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Car Rentals

Rent a Car

Travel Services recommends two options for booking rental cars:

1. National Car Rental

For information about rates available to NU travelers, visit our National Car Rental page. Learn how to join the Emerald Club, National's frequent customer program. 

There are 3 different ways to rent a car with National:

  • Call National toll-free at 800-CAR-RENT (800-227-7368) 

2. Enterprise Rent-A-Car

For more information about rates available to NU travelers, visit our Enterprise Rent-a-Car page.

There are 3 different ways to rent a car with Enterprise:

Car Rental Policies and Procedures

Important information for NU travelers who rent cars:

  • Accidents and Insurance
    If you rent a car from National or Enterprise using the Northwestern contract/discount ID, you do not need to purchase a Collision/Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW), except for international rentals. (Note: If you do purchase a CDW/LDW for a domestic rental using the Northwestern contract/discount ID, it will not be reimbursed.) Learn more about this and find out what to do if you have an accident involving a rental car.

Eligibility requirements to use NU discount codes:

  • Must be 21 years old or older
  • Faculty, staff and retirees are eligible for the NU discount
  • Spouse and children (living in the same household) of faculty, staff and retirees are eligible for the NU discount
  • Consultants and contractors whose expenses are reimbursed or otherwise paid by NU are eligible for the NU discount
  • Graduate students reserving business travel rentals are eligible for the NU discount. Graduate students must provide a letter on official NU stationery signed by the graduate student’s supervisor stating that the purpose of the rental is business-related.
  • Graduate students reserving personal travel are not eligible for the NU discount
  • Undergraduate students are not eligible for the NU discount