Book directly with the rental company, not through a travel site

The cheapest rental rate is almost always on the rental company's own website, not on Kayak, Expedia, or Priceline. Those sites take a commission, and the rental company builds that cost into the price they show there. When you go to Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, or Avis directly, you see their lowest available rate for that car, date, and location.

The one exception: if you have a membership discount code (AAA, military, corporate) that only works through a third-party site, compare that discounted price against the rental company's direct rate before booking. Most of the time the direct rate still wins, even without the code applied.

Key Takeaways

  • Booking directly on a rental company's website almost always costs less than booking through travel comparison sites, because those sites add commission fees to the quoted price.
  • Membership discounts (AAA, military, corporate) save 10 to 25 percent, but you must enter the discount code at checkout on the rental company's site to see the actual savings.
  • Renting from an off-airport location costs 20 to 40 percent less than renting from the airport, because airports charge rental companies a concession fee that gets passed to you.
  • One-way rentals cost significantly more than round-trip because the company has to move the car back; returning to the same location is the cheapest option.
  • Declining the rental company's insurance and using your personal auto policy or credit card coverage saves $15 to $40 per day, but verify your coverage before you decline.

Use a membership discount code if you have one

AAA membership, military status, corporate accounts, and some credit cards come with rental discounts. These typically cut 10 to 25 percent off the base rate. The discount only appears when you enter the code at checkout, so if you don't see it drop the price, you either entered the code wrong or that rental company doesn't honor that particular membership.

Common discount programs include AAA (code usually starts with your membership number), military (AARP also offers military discounts), and corporate codes issued by your employer. Some credit cards like American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve include rental discounts too. Check your membership card or call the organization to get the exact code before you book.

Rent from a location away from the airport

Airport rental locations charge 20 to 40 percent more than off-airport branches in the same city. The airport charges the rental company a concession fee for the right to operate there, and that fee gets passed directly to you in the quoted rate. A downtown or suburban location of the same company costs far less.

If you're flying in, take a rideshare, taxi, or public transit to an off-airport branch. The savings on the rental usually exceed what you spend getting there. For example, a $60 Uber ride to an off-airport Enterprise might save you $200 on a week-long rental compared to renting at the airport location. Check Google Maps for branches near your hotel or destination before you book.

Return the car to the same location where you picked it up

One-way rentals cost substantially more because the rental company has to pay someone to drive the car back or move it to another location. A round-trip rental (same pickup and return location) is always the cheapest option. If you need the car in a different city, the one-way fee often adds $100 to $300 or more to your total cost, depending on distance.

If you're considering a one-way rental, first check whether it's cheaper to rent round-trip in the first city, return it, and then rent a separate car in the second city. Sometimes two separate rentals cost less than one one-way rental, especially if the second rental qualifies for a weekend or multi-day discount.

Decline the rental company's insurance if your coverage is solid

Rental car insurance offered by the company costs $15 to $40 per day. Most personal auto insurance policies cover rental cars, and many credit cards (especially premium cards) include rental car coverage. Before you decline the rental company's insurance, call your insurance agent or check your credit card's benefits guide to confirm you're covered.

If your policy covers rentals, declining the company's insurance saves hundreds of dollars on a week-long rental. If you're unsure, it's cheaper to call your insurer for five minutes than to buy coverage you don't need. Keep the confirmation email from your insurer or credit card company with you during the rental in case you need to reference it.

Book during off-peak travel times

Rental rates fluctuate based on demand. Weekdays cost less than weekends. Off-season travel (January through March, September through November) costs less than peak season (summer, holidays, spring break). If your travel dates are flexible, even shifting by a day or two can cut 20 to 30 percent off the rate.

Check the price for several different date combinations on the rental company's website before you commit. Most sites show you the daily rate, so you can see exactly which days are cheaper. If you can move your trip by a few days and save $100 or more, it's worth considering.

Compare the daily rate against weekly and monthly rates

Rental companies often offer lower per-day rates for weekly or monthly rentals than for shorter periods. If you need a car for 5 or 6 days, check what a full week costs — it might be the same price or cheaper than paying the daily rate for those 5 or 6 days. Similarly, a 30-day rental sometimes costs less per day than a 7-day rental.

The rental company's website usually shows you these tiered rates automatically, but if you're booking through a third-party site, you may need to check the rental company's site directly to see the weekly and monthly options. This is another reason to book directly: you see all the pricing tiers at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to rent a car or use a rideshare service for a week?

For most people, a week-long car rental costs $200 to $400 total, while rideshare for the same trips runs $500 to $1,000 or more. Renting is cheaper if you need the car for multiple trips or full days. Rideshare is cheaper if you only need a few short rides and don't want to pay for parking or gas.

Do I have to buy a full tank of gas when I rent?

No. You can return the car with any amount of gas in the tank, but the rental company will charge you for a full tank at their inflated per-gallon rate if you don't fill it yourself before returning. Always fill the tank at a regular gas station near the rental location before you drop the car off — it costs half what the rental company charges.

What happens if I book a cheap rate and then find a cheaper one later?

Most rental companies allow you to modify or rebook your reservation if the price drops. Log into your reservation on the rental company's website and check if a lower rate is available for the same dates. If it is, you can usually rebook at the new price. Some companies charge a modification fee, so check the terms before you change it.

Are there rental companies cheaper than the big chains?

Regional and independent rental companies sometimes undercut the major chains, but they're not always available in every city. Check Turo (peer-to-peer car rentals) and local independent companies in your area, but compare the total cost including insurance, fees, and pickup location before assuming they're cheaper. The big chains often have better rates once you factor in all costs.

Should I prepay for the rental or pay at pickup?

Prepaying locks in the rate, which protects you if prices rise before your trip. Paying at pickup gives you flexibility to cancel or modify without a fee, but the rate might be higher by then. If you're booking more than two weeks in advance and the rate looks reasonable, prepay. If you're booking within two weeks, check whether the rate is likely to drop before you lock it in.