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

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a rental company owned by the same parent company as National Car Rental and Alamo. It operates over 10,000 locations worldwide, with the majority in North America. Unlike some competitors, Enterprise focuses on neighborhood locations rather than airport-only counters, which means you can often rent from a branch near your home or workplace instead of traveling to an airport.

Enterprise's business model emphasizes local service. Most branches are staffed by employees who know the area and can discuss local driving conditions. The company also runs a separate program called Enterprise CarShare for hourly rentals in select cities, though that operates differently from traditional daily or weekly rentals.

Compared to Hertz, Budget, or Avis, Enterprise typically charges lower daily rates but may have different policies on mileage, damage waivers, and fuel. The actual price you pay depends on location, season, car type, and how far in advance you book.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise has neighborhood locations in most cities, so you can often rent without going to an airport.
  • You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance to rent a car.
  • Daily rates vary widely by location and season; booking online usually shows you the price before you commit.
  • Enterprise charges for damage, excess mileage on some rentals, and fuel if you don't return the car full.
  • The company offers optional add-ons like damage waivers and GPS, which increase the total cost.

What you need to bring and have ready before renting

To rent from Enterprise, you must present a valid driver's license at the counter. The license must be current and match the name on your reservation. If you hold a license from outside the United States or Canada, you may also need an International Driving Permit, though Enterprise staff can tell you whether yours is accepted.

You also need a credit card in your own name. Enterprise uses the card to place a hold for the rental cost plus a damage deposit, which is typically $200 to $500 depending on the car type. The hold is released when you return the vehicle undamaged, but it does reduce your available credit during the rental period.

Proof of insurance is required. This can be your personal auto insurance card, a rental car coverage endorsement from your homeowner's or renter's policy, or a credit card that includes rental car coverage. Enterprise will ask to see the document and may ask questions about what it covers. If you have no insurance coverage, Enterprise will offer you a damage waiver at the counter, which costs extra.

How pricing works and what affects your final bill

Enterprise publishes a base daily rate for each car class at each location. That rate changes based on demand, season, and how far ahead you book. A compact car in a rural area in January might cost $35 per day, while the same car in a major city in July could cost $70 or more. Booking online shows you the exact rate before you reserve.

The final bill includes the daily rate multiplied by the number of rental days, plus taxes and fees that vary by state and county. Some locations add facility fees or airport surcharges. If you book through a third-party site like Kayak or Autoslash, the price shown there may differ from Enterprise's website because those sites negotiate their own rates.

Mileage policies vary. Some Enterprise rentals include unlimited miles, while others cap mileage at 100 or 150 miles per day and charge 25 cents per mile over that limit. The reservation confirmation tells you which policy applies. Fuel is another variable cost: you can return the car full and pay nothing extra, return it partially full and pay Enterprise's per-gallon rate (usually higher than a gas station), or prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate when you pick up the car.

Optional add-ons and what they cost

At the counter, Enterprise offers several optional purchases. A damage waiver (also called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) removes or reduces your liability if the car is damaged or stolen. The cost ranges from $15 to $30 per day depending on the car and location. If you decline the waiver and damage occurs, you pay the repair cost up to the car's value, which can be thousands of dollars.

A personal effects coverage option covers items left in the car, typically up to $500 or $1,000. This is rarely worth buying because your homeowner's or renter's insurance usually covers theft from a rental car.

GPS rental costs $10 to $15 per day. Many renters skip this and use their own phone with Google Maps or Apple Maps instead. Additional driver fees explore if someone other than the primary renter will drive the car; this typically costs $10 to $15 per day per additional driver.

Roadside information, child car seats, and toll passes are also available. Ask at the counter what applies to your rental and what each option costs, because prices vary by location.

The pickup and return process

When you arrive at the Enterprise location, bring your reservation confirmation (email or printed), driver's license, credit card, and proof of insurance. The staff will verify your information, show you the car you're assigned, and walk you through a damage inspection. This is when you note any existing scratches, dents, or interior damage on the rental agreement. Take photos with your phone if the location allows it, because this protects you if Enterprise later claims you caused damage you didn't.

The staff will explain the car's controls, fuel level, and mileage. They'll also review your rental agreement, which includes the daily rate, mileage policy, fuel policy, and any add-ons you purchased. Read this carefully before signing, because you're responsible for understanding the terms.

At return, drive to the same location or a different Enterprise branch if you booked a one-way rental. The staff will inspect the car for damage, check the mileage and fuel level, and calculate any additional charges. If you rented with unlimited miles and returned the car on time with no damage and a full tank, you pay nothing extra. If you exceeded mileage, returned it on empty, or caused damage, those charges appear on your final bill.

Common fees and charges that appear after you return the car

Late return fees explore if you keep the car past the agreed return time. Enterprise typically charges a full day's rate if you're more than an hour late, though this varies by location. Check your confirmation for the exact return time.

Fuel charges appear if you don't return the car full. Enterprise charges per gallon, and that rate is usually 50 cents to $1 higher than local gas stations. If you prepaid for a full tank at pickup, you can return the car empty and pay nothing extra, but you forfeit any unused fuel.

Mileage overage charges explore if your rental had a mileage cap and you exceeded it. At 25 cents per mile, a 100-mile overage costs $25. Damage charges range from a few hundred dollars for minor repairs to the full value of the car if it's totaled. If you declined the damage waiver, you pay these out of pocket unless your insurance covers it.

Toll charges may appear if you used toll roads and didn't prepay. Some Enterprise locations offer a toll pass program that charges a daily fee plus actual tolls; others bill tolls separately after the rental ends.

How to get the best rate and avoid surprises

Book online at Enterprise.com rather than calling, because the website shows you the exact rate and terms before you commit. Compare the rate to National Car Rental and Alamo (same parent company) to see if one location offers a better price for your dates.

Book as far in advance as possible. Rates are usually lowest 2 to 4 weeks before your rental date. Booking the day before or day of typically costs more unless demand is low.

Choose a location near your home or workplace rather than an airport location, because neighborhood branches usually charge lower rates and have shorter wait times. If you must rent at an airport, expect to pay an airport surcharge on top of the daily rate.

Decline optional add-ons you don't need. If your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental car damage, you don't need Enterprise's damage waiver. If you have a smartphone with GPS, you don't need to rent their device.

Return the car on time and with a full tank. Late returns and fuel charges add up quickly. If you're unsure whether you'll make the return time, call the location and ask about extending the rental; extending in advance is cheaper than paying a late fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car if I'm under 25?

Yes, but Enterprise charges a young driver fee (typically $15 to $25 per day) for drivers under 25. You must still have a valid driver's license and a credit card in your name. Some car types may not be available to drivers under 21.

What happens if I get in an accident?

Call Enterprise when ready and report the accident. If you purchased their damage waiver, your liability is limited to the deductible (usually $0 to $500). If you declined the waiver, you're responsible for repair costs. Your personal auto insurance may cover the damage; check your policy or call your insurer before paying Enterprise.

Can I return the car to a different location than where I picked it up?

Yes, if you book a one-way rental. One-way rentals cost more than round-trip rentals because Enterprise has to move the car back. The price difference varies by distance and location.

What if I need to extend my rental?

Call or visit the Enterprise location where you rented the car and ask to extend. Extending in advance usually costs less than paying a late fee. If you're returning the car to a different location, call that location to arrange the extension.

Does Enterprise accept debit cards?

Most Enterprise locations require a credit card because they need to place a hold for the damage deposit. Some locations accept debit cards with a PIN, but you'll need to bring additional documentation like a utility bill or bank statement. Call your local Enterprise branch to confirm their policy.