National Car Rental’s St. Louis Airport Facility Renovations Offer Speed and Convenience to Business Customers
September 21, 2010 (St. Louis) – St. Louis Business travelers are experiencing an improved customer service environment at the National Car Rental facility at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Since 2009, an investment of $1.5 million has been made in facility enhancements to include a covered return area to protect National customers from inclement weather, a new shuttle bus fleet, improved signage for quick and easy navigation to rental vehicles, and upgraded exterior and interior lighting.
“National is focused on exceeding the expectations of business travelers from coast to coast and will continue to look for opportunities to further improve the rental experience for our customers,” said Tony Moise, St. Louis vice president and general manager for Enterprise Holdings, which operates the National Car Rental brand through its regional subsidiaries. “From upgrading facilities to refreshing our fleet and auditing policies and procedures, we are always improving the customer experience.”
Moise noted that such physical upgrades are part of an overall effort to reflect the National Car Rental brand’s ascent as a premier brand for business travel. In fact, a major advertising campaign in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times recently highlighted how the brand leads in loyalty (through the Emerald Club), customer satisfaction, accelerating market share growth and earning more business.
With National, time-sensitive customers are always able to quickly choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport. In addition, National – which launched the car rental industry’s first comprehensive frequent-renter program – offers Emerald Club membership as a benefit to frequent renters, who especially appreciate the expedited rental process, counter bypass and convenient e-receipts. The Emerald Club program also provides access to National’s “Emerald Aisle,” an exclusive section of the lot where members can select any vehicle as long as they reserve a midsized car.
“National Car Rental has earned the reputation for providing consistent service, quality products and peace of mind for our travelers,” said Diane Osterholt, manager of corporate travel for St. Louis-based Barry-Wehmiller. “The Emerald Club provides the exceptional convenience, flexibility and freedom that is essential to the satisfaction and support of thousands of Barry-Wehmiller associates across the country.”
Emerald Club enhancements, however, include more than just physical improvements. Emerald Club members also can choose between free rental days or frequent traveler miles/points, qualify for free upgrades, sign on a free additional authorized driver, and access a dedicated toll-free customer service line.
National Car Rental’s Emerald Club was selected as the winner of the Best Rental Car Loyalty Program in the first annual Editors’ Choice Awards at SmarterTravel – the largest online travel resource of independent expert advice for the budget-conscious traveler. National’s Emerald Club was recognized for its fast lane system and no-cost enrollment as well as high industry marks for customer satisfaction. In addition, Emerald Club was awarded a 2010 Business Traveler Innovation Award– sponsored by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and The Wall Street Journal – for expediting the travel process and enhancing convenience and efficiency.
“Our customers continue to recognize our efforts,” Moise stressed, “and reward us with their loyalty. That is why we work every day to exceed customer expectations at all of our locations. We look for ways to make every single rental experience the kind that keeps our customers coming back, over and over again.”
About National Car Rental
Founded in 1947, National Car Rental is a premium, internationally recognized brand serving the daily rental needs of the frequent airport traveler throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. National also is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world’s largest car rental network. Enterprise Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, owns and operates the National brand through its North American regional subsidiaries.
National has been the “Official Car Rental Company of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour” since 1994, and its partnership with the PGA TOUR extends through 2011. For more information about National,
visit www.nationalcar.com. For more information about National’s environmental stewardship and long-term commitment to the sustainability of the car rental business, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com/sustainability.