Enterprise's base rental rates depend on location, car type, and how far ahead you book

Enterprise publishes no fixed price list because rates change by the day, the specific location, and what class of vehicle you want. A compact car in a small town might rent for $35 a day; the same car at an airport location in a major city might be $70 or more. Booking a week in advance often costs less than booking the day before, though not always — rates can spike if demand rises.

The company's website shows you the actual price for your specific dates, location, and car type before you commit. That number is what you pay for the daily rental itself. Everything else — insurance, fees, taxes, fuel charges — stacks on top of it.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise's daily rates vary by location and how far ahead you book, so you must check their website for your exact dates to see a real price.
  • The quoted daily rate does not include taxes, airport fees, or optional insurance, which can add 30 to 50 percent to your total bill.
  • Declining their insurance and using your personal auto policy or credit card coverage instead can save $15 to $40 per day.
  • Fuel charges are the biggest hidden cost — you pay per gallon if you return the car with less fuel than you took it, so filling up before return saves money.
  • Membership programs like Enterprise Plus and corporate accounts offer modest discounts, but the savings rarely exceed 10 to 15 percent of the base rate.

Taxes and airport fees that add to your bill

State and local sales tax applies to your rental in every state. The rate depends on where the rental location is, not where you live. A rental from an airport location typically adds an airport concession fee on top of sales tax — this fee is set by the airport authority, not Enterprise, and ranges from 10 to 15 percent of the rental cost at major airports.

Some cities and counties add their own rental car tax on top of state sales tax. Los Angeles, for example, adds a 14.625 percent city tax plus the state sales tax. These compound, so a $50 daily rate can become $65 or $70 after all taxes and fees are applied. Enterprise's website shows the full total including taxes and fees before you confirm your reservation, so you see the real cost upfront.

Insurance and damage waivers that change your total cost

Enterprise offers a damage waiver (called Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) that removes your financial responsibility if the car is damaged or stolen. This typically costs $15 to $30 per day depending on the car type and location. You are not required to buy it — you can decline and rely on your own auto insurance or credit card coverage instead.

Before you decline Enterprise's insurance, check what your personal auto policy actually covers when you rent. Some policies exclude rental cars entirely, or cover only collision and not theft. Credit card rental coverage often has gaps too — it may not cover the full value of the car or may exclude certain damage types. If your coverage is incomplete, Enterprise's damage waiver is cheaper than paying out of pocket for damage. If your coverage is solid, declining their insurance saves $15 to $30 per day.

Enterprise also sells additional liability coverage (usually $10 to $15 per day) if you want coverage above your state's minimum. Most renters skip this because their personal policy already covers liability when driving a rental.

Fuel charges and how to avoid them

Enterprise rents cars with a full tank and expects you to return them full. If you return the car with less fuel, you pay Enterprise's per-gallon rate for whatever you used. That rate is typically 50 to 100 percent higher than what you would pay at a gas station, so a gallon that costs $3.50 at a pump might cost $5 or $6 when Enterprise charges you for it.

The math is straightforward: fill the tank yourself before you return the car. A five-day rental where you use half a tank costs you nothing if you refill. If you return it half-empty, you might pay $20 to $40 depending on the car size and fuel prices. Enterprise's website shows you the fuel charge policy before you book, so you know the per-gallon rate in advance.

Some Enterprise locations offer a "pre-purchase fuel" option where you pay a flat rate upfront for a full tank, then return the car empty. This makes sense only if you know you will use most of the tank and local gas prices are high. For most short rentals, just filling up yourself is cheaper.

Membership discounts and corporate rates

Enterprise Plus is their membership program, and it offers discounts on daily rates (usually 5 to 10 percent) plus perks like a dedicated phone line and faster checkout. Membership is free to join, but the discount only applies if you book through their website and meet the program's terms. The savings are modest — on a $50 daily rate, you might save $2.50 to $5 per day.

Corporate accounts and government accounts get negotiated rates that can be 10 to 15 percent lower than the public rate, but only if your employer has an agreement with Enterprise. You need your company's account number to book at that rate. If your employer offers this, use it — the savings compound over multiple rentals.

Credit card companies and travel clubs sometimes offer Enterprise discounts too, but they are usually small (5 percent or less) and come with restrictions like minimum rental length or specific car classes.

How to compare Enterprise prices to other rental companies

Enterprise's rates are not inherently higher or lower than Hertz, Avis, or Budget — they move together based on demand and location. A compact car might be cheapest at Enterprise one week and cheapest at Budget the next week. The only way to know is to check all of them for your specific dates and location.

Use a rental car comparison site like Kayak or Autoslash, or check each company's website directly. Enter your dates, location, and car type into each one and compare the total cost including taxes and fees. Do not compare just the daily rate — compare the final bill. Enterprise might have a lower daily rate but higher airport fees, or vice versa.

Also check what insurance and fuel policies each company offers. If one company's damage waiver is $10 cheaper per day, that difference adds up over a week-long rental. Some companies include a tank of fuel in the price; others charge for every gallon you use. These details matter more than the headline daily rate.

What affects Enterprise prices the most

Booking window matters. Renting a car for next week is usually cheaper than renting it for tomorrow. Prices rise as the rental date gets closer because demand becomes more predictable and inventory tightens. Booking 7 to 14 days in advance typically gives you the best rate.

Location type is the second biggest factor. Airport locations charge more than off-airport locations because of concession fees and higher demand. A car rented from an Enterprise office downtown might cost $40 per day; the same car from the airport might cost $65. If you can get to an off-airport location, do it.

Car type and season round out the major factors. Economy cars are cheaper than SUVs. Summer and holiday weeks are more expensive than winter weekdays. A compact car in January might rent for $30 per day; the same car in July might be $50 or $60.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Enterprise charge a daily rate or a weekly rate?

Enterprise charges a daily rate, but they often offer a lower per-day price if you rent for a full week. A car might cost $50 per day for a 3-day rental but $40 per day if you rent it for 7 days. Always check both the daily total and the weekly total to see which is cheaper for your trip length.

Can I negotiate Enterprise's rental price?

Enterprise's published rates are not negotiable for walk-in customers, but corporate accounts and government accounts have pre-negotiated rates. If you are renting for business, ask your employer if they have an Enterprise account. Otherwise, your only leverage is booking at a different location or company if their price is lower.

What happens if I return the car late?

Late returns are charged at the daily rate for each additional day, or sometimes at an hourly rate if you are only a few hours over. The exact policy depends on your rental agreement. Check your confirmation email or ask at pickup what the late fee is. Returning the car on time is cheaper than paying an extra day's rental.

Do I have to buy Enterprise's insurance if I have my own auto policy?

No, you can decline Enterprise's damage waiver and use your personal auto insurance instead. Before you decline, verify that your policy covers rental cars and what the deductible is. If your deductible is $1,000 and Enterprise's damage waiver is $20 per day, the waiver might be worth it for a long rental.

Why is the price different when I check the same dates twice?

Enterprise's prices change constantly based on demand and inventory. If many people are booking for your dates, the price goes up. If cancellations happen or demand drops, the price goes down. Check a few times before you book, but do not wait too long — prices usually rise as your rental date approaches.