National Car Rental Launches New Emerald Club; Members Earn Free Rental Days Fast, Enjoy Guaranteed Upgrades

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 19 -- National Car Rental, an innovator in the car rental industry for more than 50 years, today launched its newly enhanced Emerald Club program. The new Emerald Club will retain National's speed-enhancing innovations, including offering renters a paperless transaction that allows them to bypass the counter and choose their own car on the lot. The new program adds benefits such as earning free rental days and, for higher level members, guaranteed car upgrades. New to all Emerald Club members is expedited service at every National location in the U.S. and Canada and new web technology for easy customer self-service and reward tracking.

The new Emerald Club features three membership levels -- Emerald Club, Emerald Club Executive and Emerald Club Executive Elite -- based on the number of rentals made by an individual during a calendar year.

Renters in both of the higher Emerald Club membership levels earn free rentals more quickly and qualify for guaranteed car upgrades. At the new Executive Selection area, Emerald Club Executive and Executive Elite renters qualify for a one-car class upgrade so that they may choose a full-size vehicle while paying an intermediate price. Also available to the highest membership level is the ability to request vehicle pick-up and delivery to a non-commercial airport terminal.

"The new Emerald Club makes National Car Rental the smartest choice for frequent business travelers who not only want to avoid lines and unnecessary paperwork but earn meaningful rewards for their loyalty," said William E. Lobeck, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc.

Emerald Club members will continue to enjoy the benefits of the Emerald Club Aisle, including vehicle choice. And all members may choose to earn free rental days when renting with National, or can continue to accrue miles with any of National's airline partners.

To support the new Emerald Club, a new interactive Web site -- www.emeraldclub.com -- gives members a convenient way to track and redeem rental credits, update their membership profiles, receive e-mail receipts for easier expense reporting, and take advantage of a one-click reservation(SM) process.

The National brand was acquired by Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc. and its affiliates in October 2003. The worldwide organization employs more than 14,000 associates, has more than 3200 locations in 83 countries and serves customers with a fleet of more than 217,000 automobiles.

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