Book directly with the rental company, not through a third-party site

The cheapest rental car rate usually comes from calling or visiting the rental company's own website, not from Kayak, Expedia, or Autoslash. Third-party booking sites take a commission, and rental companies often undercut those sites on their own pages to keep that commission. The difference is often 15 to 25 percent.

Major rental companies with their own booking systems include Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National. Regional companies like Fox Rent A Car and Thrifty sometimes beat the national chains on price, especially at smaller airports. Check the company's website directly, then compare that price to one or two others before booking.

Key Takeaways

  • Rental company websites almost always undercut third-party booking sites because those sites take a commission that gets passed to you.
  • Airport locations charge facility fees that can add 20 to 30 percent to your bill, so renting from an off-airport location saves real money if you have transportation there.
  • Weekly rates are usually cheaper per day than daily rates, even if you only need the car for four or five days.
  • Declining the rental company's insurance and using your personal auto policy or credit card coverage can save $15 to $40 per day.
  • Prepaid rates lock in the price but cannot be changed, so book only when you are certain of your travel dates.

Rent from an off-airport location to avoid facility fees

Airport rental locations charge a facility fee that is separate from the daily rate. This fee varies by airport but typically runs 10 to 30 percent of your rental cost. A rental that costs $40 per day at an airport location might cost $30 per day at a location five miles away in town.

If you have a way to get to an off-airport location—a friend dropping you off, a rideshare, or public transit—the savings often exceed the cost of that transportation. Check the rental company's location list on their website and compare the daily rate at the airport against the rate at the nearest off-airport branch. The difference is usually clear within seconds.

Choose a weekly rate instead of daily, even for short trips

Rental companies price weekly rentals (typically seven consecutive days) at a lower per-day rate than daily rentals. If you need a car for four, five, or six days, the weekly rate is often cheaper than paying the daily rate for those days. You pay for seven days but use the car for fewer, which still beats the daily math.

This works because rental companies want to move cars off the lot for longer periods. Check both the daily rate for your exact number of days and the weekly rate before booking. The weekly option frequently wins by $30 to $80 total, depending on the car class and location.

Decline the rental company's insurance if your own policy covers rentals

Rental companies offer collision damage waiver (CDW) and loss damage waiver (LDW) insurance, which typically cost $15 to $40 per day. Your personal auto insurance policy may already cover rental cars, and many credit cards offer rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit. Before you book, call your insurance company or check your credit card's benefits guide to confirm what is covered.

If your policy or credit card covers collision, theft, and third-party liability on rentals, you can decline the rental company's insurance and save significantly. If you are unsure whether you are covered, ask your insurance company for written confirmation before you rent. Declining coverage you do not have is expensive; declining coverage you do have is free.

Book a prepaid rate and stick to your dates

Rental companies offer two pricing structures: prepaid (non-refundable, locked-in price) and standard (refundable, price can change). Prepaid rates are usually 10 to 20 percent cheaper than standard rates for the same car and dates. The trade-off is that you cannot change your reservation without losing the discount.

Book prepaid only when your travel dates are firm. If there is any chance your plans will shift, the standard rate is worth the extra cost because you can modify or cancel without penalty. Prepaid works best for planned trips where dates are set weeks in advance.

Rent a smaller or older car class than you think you need

The price difference between a compact car and a midsize sedan can be $10 to $20 per day. If you do not need the extra space, the compact is the cheaper choice. Rental companies also price older model years lower than current ones, even within the same car class.

When you book, you are reserving a car class, not a specific vehicle. You might get a newer model than listed, but you will not be charged more. Choosing a compact or economy class instead of midsize, or accepting an older model year, cuts your daily rate without changing what you actually drive home.

Check for corporate, membership, and loyalty discounts

Rental companies offer discounts for AAA membership, military service, corporate accounts, and frequent renter programs. AAA members typically save 10 to 15 percent. Military discounts vary by company but often run 10 to 20 percent. Some employers have corporate accounts that include discounts.

If you belong to AAA, are active or retired military, or work for a company with a rental partnership, enter that information when you book. The discount applies automatically if you provide the membership or ID number. Even if you do not may have access to for these programs, loyalty programs are free to join and offer discounts on future rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to rent for a week or a month?

Monthly rates are usually cheaper per day than weekly rates, but the difference is smaller than the jump from daily to weekly. If you need a car for 10 to 14 days, compare the weekly rate times two against the monthly rate. For 21 days or more, a monthly rate almost always wins.

Should I fill up the gas tank before returning the car?

Yes. Rental companies charge $6 to $10 per gallon for fuel they add after you return the car, compared to $3 to $4 per gallon at a gas station. Fill the tank at a station near the rental location before you return it. Keep your receipt in case the company disputes the fuel level.

What if I find a cheaper rate after I book?

If you booked a standard (refundable) rate, you can cancel and rebook at the lower price. If you booked prepaid, you cannot change the rate without losing the discount. This is another reason to book prepaid only when you are certain of your dates.

Do I need to buy extra insurance if I have a credit card with rental coverage?

Not necessarily. Call your credit card company before you rent and ask what is covered. Most premium cards cover collision and theft but not liability. If your personal auto policy covers rentals, you likely have liability covered there. Confirm in writing before you decline the rental company's insurance.

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

That depends on the distance and duration. For a single trip across town, rideshare is usually cheaper. For a full day of driving or multiple stops, a rental car often costs less. Calculate the total rideshare cost for your planned trips and compare it to a one-day rental rate plus gas.