{"id":169873,"date":"2026-10-05T12:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T12:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=169873"},"modified":"2026-10-05T12:10:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T12:10:02","slug":"national-emerald-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/car-rental\/national-emerald-club\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide to National Car Rental and Emerald Club"},"content":{"rendered":"

National Car Rental's Emerald Club offers useful elite-status perks and an easy path to earning Free Days. Members earn rental credits on eligible rentals, while higher tiers unlock benefits such as access to larger vehicles and guaranteed-vehicle privileges.<\/p>\n

This guide covers how Emerald Club works, what each status tier includes, and how to earn and redeem Free Days.<\/p>\n

National Car Rental and Emerald Club at a Glance<\/span><\/h2>\n

National advertises more than 1,500 locations worldwide<\/a>, giving Emerald Club members access to a broad rental network.<\/p>\n

Emerald Club is free to join and has three published tiers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Emerald Club tier<\/th>Qualification<\/th>Credits per Free Day<\/th>Free Day vehicle limit<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Emerald Club<\/td>Enroll for free<\/td>7<\/td>Up to midsize<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Executive<\/td>12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a calendar year<\/td>6<\/td>Up to full-size<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Executive Elite<\/td>25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a calendar year<\/td>5<\/td>Any car class except trucks and exotic vehicles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

National upgrades members as they qualify during the calendar year. Rentals can qualify either by transaction count or paid rental days; you do not need to meet both measures.<\/p>\n

How Emerald Club Makes Rentals Faster<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of Emerald Club's biggest conveniences is the ability to skip the rental counter at participating locations and head straight to your vehicle.<\/p>\n

How that works depends on the location and the service attached to your reservation, so you'll want to check the details before arrival.<\/p>\n

Emerald Aisle<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Emerald Aisle<\/a> is the program's best-known benefit. At participating U.S. or Canadian locations, you can reserve a midsize car, bypass the counter, and choose an available vehicle from the Aisle. You pay the reserved midsize rate even if you select a larger vehicle.<\/p>\n

The final selection depends on what other renters have taken and what the location has placed in the Aisle. Membership does not guarantee a particular make, model, feature, or larger vehicle. If you need a minivan, SUV, convertible, or another specific class, you'll need to reserve that class instead of relying on Aisle inventory.<\/p>\n

Executive Area<\/span><\/h3>\n

Members with Executive or Executive Elite status can choose from a separate selection of full-size and larger vehicles at participating U.S. and Canadian locations while paying the reserved midsize rate.<\/p>\n

Inventory varies, but this can be especially valuable for travelers who would otherwise pay more for a larger vehicle.<\/p>\n

Other Emerald Club pickup options<\/span><\/h3>\n

Emerald Reserve Service<\/a> lets members reserve the vehicle class they need, bypass the counter, and select from that class's designated row at participating locations. You pay the rate for the class you reserved rather than receiving an Aisle-style upgrade.<\/p>\n

At participating Emerald Aisle locations in the U.S. and Canada, Emerald Checkout<\/a> lets members scan the vehicle's QR code or barcode in the National app<\/a>, review rental and payment details, and generate a barcode to show with their driver's license at the exit booth.<\/p>\n

Locations without Aisle access may instead offer dedicated Emerald Club counter service<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Emerald Club Status Benefits<\/span><\/h2>\n

Higher status improves both the pickup experience and the rewards program.<\/p>\n

Emerald Club<\/span><\/h3>\n

Base members get Emerald Aisle access at participating locations and earn a Free Day after seven rental credits. A Free Day covers up to a midsize vehicle.<\/p>\n

Members can also choose between Emerald Club rental credits and participating airline or hotel rewards, earn credits and status through qualifying Enterprise rentals, and receive other benefits such as qualifying additional-driver fee waivers.<\/p>\n

Executive<\/span><\/h3>\n

Executive requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a calendar year. It includes the base-tier benefits plus:<\/p>\n