What to expect when you rent from Enterprise

Enterprise is one of the largest car rental chains in North America, with locations at airports, downtown areas, and neighborhood branches. When you rent from Enterprise, you pick up a car at a location you choose, drive it for as long as your reservation covers, and return it to the same location (or a different one, for a fee). The rental period is measured in days, and you pay a daily rate plus taxes and any add-ons you select.

The process itself is straightforward: you reserve online or by phone, show up with your driver's license and payment method, sign paperwork, inspect the car, and drive off. Return works the same way in reverse—you bring the car back, an agent inspects it, and you're done. Most rentals take 15 to 30 minutes from arrival to departure, though busy times at airport locations can stretch that longer.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (your own policy or Enterprise's) to rent a car.
  • Daily rates vary widely by location, season, and how far in advance you book—airport locations cost more than neighborhood branches, and weekend rates differ from weekday rates.
  • Enterprise charges extra for drivers under 25, additional drivers, GPS units, fuel options, and one-way rentals to a different location.
  • You can decline the damage waiver if your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars, which often saves $15 to $30 per day.
  • Returning the car late, with damage, or with less fuel than you picked it up with will result in additional charges beyond your reservation price.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your valid driver's license—a state ID, passport, or military ID all work. Enterprise will not rent to you without it, and it must match the name on your reservation. If you're renting under a corporate account or with a discount code, bring that information too.

You also need a credit card in your name. Enterprise uses it to hold a deposit (usually $200 to $500, depending on the car class) and to charge your final bill. Debit cards are not accepted for the deposit hold, though some locations may accept them for the final payment if you also provide a credit card for the hold. Bring the card itself, not just the number.

Proof of insurance is the third piece. This can be your own auto insurance card, a screenshot of your policy from your insurer's app, or a printed copy. If you don't have personal auto insurance, Enterprise will offer you a damage waiver (called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) at checkout. Some credit cards and travel insurance policies cover rental car damage—check before you rent, because declining Enterprise's waiver when you have no coverage elsewhere leaves you liable for any damage to the car.

How to reserve and what it costs

Reserve online at enterprise.com, through the Enterprise app, or by calling 1-800-261-7331. Online and app reservations usually show you the exact price before you commit. When you reserve, you'll enter your pickup location, dates, times, and driver age. Enterprise will show you available car classes (economy, midsize, SUV, truck, premium) and the daily rate for each.

The price you see is the base daily rate. Taxes (which vary by state and county) are added at checkout. So do add-ons: a second driver costs $13 to $15 per day in most locations; a GPS unit costs $10 to $15 per day (though most phones work fine with free maps); fuel options (prepay or return-full) cost extra; and a one-way rental to a different location adds a drop-off fee ranging from $20 to $200 depending on distance.

Drivers under 25 pay a surcharge of $15 to $25 per day. Drivers under 21 may not be able to rent at all, depending on your state and the car class. Check your location's policy before you book.

The damage waiver (Loss Damage Waiver) costs $15 to $30 per day and covers damage to the rental car. If you decline it and your insurance doesn't cover rentals, you pay for any damage out of pocket. Read your auto insurance policy or call your insurer before you decline—many policies do cover rental cars, and some credit cards offer coverage too.

What happens at pickup

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your reservation time. Hand your license and credit card to the agent. They'll pull up your reservation, confirm the car class, and ask whether you want the damage waiver. If you haven't decided yet, ask them what your personal insurance or credit card covers—they can't give legal information, but they can tell you what Enterprise's waiver includes.

The agent will print or display your rental agreement. Read the key parts: the daily rate, the total estimated charge, the damage waiver status, and the fuel policy. If the price is higher than what you saw online, ask why—sometimes a different car class was substituted, or a location surcharge was added. You can cancel or modify the reservation at this point if the price doesn't match.

Once you sign, the agent will walk you to the car and point out its condition. This is critical: inspect the car yourself before you leave the lot. Check for dents, scratches, stains, and mechanical issues. Take photos or video of any damage you see, and point it out to the agent so they note it on the agreement. If you don't report damage at pickup, Enterprise may charge you for it at return, even if you didn't cause it.

Fuel, mileage, and return conditions

Enterprise offers three fuel options. The most common is "return full"—you pick up the car full and must return it full, or you pay a per-gallon refill fee (usually $5 to $7 per gallon, which is much higher than gas station prices). The second option is "prepay"—you pay for a full tank upfront at a discounted rate, and you can return it empty. The third is "as-is"—you return it with the same fuel level you picked it up with.

Mileage is usually unlimited on daily rentals within the continental US, so you won't be charged per mile. Check your agreement to confirm. Some weekly or monthly rentals have mileage caps, and some one-way rentals do too.

Return the car to the location you reserved, on the date and time you booked. If you return it late, Enterprise charges a late fee (usually $40 to $75 for the first hour, then daily rates for each additional day). If you return it to a different location, you'll be charged a one-way fee. Return it with damage or less fuel than you picked it up with, and you'll see charges on your final bill.

Damage waivers and insurance coverage

The Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is Enterprise's optional insurance product. It covers damage to the rental car from collision, theft, or vandalism. It does not cover damage from misuse (like off-roading), mechanical failure, or damage from an at-fault accident if you were driving recklessly. The waiver also doesn't cover your personal belongings, other vehicles, or injuries.

Before you buy Enterprise's waiver, check whether your personal auto insurance covers rental cars. Most standard policies do, though some exclude certain car types (like luxury vehicles or trucks). Call your insurer or check your policy documents. Also check whether your credit card offers rental car coverage—many premium cards do, though they usually cover only collision damage, not theft or vandalism.

If your personal insurance or credit card covers rentals, you can decline Enterprise's waiver and save $15 to $30 per day. If you have no coverage, buying the waiver is the safer choice, because a single accident or theft could cost thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Common fees and how to avoid them

Late return is the most common extra charge. If you're running late, call the location as soon as you know. Some locations will waive a short delay if you call ahead. If you can't return on time, ask about extending your reservation—it may cost less than a late fee.

Fuel charges happen when you return the car with less fuel than you picked it up with. Enterprise charges a per-gallon refill fee that's much higher than what you'd pay at a gas station. To avoid this, fill up at a gas station near the rental location before you return the car. Leave yourself 15 minutes for this.

Damage charges occur if the car has new dents, scratches, stains, or mechanical issues when you return it. Some damage is minor and may not be charged if it's consistent with normal wear. But significant damage will show up on your final bill. Drive carefully, avoid tight parking spaces if you're unsure of the car's size, and report any damage you cause when ready to the rental agent.

Additional driver fees explore if you add a second driver at pickup. If you know you'll need a second driver, add them when you reserve online—it's sometimes cheaper than adding them at the counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car if I don't have a credit card?

No. Enterprise requires a credit card in your name to hold a deposit and charge your final bill. Debit cards are not accepted for the deposit hold. If you don't have a credit card, you won't be able to rent from Enterprise.

What if I need to return the car early?

You can return it early without penalty. You'll be refunded the unused days at the daily rate you booked. Return it to the same location you reserved, and bring it back with a full tank of fuel if you chose the "return full" option.

Can I add a second driver after I've already picked up the car?

Yes, but you'll need to go back to the rental location and add them to the agreement. The additional driver fee will explore for the remaining days of your rental. It's cheaper to add them when you reserve if you know you'll need a second driver.

What happens if I get in an accident?

Call Enterprise when ready and report the accident. If you have the Loss Damage Waiver, Enterprise will handle the damage claim. If you declined the waiver, your personal auto insurance should cover it (if your policy includes rental cars). Get a police report if there's significant damage or another vehicle involved, and keep all documentation for your insurance claim.

Is the price I see online the final price I'll pay?

No. The online price is the base daily rate before taxes and add-ons. Taxes (which vary by location) will be added, and any add-ons you select (damage waiver, second driver, GPS, fuel options, one-way fees) will increase the total. You'll see the full estimated total before you sign at pickup.