Where to book and what to expect on price

Boston Logan Airport rental counters charge more than off-airport locations because the airport charges the rental companies a concession fee, and those companies pass it along to you. You will pay an extra 10 to 15 percent just for picking up at the terminal, plus the airport's own surcharge on top of that. The cheapest route is to take the MBTA Blue Line (about 15 minutes, $2.75) or a rideshare to an off-airport location — usually a Hertz, Enterprise, or Budget branch in nearby neighborhoods like Revere or Malden — then rent there instead.

If you must rent at Logan, comparison sites like Kayak, Autoslash, and Priceline will show you rates across all companies at once. Book directly with the company's website after you find the lowest price elsewhere, because rental companies sometimes honor or beat what you found. Call the counter before you arrive and ask if they can match a lower quote; some will, some won't, but it takes 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Off-airport rental locations in Revere or Malden cost 10 to 15 percent less than Logan terminals because they avoid airport concession fees.
  • Comparison sites show rates across multiple companies, but you should book directly with the rental company after finding the lowest price.
  • Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz typically have the lowest base rates; premium brands like Avis and Hertz Premium charge more for the same car type.
  • Weekend and holiday rates spike at Logan; booking a weekday rental or extending a trip by one day can sometimes cost less than a short weekend rental.
  • Decline the rental company's insurance if your credit card or personal auto policy covers rentals, which saves $15 to $30 per day.

Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz usually have the lowest starting prices

The "big three" budget brands compete hard on base rates and often undercut premium rental companies by $10 to $20 per day. Budget and Enterprise are owned by the same parent company and sometimes have identical pricing; Hertz prices separately but usually lands in the same range. Avis and National tend to run higher, though their loyalty programs can bring prices down if you are a member.

At Logan specifically, all three have counters in Terminal A (the main terminal) and Terminal E. If you are flying into a different terminal, the airport provides free shuttle buses to Terminal A, so you are not locked into whichever counter is closest. Check each company's website directly after you see the comparison-site price; sometimes they show a lower rate on their own booking page than what the aggregator found.

Book on weekdays or extend your trip to avoid weekend surcharges

Logan's rental rates jump 30 to 50 percent on Friday through Sunday, especially in summer and around holidays. If you are renting for a weekend trip, compare the cost of picking up Thursday evening and dropping off Monday morning against a Friday-to-Sunday rental. Sometimes the extra two days cost less than the weekend markup alone.

The same logic applies to holiday weeks. A rental that starts December 23 and ends December 26 will cost far more than one that starts December 20 and ends December 23, even though you are renting the car for the same number of days. Check both dates in your comparison tool before you book.

Decline the rental company's damage and loss insurance if you are already covered

Rental companies offer Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) at checkout, usually $15 to $30 per day. Most credit cards cover rental cars automatically if you charge the full rental to that card, and most personal auto insurance policies extend to rentals. Before you book, call your credit card issuer and your insurance agent to confirm what they cover — deductibles, liability limits, and whether they cover rentals at all.

If you are covered, decline the rental company's insurance in writing at pickup and keep a copy of the decline form. If you are not covered and the rental company's insurance is expensive, check whether your credit card offers a premium tier that includes rental coverage, or whether a travel insurance add-on is cheaper.

Use loyalty programs and discount codes to lower the base rate

Hertz Gold, Enterprise Plus, and Budget Fastbreak are free to join and give you a small discount (usually 5 to 10 percent) on every rental. If you rent more than once or twice a year, joining takes five minutes and pays for itself. Some programs also let you skip the counter line and go straight to your car, which saves time on a busy travel day.

AAA members, military personnel, and government employees often get an additional 10 to 15 percent off. AARP members can sometimes book through Hertz or Enterprise's AARP portal for a locked-in discount. Check whether your employer, union, or professional association has a negotiated rental rate; many do, and the discount stacks with other offers.

Book early and lock in the rate, but stay flexible on the exact dates

Rental rates at Logan are set about two to three weeks in advance and change daily. Booking 30 days out usually gives you a lower rate than booking one week out, but the difference is not always dramatic — sometimes a last-minute deal appears if the rental company needs to move inventory. Book as soon as you know your travel dates, but check the price again three to five days before pickup. If it has dropped, most companies let you rebook at the new rate without a penalty.

If your dates are flexible by a day or two, run the comparison tool for each possible combination. A Tuesday-to-Friday rental might cost half what a Friday-to-Monday rental costs, even though both are three days. The savings often justify shifting your trip by a day if you can.

Consider taking transit or rideshare to an off-airport location instead

The MBTA Blue Line runs from Logan to downtown Boston and connects to the Red Line, which goes to Revere and Malden. A Budget or Enterprise location in Revere is usually 20 to 30 minutes from the airport by transit and charges 10 to 15 percent less than the Logan counter. If you are renting for three or more days, the savings often exceed the cost of transit both ways.

Rideshare (Uber or Lyft) from Logan to an off-airport rental location costs $15 to $25 depending on traffic and time of day. For a one-week rental, that $40 to $50 round trip is worth it if the off-airport rate is $10 to $15 per day cheaper. Use Google Maps to check transit times and costs before you decide; sometimes the Blue Line is faster than you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to rent at Logan, or can I pick up somewhere else?

You can pick up anywhere in the Boston area and return to Logan if you want, or pick up off-airport and return off-airport. One-way rentals (pick up at one location, drop off at another) usually cost $50 to $100 more, so returning to the same location saves money. If you are flying out of Logan, returning to the airport is usually free or costs the same as returning to the original location.

What if the price drops after I book?

Most rental companies let you rebook at a lower rate without a penalty, as long as you cancel and re-book before pickup. Set a reminder to check the price three to five days before your rental date. If it has dropped by $5 or more per day, the savings usually justify the two minutes it takes to rebook.

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

Yes. The airport adds a facility charge (usually $5 to $10 per day), a concession recovery fee (another $5 to $10 per day), and sometimes a vehicle license recovery fee. These appear at checkout, not in the initial quote. Fuel charges, tolls, and parking are separate. Off-airport locations avoid most of these fees, which is why they are cheaper.

Should I prepay for fuel, or buy it on my own?

Prepaying for a full tank at rental pickup is almost always more expensive than filling up yourself at a gas station near the airport before you return the car. Gas stations near Logan (in Revere or East Boston) charge less than the rental company's prepay rate. Fill up the night before you return the car, not the morning of, because morning traffic might make you late.

What car size should I book to save money?

Economy and compact cars are cheapest, but midsize cars sometimes cost only $3 to $5 more per day. If you need more space or comfort, the upgrade is often worth it. Avoid premium or luxury classes unless you specifically need them; they cost 50 to 100 percent more and do not save you money on fuel or insurance.