The National iPhone app told me that I could not use Emerald Aisle because my credit card is new to my profile and that I need to go to the counter at SEA. So I do so. I am told there, no, I need to go downstairs to the person on duty at the cars. So, I do so. She tells me, no that I need to give my card to the person at the exit.....

She then proceeds to tell me that "Our computers are always down on Sunday night" and there is nothing she can do and to just pick a car and go to the exit.

I go to the exit where I show my credit card and drivers license. The person there takes 10 minutes to write down many many things down because "the computer is down." She even asks me how long my reservation is for! She finally tells me I am free to go.

I point out that I have NOTHING in my possession to prove that I haven't stolen the car, nothing to show the police if I get pulled over when they ask for registration, and that I want SOMETHING in writing from National that shows I'm entitled to be driving the car. She says "we don't do that." I ask her if National will pay the fine if I am stopped for driving a car without a current paperwork showing I'm entitled to have the car of if National will bail me out of jail if the police think I have stolen the car. She just says "No, you need to leave now."

So I did.

But that may well be the last time I rent from National and I'll be sharing on social media that your "Sunday night computer down policy" puts drivers at risk because you will not give anything in writing showing that the driver is entitled to be in possession of the car.

In the past, I had considered National the gold standard of rental car companies (and wished I could rent from you more, but you prices are always much higher than the competition). But I will be very leery of renting from you any more, not just because you put me at risk of driving a vehicle with no written permission to show the policy, but because you wasted my time by having the app tell me to go to the counter and wait when that was not in fact necessary

I will look forward to your response.

National Car Rental: Hi, cblaisd! Thanks for contacting the Social Media Team about your experience in Seattle. We appreciate it when customers tell us about their experiences, especially at busy branches like SEA where jams and oversights can occur. I have passed your comments onto our SEA upper management team so that they are aware of your experience and can address this issue with staff immediately. In the future, I encourage you to bring these issues to the attention of the rental location as soon as possible so that they have the chance to address them with you directly and make it right. Thank you for choosing National. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Please tweet us anytime and let us know how we can assist you with your future rental needs. – [name and reference # removed]

cblaisd: Did you even read my DM?? When you say "I encourage you to bring these issues to the attention of the rental location as soon as possible so that they have the chance to address them with you directly and make it right" did you note that that's exactly what I did and NO ONE at the SEA station would take any responsibility, leaving me at risk while driving!?!. No response would have been better than this boilerplate one