ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - May 4, 2011) - National Car Rental is encouraging business and frequent travelers to share their best travel stories through its new "Tales From The Road" Facebook contest. The contest's first of three rounds, titled "How do you go like a pro?," launched May 2. National will award winners numerous travel-related prizes, culminating with a grand prize offering of Executive Elite status for life in National's award-winning loyalty program, the Emerald Club, and up to 350,000 airlines miles.

Business travelers now have the opportunity to compete in three "Tales From The Road" contests. Each contest requires travelers to answer one of the following three questions through National's Facebook channel:

• How do you go like a pro? (May 2 - May 30 contest)

• What is your funniest or most embarrassing travel moment? (July 6 - Aug. 2 contest)

• What is the greatest business success you've had on the road? (Sept. 7 - Oct. 5 contest)

To enter the contests, participants must "like" National's Facebook page, upload their photos and submit their stories. Facebook fans will help determine contest winners by casting their votes for the best answers to the travel-related questions.

The three contest winners will each be awarded Emerald Club Executive status for a year, three free rental days from National, and 100,000 airline miles. In addition, a grand prize winner -- selected by National from among the three winners -- will receive Emerald Club Executive Elite status for life, seven free rental days from National, 250,000 airline miles, 250,000 hotel points, and will be featured in National's quarterly newsletter.

"The 'Tales From The Road' contest was designed for business and frequent travelers to share their best stories about life on the road," said Rob Connors, assistant vice president for the National Car Rental brand. "Whether it's a time-saving strategy, a hysterical moment or a business success to be shared with others, we expect to receive a large number of both informative and entertaining entries."

National allows time-sensitive customers to quickly choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport. National -- which launched the car rental industry's first comprehensive frequent-renter program -- further expedites the rental process for Emerald Club members by offering counter bypass as well as convenient e-receipts. The Emerald Club program also provides access to National's "Emerald Aisle," an exclusive section of the lot where members can choose any vehicle and pay the mid-size price, even if it's a full size or above. Executive Elite members of the Emerald Club have the added benefit of guaranteed upgrades and guaranteed vehicle availability with 24-hour notice.

National's Facebook channel offers travelers access to helpful information about being more efficient on the road. Travelers can visit its "Go Like A Pro" Facebook tab to interact with travelers, share travel tips, get expert advice from travel industry bloggers and search for travel-related tips by category and city.

For a complete set of rules for the "Tales From The Road" contest, please visit https://www.facebook.com/NationalCarRental and click on the Tales From The Road tab.