Car Rental

Home>Travel Services>Car Rental


Book your business rental car through National Car Rental by using the Big Ten/Northwestern Discount ID number (5004464) to get the best price. This can be done at the same time you make airline reservations through one of Northwestern University's three approved travel agencies or the online system Compass. They can also be reached online via the special site created for Northwestern or call toll-free 1/800-CAR-RENT.

Unlimited Mileage One way rates for car classes Economy through Fullsize are charged $79.00 per day. (Area differentials will apply.)

Traveling on University Business

When traveling on University business, including speaking engagements and regardless of who is paying for the trip, use National Car for rentals whenever possible.

The Agreement with National includes:

  • Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) - protects Northwestern and its traveler from any financial responsibility for loss or damage to the rental vehicle.
  • Liability Insurance in the amount of $300,000 Combined Single Limit for rentals in the US and Canada.

Travelers should not purchase a collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental agency if the rental is in the U.S. or Canada; coverage should only be purchased for international rentals (revised 09-01-2003).

If an accident occurs, the traveler must:

  • report it to the Office of Risk Management within 24 hours, and immediately when any accident results in any personal injury or towing of a vehicle.
  • follow the rental agency accident report instructions, in addition to forwarding a copy of the report to the Office of Risk Management. Departments failing to report an accident within 24 hours will be charged a $1,000 deductible that will increase by $500 every day after the accident if the department does not completely report it to the Office of Risk Management.

The complete policy for Car Rentals is in section 2) i & j of the Travel Policy and Procedures at http://www.northwestern.edu/finsys/polcydoc/t&ebook.htm

Emerald Aisle Club

The Emerald Aisle Club is offered to Big Ten/Northwestern University faculty and staff on a "fee waived" basis (Non-University members pay $50 per year for this privilege). Members of the Emerald Aisle Club receive express service at all locations and easy check-in at over 40 major airports around the country. Enroll in Emerald Aisle Club now. You will receive your membership kit in 4 to 6 weeks.

Questions about the program can be answered by Sheila Rafferty of National Car Rental at (847) 994-5272 or e-mail raffertys@nationalcar.com.