23 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars & Rideshare!

Start saving money and finding more cheap car rentals every time you travel with these easy Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars and Rideshare!

Then… finish planning your next vacation with these genius Hotel Hacks you’ve probably never heard of before!!

Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

Planning (or dreaming of) your next Getaway??

Then you need to read these simple Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber!

One of the best ways to make your next vacation dream come true is finding ways to save money on car rentals and transportation.

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!)

Check out all of the fun tips and rental car hacks to start saving BIG on every car you rent!

Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (20 Budget Travel Hacks)

#1. Ask for a Free Rental Car 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!

Sarah writes: “I always try to upgrade at the counter the day of the rental.”

#2. Use Travel Credit Card Hacking to Score FREE Car Rentals

When it comes to Credit Cards, I’m always on the hunt for BIG cash signup bonuses + BIG cash back when booking travel!

If you regularly pay off your balance, you definitely want to consider taking advantage of credit cards that offer generous sign up bonuses that you can cash in for free airfare, free hotel nights… OR FREE Rental Cars!!

Want even MORE credit card rewards?  Don’t forget that your spouse can apply for the same cards as you!  My husband and I both regularly apply for the same cards so we can get DOUBLE the rewards!

Meghan writes: “Before we went to Oahu, we took out a travel credit card that had a promo for free miles if you spent money within the first 3 months.  We just charged our airfare and Airbnb to that card and the points were enough to cover the entire fee of our rental car plus a kayaking excursion!”

Tiffany writes: “We travel for free using credit cards and their points systems.  We just came home from visiting Maui a few days ago!! Loved Hawaii!  We spent $3k for 4 people for 9 days (food, drinks, souvenirs and excursions)  We saved $12k by travel hacking.  Southwest flights free, Hyatt regency resort free and 9 day car rental free.  Travel hack and see the world!”

#3. Fill Up The Rental Car Gas Tank Yourself

Is the rental car fuel purchase option worth it?

Absolutely not.  It’s usually significantly more expensive than the gas you can purchase right near the airport before drop off.

So simply skip the option to prepay for fuel and save several dollars per gallon when you fill up the tank before returning your rental car.

#4. Simple Ways To Save Gas Money On Your Road Trip

So how do you save on gas with a rental car?

Here are some of my absolute favorite genius money saving tips for How To Save On Gas!

#5. Use the Entertainment Book to get Cheap Car Rental Deals

Check your Entertainment Book’s travel section for Car Rental Deals Coupons!

In my current Entertainment Book, I found car rental discount coupons for Budget, Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz & National!

#6. Snag Costco Car Rental Deals

To use Costco Travel to score Costco Car Rental deals, a Costco membership is required.  But the savings you can score may very well be enough to justify the expense of an annual membership!

You can 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! (Score!)

#7. Don’t Forget the AAA, USAA, and AARP Rental Car Discounts

Did you know that you can receive Rental Car Deals with your AAA, USAA and AARP memberships?

Specifically with your AAA account, you can receive a 5% – 20% discount on Hertz Rentals.

#8. Use Those Employer Discounts for Good Car Rental Deals, Too

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!

#9. Take Advantage of Emailed Rental Car Coupons and Promotions

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.

#10. Score Online Rental Car Specials or Last Minute Rental Car 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.

#11. Cash In Your Air Miles for FREE Car Rentals

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.

Related: The BEST Southwest Airline Hacks

#12. Preferred Customer or Frequent Renter Clubs Savings and Perks

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.)

#13. Take Advantage of Car Rental Deals for Military

If you are in the military, be sure to ask if you’re eligible for a car rental military discount!

It never hurts to ask! 😉

You can also check out the Ace Rent-a-Car 15% off Military Discount!

#14. 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.

Ways to Save Money on Rideshare

#15. Skip The Rental Car and Take an Uber or Lyft Instead

Sometimes a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft can be a less expensive and simpler alternative than renting a car.

This especially applies when you’re spending time in a location where most of your activities will be in close proximity to your hotel and lodging (think NYC and Las Vegas).

Then… make sure to check both the Uber and Lyft apps to see which will offer you the best price.  Simply input your destination to get an Uber Fair Estimate or Lyft estimate for the different ride types available.  Then select the ride type with the lowest fare.

Consider riding “Uber Pool” to save the most money!

You can also shop fair rates by going to uber.com/cities and selecting “Get Fair Estimate.” Also try inputing different pickup and drop off locations to find the lowest rates.

#16. Avoid Uber and Lyft Surge Pricing

Did you know you can avoid surge pricing by simply waiting longer for a ride or simply not using Uber or Lyft during high peak times?

Learn more about how Surge Pricing works… so you can totally avoid it!

#17. Always Use A Promo Code with Uber

There are promo codes available for Uber all over the web.

Simply go to Google and search “Uber Promo Codes” for the latest promo codes available.

I just found a $15 Uber Promo Code available for your first ride!

#18. Don’t Take Routes with Toll Roads

Whether you are driving your own rental car or using a rideshare service, make sure you’re taking a route without tolls!

For Lyft or Uber, you can avoid toll charges by directly requesting that your driver avoid toll roads, or by simply finding pickup and drop off locations that will not likely require use of a toll road.

Remember, any time you or your UBER / Lyft driver take a route that includes a toll road, you’ll be charged for the toll!

4 More Rental Car Hacks

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.”

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.”

More Budget Travel Hacks

Now that you’ve found so many Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars, finishing planning your next vacation with these helpful money saving tips and travel hacks…

How To Travel for Free Or Cheap (21 Budget Travel Hacks)

75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know

How to Slash the Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

35 Southwest Airlines Hacks (What To Know Before You Fly)

25 American Airlines Flight Hacks (Tricks To Know Before You Fly)

23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks

12 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Car Purchase!

How to Sell My Car Privately (What I Wish I Would Have Known)

101 Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets

So what are your favorite Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars??

Leave a comment and share!