Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    National Car Rental

    3.8 (111 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    National Car Rental Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - National Car Rental

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    J David H.

    A very easy 5 stars on a flawless tip to bottom, beginning to end transaction. The front end at the counter service was professional and friendly. The gentleman had me out the door in minutes. The choosing of my car in Emerald Aisle selection was also easy and made even better by an employee named Roy. He had a few stories as he assisted me and even opened the tailgate for my luggage. He was also knowledgeable about the cars in the inventory. It was amazing to see every category full of newer model cars. I ultimately chose a Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid with 320 miles on it, The car performed well over 350 miles in three days. The return was easy, but more airport signage to the return station would be appreciated. A staff checked in the car and offered a receipt. By far one of the best rental car experiences in years.

    Lot.

    See all

    4 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay B.
    0
    14
    0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J E.
    129
    3737
    13413

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 37
    Thanks 4
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Thanks for the great review, Dave. We hope to see you again. – Lisa S

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great people, clean car, what else to say? Well better say more due to 85 character minimummmmmm!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Been completely disregarded for many months now. Told they would get back to me dozens of times over a rental car issue.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex G.
    97
    28
    5

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John V.
    1
    431
    9

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael M.
    3446
    1792
    27044

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ed L.
    992
    2764
    10459

    12 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Customer Service

    Customer Service

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anthony N.
    4950
    2739
    19421

    13 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason G.
    4677
    3625
    8825

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Just C.
    0
    31
    11

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David H.
    227
    1627
    1426

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sharon J.
    55
    65
    12

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - National Car Rental

    What time can I pick up a car until?

    Hello Katie. You may browse hours of operation for our CVG location at https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/us/ky/cincinnati-northern-kentucky-intl-airport-38n0.html. Thanks. - Lisa S

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - National Car Rental

    Join the Emerald Club, reserve a mid-size online, and get your choice of any vehicle in the Emerald Aisle.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Avis Car Rental

    Avis Car Rental

    1.8(18 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Our recent Avis experience was a good one. We picked up on a cold and snowy Wednesday morning in…read moreJanuary. The staff at the desk were friendly and efficient and printed us up a sheet and sent us on our way with a description of the car and the general area it would be. The garage is attached to the airport, which is a huge plus for both pick up and drop off. However we stepped out into the garage and were immediately blasted with cold air- it's winter that's expected. We wandered over the where we were told the car would be and after walking back and forth a few times went to the people at the window in the garage who informed us it was still being cleaned and that we could wait inside until we saw them pull up (it would have been great to have the heads up before wandering in the cold). We headed back inside and within five minutes the car had been pulled up and they were nice to leave the heat on and pop the trunk for us. The inside was nice and clean but the outside was covered in rocksalt from being out in the snow- this wasn't a problem but it does make it harder to check for scratches or defects before taking the car off the lot. We loaded up and headed to the exit where we saw an automatic check out scanner and a booth with no one inside. We looked at our paperwork trying to find a QR code or something to scan but our paperwork didn't have anything like that. My husband jumped out of the car and headed back to the garage booth to see what we were doing wrong. He learned that the person in the booth might have gone to use the facilities and should be back soon and we continued to wait. Eventually the staff member who talked to my husband came over to help us since the other person was taking a while. None of this was terrible, but it would have been nice to know that the QR scanner wasn't active and have a "Back in 10 minutes" sign up on the exit booth. At that point you're stuck between two of the tire strips so you're really forced to just wait. Once we were out it was smooth sailing and the return was as easy as pulling up and leaving the keys. We may have caught them on a bad day, overall not a bad experience but not an amazing one.

    Had a reservation for a car at 2 pm on a Monday. Show up to the counter to a line of people waiting…read moreand the poor employees saying they have no cars AND THAT THIS HAPPENS EVERY MONDAY!!! Literally the other counters were just laughing -- it's so bad. Had to reconfigure my entire day -- ubering to Lexington now (which is absurd).

    Photos
    Avis Car Rental
    Avis Car Rental
    Avis Car Rental - Plenty of cars in fleet

    See all

    Plenty of cars in fleet

    Budget Rent A Car

    Budget Rent A Car

    1.7(49 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    I had a decent experience with them when I was in town for the Flying Pig Marathon. As a Fastbreak…read moremember, I was able to go straight to the parking garage for my car instead of having to first get in line at the regular car rental counter. I was given a white Toyota Camry hybrid. The car ran great during the duration of my trip. As it was extremely fuel efficient, I didn't have to pump a whole lot of gas when it came time to return it.

    The absolute WORST experience I have ever had with a car rental company. First they tell me they…read moredidn't have any cars except one, despite me having a reservation. And the car they gave me was literally falling apart. Stuff was falling out of the dash BEHIND the gas and break pedals to the point they would be almost inoperable. They would "fix" it and tell me it would be fine but would fall out behind the pedals within minutes - THREE TIMES. After the 3rd time, the gentleman at the exit gate told me he didn't feel safe me driving this car and said I need to push for another car. I went back and at first they told me they had no cars and then all of a sudden they had an SUV arrive. Mind you - it reeked of cigarettes badly - but I needed a car and had to leave right away. Upon returning my car at the same location, I had a 5am flight which required me to arrive at the airport a little after 3am. No problem, right? Their website says returns start at 3am. I arrived at 3:06 and the return gate would not open. I waited for over 45 minutes, called the customer service line, and was met with 2-3 other folks also returning their cars. Customer service basically said despite flights starting at 4am you can't return a car at CVG until 6am. When I tell them that their website says returns begin at 3am - I am basically called a liar and told that I need to stay there and miss my flight This was absolutely ridiculous. Never rent a car from them ever again.

    Photos
    Budget Rent A Car - Our Jeep from Budget.

    Our Jeep from Budget.

    Budget Rent A Car
    Budget Rent A Car - Inside of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

    See all

    Inside of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

    Hertz Rent A Car

    Hertz Rent A Car

    2.4(84 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    The BEST car rental service and experience I have ever experienced. I travel often for work and…read moreleisure. From check in to check out it was seamless and easy. I have never rented an EV car and misunderstood the meter, they helped me adjust my rate. Kaiden checked me out when I returned my car and I explained why my pre fuel was taken off and needed to be added back on and he accommodated. Hats off to Hertz. I will never travel with any other car rental ever again.

    Warning: My Disastrous Experience with Hertz at Cincinnati/NKY Airport!…read more I felt compelled to share our recent experience with Hertz, which left us feeling frustrated and cheated. After renting a car, I discovered a piece of plastic missing from the back hatch. Surprisingly, Hertz didn't mention this at the time of pickup! Their own terms state: "You and we will check the condition of the vehicle at the start of the rental..." but there was no walk-through, no check-up - just instructions on where to find the car. We were exhausted after a long flight and simply wanted to get on the road. After spotting the defect, it was too late - we were already responsible in their eyes. We never caused any damage; the car was parked safely at my brother's house during most of our stay for a memorial service. In our attempts to resolve this with Hertz, we even offered to cover half the repair costs. Yet, we were met with dissatisfaction at their refusal and a hefty bill for something that wasn't our fault. I can't help but feel that if we had opted for their added cost of insurance, they might have provided us with a different vehicle altogether. It feels like they knowingly handed us a damaged car and left us to foot the bill. My advice? Think twice before renting from Hertz. They're not the trustworthy company they used to be. #Hertz #CustomerService #RentalCar #CautionaryTale

    Photos
    Hertz Rent A Car
    Hertz Rent A Car - Young renters welcome NO EXTRA FEE for 18+.. THIS IS A LIE! WARNING WILL CHARGE $34.99 A DAY FOR UNDER 25

    Young renters welcome NO EXTRA FEE for 18+.. THIS IS A LIE! WARNING WILL CHARGE $34.99 A DAY FOR UNDER 25

    Hertz Rent A Car

    See all

    Alamo Rent A Car

    Alamo Rent A Car

    2.9(79 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Renting a car can sometimes feel like a game of "How many shuttles and escalators can you survive…read morebefore you actually see a vehicle?" but Alamo at the Cincinnati airport makes it refreshingly easy. The counter and cars are right at the airport. No buses, no confusing signs, no 20-minute trek with luggage. You walk off the plane, grab your keys, and you're rolling. The price for my trip was fair (which is saying something in the rental world) and the vehicle I received was in great shape, clean, comfortable, and exactly what I needed. The pick-up process was quick and painless, and the drop-off was just as simple. No surprise fees, no drama, and no weird mystery stains in the car (always a bonus). Everyone I interacted with was friendly, helpful, and efficient, which made the whole experience feel less like a chore and more like a smooth part of the trip. Bottom line: if you're flying into Cincinnati and need a rental, Alamo makes it stress-free, reasonably priced, and downright convenient. I'd happily rent here again, though I might still pretend the car is mine for the week just to feel fancy.

    Reserved for a car online via Priceline. Arrived to CVG airport. Front desk staff was ok. Once I…read morecame to pick up the car, I noticed it was prepped and ready to go for us. The car and AC were turned on, perfect since the day was hot. Victor (?) greeted us and helped with our luggage. He also gave us some water bottles, too. wow! The car was great and had no problems. Erin helped us return the car easily at the end. Excellent experience

    Photos
    Alamo Rent A Car
    Alamo Rent A Car
    Alamo Rent A Car

    See all

    Hertz

    Hertz

    1.6(10 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    No one available to let me out of the car rental facility after flight delayed my car pickup…read more Flight information provided to hertz so they knew about the delay. Unable to speak to rental facility the next day to process a refund. Only AI customer service options possible until I battled through the voice prompts to arrive at a Hertz call center. It would be so much better to have a person with whom you could speak at the actual facility. I only got home because of the excellent work at Enterprise at the Covington airport (highly recommended if there is a possibility you will be delayed)

    I picked up a car on1/19/2026 at 3:00. The man on duty was chatting on his phone. I waited till he…read moregot off and proceeded to try to check in. When i I questioned him about the $200 deposit (that was not mentioned when I booked the car) he could not or would not answer my question. He rudely said, "do you want the car or not?" I asked again about the $200 and he replied again with "do you want the car or not?" and at the same time he moved to the computer as if to cancel my reservation. I was stuck! I needed the car so I had to pay the money not knowing what it was for. I had paid for insurance through Priceline not realizing that Hertz did not work with them on insurance. I had no idea what the extra $200 was for. The last time I rented a car (Enterprise) I drove it all the way across the country and back (mostly in a snowstorm) and there were no extra fees to insure I didn't damage the car. Insurance covered it. I was in shock from the way I was treated, and I told the man that treating a customer with respect, let alone an older woman (77) was what I expected when doing business. Immediately, the older woman in the kiosk next to Hertz butted in and started making comments. I don't remember exactly what she said but I told her that this was not her business this was between me and the Hertz employee. She became aggressive raising her voice. I was getting a little upset thinking that things were going south and then the Girl from the Kiosk to the left jumped in and started yelling at me. Now it was three against one. I was trying to keep my voice down and just get the car and get out of there but as things go it was crazy. I felt attacked. The women were not even Hertz employees. They both were from different companies. I said maybe we need management and they said maybe we needed security. It was crazy enough as it was. When they said that I was done! I could see these troublemakers for what they were. They were only going to escalate not calm down. I put my credit card in the machine gave up my $200. My heart was beating so fast I just wanted to get away. I was totally traumatized by this encounter that had always been so polite and easy. These people were unbelievable. As I got on the elevator to leave a well-dressed, clean looking young man said "you booked with them?" "I never use them they are terrible! They have some kind of AI program that goes over the car and then they charge for everything. Be sure to go around the car and take pictures." I asked who he books with and he said "National." So I have decided to buy a new car rather than to have to deal with bullies and penny-pinching car rentals. Today I'm taking the car back early and sucking up the no early return (Priceline) and hoping that $200 will be all Hertz charges my credit card. This was an expensive lesson. The other interactions I had with Hertz employees were polite and as expected, However the idea of having to go back to that checkout counter has soured me on Hertz forever. They may be the biggest but some of their employees are the worst!

    SUV Rental Cincinnati

    SUV Rental Cincinnati

    1.8(22 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    I would rate a 0 if available. Not only was it incredibly expensive, I was charged without…read moreknowledge or consent to add an additional driver. I called their HORRIBLE customer service number. First time, they couldn't even find me after an hours call. Frustrated I hung up and called again. The second person found me, but was unable to help until I turned the car in... even though all I was questioning is the onetary difference in the first emailed receipt and the second emailed receipt. When I turned in the vehicle they finally explained it was the add-on of a driver. To add insult to injury, she said that if I had said something on that first day, she could have removed the charge. Took everything I had to not reach over the counter! It's not the $50, it's the principal of the matter. Never again Thrifty!

    I rented a car from Thrifty and the vehicle was fine, people at the airport were ok, but their…read morecustomer service hotline is AWFUL. When I was planning on returning the vehicle early due to a change in travel plans, I called to ask about the fees for not refilling the tank (short trip only used 1/8 of a tank). The employee at the airport told me the price and I felt for the convenience of saving time the high dollar amount per gallon was reasonable...unfortunately upon reviewing the receipt I was charged more than expected. Having seen an exorbitantly high number for the quantity of gas used, I called the customer service number. The first lady I spoke with told me that I had returned the vehicle with an empty tank! I told her that is mathematically impossible or they have a damaged vehicle with a leak and I have GPS records of my trip, plus they could look at the odometer reading. There's no way I could have burned through a whole tank based on miles driven/ the car's fuel economy. 7/8 of the tank would have had to magically disappear. Eventually she tells me that the amount of gas used is closer to what my number was, but I was being charged for the gas I'd used during my rental PLUS the gas to refil. I explained that I understand business needs to make a profit, but this is highway robbery. No negotiations on it either. I asked if she had a supervisor and she said no, until I mentioned writing a 1 star review, magically she now had a supervisor to patch me through to. The supervisor basically said you're getting charged for the gas you used and the gas to refil at the exorbitant rate (Double whammy! I can understand getting charged once, but twice is insane). She then goes on to say she'll have her manager contact me- never happened, so here I am writing to warn you about the HORRIBLE customer service that Thrifty provides. Hopefully nothing goes wrong with your rental or you're ready for hidden charges that are non-negotiable. I'd recommend renting from any other company not associated with Thrifty. I'd have been satisfied if they told me I was only paying for the gas once at the inflated price. Unfortunately they don't care about repeat business or their online reputation. I'm also still angry that effectively the first tactic was to accuse me of lying rather than doing a reasonablity check (like how many miles I drove vs the car's rated fuel economy). Instead she had the audacity to just say it was empty! Also consider this hypothetical for a second, let's say that the tank was empty but I'd returned it with only 1/8 used, what happened to the other 7/8? Did someone syphon the tank or was there a car leaking gasoline? I'd think a rental car company would like to know that rather than potentially driving around a mechanically deficient vehicle!

    Photos
    SUV Rental Cincinnati - Thrifty and Dollar rentals in same office

    Thrifty and Dollar rentals in same office

    SUV Rental Cincinnati - Vending machines

    Vending machines

    SUV Rental Cincinnati - Clean vehicles

    See all

    Clean vehicles

    National Car Rental - carrental - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...