What Enterprise Rent-A-Car is and how to use it

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a rental company with locations at airports, city centers, and neighborhood branches across North America. You reserve a vehicle online, by phone, or at a location, provide a driver's license and payment method, and pick up the car at your chosen time. You return it to the same location or a different one, depending on your reservation. Enterprise does not require you to be a certain age, but you must be at least 21 to rent (25 at some locations for certain vehicle types), and your driver's license must be valid.

The company operates on a daily, weekly, or monthly rental basis. You pay a base rate for the vehicle class you choose, plus taxes and fees that vary by location. Mileage may be unlimited or limited depending on your rate plan. Insurance is optional but strongly recommended — you can use your personal auto policy, a credit card's rental coverage, or purchase it from Enterprise.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise charges a daily rate based on vehicle type and demand, plus taxes and location fees that can add 20 to 40 percent to your quoted price.
  • You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance or the option to purchase it from Enterprise before you can pick up a car.
  • Mileage limits, fuel policies, and damage waivers differ by rate plan, so compare what is included before you book.
  • Returning a car late incurs additional daily charges, and damage claims can take weeks to resolve and may exceed your deposit.

How to book and what documents you need

You can book through Enterprise's website (enterprise.com), their mobile app, or by calling 1-800-RENT-A-CAR. You will need to enter your pickup and return dates, location, and driver's license number. The website shows available vehicle classes and prices for your dates. Once you select a car and rate plan, you enter a credit card number to hold the reservation. Enterprise does not charge your card until you pick up the vehicle.

At pickup, bring your driver's license, the credit card you used to book, and proof of insurance. If you do not have insurance, you can purchase a damage waiver or loss damage waiver (LDW) from Enterprise at pickup. Some credit cards (American Express, Visa Signature, Mastercard) include rental car coverage, but you must decline Enterprise's insurance to use your card's coverage — once you buy Enterprise's waiver, your card's coverage may not explore. Call your credit card company before you book to confirm what is covered.

If you are renting under a corporate account or through a travel agency, bring your account number or confirmation code. Enterprise may ask for a second form of ID and proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease). If you are under 25, some locations charge an underage driver fee of $15 to $25 per day.

Understanding the price breakdown and hidden costs

The rate shown on Enterprise's website is the base daily or weekly charge for the vehicle class. This is not your final cost. Taxes (which vary by state and city, typically 8 to 15 percent) are added at checkout. Location fees, airport surcharges, and vehicle licensing recovery fees can add another $5 to $15 per day depending on where you rent.

Fuel is a major variable. Enterprise offers three fuel options: you prepay for a full tank at a per-gallon rate (usually higher than local gas prices), you return the car with a full tank and pay Enterprise's pump price for any shortfall, or you return it empty and pay Enterprise's per-gallon rate for the entire tank. The prepay option locks in a price but charges you for a full tank even if you use less. Returning with a full tank is usually cheapest if you can refuel near the rental location before returning.

Mileage limits vary by rate plan. Some plans include unlimited miles; others limit you to 100 or 150 miles per day. Excess mileage typically costs $0.25 to $0.50 per mile. A week-long trip 500 miles over the limit could add $125 to $250 to your bill. Check your confirmation email for the exact mileage allowance.

Insurance, damage waivers, and what happens if you damage the car

Enterprise's damage waiver (called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) costs $15 to $30 per day and removes your financial responsibility for damage to the rental car, except for glass, tires, and the undercarriage in some cases. If you decline the waiver and damage the car, you are responsible for the full repair cost, which can exceed $5,000 for major damage. Enterprise will charge your credit card and may pursue you for additional costs if repairs exceed the deposit.

Your personal auto insurance may cover rental cars, but only if you have collision and comprehensive coverage. Check your policy or call your insurer before you rent. Many credit cards (Visa Signature, Mastercard Premium, American Express) include rental car coverage, but the coverage is secondary — it pays only after your personal insurance or the rental company's waiver. Read your card's terms carefully; some exclude certain vehicle types or countries.

If you damage the car, report it to Enterprise when ready at pickup or return. Take photos of any damage you notice before you leave the lot — Enterprise staff will document it on your contract. If damage is discovered after you return the car, Enterprise will contact you within a few days to a few weeks with a damage claim. Disputes over pre-existing damage or repair costs can take 30 to 60 days to resolve.

Late returns and additional charges

Your rental agreement specifies a return time, usually the same time of day you picked up the car. If you return the car late, Enterprise charges an additional daily rate for each day or partial day overdue. A car due at 10 a.m. that you return at 2 p.m. may be charged a full extra day. Some locations are more flexible than others, so call ahead if you think you will be late.

If you keep the car significantly longer than your reservation without notifying Enterprise, the company may report it as a vehicle theft to police. This is rare but has happened. If you need to extend your rental, call Enterprise as soon as you know, and they will adjust your reservation and charge you the current rate for the additional days.

One-way rentals and returning to a different location

Enterprise allows one-way rentals — you pick up at one location and return at another. One-way rentals typically cost more than round-trip rentals because Enterprise must move the car back. The additional charge depends on the distance; renting from a city location and returning at an airport 20 miles away might add $30 to $50, while a cross-state one-way rental could add $200 or more.

When you book a one-way rental, the website shows the total cost including the one-way fee. Confirm the return location on your confirmation email. If you return to the wrong location, you may be charged an additional fee or have to pay for the car to be transported back.

Enterprise Plus membership and loyalty programs

Enterprise Plus is a free membership program that offers faster checkout, discounted rates at some locations, and the ability to skip the counter and go straight to your car. You sign up on the Enterprise website or at a rental location. There is no cost to join, and membership does not lock you into a specific rate — you still see all available prices when you book.

Enterprise also partners with corporate accounts, travel agencies, and credit card companies to offer discounted rates. If you rent frequently through your employer or a travel agency, ask whether a corporate account rate is available. These rates are sometimes lower than the public rate, but not always — compare before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car if my driver's license is suspended or expired?

No. Enterprise requires a valid, unexpired driver's license. A suspended license disqualifies you from renting. If your license is expired but you have a renewal notice showing you applied for a new one, some locations may rent to you, but this varies. Call your local Enterprise location to ask.

What happens if I return the car with damage I did not cause?

Report any damage you did not cause at pickup before you leave the lot. Enterprise staff will document it on your contract. If you discover damage after you leave, call Enterprise when ready and explain when and how it happened. If you have a damage waiver, you are not responsible. Without one, you may be charged unless you can prove the damage was pre-existing.

Can I cancel my reservation and get a refund?

Enterprise does not charge your card until you pick up the car, so canceling before pickup has no cost. You can cancel online, through the app, or by calling 1-800-RENT-A-CAR. If you have already picked up the car, canceling early may result in a cancellation fee depending on your rate plan — check your confirmation email for the terms.

What if I get into an accident while renting from Enterprise?

Call Enterprise when ready and report the accident. If you have a damage waiver, Enterprise handles the claim. Without one, you are responsible for repairs. Contact your personal auto insurance and your credit card company (if you have rental coverage) to report the accident. Enterprise will likely charge you a deductible or the full repair cost if you do not have coverage.

Does Enterprise charge a fee if I return the car with an empty tank?

Yes. If you choose the "return empty" fuel option at booking, you pay Enterprise's per-gallon rate for a full tank, which is typically higher than local gas prices. If you prepaid for fuel and return the car empty, you lose the prepaid amount. The cheapest option is usually to refuel near the rental location and return with a full tank.