Provider guide
Does National have an airline staff discount?
National is best known for one thing that matters a lot on a tight layover: speed. Its "Emerald Club" model lets members skip the counter entirely and walk straight to their car. Here's what crew should know.
Does National have an airline staff discount?
There's no single universal crew-wide rate advertised across the board. National is part of the same corporate family as Alamo and Enterprise, and any staff arrangements tend to sit with specific partnerships rather than being open to all airline employees. The reliable way to know the actual price is to compare National's live rate against other providers for your trip.
Compare National against other providers
See the live rate for National and five other major providers side by side, for your exact dates and location.
Search car hire →Who this covers
- Cabin crew and flight attendants
- Pilots and flight deck
- Ground, ops and airport staff
- Air traffic control
- Retired airline and airport staff
- Immediate family, in most cases
Carrying proof of your travel-industry connection — an airline or airport ID, a company letter, or similar — is worth doing at pickup regardless of provider.
Why National suits a tight layover
National's standout feature is the Emerald Aisle — members can walk straight past the counter to a lot of cars and pick whichever one they want, no reservation-specific vehicle assigned. On a short layover where every minute counts, this can be genuinely faster than any other major brand. Emerald Club membership is free to join.
What to check before you book
- Emerald Club sign-up — worth doing in advance if you'll rent from National more than once. It's free.
- Deposit and card requirements. More on cards and deposits →
- Insurance and excess on your specific rate. Insurance explained →