Save money on your next vacation with these EASY Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars!
For instance, I recently visited Seattle and scored a great deal using Costco Travel. We rented a Nissan Altima through Alamo for 11 days for just $233. {Score!}
Now, when I shared this question on The Frugal Girls Facebook Page, your fellow Frugal Friends shared even more awesome ideas. Check out all of the fun tips and rental car hacks to start saving BIG on your rental cars!
Related:
- Top Survey Sites to Make Money for Your Next Vacation!
Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars
Get an Upgrade at The Counter – When I rented a mid-size car last summer in North Carolina, my hubby scored a Free upgrade at the counter for a brand new Dodge Durango! All he did was ask if they’d be willing to rent any larger cars for the same price, and they said sure! It never hurts to ask! Meet ‘Uncle Buck’ (he was fondly named by my boys)…
(See, I’m waving at you in my free upgrade)
Fill Up Your Own Tank – Skip the option to prepay for fuel and save several dollars per gallon when you fill up the tank before returning your rental car.
Use Free Gas Gift Cards to Fill the Tank! Filling up the tank for free is always fun, and this is my favorite way to score Free gas gift cards for vacations…
How to Get Free Gas Gift Cards + Gas Money Saving Tips!
Book Through Ebates – Get cash back on your car rental when you book through Ebates! Ebates offers cash back on car reservations made with National, Enterprise and Thrifty Car Rentals. Be sure to read my tips for How Ebates Works and start getting cash back every time you shop or book travel online!
Entertainment Book – Check your Entertainment Book’s travel section for Car Rental Coupons! In my current Entertainment Book, I found car rental discount coupons for Budget, Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz & National!
Costco Travel {Costco membership required} – receive discounted car rentals through Alamo, Avid, Budget & Enterprise! {On our recent trip up to Seattle, we rented a Nissan Altima through Alamo for 11 days for just $233 using Costco Travel!}
AAA {AAA membership required} – Save 5% – 20% on Hertz Rentals with AAA.
Employer Discounts – Check with your employer {or your hubby’s employer}, to see if you qualify for any employer discounts. When my hubby worked at Boeing, he was able to score some sweet deals when renting through National!
Emailed Coupons – Sign up online for your favorite car rental company’s emails, and you’ll receive periodic coupons and deals delivered to your inbox! Some include: Alamo Insiders {click on ‘Alamo Insiders’ tab at the top}, Budget Car Rental {select ‘Specials’ then ‘e-mail’ to sign up}, Enterprise Email Updates, etc.
Online Specials or Last Minute Deals – Many car rental companies will have a special tab or page with their designated current ‘online’ specials or last minute deals. Check out current and last-minute specials at Avis Car Rentals, Budget, National, etc.
Air Miles – If you accrue air miles, you may be able to cash them in for a car rental! Check with your current program for more details and information.
Preferred Customer or Frequent Renter Clubs – Many companies offer Preferred Customer or Frequent Renter Clubs which may score you some additional savings or perks! {examples = Hertz 1, National Emerald Club, etc.}
Military Discounts – If you are in the military, be sure to ask if you’re eligible for a military discount! It never hurts to ask! 😉 You can also check out the Ace Rent-a-Car 15% off Military Discount!
Opt for a Turo {like an AirBNB for Car Rentals!} – Another way you may be able to save is by renting a car from someone on Turo.com. It’s basically like an AirBNB, but for cars! You may even find that some come with additional amenities for a small added price… like coolers, beach chairs, boogie boards, etc. Always look for high-rated reviews, and check out the older or smaller cars to save the most money.
Skip The Rental Car and Ride Uber – Use Uber for Free and skip the hassle of renting a car altogether! Use my Swagbucks Tips to score yourself Free Uber Gift Cards for your next vacation!
Road Trip Must Haves – Get ready for to make your road trip amazing with these 12 creative tips.
Here are even more ways you can save $$ on your next car rental shared by your frugal friends…
Oksana said: “I never buy rental car insurance. My insurance covers rental cars and my visa or master card will pay your deductible.”
Sarah said: “I like to upgrade at the counter the day of the rental.”
Jamie said: “The Enterprise $9.99 per weekend day (Friday-Sunday, 100mi per day) is great! Not only that, there is no age differential (aka No Extra Fees!) for drivers ages 21-24!”
Kristi said: “I save money by declining the optional insurance coverages offered at the counter. If you carry full coverage, your auto insurance extends to a rental car within the US. Large employers often have discount codes that can be used by employees, too.”
Coleen said: “Become a frequent renter (I use Budget) or use coupon codes. I got a mid-size car for an entire week for just $130.”
Now that you know Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars, check out more fun travel ideas when you check out this Big List of 88+ Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets!
Then have some fun exploring these travel and vacation hacks…
How To Travel for Free Or Cheap {Budget Travel Hacks}
How To Make Money On The Road While You Travel
34 Ways To Entertain Kids on a Trip
Road Trip on a Budget – 12 Genius Money Saving Hacks
12 Best Suitcase Packing Tips {genius tricks}
Staying Healthy While Traveling {11 Tips You Never Thought Of!}
11 Carry On Must Haves for your next Flight!
Now that you’ve scored these Rental Car Savings Tips, don’t miss out! Score yourself even more helpful Travel Tips & Tricks, Recipes + More right here…
What are your favorite Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars??
Leave a comment and share!
Katie says
November 10, 2016 at 4:45 pmI get 25% off through usaa and also if you rent he car on a Saturday that is the least expensive day to rent a car
Tanya Riley says
July 10, 2016 at 7:40 amI am trying to find cheapest way to Go Roundtrip to Richmond California from Tallahassee, Florida between 16 August to the 23rd of August.
Mary Gorton says
October 21, 2015 at 7:56 amI have been very happy with Autoslash.com. It automatically keeps searching for a better deal on rental cars. It has worked for me each time I used it. I first heard of it on the Clark Howard show. (He is a frugal guru!)
Laura Phillips says
March 20, 2012 at 6:09 pmIf you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, they offer discounts for several rental companies. Also, if you have the option, compare prices between the airport and neighborhood locations. I just saved $109 by using the neighborhood location vs. the airport. (Always check both — you never know where you’ll find the best price.)