How to Save Money on Car Rentals

Comparing rental rates, using the right credit card, and taking advantage of member discounts will help you save money on your next rental.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by R.E. Fulton
The best way to save money on car rentals is to do your research. By comparing rental rates, reviewing membership perks, and securing
car insurance
coverage before you travel, you’re sure to save money.
  • Airport rentals typically cost more than rentals from smaller locations.
  • AAA, Costco, and AARP memberships come with rental car discounts.
  • Be sure to read the fine print of your rental agreement to check for hidden fees.
  • Check to see if you already have car insurance coverage before paying for a collision damage waiver.

How to save money on car rentals

Do your research before you rent a car. Look up everything you can ahead of time, from cancellation policies to additional driver charges. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to find the best price wherever you land, from
Florida
to Timbuktu.
Here are nine hacks to help get you started on your quest for lower rental rates.

1. Avoid airport pickups

When it comes to convenience, airport rentals can't be beat. Major companies like Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Alamo have rental locations just steps from the arrivals gate, making them irresistible to weary travelers. Just be warned that convenience comes at a high price.
You can often find a lower rate with smaller rental car companies in town, especially if you book in advance. In addition to offering a better price, these companies are usually willing to provide a shuttle pick-up from the airport. If you had a rough flight, take a deep breath and try to put it behind you: patience is the key to saving money!
MORE: Tips for safe and affordable airport parking

2. Get car insurance coverage from somewhere else

Car rental companies are infamous for pushing
rental car insurance
on weary or unwary travelers and it’s almost always unnecessary. If you already own
liability car insurance
, your coverage likely extends to rentals, too. Check the fine print of your policy to make sure.
If you rent cars often and you don’t have a source of liability or
collision insurance
, you might want to invest in
non-owner car insurance
. Most major insurance providers, such as
USAA
and
GEICO
, offer affordable plans for drivers who don’t own a personal car. 

3. Use a credit card that offers rental car insurance coverage

The best travel credit cards come packed with perks. For example, did you know your travel rewards might include free rental car insurance?
It’s true! If you pay for a rental vehicle with your credit card, you might qualify for a loss and collision damage waiver (LDW/CDW). If the rental car is stolen or damaged in an accident, an LDW/CDW will prevent the rental car company from seeking damages from you. Decline any waivers offered at the counter and you’ll avoid a hefty daily fee.
No matter how excited you get at the savings, don’t forget to read the fine print! The insurance coverage offered by your travel or rewards credit card probably doesn’t include
bodily injury
or
property damage liability
insurance for any harm that you cause, or
personal injury protection (PIP)
insurance for any injuries that you and your passengers might suffer.
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4. Leverage AAA, Costco, AARP, and other memberships

If you’re looking to save money on car rentals, don’t overlook
membership discounts
. Perks vary by organization; for example,
AAA
members can save with Hertz,
AARP
members with Avis, and
Costco
members with Alamo and Enterprise. Check for promotions even if you don’t carry a card or pay an annual fee; some car rental companies offer lower rates for military members, students, or first responders.

5. Bundle car rental with your airfare

Package deals don’t just offer cheap flights, but cheap car rental prices as well. Buying a bundle will allow you to book everything at once and pick up an airport rental from a major company like Enterprise, Hertz, or Avis. The downside is that you won’t have as much flexibility when it comes to dates, drop-offs, and cancellations.

6. Use sites like Autoslash to find deals

A rental car price aggregator like
Autoslash
makes it easy to find lower rates. Autoslash allows you to search by location, type of car, and pick-up and drop-off dates. You can even search for AAA, AARP, and other discounts!
MORE: How to get a car rental discount code

7. Fill’er up!

It’s best to return your rental car with a full tank of gas. Car rental companies have taken to hiding surcharges for empty fuel tanks in the fine print of the rental agreement. 
Make sure
to choose the best gasoline or fuel
for the rental vehicle, save all your gas receipts, and ask plenty of questions. Some car rental companies stipulate that you must use a pump close to the rental location.

8. Travel without a car

Don’t want to worry about rental rates and rental car insurance? Don’t rent a car! We’re not trying to be glib: traveling on foot, by bus, or on a bike can provide more fun and less stress. 
For example, if you plan to stay within the city limits, you don’t
need a car in San Francisco
or any other place with good public transportation. Even if you have a late night out, you can catch a ride with Lyft or Uber—you’ll save money and you won’t have to find a parking spot.
Jerry
had a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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FAQs

The average rental car costs $30 per day. The day fees for rental car insurance can easily increase your rental rates by $1-$30, not to mention the surcharges for any damages or missing fuel. 
Before you drive a rental car out of the garage, make sure to check it out, take pictures, and bring any dents or scratches to the attention of the car rental company. This will help you
avoid being unfairly charged for rental car damages
.
The easiest way to reduce the cost of renting a car is to plan your trip ahead of time. Consider whether you can save money by using public transportation, discount codes, or alternative services, like car rentals from
Turo
. Here’s a quick hack: the most competitive car rental rates are almost always found off the tarmac!
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