National Car Rental Introduce
For California residents and visitors beginning or concluding their journey in the iconic San Francisco Bay Area, **National Car Rental** at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Rental Car Center stands as a professional and efficient choice for ground transportation. Located strategically on airport property, National is recognized for catering specifically to the needs of frequent and business travelers through its speed-focused service model, embodied by the highly regarded Emerald Club loyalty program.
The core value proposition of National at SFO is centered on speed, choice, and convenience. Travelers, especially those on tight schedules, appreciate the ability to bypass the rental counter and choose their own vehicle from designated areas, significantly streamlining the pickup process. This emphasis on efficiency ensures that customers can quickly transition from the terminal to the open road, whether their destination is the financial district of San Francisco, the tech campuses of Silicon Valley, or a scenic drive along the coast.
Beyond efficiency, this location takes pride in its professional and attentive customer service. Customer feedback frequently highlights the proactive nature of the employees, with one traveler noting that staff members have gone out of their way to find me the right vehicle for my needs,
and that they appreciate the level of customer service at National.
This commitment to personalized, professional interaction differentiates the SFO agency, making the rental process a positive experience.
Furthermore, National Car Rental at SFO is a locally important establishment, proudly identifying as a **women-owned business**. This designation reflects a commitment to diversity and community involvement in the Bay Area business landscape. For customers who prioritize supporting diverse enterprises, this detail adds to the overall value proposition of choosing National for their rental needs.
The National Car Rental branch is situated directly within the centralized SFO Rental Car Center, providing maximum convenience for air travelers and local users in the San Francisco area.
780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128, USA
- **On-Airport Location:** The agency is located on airport property, meaning no external shuttle bus ride is typically required to leave the airport vicinity. This location is shared with other major rental brands, concentrating ground transportation services in one hub.
- **SFO AirTrain Access:** The Rental Car Center is accessed easily via the Blue Line of SFO's free AirTrain service, which connects all airport terminals and parking garages. This ten-minute ride eliminates the hassle of navigating local traffic or waiting for off-site shuttles upon arrival.
- **24/7 Operation:** As part of the SFO Rental Car Center, the National counter operates 24 hours a day, ensuring that customers arriving or departing on early morning or late-night flights can pick up or drop off their rental vehicle at any hour.
- **Major Highway Access:** The facility is strategically positioned for immediate access to U.S. Route 101, the major artery connecting San Francisco to the Peninsula and Silicon Valley. This location allows for a fast start to any northbound or southbound road trip in California.
- **On-site Parking:** The SFO Rental Car Center provides on-site parking for return and pickup, simplifying the logistics of the rental exchange process.
This advantageous location ensures that National Car Rental is an optimal choice for anyone flying into SFO and needing a vehicle for their travels across California.
National Car Rental offers a full range of car rental services, enhanced by features that specifically benefit business and frequent renters:
- **Comprehensive Vehicle Fleet:** The agency provides a massive selection of vehicle categories to meet every travel need. This includes Economy, Compact, Midsize, Full-Size, and Standard cars, as well as Convertibles, Luxury Sedans, Premium SUVs, and Vans (subject to specific requirements and availability).
- **The Emerald Club Loyalty Program:** This free-to-join program offers time-saving benefits like counter bypass and access to the Emerald Aisle, where members can choose any car (Midsize and above) and only pay the midsize rate.
- **Onsite Services:** Being located directly in the SFO Rental Car Center allows for seamless, immediate service upon arrival and streamlined return processes, including the convenient **Drop & Go** option for loyalty members.
- **Financial Flexibility:** The agency accepts a variety of payment methods, including major **Credit Cards**, **Debit Cards** (with specific requirements like a ticketed return travel itinerary at airport locations), and modern **NFC mobile payments**.
- **Discounts for Military and Government Travelers:** National offers special discounted rates for active-duty members, veterans, and federal employees traveling for both official business and leisure, a valuable feature for service members in California.
- **Dedicated Accessibility:** The location ensures a welcoming environment for all customers with a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**.
National Car Rental's key highlights focus on efficiency, customer loyalty, and inclusive offerings:
- **Emerald Aisle Access:** The signature feature, allowing Emerald Club members to reserve a Midsize car and choose any vehicle on the Aisle (Midsize and above) for the reserved Midsize price, providing instant upgrades and flexibility without negotiation.
- **Professional and Caring Employees:** As noted in customer reviews, the staff is recognized for their professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile to assist customers, a crucial factor in high-volume airport locations.
- **Active Military Discounts:** The offering of special rates for active military personnel and government employees is a significant value-added feature, supporting those who serve.
- **Debit Card Options:** Unlike some competitors, National does accept debit cards for payment, although renters without a ticketed return flight must provide a credit card to cover a deposit, making it a flexible option for many California users.
- **Status and Loyalty Rewards:** The Emerald Club allows members to earn credits toward free rental days, or alternatively, opt to earn frequent flyer miles or hotel rewards, giving customers control over their loyalty benefits.
- **Modern Payment Technology:** The acceptance of **NFC mobile payments** reflects a commitment to modern, quick, and touchless transaction options at the counter.
For reservations, customer service, or questions regarding the SFO location's policies, customers can use the primary contact channels:
Address: 780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128, USA
Phone (Reservations/General): (844) 370-8301
Mobile Phone (General Inquiries): +1 844-370-8301
The use of a toll-free 844 number indicates a dedicated focus on making the reservation process easy and accessible from anywhere in the U.S.
National Car Rental at SFO is worth choosing, particularly for business travelers, frequent renters, and members of the military or government, due to its unparalleled focus on efficiency. The **Emerald Club** program transforms the rental experience from a counter queue into a swift, self-directed vehicle selection, saving precious time in the busy Bay Area. Furthermore, the dedication to strong customer service—where employees are praised for their professionalism and helpfulness—provides a necessary human touch to the often-transactional world of car rentals.
While one customer review noted a complication regarding upsold insurance and fuel service options, which serves as a vital reminder to always verify all included coverages with your personal insurance provider and review fuel choices before leaving the counter, the overwhelming feedback is positive regarding the general quality of the service. By offering active military discounts, flexible payment options (including debit cards), and the convenience of an on-airport, 24/7 location, National Car Rental at SFO provides a premium, efficient, and reliable vehicle solution for navigating the diverse landscapes of California.
National Car Rental Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Onsite services
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- On-site parking
National Car Rental Photos










National Car Rental Location
National Car Rental
780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128, USA
National Car Rental Reviews
aisleemerald clubexecutivecountertrainminivanterminalcheckoutchevy impalaford fusion
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I have been very pleased with the customer service at National after having switched after years with Hertz. Today an employee went out of his way to find me the right vehicle for my needs and it made a world of difference. This is not the first time an employee at this location went out of their way to help me recently either. I really appreciate the level of customer service at National. The employees seem to care about their customers which is not usually the case at Hertz. All the employees I’ve dealt with at National are pleasant to deal with and professional.
August 29 · Peter LillieAt check in we were repeatedly told by Yassmin, that our cover did not include aĺl breakdown costs, we tried to argue that we though that it did but were assured it wasn't and having just arrived in the States we felt obliged to go with the advice given. We trusted the agent and paid extra, 69.90 dollars. On checking with our insurance provider, who replied to me days later, we found that we had been fully covered, so were mislead at check in. Also, despite agreeing to pay for just to top up the tank on return, we had actually been charged for a fuel service option of 71 dollars. After contacting them they agreed to repay this but were not interested in the over selling of cover. Avoid.
October 11 · Elaine Johnson OFlynnGot in 4 different suv’s in the executive aisle and every last one of them were dirty on the inside. Like not nitpicking dirty, i mean obvious they didnt pretend to clean them. food crumbs, candy on the floor mat, and sticky residue on the doors dirty. Pics are from the cleanest option I ended up going with. And neither of them had a cleaning wipe either. Staff in the aisles blew me off when I tried to ask a question too. Usually love national, but this is by far the worst big city location I’ve been to
May 03 · KJ JacksonI've always had good service and good luck with National. San Fran airport location is no different. Emerald program makes it easy to reserve, pick up, and return car, although the checkout program could be easier and more automatic if it had a "trusted" reservation program to speed up the car pick-up process. Cars are always clean and in decent condition. However, I don't care for many of the auto make/model options.
August 04 · ChrisRented from here for a 3-day business trip. Process was smooth. Employee met me walking across the aisle, asked me my status and directed me to the row of vehicles that they had to offer. Plenty to choose from. Picked a smaller Toyota SUV because I know sometimes parking can be tricky in CA. Vehicle was clean, easy process of checking out and returning. Employees were nice when returning, had my bill in my email before I got to the terminal, everything was 100% correct. No complaints. We have to rent from National as part of our corporate policy. NEVER had an issue. HIGHLY recommend.
July 08 · s lashomb
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