Win Free a $500 gift from National Car Rental – and get free rentals
by: unroadwarrior
National Car Rental has an exciting new promotion! To celebrate the return of 12Free (when you rent twice, you get a third rental, free!), National Car Rental is giving away $500 of prizes (outlined below) to one lucky reader from this blog!
To enter, here is all that you need to do:
Post a comment below sharing what your ‘Traveler Truth’ is – your rule of the road. For example: ‘pack light and only bring what you need’, ‘cook your meals instead of buying’, ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’.
The contest will last from now until Midnight EST, November 5th. At that time, I will draw a winner randomly from all valid entries. To be a valid entry, it needs to be a valid ‘Traveler truth’. ‘Arrive on time for your flight’ or something that trivial is not acceptable. You can enter only once. I will be checking email IDs to validate you have entered only once. You email ID must be valid to participate as that is what will be used to communicate with the winner.
Get Closer to a free rental!
In addition to being entered for the drawing, if you email in a screenshot of your comment, mention this blog in the email, and your Emerald Club number to OneTwoFree@ehi.com, you will receive one free rental credit, essentially making the program: Rent One, Get One rental free!!
Furthermore (wait there’s more!), if any you sign up for the 12Free, and refer your Facebook friends or Twitter followers (there will be an option to share once you sign up), you will automatically receive one free rental credit for 12Free, or add on an additional free rental!
The Prize!
The $500 prize from National Can Rental for the winner of the contest is:
National Car Rental’s Traveler Truth Prize Pack – $499.98
• Swiss Army WT Wheeled Tote
• Swiss Army WT Deluxe Garment Sleeve
• One (1) $100 AMEX Gift Card
Enter now – leave a comment below!
** This contest has ended. A winner has been drawn and announced **
Note: All decisions about winning or disqualification are made by UnRoadWarrior and are final! I do not receive any compensation form National Car Rental for running this contest.
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My traveler truth is to be flexible, and in the moment! Enjoy your trip, and its twists and turns. Make the most of your travel time with a positive attitude and an adventurous travel spirit!
Traveler truth is to KNOW inside and out the rules of your primary carriers and hotel chains. There are often benefits and perks that the front-line staff doesn’t seem to know about. If you know what you are entitled too and handle it in a firm, but kind, manner, you can usually make things go your way.
Take video of rental car inside and out at pickup and dropoff. Only takes a minute to use your phone to take the video and you can also comment about the condition while you shoot.
Talk to locals before you go for advice on restaurants and local events.
Rent someone’s condo for a week or more long vacation. They tend to be cheaper than a nice hotel, have more space, and you can cook alot of your own meals to save money on restaurants. (also make a Costco run after arriving)
I always take an aux cable with me when traveling to play music from my iphone in a rental car
Is to understand your way around. Research research research.
Bring a GPS but ALSO a MapQuest or GoogleMap print-out of directions to your destination, in case you hear the dreaded “Lost Satellite” announcement.
Try and be nice to everyone you deal with. Travel karma is important!
Pack lightly and make sure you have room for things you buy on the trip
Learn how to pack everything in a carry on bag to avoid checking bags (& avoid all issues with doing so, such as wasting time waiting for bags, avoid lost bags, keep you from bumps, extra fees, etc.)
Always ask for a map at the rental counter to have just in case. Review your planned route to your hotel, etc so it is fresh in your mind.
I think the number one most important thing on the road as you rent the car is to check that the 12V cigarette jack is working. This summer I was on a road trip which culminated 5000 miles and realized after the first 300 miles that one of the cigarette jack was not working. With kids, I needed one of them to power my laptop which meant no gps… So make sure before leaving the rental area to always double check if your power 12v cigarette jack is working in your car.
PAck only a carryon so no lost luggage and faster arrival at customs.
Always know where you’re going and where to get gas.
Use your cell phone camera to keep backups of IDs, parking spaces, hotel room #s and more!
If you have signed up to get miles from the Dining Rewards program, do a search for participating restaurants around your hotel.
Traveler truth – pack efficiently to avoid checking luggage. It saves money and aggravation, at least sometimes. If you have ever had a misplaced bag in transit, you know what I mean.
My travel truth is to read travel blogs to locate deals before making any travel reservations.
Remember, it never hurts to ask! Those who ask not, have not. Whether it be upgrades, refunds, discounts, etc. you never know
Be prepared. Make sure you know what the local weather is expected to be, whether you’ll need a power adapter/converter, how the local public transportation system works (whether you’ll need exact change), what the driving rules are, etc. In other words, do your research!
I make a pin board on Pinterest of all the places I want to go before I leave for my trip. I add notes after my trip. That way if I lose my travel notes along the way, I still have all my research carefully cataloged! And I can share good finds with friends.
Pack light and only bring what you need
Before going on any trip, make a map in Google maps that includes your hotels, the airport, car rental agency, and any attractions you are going to see and directions to and from all of them. And most importantly, use the Google maps OFFLINE feature to save this map so you can utilize it even in spotty 3G/4G areas. The peace of mind that comes with always knowing where your going is PRICELESS!
A few truths I am learning as I go: Always ask for perks when traveling – room upgrades, free desserts, car rental upgrades. Plan your check-in times to maximize potential (eg. late evening on a weekday). Don’t hesitate to politely complain when your expectations aren’t met. Sometimes customer relations surprise me!
My traveler truth is to check online blog sites for free advice/stuff and fun things to do on the final destination and travel suitecase light but put on layers of cloths if need be to avoid baggage fee!I even had to wear a woman’s winter coat (a gift for mom!) at end of July to clear carry-on allowance while going thru security check-in at Heathrow…Sweating and uncomfortable for a few minutes but saved me about 30 euros…
My traveler truth: Do lots of research before a vacation, but don’t be afraid to change your schedule once you arrived, based on advice you receive from locals.
After booking a room online I always email the hotel directly and tell them its my anniversary. Who cares if your not married or have a significant other. There is always a anniversary for something, like the first time you bought your puppy or the first time you subscribed to HBO, who cares the fact of the matter is there is always a anniversary out there for something to celebrate in you life. So let the hotel know in a email and you most likely will either get a room upgrade or maybe even a bottle of champagne. Trust me it work and this is the ‘Traveler Truth’.
If something can be delayed, then plan on it being delayed.
My travel truth is make copies/scan important travel documents in case you loss your originals and need to replace them.
don’t stress
Travel truth is “improvise!”
If you have one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow you pee all over today. Enjoy today and where you are!
Be courteous to the rental associates and there is no harm in asking for an upgrade or for a particular car that you want!. Some associates go out of their way and pull out cars that are not on the lot. I also ask agents for suggestions when I visit a rental station that I have not been to before, they are usually aware of the cool cars on the lot and give them off if nobody has reserved them.
I was given a convertible once!…happy travelling!
Plan early and have a back up plan
be nice, be patient, be flexible, be understanding, be open, have fun!
Wash your hands frequently when traveling.
Always take it easy – it will sort out eventually…
As Hurricane Sandy has shown this week, always be flexible and patient in your travel.
Treat driving like riding tiger — and you will be safe
I truly never leave home without my Plat Amex card. It gets me into airline lounges, gets me airline credit for free bags, and gets me the highest tier on National Car Rental.
Have a plan B for each aspect of your trip (an alternate flight, hotel, car rental, etc.).
Always take a copy of your drivers license\passport.
Kindness and patience is my travel secret…actually, my secret to life!
The key to traveling every week is winkle free clothing! Yes they will still have to be ironed when you get to your final destination to make yourself look snazzy for your day at the client site, but you can iron your clothing in 30 seconds or less vs traditional ironing that can take up to 3-5 minutes a shirt!
I always pack 2 extra pair of socks and underwear- you never know when you are going to need them.
Put a security code on your phone when traveling so if it is taken they dont get all your info.
Always always bring more underwear than you will probably use!
My travel truth (maybe more of a tip?) is to shop the prepared foods aisle in grocery stores when traveling to save time and money on lunches.
Always pack a 6 to 12 foot extension cord with multiple outlets. They cost $6 and can be used in hotels where outlets are poorly placed, and more importantly, in airports where the outlets are usually not near seating. After Hurricane Sandy, I would also say invest in a travel power pack. You never know when you’ll need power on the road or in an emergency at home.
My truth is “it will all work out.” Staying relaxed helps immensely when last minute changes occur!
Load all your pocket change into your carry on bag so it takes less time going through security.
Ask before you move fellow passengers’ bags in shared overhead aircraft compartments. They are probably seated nearby and you can ask them for help. It’s impolite to smoosh their bags – while they watch.
Sign up for all points programs (airline and hotel) even if they aren’t your preferred program. It’s free and you never know when your plans will change and you’ll have unepected flights or stays with other programs. Never pass up a free point. Use Award Wallet to track all of your points.
Traveler tip: Pay close attention to which credit card you are using to book flights, hotel stays, etc. Some are much better than others in terms of providing travel-related insurance and benefits. Sometimes these can be more beneficial than meeting spending limits/bonus payouts.
In an irregular operations situation, be walking to the airport customer service desk *WHILE* you’ve already speed dialed your airline (preferably on an elite-only caller number) and are waiting to get through to customer service. Multitasking at its best….
Learn to drive a stick shift will save on car rental! Check on rental policies of the car rental company in advance before booking and/ore prior to pickup! Splurge on a GPS rental or print out alternative hard copies for round trip!
Changing schedules, unfamiliar rooms, it can be hard to sleep well in the road. Business meetings or vacations are no fun on little sleep. To ensure I sleep well I pack a favorite pillow, and bedtime feels more like home. Mine is a lightweight down pillow; crushes into almost no space in my bag and can also be rolled up for a neck pillow on long flights.
Always, always smile when traveling!
expect at least one thing to go wrong, because it probably will, and decide ahead of time to enjoy yourself anyway
always look behind you when you leave a cafe, subway car, etc. to make sure you’ve left nothing behind
Don’t have 16 hour car rides with people who annoy you!
Make sure you have your itinerary code handy when you arrive at the airport checkin kiosk
Always have alternate routes planned – in cases of travel delays or missed flights it can make a huge difference when talking to whoever is re-routing you.
Discount National Rental Cars…
[...] ate in you life. So let the hotel know in a email and you most likely will eithe [...]…
Evidently condition the level of square footage available for you.
Business real-estate could be analyzed by its useful square footage, which
is in which organization would take place. Other specifications could involve unliveable areas and wall space.
It’s a great idea to calculate making use of both methods to stay away from slow downs along the way.
Be an explorer, not a tourist!
Buy duplicates of commonly packed items (tooth brush, razor, etc…) and keep them in your suitcase. Makes packing/unpacking much easier.
have a good sense of humor!
If using public transport to get to an airport, always have at least two possible modes of transport planned. You never know when public transport will be unreliable and you’ll need a backup.
When traveling long distances, pack a lunch, plenty of snacks, and drinks. Will save at least an hour off your drive if you don’t have to stop for anything but gas!
Pack light & move fast. Be ready for all contingencies.
My traveler’s truth is that you can never carry too many extra chargers. I’ve made more good will with clients in the road letting them use or take an extra 30 pin connector or micro USB cable to way more than cover the tiny incidental costs.
I travel with a solar charger that will charge my phone and that also serves as a flashlight. I have been in hotels that have lost power several times now and found those two things to be essential!
Traveling on a budget but still want to remain loyal to your hotel rewards program? Favor the extended stay concepts: Hyatt House, Marriott Residence Inn, Honewood Suites, etc. Free hot breakfast, free light dinner and free beer & wine.
I always pack twice. Meaning I pack and then unpack and repack. The first time I pack I always pack too much and so when I repack I usually pack less. This also helps me be ready ahead of time.
My travel truth is to always pack an extra power strip so that I can protect my electronics when I am on the road.
[...] a comment sharing your travel wisdom – your ‘Traveller Truth’ as a comment on the original post announcing the contest. (Do NOT leave a comment here). I will be drawing a random winner from all [...]
I always recheck the airline web site to see if better seats have opened up before I fly
Always remember TSA’s restrictions on liquids and pack accordingly. I am surprised to how many people end up dumping shampoo bottles at the TSA check points and get delayed due to bag checks!
Material is stress, pack lightly to be freed of material.
Print out copies of reservations, mapquest directions, places that you’d like to visit, etc. On long trips that require many flights, hotels, and car rentals, I put them in chronological order and in a large envelope. I also put other notes and information needed for the trip in the envelope. This comes in handy when you are planning more than one trip at a time.
There is a certain point, long before you grow weary on the road, when you realize you are, in fact, a road warrior. You may offer assistance to a novice traveller before a TSA agent intervenes, you may point out where the nearest restroom is on a concourse, or make a recommendation for an inexpensive meal can be found in a regional hub. The Golden Rule applies to even the most seasoned traveller and random acts of kindness are displayed in airports and transportation centers across the globe. Being nice… that’s how you truly #GoLikeAPro
My traveler truth is- travel light, travel often, and leave no trace behind.
If you’re staying at a decent hotel with a concierge, use them as part of your team for your trip planning process. Get local recommendations, reservations, and other important info before you get there, and let them know what your needs are. If you tell them more about your trip, such as celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc, there just be a nice surprise waiting for you. Don’t forget to mention that again when you check in, just in case.
Always take a photo of the rental car before returning it.
Carry some cash – or other insturments ie, pre-paid debit card or back up credit card – somewhere other than your wallet. I’ve had my wallet lost/stolen TWICE while on a business trip and a back up saved my bacon for a day or two until I was able to get home.
Join all possible loyalty programs for future travel benefits. Check blogs and message boards for promos that you may qualify for.
Lie flat business seats are amazing!
Calm down and carry on~
Inform your credit card companies if you’ll be on an extensive trip abroad so that you won’t be flagged for fraud and have to call in to clear things up. It’s also good to make sure you have enough cash in an ATM account that can be accessed worldwide in case of emergencies.
elite status is essential, upgrades and benefits really add up
Be kind to fellow travelers and always inspect and take photos of all 4 sides of a rental car when you pick it up just in case you’ve missed something. Peace!
Print out a hard copy of all reservations, flight, hotel, car
Plan ahead, research enough for the destination, have a backup plan for a rainy day.
Pack half the clothes you originally plan on taking…you never end up weaaring them all! You can always do laundry or shop.
My travel truth is ALWAYS BE EARLY. When I was 15 years old, my mother had sent me to Florida to stay with one of her friends and her 16 year old daughter for the summer. When it was time for me to fly back home to New Jersey, the 16 year old had just gotten her license and decided she wanted to be the one to drive me to the airport. She thought it would be fine if we arrived at the airport at precisely the time my flight was scheduled to leave (no earlier). Of course I arrived to my gate and my plane had already left. The next flight home wasn’t for another 5 hours! I sat in the terminal crying. Lesson learned.
My travel truth is to never travel without a spare battery. I prefer a HyperJuice so that I can keep my Mac and my iPhone fully charged, no matter what unforeseen travel delays may pop up.
always bring a car charger for your cell phone!
Elite status such as Emerald Executive is important so don’t be penny wise and pound foolish and book with car rental companies where you have no status to save a few bucks!
Life doesn’t go according to plan, so the truth is “be flexible and don’t panic if something doesn’t go according to the plan”.
If I am traveling for 2 days, I always pack enough clothes for 3. Living in the Upper Midwest, one never knows if there will be weather cancellations. Better to be prepared!
I always take my apple cords in hopes of a usb or aux in port is available to use my iphone on rentals to charge my phone and use Pandora!
My traveler truth is I always take my apple cords in hopes of a usb or aux in port is available to use my iphone on rentals to charge my phone and use Pandora!
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We travel a lot to see mucisians in the best venue on their current tour. I always call ahead to the venue and or reach our to the artist directly to see what kind of opportunity I can create. We’ve met the Allman Brothers, Government Mule, Amos Lee, Peter Prince, Priscilla Ahn and many others. A little bit of time an effort goes a long way in creating unique experiences.
Drink more water – travel can be dehydrating and you want to feel your best.
Carry on bags only
Paper copies of reservations/addresses in case your phone dies
Always take a few minutes to locate the emergency exits closest to your hotel room and remind yourself what to do if the fire alarm goes off.
If you are checking luggage and you think you may need something, throw it in and be safe. If you leave it behind you can be sure you will end up needing it.
Double check you have your passport!!!
rolling your clothes saves LOTS of space!
I follow your directions the day you posted, now a week+ later still not showing any credits for taking part in this promotion.
[...] Contest ended Monday at Midnight EST. A winner has been drawn using random.org and notified. (I was unable [...]
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