The competition can be fierce for Car Rental Companies, but the best reward companies for cars are National/Alamo/Enterprise followed by Thrifty/Budget and Hertz. Avis doesn’t have a great rewards program, but you can get good deals on them for weekend rentals anywhere in the world.  When it all boils down to value created overall for the programs, National Car Rental is the best by far!

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So you are looking to rent cars over several weekends – or weekdays from the end of Aug till the end of January.  You would be crazy not to set up a profile on the National Car Rental Rewards Program “Emerald Club” and then partake in this current deal .

A couple of months ago, after signing up for the latest promotion of rent, rent = reward, I cashed in one of my free rental days at National Car Rental, and made a reservation under the umbrella of this deal.

I gained 300 PTS for the rental (1/2 way to a free car rental – as you only need 600 PTS for a free rental day, which is a free car rental for every two rentals.).  I also gained 250 PTS for buying the prepaid fuel option as a selection (another 250 PTS).

I then took their survey for another 50 PTS, then voila – I earned enough points to qualify for another free day!

Again, free days at National Car Rental are unlike any other car rental company.  You can one-way drop a car within 24 hours (airport to airport) for free.  I used the free day I acquired here to rent a car in Baltimore – and drop it off in Indianapolis for a few dollars only.

For people who are weekend travelers, or even have to use car rentals for business every so often, this promotion is right up their wheelhouse.  You could earn several free days from doing this deal.

When you are traveling, you have to take these kind of things into consideration.  Sure National Car Rental may cost a few extra dollars a day to rent in a given airport location, but with their rewards program trumping all others, the value offsets that plus some.

Here is the list of point offers to accrue 600 PTS in the current promotion

Qualifying Rental – 300 PTS

Rent In Europe – 300 PTS

Rent In Caribbean – 300 PTS

Pre Paid Fuel Option – 250 PTS

Add GPS For A Rental – 250 PTS

Weeklong Rental – 200 PTS

Neighborhood Rental – 200 PTS

Mobile App Rental – 75 PTS

National Car Survey – 50 PTS

OPT in Virtual Credential – 50 PTS

Download the National Car Rental Mobile App – 25 PTS

Drive Alliance Partner Website Visit – 25 PTS

Emerald Club Reserve Service – 25 PTS

There are so many ways to accrue the 600 PTS.  See if this applies to your current rental itineraries.

Note:  The secondary applications are only allowed to use once in the promotion – however the qualifying rental and week rental still apply for all the rentals.  All you have to do is sign up for the promotion here.

Also sign up for the Emerald Club Rewards Program here.

At National, as an Executive Elite Member, when I receive a free rental day, I pick any car I want from the Executive Aisle, and can drive it anywhere within 24 hours in the USA, for just a few $$. I am also allowed 4 additional drivers, and I am guaranteed a car. My best trip was from Los Angeles to Alburquerque for under $7 once. During my year-long trek, I took you behind the curtain, on how fare this value runs. I even have a few car rentals that cost $0.00. It is important to do your homework, when anything surrounding traveling, and certainly in the 27 different MLB cities.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

I am happy to be back at the helm of the MLB Reports, after completing my 224 Games in the MLB Trip in 2015.  It was the 4th time I have seen all 30 MLB Parks since 2008.  During that time away I was fortunate to do 100 Media Interviews and be named the Baseball Blogger Alliance President.

Interview on CSN Philly during the month of July.

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