15 Hidden Tricks to Score the Cheapest Car Rentals

Timing is crucial when searching for a rental car; you might come across a good rate, but waiting for a lower price could cause you to lose out on a great deal. However, there are additional secret methods to find the best price. Utilize these 15 insider strategies to conduct a comprehensive search for the most affordable rental car—and perhaps even snag an upgrade.

Explore membership sites for your search.

While membership fees are necessary to unlock deals through platforms like Costco Travel and AAA, these costs can be worthwhile for frequent renters. If you're already a member, these should be your go-to options for savings. Rather than offering their own vehicles, these organizations utilize their scale and customer base to negotiate better deals. For instance, Costco Travel often provides lower prices than major rental companies such as Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, and Avis, while AAA offers discounts on Hertz rentals.

Explore your airline programs

You may discover attractive discounts through frequent flyer programs. However, these often come with conditions like renting only from specific airline partners or restricting pick-up and drop-off to airport locations. Even if no discounts are available, booking through the airline could earn you additional points. For example, in 2023, Delta introduced a new SkyMiles partnership with Hertz, providing four miles for every dollar spent on Hertz rentals; Gold members earn six miles per dollar, and Diamond members earn eight miles per dollar.

Utilize third-party discount websites.

If you’re flexible with rental agencies, consider checking "opaque" sites like Priceline and Hotwire, which offer significant discounts without revealing the rental company’s identity until after a nonrefundable booking is made. You never know where the best deal will be, so it’s worth doing a quick search on third-party discount platforms to uncover the most affordable rental options available.

Compare with the direct booking rate.

If you’ve got your heart set on a specific car rental company, make sure to check their website for prices before finalizing a booking through a third-party site like Expedia. You might discover that booking directly is significantly cheaper, plus it allows you to earn points with the company’s membership program. This approach ensures you’re well-prepared.

Consider a car-sharing option.

If you can rent out your home on Airbnb, why not your vehicle? Peer-to-peer car-sharing services like Getaround and Turo enable you to rent cars directly from their owners, who determine the pricing and mileage restrictions. After booking, you’ll meet the owner to collect the keys and vehicle, and you’re good to go. This rental model offers distinct advantages, such as reading reviews for the exact car you’ll drive and the possibility of picking it up close to home. If you’re seeking the most affordable car rental and live in an area with many available cars, peer-to-peer rentals can save you a lot. If you’re hesitant about driving someone else’s vehicle, consider Zipcar, a membership-based service for instant car bookings.

Look into Transfercars.

With numerous travelers picking up rental cars at one location and dropping them off at another, rental companies often find it challenging to maintain their inventory in high-demand areas. To address this, they need to hire drivers to reposition vehicles where they’re needed most, creating an opportunity for budget-savvy travelers with flexible schedules. Transfercar is a service that connects you with cars that have preassigned destinations for just the cost of insurance and fuel. For instance, you might find a station wagon needing a drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco in three days. That’s a nine-hour trip, allowing for stops at places like Yosemite National Park or Lake Tahoe. If RV travel is more your style, check out imoova.com, which offers similar services for RV rentals.

Try the two-minute trick.

If you have the patience and two minutes each week, this simple trick suggested by Scott Keyes, the founder of Going (previously known as Scott's Cheap Flights), can lead to better rental rates. Start by booking your car rental as soon as you decide you need it, regardless of the rate. Then, set a weekly reminder to check the price on the same vehicle. If you notice a price drop, you can cancel your initial booking and rebook at the new lower rate. Just ensure your rental company won’t charge a cancellation fee, which is typically waived as long as you cancel more than 24 hours after booking. The sooner you book, the higher the chance of scoring a significant price reduction.

Search for coupons.

You can often save a bit more on your rental with coupons from AutoSlash.com, which searches a database for the best discounts available. Just enter your rental dates and tailor the search based on your travel memberships, credit cards, and frequent flyer programs. You’ll receive an email with possible discounted rates. Additionally, you can browse available coupons listed on the site, sorted by rental company, if you prefer to explore your options that way.

Opt for a manual transmission.

When traveling outside Canada and the U.S., you'll notice that manual transmission vehicles are much more prevalent. While automatics are still available in Europe (and elsewhere), they often come at a premium due to their scarcity. If you’re unfamiliar with driving a stick shift, investing some time to learn can lead to greater savings later on.

Steer clear of insurance pitfalls.

Your credit card, personal auto insurance, or travel insurance might already cover your rental vehicle. Be sure to check this before renting and pay attention to the details. This could save you $15 to $25 a day on your rental cost. Remember to bring proof of your coverage, as many rental companies now require it before handing over the keys. Websites like Rental Cover offer independent insurance policies that are significantly cheaper than those provided by rental agencies.

Avoid renting at the airport.

Renting cars at the airport typically incurs higher costs due to additional taxes and fees. Opting for an off-airport location could save you as much as 20 percent. If you can reach the city center using public transport—or take a taxi to an off-airport location without exceeding the cost of renting at the airport—it's generally more economical to rent a car in or around the city. However, this changes in large cities like New York, where airport rentals are often more affordable due to high parking fees. Always compare prices between airport and non-airport rental options for the best savings.

Watch for hidden fees.

Hidden fees have spiraled out of control to the point where even the White House is taking action. These fees may include charges for renting a toll transponder (around $5 per day), a GPS (better to use your phone), or satellite radio (which can cost up to $8 a day). Bringing your own accessories, like a charger or phone mount, can help you avoid inflated prices at the rental counter. Just ensure you exclude these from your booking.

Check rates throughout the week.

Sometimes, booking a car for an entire week can be cheaper than just the days you need it. Explore the difference between returning the car on your actual departure day versus a few days later. If extending your rental results in a lower rate, reserve that longer period and return the car when you’re ready. However, be sure to get written confirmation from the rental company that no early return fees will apply.

Opt for the smallest car available.

Rental car agencies often overbook to offset no-shows. While this can lead to issues during peak times, you can turn this to your advantage by reserving the smallest, most affordable car and hoping for an upgrade. Just remember, it’s a bit of a risk, so avoid booking anything too small for your group's needs.

Designate a primary driver.

If you intend to share driving duties with your travel companions, you might incur extra fees for each additional driver added to your reservation, typically starting at $10 per day. To save on costs, consider listing just one driver, but be cautious: if someone else drives and an accident occurs, you could face hefty penalties. Some rental companies offer promotions that waive additional driver fees, which could lead to significant savings depending on your travel plans.