Computer System Was First at National Car Rental
February 25, 2009 by Robert Carlton
Filed under Car Rental
For its entire history National Car Rental has made the direct decision to be an industry leader, in size and customer service. The company itself began in an unusual way and since its inception has prided itself on cutting edge service and business strategy.
In 1947, 24 independent car rental agencies, no franchises, and none affiliated or owned by any well-known or established companies came together. These independent owners realized the truth to the strength in numbers game, and decided they were stronger as a working unit, than as competitors. The group came together to join forces with more than 60 sites and 800 automobiles. Over the next 12 years, there were more companies and locations added, and the corporation National Car Rental was born.
National Car Rental has always prided itself on being an industry leader. In fact, many of the car rental agency’s own business strategies have become the national standard. It was National Car Rental that introduced both one-way rentals, as well as becoming the first company to use a computer system to do their daily reservations.
If you have ever flown into one city, rented a car in one town and then drove to another town to fly out or get home, and were able to leave the car in the next town, you have National Car Rental to thank. They were the first company to establish the one way rental policy, so that rental carsl weren’t only for people who were staying in town with their cars. When it was the first agency to do so, National enabled their business clients to rent a car in one town and drive all over the place to do their business trips and leave the car in another location. This was a very attractive option, and it created a lot of business for National. Eventually this became a way of doing business for most all rental car companies. National also became one of the first companies to provide corporate accounts for these business customers.
National Car Rental also became a pioneer in the computer aided rental car industry. They were the first, in as early as 1966 to implement the Telemax computer system, where daily reservations were maintained. In 1976 National also became the first to offer the “flat rate” rental to customers as part of the push for leisure travelers.
In 1987 National again was first, with the unveiling of their Emerald Club frequent renter program, offering discounts and services to loyal members. In 2002, National started their Quick Rent service to offer customers who maybe didn’t need rental cars as often as the Emerald Club members the ability to also bypass the counter and choose their own cars.