Most travelers know Spirit Airlines to be a low-cost airline. They probably know that a Four Seasons is almost always more expensive than a Motel 6.
But when it comes to rental car companies, which one usually has the best prices? Is Thrifty really that frugal? Is a budget the best way to help you stick to a budget?
A NerdWallet analysis conducted in March tracked car rental prices from 360 companies from eight of the largest U.S. companies to find out where the cheapest and most expensive car rentals were.
By almost every metric, National Car Rental was the most expensive, followed by Alamo Rent a Car. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget, Hertz, and Doll rank among the cheapest.
Cheapest car rental company analysis
When we analyzed the average car rental prices from various companies, we found that weekly car rental rates ranged from $480 to nearly $700, with a difference of more than $200.
The prices analyzed in this study are based on rentals for various dates over the next three months and are based on rentals in both downtown and airport locations in a region that is home to the nation's 10 largest airports. Rental types are the cheapest option possible (usually a small sedan), can be paid at the counter (rather than pre-pay in advance), and include taxes and fees.
The cheapest car rental company and the most expensive car rental company belong to the same parent company. Enterprise Holdings owns and operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent A Car brands, which operate nearly 1.7 million vehicles through a network of more than 9,500 rental locations worldwide. It consists of
Hertz Corporation, the parent company behind the Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty rental car brands, has been a little more consistent across all its brands in terms of pricing. The average weekly car rental prices were within about $18 of each other.
How to save money on rental cars
Renting a car for $500 or more per week can take up a significant portion of your vacation budget. Thankfully, you don't necessarily have to pay the sticker price. Here are some smart ways to save money on your rental car.
Change your reservation method
Another NerdWallet survey conducted in March found that people often book rental cars in advance. Doesn't actually save you money. If you don't mind the uncertainty of booking last minute, you may actually save more than if you hadn't procrastinated.
Those who plan to fly to their destination and rent a car upon arrival may save more money by booking from a nearby off-site car rental location (rather than a car rental hub at the airport) . Another NerdWallet study, also conducted in March, found that: Rental cars tend to be around 20% cheaper when booked off-site At the airport.
Earn credit card benefits (and take advantage of many credit card car insurance benefits)
Perhaps even more valuable than bonus points is a lesser-known credit card perk: rental car insurance. Many premium credit cards offer varying levels of benefits. Rental car insurance coverage detailsyou can be compensated for eligible damages in the event of an accident. rental car accident Or if someone breaks into your car.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
United℠ Explorer Card
American Express Platinum Card®
On the American Express website
Rates and fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual fee
$0 introductory fee for the first year, then $95.
Car rental benefits
• Major rental car coverage. Refunds will be made up to the cash value of most rental cars.
• Earn 5 points per dollar spent when you book a rental car through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Get 25% more value per point when you use your points to book travel (including rental cars) through Chase.
• Major rental car coverage that reimburses you up to the cash value of most rental cars.
• Other day-of-travel benefits for United flyers include free checked baggage, priority boarding, and lounge passes.
• Free elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National. This allows members to receive upgrades and discounts.
• Secondary rental car coverage.
• Other perks include access to extensive airport lounges and hundreds of dollars worth of travel credits.
• Major car rental coverage with coverage up to $75,000.
• Earn 10 points for every dollar spent when you book a rental car through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Get 50% more value per point when you redeem points to book travel (including rental cars) through Chase.
• Cardholders are eligible for special benefits from Avis, National and Silvercar.
To view rates and fees American Express Platinum Card®look This page.
Take advantage of rental car loyalty programs
Most major car rental companies come with loyalty programs where you can earn free rentals and upgrades.
National rental cars tend to be the most expensive, but their loyalty program National Rental Car Emerald Club — one of the best. Members with Emerald Club Executive Elite status receive one free rental car day for every five qualifying rentals he makes, in addition to benefits such as free private airport delivery.
Look to car rental alternatives
If all else fails, you may want to skip renting from a major car rental company altogether.turn your eyes Alternatives to car rentala company that has come up with clever ways to get behind the wheel, whether you're renting a car from a peer-to-peer car rental service from a private owner or from an actual car dealership. audi silver car service).
Summary of cheapest rental car companies
Rental cars are expensive and don't come cheap easily. If your priority is to get the best deal possible, we recommend looking at prices from multiple car rental companies and, if you're flexible, looking at prices at multiple locations in the same city. To do.
But generally speaking, deal seekers may want to start their search with Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, or Dollar, which rank among the cheapest car rental companies.
How to maximize your rewards
You need a travel credit card that prioritizes the things that are important to you. Here we have chosen Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024the best ones are included below.
