USAA Car Rental Frequently Asked Questions

1)    Why should I rent with National through the program for USAA members?

When you rent with National, you receive not only a member discount on everyday low rates, but also the following special benefits reserved for USAA members:

● Liability protection included: $25,000 bodily injury, $50,000 bodily injury or death per accident, $10,000 property damage
● Limited damage responsibility: If optional Damage Waiver (DW) is not purchased, member’s responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle is limited to the first $8,000
● No additional charge for indirect loss charges on rentals to cover the car in the event it is out of commission and unable to be rented
● No additional driver fee for your spouse or other USAA members in your family
● No additional charge for underage drivers (21-24) with proof of USAA membership
● Unlimited mileage at participating locations on most vehicles except for one-way rentals.

 

2)    How do I reserve a car and get benefits for USAA members?

Online: Click here  https://www.usaaperks.com/
Phone: Call 877-223-5838 – no code is required.
NOTE: At the time of rental, you may be asked to present proof of USAA membership or Military ID.

 

3)    Do I need to make an advance reservation to get a discount for USAA members?

No, but to ensure availability we recommend making reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Specialty vehicles may require more than 24 hours.

 

4)    What forms of payment are accepted for renting a car?

Renting a car with a Credit Card

Credit cards are accepted at airport and non-airport locations in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

● VISA®
● MasterCard®
● American Express®
● Discover Network

 

Renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary will need to provide a credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the estimated total amount for the rental and a deposit between $200-$850 depending on the rental location and class of vehicle rented.

 

Renting a car with a Debit Card

Debit/check cards are any non-credit cards bearing the VISA®, Mastercard® or Discover® logo. Prepaid cards or any other non-credit cards without one of these logos are not accepted. Debit cards are accepted at airport and non-airport locations in the US and Puerto Rico. Please be advised when using a debit card, special conditions may apply.

 

At airport locations, debit cards are only accepted at the time of rental if accompanied by a ticketed return travel itinerary. The name and address shown on the renter’s driver’s license must match their current home address. Active-duty military personnel are exempt from address requirements. If using a debit card for any amounts owed, the available funds in the account associated with Renter’s debit card will be reduced by those amounts. Additionally, Renter is responsible for any overdraft fees incurred.

 

Renting a car with Cash

For security reasons, many National locations do not accept cash payments; however, some branches may accept cash or a money order at the end of the rental for final payment after the vehicle has been returned. Check with your rental location to see if the rental location accepts cash or money orders at the end of the rental. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

5)    I need to rent a vehicle outside of the United States. Do my benefits for USAA members discount rates apply to international rentals?

A car rental discount is applied at participating International Locations. The USAA program member benefits (i.e., waived youthful driver fee 21 -24, no additional driver fee, etc.) do not apply to international locations.

 

6)    Can I reserve a specific make/model of car?

We are unable to guarantee specific make/model of vehicles.

 

7)    Can I specifically reserve a non-smoking car?

All vehicles are non-smoking, and renters should not smoke in them.

NOTE: Additional cleaning fees will apply if a vehicle is returned in a condition where it needs to be cleaned and deodorized due to smoking.

 

8)    What is the TollPass Process?

The National TollPass program is our electronic toll collection program which makes travel more convenient! On roadways covered by our TollPass service, the program eliminates the need for travelers to carry change or wait in long cash payment lines at toll plazas, allowing National renters to drive through electronic toll lanes and pay tolls electronically. For more detailed information please review, "Car Rental Citations and Tolls" on the following link:  Can I take tolls in a rental car? | National Car Rental

 

9)    What is the minimum rental age?

The minimum age to rent a vehicle in the United States is 21 years of age using the USAA program. Renters 21 through 24 years of age may be restricted to specific car classes. Waiver of Underage Driver Fee is limited to USAA Insurance eligible members only. USAA members under 25 may be asked for proof of USAA membership or Military ID at the counter to receive waived underage driver fee.

 

10)  I want to list an additional driver on the rental. Will I incur an additional driver fee?

For spouses or USAA family members an additional driver fee is waived in the US.

Any additional driver (excluding a spouse, domestic partner, or USAA family member) will pay a daily fee. Renter’s spouse, domestic partner or USAA family member who meet the same age and driver’s license requirements of the renter are authorized drivers at no additional charge. Any additional authorized drivers must appear at time of rental and meet age and driver’s license requirements. An additional charge of $15.00 per day for each additional authorized driver will be added to the cost of the rental unless other contractual conditions apply. In New York state, the additional authorized driver charge is $5 per day.

A spouse or domestic partner is the only permitted additional driver on a rental secured with a debit card. An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.

The system will calculate the charges based on the dates the additional driver was listed on the rental.

All additional drivers must:

● Meet age requirements
● Appear at the rental counter with the primary renter
● Present a valid driver's license

An additional daily fee may apply for any additional drivers listed on the rental agreement.

 

11)  Will I be charged extra mileage fees

Unlimited mileage is available for most car classes (including Economy through Large SUVs) in the United States. Larger or Specialty vehicles (such as large passenger vans or large cargo vans) include 150 free miles per day, 1,050 free miles per week, and 2,500 free miles per month, as applicable. Any additional miles will be charged at the rate of $0.25 per mile.

Start a reservation to see if your requested vehicle class comes with unlimited mileage or to see the allowed mileage.

 

12) Do I have to refuel my car before returning it?

As a customer, you have a choice as to how you would like to pay for fuel.

Fuel Policy at Non Airport locations:

● Customers may refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level upon picking up the vehicle.
● If a customer chooses not to refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level, they will be charged the local National rate which is typically above the local pump price.
● A full tank of gas is not guaranteed.

Fuel Policy at Airport Car Rental Locations:

● You may refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level you received when you picked up the vehicle, or if you choose not to refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level, you will be charged the local National rate which is typically above the local pump price.
● You may opt to pre-pay for fuel -- Pre-pay gives you two conveniences:

● You can avoid the hassle of having to fuel up the vehicle before returning.
●  Pre-pay fuel option is calculated at the local rate of gas minus a per-gallon discount.

Note: Prepaid fuel is only sold in full tanks at the discounted price per gallon and is not refundable. Local fuel rates will vary by the area you are renting a vehicle.

 

13) What is the No-Show Fee policy for National?

National does not charge No-Show fees. We ask that reservations are cancelled 24 hours in advance.

 

14) Will I be charged One-Way fees?

At participating National rental locations, a vehicle can be rented in one location and returned to another; however, please be advised that:

● Your one-way rental must be reserved as such in advance of the rental.
● A rental terminating at a different location from the originating location will be assessed a flat drop fee of $150 in addition to the rental rate
● The rate to go one way may also be higher than if returning to the same location.

To see if your rental location offers one-way rentals start a new car rental reservation.

● Once on the "Start a Reservation" page, enter in your pick-up location.
● Then click on the one way "Return to a different location" box.
● Once you have made this selection, you will be prompted to enter in a return location.
● If a one way is allowed, you will be taken to the 'Choose A Vehicle Class' screen.
● If a one way is not allowed, the reservation system will provide an error stating one-way reservations are not allowed

 

 

15) Are there any coverage provisions for US rentals?

For National offers additional protection products that you can purchase along with your rental vehicle. Currently, we offer our customers Damage Waiver, Personal Effects Coverage, Supplemental Liability Protection and Roadside Assistance Protection. Please see below for more information and the cost associated with our insurance and protection products.

 

Damage Waiver (DW)

Damage Waiver is not insurance. The purchase of DW is optional and not required to rent a vehicle. You may purchase optional DW for an additional fee. If you purchase DW we agree, subject to the actions that invalidate DW listed on the rental agreement, to contractually waive your responsibility for all or part of the cost of damage to, loss or theft of, the vehicle.

When deciding whether to purchase DW, you may wish to check with your insurance representative or credit card company to determine whether, in the event of damage to, or theft of, vehicle, you have coverage or protection for such damage or theft and the amount of your deductible or out-of-pocket risk.

 

Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)

Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) is offered at the time of rental for an additional daily charge. If accepted, the PEC contained in the policy insures the personal effects of the renter, additional drivers, or anyone who is traveling with the renter against risks of loss or damage. Benefits are payable in addition to any other insurance coverage the renter or passengers may have. This is a summary only. The purchase of PEC is optional and not required to rent a car. The coverage provided by PEC may duplicate the renter's existing coverage.

National is not qualified to evaluate the adequacy of the renter's existing coverage; therefore, the renter should examine his or her personal insurance policies or other sources of coverage that may duplicate the coverage provided by PEC.

 

Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP)

Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) is offered at the time of rental for an additional daily charge. If accepted, SLP provides the renter and authorized drivers with up to $300,000 combined single limit for third party liability claims. If the renter accepts SLP, National provides third party liability protection up to the applicable minimum financial responsibility limit and Zurich American Insurance Company provides excess third party liability insurance coverage from the applicable minimum financial responsibility limit to $300,000. This is a summary only.

The purchase of SLP is optional and not required to rent a car. The coverage provided by SLP may duplicate the renter's existing coverage. National is not qualified to evaluate the adequacy of the renter's existing coverage; therefore, the renter should examine his or her personal insurance policies or other sources of coverage that may duplicate the coverage provided by SLP.

If SLP is selected and paid for in Puerto Rico (Where available) SLP provides Renter or any AAD with minimum financial responsibility limits under a policy of insurance AND excess insurance under a policy of insurance issued with Zurich American Insurance Company. These policies together provide Renter and AAD(s) with a combined single limit per accident equal to $300,000. SLP is primary to any other coverage and will respond to third party accident claims that result from bodily injury, including death, and property damage that arise from the use or operation of vehicle as permitted in the Agreement. SLP is available for an additional charge as stipulated on the Summary.

 

Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP)

Roadside Assistance Protections (RAP) allows National customers to waive financial responsibility for chargeable roadside incidents such as lost keys, lockouts, and fuel outages.

RAP can be added to online bookings at the branch or can be added to a rental ticket at any time. Please note: If added mid-rental, the renter must return to a designated renting location to have the vehicle inspected before adding RAP.

To contact our roadside assistance team please call 1 800 367 6767.

For more detailed information about renter qualifications please review, “Rental Vehicles, Equipment and Protection Products” on the following link: https://www.nationalcar.com/en/support/car-rental-faqs/insurance-and-coverage-products.html

To ensure that you are covered, National suggests that you verify your personal coverage with your insurance and credit card providers.

 

16) What happens after a claim is filed with National?

The claim must be reported to the location of rental during normal business hours. A customer service number will be listed on the rental agreement. The renter can call this number for assistance.

 

17) Who can I contact with additional questions?

Please email Customer Support directly at https://nationalcar.ehcustomersupport.com/en-us or call us at 844 393 9989 to speak with a representative.