National Car Rental

Reviews

• NM

  Nikki Mitchell

  5 days ago
  5.0
  For years I have rented cars at MCO through other rental agencies. On my previous visit I rented with National and was blown away at the difference between National and the others. What impressed me most, and the reason I rented from National on this visit, was the end-to-end hassle free process. I almost always fly the red-eye and the ability to just walk out to the lot, chose a car and drive away is priceless. No rental counter lines, no pushy upcharge sales and cars that are actually clean. Who knew? This was my second National rental experience and it was every bit as excellent as the first. This leaves me to believe that this is what I can expect going forward. My only regret is not trying the sooner.
• DA

  Daniel Alessandrino

  Apr 14, 2026
  2.0
  I arrived at the rental facility in Terminal B. Upon arrival, I jumped in a car in the Emerald Isle. I went to the checkout and was told I did not have a reservation. I looked at my itinerary (Multi city trip) and found a reservation for Hertz. I apologized to the very nice lady and she had me park the car and I walked back towards the terminal. I thought I had remembered it was National. I looked at my itinerary again and found it was actually with National. I went back the the Emerald Isle and asked a woman there why my reservation was not showing. She said I did not have Emerald Isle. I explained to her My company has the status and when we rent using the company portal, we get Emerald Isle. She told me I was wrong! Very adamantly! I said I have rented many times with National and never had this issue. She again said I was wrong. She sent me back to the counter in the terminal. I walked all the way back with my luggage and waited in line for about 10 Minutes. When I made it to the counter, I gave the very nice young lady my drivers license and she replied, Oh sir, you have an Emerald Isle reservation. You can imagine how I felt at this point. I told her that I was sent in to her by the manager outside. Side took the time to write a note on a piece of paper to give to the manager outside. This explained everything. I went outside and I could not find her. I did speak with a nice man who was with her during my first conversation. He apologized to me and offered me an upgrade to a slightly nicer vehicle. He asked me to wait, as he wanted to take a picture of the note to show his manager. He came back and said the manager would call me personally to apologize. This never happened. I finally was in the car ready to check out. The same nice lady saw me and smiled. I explained everything to her and gave her the note. She again said she could not find my reservation. I gave her the number. She looked it and found it. She said she could see it, but something was wrong. Another manager had to come to the booth to approve the rental. This entire process took about 45 minutes. It was not the time that bothered me the most. It was the condescending attitude the manager had with me. I tried to explain my company had the status for our reservation's. She asked for my name. I gave it to her. She looked it up and said, "See, you don't have Emerald Isle! You need to go back inside!" Thank you, Dan Alessandrino
• CB

  Cabot Browne

  Apr 13, 2026
  5.0
  My rental experience began very positively, as I was able to receive my vehicle promptly upon arrival. However, shortly after loading my family for a trip, my daughter discovered a Juul vape pen left in the door compartment of the vehicle. This was extremely concerning and disappointing, as I expect all vehicles to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected prior to being rented to the next customer. Given the situation, I chose to return the vehicle a few hours later. I refueled the car and ensured it was left in clean condition, but remained disappointed by the oversight. I would like to note that the team handled the situation professionally upon my return. The associate who checked me in contacted his manager, who then personally apologized and graciously comped my rental. While I was not seeking compensation, the gesture was appreciated and reflected well on their commitment to customer service.
• JC

  Jason Coleman

  Apr 12, 2026
  5.0
  I used to be a staunch Hertz renter. I grew up with the old black-and-white TV ads showing a man gliding down from the clouds into a moving convertible Hertz rent-a-car to a very catchy jingle ending with, "Let Hertz put YOU in the driver's seat... TODAY!". So naturally, being the only car rental car agency I was exposed to in youth, I gravitated towards that company. For years. But then a contract indicated that National was to be the sole car rental choice. I grimmaced at the thought of losing my Hertz seniority at first. But when the Emerald Aisle opened up before me, I was transported to car rental heaven. For each contract I could choose a vehicle according to location, weather, and my intended personal pursuits. I've driven Beemers, Benzes, gigantic SUVs, nimble KIAs, Jeeps, Ford Explorers and F150's, and each time I was completely satisfied. Well, except for the winbdshield/glass cleanliness. They never clean the inside windshields. One rental had so much film on the inside of the windshield that I could honestly not see out clearly when driving west into the sunset. Another rental even had (female?) footprints on the passenger side interior windshield. So I stop at an Auto Parts Store and pick up a pack of glass cleaner towelettes and do it myself with each rental. It costs me a little extra, but hey, I'm living the dream, driving the vehicle of my choice. Side note - Hey National - how about cleaning the vehicle INTERIOR windshields after every rental? new vehicles naturally off-gas chemicals onto the interior of the windshield which MUST be cleaned off to insure clear forward vision. Also, the side mirrors could use deep cleaning between each rental too. I've spent time scrubbing them also. So, yes, the Emerald aisle is great, but no matter which car I rent, I have to take care of the interior windshield and exterior side mirrors. maybe I should have stuck with Hertz? I never had these issues with their cars.
• EL

  Eric Larson

  Apr 10, 2026
  1.0
  I used National for years, both for my business and personal rentals. After service levels getting poor, I stopped using them a couple years back. In order to get the vehicle I needed I tried them again last week for a family vacation and made the reservation months in advance for a full size extended suv (suburban, etc). Well I arrive with a family of six and seven suitcases, and after waiting for over an hour they tell me they don't have one to give me. I went round and round with the employee about what was their plan and got nowhere. Then a manager came out (now two hours later) and tells me they found one, are going to get it cleaned and we should be good to go in about 20 minutes. 45 minutes later still no suv. The manager finally gives me a regular full size suv as well as a second car at no cost so we all fit. As much as I appreciated the gesture. The fact that they didn’t have the vehicle I reserved months prior and that it took them hours to finally get me what I needed is unforgivable. That said I won’t ever use them again. They got their second chance and blew it, again. Oh, and the full size suv I got had electrical issues. The dash flickered the entire week and the buttons for the climate settings did the opposite of what they were labeled.

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