Costco offers rental discounts through partnerships with major car rental companies

If you have a Costco membership, you can access discounted rates on car rentals through Costco Travel, the membership's travel booking service. Costco has negotiated rates with Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise that are typically lower than what you would pay booking directly or through other channels. The discount is built into the quoted price—you do not enter a code or claim it separately.

The way it works is straightforward: you log into your Costco account, navigate to Costco Travel, select your rental dates and location, and the system shows you rates from the partner companies. You book through Costco Travel and complete the rental at the counter as you normally would. The savings come from Costco's volume agreements with these companies, which they pass to members.

Not every location or date will show all four companies, and availability changes based on demand and local inventory. The discount applies whether you rent for a day, a week, or longer. You must have an active Costco membership to book through Costco Travel.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco Travel offers discounted rates through partnerships with Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise that are typically 30 to 50 percent lower than standard rates, though the exact savings vary by location and date.
  • You book directly through the Costco Travel website or mobile app using your membership login; no promotional code is needed.
  • The quoted price already includes the Costco discount, so you cannot negotiate further at the rental counter.
  • Costco Travel rates often include benefits like unlimited mileage and roadside information that may cost extra when booking directly with the rental company.
  • You must have an active Costco membership to use Costco Travel, and membership fees vary by tier (Gold Star, Gold Star Executive, or Costco Business).

How to book a rental through Costco Travel

Start by visiting costcotravel.com or opening the Costco mobile app and signing in with your membership number and password. Click or tap the "Car Rentals" section. Enter your pickup location, pickup date and time, and return date and time. The system will show available rental companies and their rates for those dates.

Compare the options—each company's rate, vehicle class, and included features appear side by side. Read the fine print for each option, as some include unlimited mileage while others charge per mile, and some waive the airport facility fee while others do not. Once you choose, you proceed to checkout, provide your driver's license and payment method, and complete the booking. You will receive a confirmation email with your reservation number.

On rental day, go to the counter with your confirmation, driver's license, and payment method. The rental company will process you as a standard customer. You do not mention Costco at the counter; the discount is already applied to your reservation in their system.

What Costco Travel rates typically include and exclude

Costco Travel rates usually include unlimited mileage, which is a significant advantage over some direct bookings. Many also include roadside information, which covers lockouts, flat tires, and towing. The rates are quoted as all-in prices, meaning taxes and most fees are shown upfront—you are not hit with surprise charges at checkout.

What is usually not included: collision damage waiver (CDW), which protects you if the car is damaged or stolen. Some credit cards and personal auto insurance policies cover rental cars, so check your coverage before paying extra for CDW at the counter. Fuel is not included; you return the car with a full tank or pay a refueling fee. Parking fees, tolls, and traffic violations are your responsibility.

Airport facility fees—the surcharge rental companies charge when you pick up at an airport—are sometimes waived through Costco Travel, depending on the location and company. Check the rate details before booking to see whether that fee applies.

Comparing Costco Travel rates to booking directly

The savings through Costco Travel are real, but they vary. On a week-long rental in a major city, Costco rates are often 30 to 50 percent lower than the standard rate you would see on the rental company's own website. On a one-day rental in a smaller town, the difference might be 10 to 20 percent. The only way to know for your specific dates and location is to check both Costco Travel and the rental company's website side by side.

One advantage of booking through Costco is that the rate is locked in when you book. If the rental company's direct rate drops, you cannot rebook at the lower price—but if it rises, you are protected. With direct bookings, you can usually cancel and rebook if rates fall, but that takes extra steps.

Costco Travel also bundles some benefits that would cost extra elsewhere. For example, if a Costco rate includes unlimited mileage and roadside information, and the direct rate does not, the true savings are larger than the quoted price difference alone.

Membership requirements and how to check your status

You must have an active Costco membership to book through Costco Travel. Costco offers three membership tiers: Gold Star (the basic level), Gold Star Executive (which includes a 2 percent reward on most purchases), and Costco Business (for business owners). All three tiers include access to Costco Travel at the same rates.

To check whether your membership is active, log into your Costco account online or ask at the membership desk in your local warehouse. Your membership card will show an expiration date. If your membership has lapsed, you can renew it at the warehouse or online; renewal fees vary by tier and region but typically range from $60 to $120 per year.

If you do not have a Costco membership but rent cars frequently, the cost of membership may pay for itself through rental savings alone, especially if you also use Costco Travel for hotels and flights.

When Costco Travel rates may not be the best option

Costco Travel rates are competitive, but they are not always the lowest available. On some dates and in some locations, a third-party booking site like Kayak, Autoslash, or Priceline may show a lower rate. This happens because rental companies adjust their rates constantly based on demand, and not all booking channels get the same inventory.

If you are renting for only a few hours—say, a half-day trip—the savings may be small enough that the effort to compare is not worth it. If you have a corporate rental account with a specific company, your corporate rate might beat Costco's rate. If you are renting a specialty vehicle like a truck or luxury car, Costco's selection may be limited.

The best approach is to check Costco Travel first, then spend two minutes checking one or two other sites. If Costco is within 10 percent of the lowest rate you find, book through Costco for the convenience and the included benefits.

How to maximize your savings on Costco car rentals

Book during off-peak times when possible. Rental rates are lowest on weekdays and outside summer and holiday periods. If your travel dates are flexible, shifting your rental by a day or two can sometimes cut the rate in half.

Choose a non-airport location if you can. Airport rental facilities charge a facility fee that is often $5 to $15 per day. Picking up at a downtown or off-airport location eliminates that fee. Some Costco Travel rates waive the airport fee, but not all, so check before you book.

Decline the rental company's insurance if your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars. Rental company insurance is expensive and often duplicates coverage you already have. Call your insurance company or credit card issuer before your trip to confirm what is covered.

Return the car on time and with a full tank. Late returns trigger daily charges, and returning with less than a full tank means you pay the rental company's inflated fuel price. Fill up at a regular gas station on the way back to the rental location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to enter a promo code to get the Costco discount?

No. The discount is built into the price shown on Costco Travel. You do not enter a code, and you do not need to mention Costco at the rental counter. The reservation in the rental company's system already reflects the discounted rate.

Can I cancel or change my Costco Travel car rental after I book?

Yes, but the cancellation policy depends on the rental company and the rate type. Most Costco Travel rates are refundable if you cancel at least 24 to 48 hours before pickup. Check the terms on your confirmation email. To cancel or modify, log into Costco Travel with your confirmation number or contact the rental company directly.

What if I have an accident or the car breaks down during my rental?

Contact the rental company when ready using the number on your rental agreement. If you purchased collision damage waiver through Costco Travel or at the counter, your claim goes through that coverage. If you declined CDW, your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage applies. Roadside information (if included in your Costco rate) covers towing and lockouts but not collision claims.

Is Costco Travel available outside the United States?

Costco Travel offers car rentals in Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other countries, but availability and partner companies vary by location. Log into Costco Travel and enter your destination to see what is available. Rates and included benefits may differ from U.S. rentals.

Can I use Costco Travel if I have a Costco Business membership?

Yes. Costco Business members have access to Costco Travel at the same rates as Gold Star members. Log in with your business membership number to book.