There’s no reason to pay full price for car rental — ever. Not only do discounts abound, you can save as much as 35 percent just by working in a certain profession or being a member of the right club. There is plenty of fine print, of course. These discounts apply only to the base rate (the daily or weekly rate for use of the vehicle), not to the whole bill, which also includes taxes, fees, and any extras. Many companies promise discounts “up to” a certain amount for a preferred group, or don’t specify a percentage or dollar amount at all.
Cheapism.com has confirmed the discounts at the companies listed here, but it’s always worth checking for similar promotions if you’ve found a cheap rental car elsewhere. And be sure to compare the different types of discounts available to you. You might score bigger savings by flashing one membership card instead of another, or taking advantage of perks such as no fee for an extra driver (as much as $13.50 a day), 24/7 roadside assistance (typically $7 to $10 daily), GPS or in-vehicle Wi-Fi (as much as $17 or more per day), or use of a car seat (around $13 or $14 a day). Those savings can really add up, especially on multi-day rentals. And sometimes, discounts available to the general public are more generous than anything offered to a particular group (as a general rule, offers cannot be combined).
Discounts are subject to change. Restrictions (such as blackout dates) may apply.
AAA Members
If you belong to AAA, you can score discounts on car rentals at Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. The easiest way might be to book through the AAA website, although offers vary from state to state and often have expiration dates. You can also book online directly through the rental car companies’ websites, and use your AAA member code. Hertz offers the deepest discount: up to 20 percent off. Deals on extras include 10 percent off the fuel purchase option, 50 percent off Sirius XM radio (usually $7.99 a day), $6.99 for a GPS unit, and a free child car seat. An additional driver who is a AAA member is not subject to an additional fee, and surcharges for “young drivers” 20 to 24 (which start around $27 per day and vary by location and class of car) are waived. AAA member discounts of 10 percent at Dollar and 8 percent at Thrifty seem paltry by comparison. Both offer a free extra driver and child seat, as well as a 10 percent discount on GPS, at least.
AARP Members
AARP has partnered with Expedia to establish a travel center, but members can also go to the AARP website and click directly to deals from Avis, Budget, and Payless. Both Avis and Budget promise discounts of up to 30 percent, plus a free one-class upgrade on many models, $6.99 for GPS, 24-hour roadside assistance, and one extra driver for free. AARP members also have free limited liability coverage up to $5,000. Payless gives AARP members a mere 5 percent off, as well as a free extra driver and car upgrade. Although AARP doesn’t list Hertz among its partners, the company promises 25 percent savings for AARP members on its website.
Seniors 50 and Older
You don’t need to be a member of AARP to get a senior discount on car rental — you just have to be at least 50 years old. Hertz has its own Fifty Plus Program with a discount of 20 percent, although that’s not as good as the 25 percent discount for AARP members. Thrifty’s Silver Club, gives seniors just 5 percent off. Alamo promises an unspecified discount to those who qualify for its Senior Circle and sometimes offers free car upgrades. E-Z Rent A Car has a 10 percent coupon that can be used by anyone over 50. And if you book through Sixt’s senior page, you can get 5 percent off.
Amazon Customers
If you’re a loyal Amazon customer, you may want to book your car rental with Budget. We found a lucrative offer there for 30 percent off, plus 10 percent back in the form of an Amazon gift card. Book your reservation using Alexa, and you get a gift card worth 20 percent of the base rate. Although the terms of this discount include no expiration date, there’s no telling how long any rental car offer will last.
Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s Members
Costco might be known for its vacation packages, but it does car rental, too. The deals range from a free upgrade and undisclosed “Costco member savings” at Alamo and Enterprise to 25 or 30 percent off at Avis and Budget. There are also special limited-time offers that pair a free upgrade or free day of rental with those discounts — Budget offers the best deals. Sam’s Club also promotes car rental savings but doesn’t provide the exact discounts available at its partners, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Members are vaguely promised “up to 20 percent off nationwide.” BJ’s Wholesale Club members can score the most substantial deals, with savings of up to 35 percent at Avis and Budget, as well as discounts or upgrades at Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Payless.
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Credit Card Holders
Frequent Flyers
Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Allegiant, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United all have partnerships with car rental companies. Many of the deals are for mileage bonuses, however, not discounts. Members of Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program have the most car rental discounts to choose from: up to 35 percent off at Avis and Hertz; 30 percent at Budget; 25 percent at National; and 10 percent at Dollar, Payless, and Thrifty. At the other end of the spectrum, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines generally offer only miles. Most other airlines offer at least a couple of actual discounts on car rentals. For instance, members of ultra-low-cost Spirit Airlines’ Free Spirit club enjoy a 35 percent discount at Avis and 30 percent at Budget, in addition to extra miles.
Hotel Rewards Members
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Insurance Policyholders
You may be able to save some money on car rental through your car or home insurance policy, although these offers are less common than other discounts. For example, Geico policyholders can save up to 20 percent at National. Alamo also advertises savings for Geico customers on its website, although (as we generally found to be the case with this company) it doesn’t specify how much. Hertz gives discounts of up to 25 percent to Allstate customers.
LGBTQ Customers
Gay and lesbian travelers looking for car rental savings mostly likely will find them through special-interest travel and professional organizations. We were able to find one offer from Advantage. While this car rental company isn’t big on discounts in general, it has one for members of vacation site GayTravel, where Advantage has been named an award winner for car rental two years running. The deal: 20 percent off, plus no charge for a second driver and automatic enrollment in the upgraded silver tier of Advantage’s Expressway rewards program.
Teachers, Students, and Alumni
Members of the National Education Association are eligible for car rental discounts at five partner companies. Hertz and National offer the best deals: up to 25 percent off. PTA members are also entitled to up to 20 percent off from Hertz, and a free child seat is included in that deal. Teachers, school employees, and students can claim 10 percent savings at E-Z Rent A Car or 5 percent at Sixt — no membership required. Alamo’s Student Advantage program also promises “terrific,” but unspecified, savings. Members of state or municipal teachers associations, university faculty and staff, and alumni association members are often privy to discounts as well.
Active Military and Veterans
Nearly every major car rental company offers military discounts, but the amounts vary considerably. Members of the Veterans Advantage program can claim benefits from nine different partners. Avis and Budget offer the best discounts, at 25 percent off, and next-best National promises 20 percent savings. Although Dollar’s discount is comparatively meager, at 5 percent off, it may be the best choice if you’re under 25, because the standard $25-a-day young-driver fee is waived, as well. Military personnel can also go directly to Dollar to take advantage of a 5 percent discount on leisure travel for government employees. But there’s no fee waiver with that deal; just an upgrade offer. Insured by the United Services Automobile Association? USAA policyholders are eligible for discounts of up to 35 percent at Avis, Budget, and Hertz. Enterprise offers just 5 percent off. All the partners waive young-driver and additional-driver fees, and primary liability insurance is built in.
Union Members
Police, Fire Fighters, and First Responders
Doctors, Nurses, and Health Practitioners
First-responder car rental discounts are not the only deals available for medical professionals. Physicians, nurses, and students in medical school can also claim deals if they belong to certain professional organizations. For example, members of the American Medical Association are entitled to 7 percent savings at Dollar and Thrifty and as much as 25 percent at Hertz. Hertz also waives young-driver fees for student members. Other major medical associations that offer rental discounts include the American Psychological Association — up to 25 percent off at Avis and Budget — and the American Medical Students Association. Members of the AMSA who rent at Alamo and National don’t have to worry about young-driver fees, and they’re also eligible for upgrades. National even provides a coupon for a free weekend day along with a 20 percent discount. Sixt offers all doctors and medical staff a 5 percent discount.
Fraternal/Service Organization Members
Airline and Travel Industry Employees
If you’re a travel agent or work for an airline, you can score car rental discounts for personal trips. Travel agents who present the proper credentials are entitled to 20 to 35 percent off at Budget — one of the best discounts we found from the brand. Eight car rental partners offer savings to members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, including up to 25 percent off at Avis, Budget, National, and Hertz. Members of the Air Line Pilots Association and the Association of Flight Attendants qualify for the same savings at Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Payless, and Thrifty as other union members though the Union Plus website. Even if you’re officially unaffiliated, you may be able to score discounts. Alamo, for instance, has offered reduced rates for employees of American Airlines and Delta. Sixt offers a standard 5 percent discount to all employees of airlines, hotels, and tour companies.
Legal Professionals
Other Industry Groups and Trade Associations
Odds are that if you belong to a professional trade, industry, or interest group, there’s a car rental discount tucked into the bundle of benefits. Members of the National Association of Realtors, for example, can save 25 percent at Avis, Budget, and Hertz. The Associated General Contractors of America has a similar arrangement with Avis and Budget. (Hertz appears to be a partner too, but no specifics are offered.) Even members of the American Poolplayers Association have a shot at savings from four different car rental companies. RV owners who have joined the Family Motor Coach Association are entitled to savings at Avis, Enterprise, National, and Hertz.
Weddings and Other Special Events
Planning a wedding, family reunion, business retreat, or other important event? A handful of car rental companies offer group discounts, but you have to call directly or submit an online form to find out what sort of savings you can arrange for your family and friends. You also have to guarantee a minimum number of renters; Avis and Hertz require that your group consist of at least five. On top of special rates, you might also be offered some nice extras. Budget, for example, gives free roadside assistance to groups, and Avis hands out seven certificates good for a free day of rental if at least 20 cars are rented.
