before you exit.
My advice: check your rental very carefully and don’t accept it with damage that they will not document.

Everything was great, the selection for executive elite cars was very nice. A lot better than some recent locations I have been to. I did not deal with anyone until returning the car and the drop off process was very smooth. The attendants were all very easy to deal with.

Shares the same spot with Alamo. The shuttle got to the airport in good time and the time to the facility wasn’t too bad. I checked in with the kiosk since the line was too long. When I came outside, my type of car was not available, so I was told to take the next higher upgrade. Check in was simple and shuttle got me to the airport quickly. I would rent with them again.

Love National. Never had a problem. Am Emerald member for years. I get great cars, great prices, great service.

They were quick and efficient. The emerald club is definitely worth it.

The rental experience was good. The car was clean and the counter staff did their job.
Okay, I did arrive late so I got to the rental place close to midnight. So, maybe the staff weren’t exactly on their best. But, the reception I got was less than average as their was lack of courtesy. A friendly smile goes a long way.
Then there was the gate guard. She was smoking a cigarette with another security person when I drove up. Her mannerism was as if I was interrupting something important. The way she barked out «see your papers» sounded like she was conversing with one of her hood sistahs. There was absolutely no pleasantly, no smile and not even a hint of a friendly gesture.
This might have been a typical east coast tougher than a nail attitude since I encountered more than few people wth the same attitude during my week long visit. But, these folks are employed (by their own choice) to work in the Service sector. That means the company should teach their employees something about courtesy and customer respect. If they can’t or won’t, I’m sure there are plenty of others that are more than willing.

Great experience!
It is easy to get to. The clerks were friendly and helpful.
They had plenty of cars to choose from.

I love when the National location have Emerald Express so you can just pick your car and go. No lines to wait in. This location is not actually in the airport so there is a short shuttle ride.

I love to deal with national car rental. They’re very easy to get along with and they always have a car ready and clean for you. This particular location actually remembered my name and held my car for me because my flight got delayed The day before. When I return the car the staff was very easy to deal with and got me on my way very quickly.

Super easy to return my rental car here. The guy who checked in my car got me a receipt and I was on my way to the shuttle bus quickly. I still don’t like the whole shuttle bus thing, but at least Dulles is a bus for each rental car company instead of a stupid shared bus for everyone to a central pavilion. There is some sort of rail thing being built, maybe that’s going to change one day.

quick update. They are doing tons of construction (awnings, new lanes, etc) so it is a mess right now. Its very tight when all the cars are in, results in lots of chaos and difficulty getting out of the parking lot.
hoping long term it improves the capabilities.