What Enterprise Rent a Car is and how it differs from other rental companies

Enterprise is the largest car rental company in North America by number of locations, with over 10,000 branches. Unlike Hertz or Avis, which concentrate at airports, Enterprise built its business on neighborhood locations — you'll find branches in suburbs, small towns, and city centers, not just airport terminals. This matters because it changes what you pay, where you pick up, and what happens if something goes wrong.

Enterprise is owned by the same parent company as National Car Rental and Alamo, but operates as a separate brand with its own pricing, loyalty program, and reservation system. When you book through Enterprise.com or call a local branch directly, you're not booking through National or Alamo — the rates and vehicle availability are different. Enterprise also runs a separate business renting to people whose own cars are in the shop (damage waiver rentals), which means some of their inventory and pricing reflects that market.

The core difference for most renters: Enterprise's neighborhood locations mean shorter trips to pick up and drop off, but airport locations often charge higher daily rates than the same company's airport competitors. Enterprise also tends to charge more per day than budget brands like Budget or Fox, but less than premium brands like Hertz or Avis at the same location type.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise has over 10,000 locations, mostly in neighborhoods rather than airports, so you may pick up closer to home but pay more per day than at a budget rental company.
  • Your rate depends on location type (airport vs. neighborhood), how far in advance you book, the specific car class you choose, and current demand — the same rental can cost $30 or $80 per day depending on these factors.
  • Enterprise's damage waiver program covers damage to the rental car, but you still pay a deductible, and the waiver does not cover theft, towing, or loss of use charges.
  • You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance to rent; some renters also need an International Driving Permit if they hold a non-US license.
  • Enterprise's loyalty program (Enterprise Plus) gives you faster check-in and discounts on future rentals, but you must enroll before your first rental to earn points on that trip.

How Enterprise's daily rates are set and what affects the price you pay

Enterprise publishes a base rate for each car class at each location, but the actual price you pay depends on five things: the location type, how far ahead you book, the specific dates you need the car, current demand, and any discounts you enter at booking. A compact car at an airport location costs more per day than the same car at a neighborhood branch. Booking 30 days in advance usually costs less than booking three days before pickup, but not always — if demand spikes (holiday weekends, local events), last-minute rates can jump. Enterprise does not publish these rates in advance; you see the price only when you enter your dates and location into their search.

The daily rate is separate from taxes, fees, and optional add-ons. Taxes vary by state and county — a $40-per-day rental in California may carry $8 to $12 in daily tax, while the same rental in Florida carries $6 to $8. Enterprise also charges a facility fee at airport locations (typically $5 to $8 per day) and a vehicle licensing recovery fee (usually $3 to $5 per day). These are not optional; they appear on your final bill. Optional add-ons — damage waiver, roadside information, GPS, additional driver — each add $5 to $15 per day.

The best way to understand what you'll actually pay is to search Enterprise.com with your exact dates and location, then add up the daily rate, taxes, and fees shown at checkout. Do not assume the advertised rate is the final price.

What documents you need and how the rental agreement works

To rent from Enterprise, you must bring a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. The credit card does not have to be a major brand (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover); some Enterprise locations accept debit cards, but policies vary by branch. Call ahead if you plan to use a debit card. The proof of insurance can be a physical card, a digital image on your phone, or a letter from your insurance company — it must show your name, the vehicle you're insured to drive, and the policy dates.

If your driver's license is not from the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico, you also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is not a separate license; it is a translation of your home country's license into multiple languages and is recognized by rental companies and law enforcement in most countries. You obtain an IDP from your home country's automobile association before you travel. Enterprise will not rent to you without one if your license is not in English or from a North American jurisdiction.

The rental agreement is a contract that specifies the car you're renting, the dates, the daily rate, any add-ons you've chosen, and your responsibility for damage or loss. Enterprise requires you to read and sign this agreement before you leave the lot. The agreement also states the mileage limit (if any) and what happens if you return the car late. Most Enterprise rentals are unlimited mileage, but some discounted rates come with a mileage cap — read the terms at booking to confirm.

Enterprise's damage waiver program and what it actually covers

Enterprise's damage waiver (called Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) is optional insurance that covers damage to the rental car up to its full value, minus a deductible you choose at booking. The deductible is typically $500, $1,000, or $2,500 — the lower the deductible, the higher the daily cost of the waiver. If you choose a $500 deductible and the car is damaged, you pay $500 and Enterprise covers the rest. If you choose no waiver and the car is damaged, you pay the full repair cost, which can be $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the damage.

The damage waiver covers collision, vandalism, and weather damage. It does not cover theft, loss of use charges (the rental company's lost revenue while the car is being repaired), towing, or damage from off-road driving. If the car is stolen, you are responsible for its full value even with the waiver. If you cause an accident and the car is in the shop for two weeks, you pay the loss of use charge (typically $30 to $50 per day) even with the waiver.

Before you buy Enterprise's waiver, check your personal auto insurance policy and your credit card benefits. Many personal policies cover rental cars at no extra cost, and some premium credit cards (American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve) include rental car damage coverage. If your insurance or credit card covers the rental, you do not need Enterprise's waiver. If you have no coverage, the waiver is worth buying — the daily cost ($10 to $20) is much less than the risk of paying thousands out of pocket.

How to book and what to do if you need to change or cancel

You can book Enterprise through their website (Enterprise.com), their mobile app, by phone at 1-800-261-7331, or by walking into a local branch. Online and app bookings are fastest; you enter your pickup location, dates, and car class, and the system shows available cars and prices when ready. Phone and in-person bookings take longer but let you ask questions about specific vehicles or negotiate rates if you're a frequent renter.

Once you book, Enterprise sends a confirmation email with your reservation number, pickup location, and rate. You do not need to print this; you can show it on your phone. If you need to change your dates or location, you can modify the reservation through the website or app, or call the branch directly. Cancellations are free if you cancel at least one day before your scheduled pickup; if you cancel the day of or do not show up, you may be charged a no-show fee (typically one day's rental rate).

If you need to extend your rental after you've picked up the car, call the branch where you rented or use the Enterprise app to request an extension. The rate for the extra days may be different from your original rate, depending on current demand. It is usually cheaper to extend through the app or by calling than to return the car and book a new rental.

Enterprise Plus loyalty program and how to earn and use points

Enterprise Plus is Enterprise's free loyalty program. Members earn one point per dollar spent on rentals and can redeem points for free rental days. You must enroll before your first rental to earn points on that rental; if you rent without enrolling, that rental does not earn points retroactively. Enrollment takes two minutes on Enterprise.com or in the app.

Enterprise Plus members also get faster check-in (you can skip the counter and go straight to your car), access to member-only rates, and a dedicated phone line for customer service. The member-only rates are sometimes lower than the public rate for the same rental, but not always — always compare the member rate to the public rate at booking. Members also earn bonus points during promotional periods (for example, double points during certain months).

Points do not expire as long as you have at least one rental every three years. If you do not rent for three years, your account becomes inactive and your points are forfeited. You can reactivate the account by renting again, but you do not recover the old points. Most members find that one rental every three years is straightforward to meet, so point expiration is rarely an issue.

What to expect at pickup and return, and common problems

At pickup, an Enterprise agent will check your driver's license and credit card, walk you around the car to document its condition (dents, scratches, fuel level), take a photo or video of the car's exterior, and explain the car's controls. This inspection usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The agent will also ask whether you want the damage waiver and any add-ons (GPS, additional driver). If you already chose these at booking, the agent will confirm them; if not, you can add them now.

Before you drive away, make sure the agent has documented any existing damage. If there is a scratch or dent that was not noted, take a photo on your phone and email it to the branch manager within 24 hours. This protects you if Enterprise tries to charge you for damage you did not cause.

At return, you drive to the branch, park in the designated return area, and an agent inspects the car for new damage, checks the fuel level, and verifies the mileage. If the car has new damage, the agent will tell you and explain what you owe. If you bought the damage waiver, you pay the deductible; if not, you pay the full repair cost. The agent will email you a receipt within 24 hours. If you dispute a damage charge, contact the branch manager or call Enterprise customer service at 1-800-261-7331 within 30 days.

Common problems: Enterprise sometimes charges for damage that existed before you rented (always document the car's condition at pickup), charges for fuel even though you returned it full (keep your fuel receipt), or charges a late fee when you returned the car on time (check your confirmation email for the exact return time). If any of these happen, contact the branch within 30 days with photos or receipts as proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent from Enterprise if I'm under 25?

Yes, but you will pay an underage driver fee (typically $15 to $25 per day) if you are under 25. Some car classes are not available to drivers under 25. Call your local Enterprise branch or check the website at booking to see which cars are available and what the underage fee will be.

What happens if I return the car late?

Enterprise charges a late fee, usually one day's rental rate for each day or partial day you are late. If you rent a car for $50 per day and return it one day late, you pay $50 extra. If you return it six hours late, you pay $50 (one full day). Call the branch as soon as you realize you will be late; sometimes the agent can adjust the return time or waive the fee if you are only a few minutes over.

Does Enterprise's insurance cover me if I cause an accident?

Enterprise's damage waiver covers damage to the rental car, but it does not cover liability (injury or damage to other people or property). Your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage handles liability. If you do not have personal insurance, you must buy Enterprise's liability coverage at booking, or you are driving uninsured. Check your policy before you rent.

Can I rent a car for someone else to drive?

No. The person whose name is on the rental agreement must be the one driving the car. You can add an additional driver at booking or at pickup for a fee (typically $5 to $10 per day), and that person can drive, but you remain responsible for the rental. The additional driver must have a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years old.

What if I need to return the car to a different location than where I picked it up?

Enterprise allows one-way rentals (pickup at one location, return at another). One-way rentals usually cost more than round-trip rentals because Enterprise has to move the car back. The extra cost depends on the distance between locations. Enter your return location at booking to see the one-way fee before you confirm.