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National car rental not being flexible about expiring certificates
Ariana Arghandewal
Former points and miles editor
Ariana has been writing about points and miles for almost a decade. She previously served as editor at FlyerTalk, Frugal Travel Guy and NerdWallet while running her own travel blog, PointChaser.
Nov. 27, 2020
•
4 min read
National car rental not being flexible about expiring certificates
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This story has been updated to provide more context about National's One Two Free promotion and include a statement from National.
During the coronavirus pandemic, most airlines and hotels have stepped up by extending elite status, mileage expiration dates and travel vouchers. With travel at a standstill for much of the year, most people couldn't redeem their travel rewards like they normally did.
National Rental Car has left some customers wondering what will happen to some of their rewards beyond Dec. 31, 2020. That question has now been answered. National extended expiring Free Days through Dec. 31, 2021, but unfortunately, awards earned during the One Two Free promotion – which the company announced in May would be extended through the end of the year – are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020. National told TPG that it doesn't plan to extend the expiration date a second time.
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Related: National loyalty guide
Reader Michael K. recently reached out to us with a dilemma he and his wife Elizabeth are facing involving these free rental certificates. Michael is an Emerald Plus Executive member who frequently travels for business and has earned two free rental day certificates through National's One Two Free promotion that expire on Dec. 31. When his wife reached out to National Car Rental about a possible extension, she received a confounding answer:
"This representative let her know that, 'It is not, at this time, National's intention to extend the expiration dates of these OneTwoFree certificates, regardless of what's happening in the world due to Covid-19.'
He recommended I call back in AFTER December 15 so see if the company has "changed their mind" and will extend the expiration dates of these OneTwoFree certificates.'
That means that, if I call them on December 16 and they tell me they have not changed their mind about the 12.31.20 expiration, I'd have to scramble to go somewhere (which I AM NOT going to do due to Covid-19) with only 2 weeks left before expiration (and over the Christmas holiday) or lose these certificates."
It's understandably frustrating for readers like Michael and Elizabeth to earn these free rental days and have them expire due to their inability to travel during the pandemic. We'd like to see National extend the One Two Free promotion and have asked whether it'll be extended before. Unfortunately, if you do have expiring free rental days, you may want to use them soon, as National told us that they would, in fact, expire at the end of 2020.
While the expiring One Two Free days are discouraging, it's not all bad news.
Related: National extends Free Day benefits through 2021
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"There are several other loyalty flexibilities/extensions we have announced since March 2020 to support our loyal customers during this very challenging time," National told TPG in a statement on Nov. 30.
Earlier this year, National extended elite status and other loyalty benefits for an additional year. For instance, Emerald Club Program Free Days that previously expired Dec. 31, 2020, will now not expire until Dec. 31, 2021. Also, Emerald Club members can now redeem their earned free days at participating Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations in the U.S or Canada, in addition to National locations, if they make their reservations by Dec. 31, 2020, for pick up by Jan. 31, 2021.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted travel plans, and both National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car have monitored this from day one and worked very hard to support our loyal customers with point rollovers and tier extensions," National told TPG.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.