Emerald Club grads hit the exit at FWA in under 10 minutes
At Fort Wayne International (FWA) Main Terminal, National runs an on-airport car rental setup with counters inside the terminal and cars in nearby lots, so you’re walking just a few minutes from baggage claim to your vehicle. For corporate travelers tied to Emerald Club, this is one of the fastest ways out of a small Midwest airport.
National’s counter sits in the Main Terminal arrivals area near the other rental brands, and FWA airport guides list National alongside several on-site agencies, so you’re not dealing with a 10–15 minute shuttle ride. After landing on a regional flight, most renters are rolling their bag off the carousel and toward the cars in under 5 minutes.
Hours track with typical flight banks at FWA, roughly aligned to early-morning departures and evening arrivals; check your specific pickup time when you book, but think in the range of 6:00 a.m. to late evening on standard weekdays. Because this is a smaller station, late-night arrivals after the last bank of flights can run into limited staff, so verify that your contract shows your actual arrival time.
National’s big play here is Emerald Club-style skip-the-counter service for existing members, which regulars use to walk straight from the Main Terminal baggage claim to the nearby lot and choose a car from the assigned row. At a compact field like FWA, that can put you in the driver’s seat and heading toward I‑69 in about 10 minutes from wheels down if you’re carry-on only.
Pricing at FWA generally runs higher than in-town neighborhood locations, with on-airport premiums baked into daily rates, especially on one-way or last-minute corporate bookings. If your company contract locks you into National, check for weekend or weekly rates; a 3‑day weekend price sometimes beats a 2‑day midweek rack rate once fees are added.
Step-by-step from plane to National car at FWA
- 1. Deplane into the Main Terminal and follow signs for Baggage Claim; it’s a short walk, usually under 3 minutes from the gates.
- 2. Grab your bag from the single baggage claim area; most FWA arrivals share the same carousel zone, so you’re not hunting for multiple belts.
- 3. Turn toward the rental car counters in the arrivals hall and confirm your name, car class, and Emerald Club details if you’re not using skip-the-counter.
- 4. If your reservation supports it, use Emerald Club privileges to walk straight out to the National lot, which sits in the on-airport parking area a short walk from the terminal doors.
- 5. Choose your car from the indicated section, do a quick walk‑around for damage and fuel level, and photograph the odometer and any dings before you leave the space.
- 6. Exit through the signed rental car gate, keep your contract or mobile confirmation handy for the attendant, and follow airport road signs toward I‑69, roughly a 5‑ to 10‑minute drive from the terminal.
One last tip: add your Emerald Club number to the booking at least 24 hours before arrival at FWA so the skip-the-counter setup is ready when your wheels touch down.