National Car Rental

I have been renting vehicles from National for many years. The last three have had an issue that has me concerned about safety. Apparently National is in a cost cutting mode and filling their windshield washing systems with DILUTED WASHER FLUID or just plain water !!!! I experienced a frozen windshield on my last trip numerous times when I used the windshield washer. The fluid (water) in the washer fluid container was clear !!!!! Not a hint of washer fluid !

My company has elite status yet I was told all I could have was a Hyundai Elantra- for my crew and myself. I went to check the car out to find a 3/4 filled tank, so I heard right back in and the representative made me wait behind 4 people. The guy in front of me was offered a charger because what,,, he was in a suit and was obviously disturbed about something. I was being polite and got the shaft.

Rental experience was quick at Des Moines Airport. Car was clean and easy to get to.nOnly thing I didn't like was 2 huge Fobs connected together, not good on pocket.

Overall my experience with National has been positive. On a recent trip the car I was initially given had a very strong cigarette smoke odor, despite the no-smoking policy it was clear a past renter had smoked in the car. National needs to do a better job of cleaning and deodorizing cars in these instances. Thankfully I was able to swap out the vehicle without much issue other than a long wait in line.

I am an Executive Emerald Club member that (pre covid) rented 50-60 cars a year from National. I have never had a problem with National, but the last three times in Des Moines have been terrible. The lines are long, they have no car inventory and the cars are beat up and extremely dirty. Last time I waited 30 minutes in line, to be given the only car available, which was an orange Charger with scratches all over it, fingerprints and food everywhere inside, etc.. After my experience last week, I'm going to go to another company when I am back in Des Moines.