National auto Rental Company has one the longest histories in the cheap auto rental industry. It has 56 years of experience in car rentals, and is considered the pioneer of car rentals, and also of the one way rental, which is a convenient choice for customers who wish to rent a car going in one location and return it in another.

National auto rentals also pioneered the use of computerized reservation systems, and its "Telemax" computers allowed customers to have a more convenient and hassle-free experience when renting cars.

In 1976 the airline travel industry was deregulated, with caused an increase in airfares, so National auto rental started giving flat rates for car rentals, as many former flyers chose to rent cars instead.

National auto rental was also among the first companies to begin offering corporate accounts to businesses in the 1970's. National Car Rental began focusing more on corporate travelers, and also started a program to reward frequent customers. Their new corporate accounts club was known as the "Emerald Club". They also started a new "Paperless Express Rental Agreement" which made use of computers to speed up transactions and reduce their dependence on paper. Members of the "Emerald Aisle" program were able to their cars without having to wait at counters and without the many paper forms, making the renting process faster and more efficient. Customers could also select their desired cars through the "Choice Rental Process", and non-Emerald Club members could book cars online through the "QuickRent" program to skip counter lines as well.

National auto rental is also affiliated with companies such as Air Canada, Air Miles, Alitalia, American Airlines, Air France, Alaska Airlines, ATA airlines, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lanchile, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Midwest Airlines and United Airlines in order to offer customers benefits and privileges from renting cars. Customers with frequent flyer miles with these airlines are also able to exchange their miles for benefits when renting cars.

Other National auto rental affiliates are Coast Hotels and Resort, where National auto rental customers can stay for lower rates, American Express credit cards, which offers a point reward system for those in their National auto rental program, and the Hilton Hotels, which rewards customers with 250 Honors points for every transaction with National auto rental company.

National auto rental also offers customers a wide selection of cheap auto rental

vehicles, with cars of every class and type, including compact, subcompact, intermediate, full-size, luxury, premium, utility, sports, mini vans, and convertible vehicles.

The "Last Minute Specials to Go" program offered by National auto rental offers customers different special cheap auto rental offers at various locations every week. They also have a "Great Internet Rates – Book Ahead Special" program that gives online customers discounts if they book their rental vehicles early. Customers can also get discounts for booking cars for weekends early.