Renting a car in Hawaii through Turo during the rental 'apocalypse'

I just returned from Hawaii and navigated the car rental "apocalypse" with the help of a startup car-sharing platform called Turo. We've discussed this service before, but TPG wanted a comprehensive review of the Turo rental experience. The shortage of rental cars in Hawaii provided the perfect chance to put it to the test.

Overall, I can recommend the service, but there are certainly some challenges you should consider before choosing this option for your next trip.

Background

I began my search for a rental car for Maui in June—over a month prior to my trip. I knew I’d face high prices due to the well-known shortage of rental cars, but I wasn't prepared for how many places would be "sold out" everywhere.

I found absolutely no availability with any of the major rental car companies. I looked for cars in both Kauai and Maui, but everything was sold out.

I even tried a tip from a colleague about a local company called Discount Hawaii Car Rental, but they didn’t have any cars available either.

I had heard of Turo before, but from my previous writings on renting "green cars", I knew it could be pricey. However, I was ready to pay the price out of desperation. Turo is available in all 50 states, and it has limited international availability now, operating in 56 countries.

The company lets you rent cars from regular consumers when they’re not in use. I signed up for the service (which operates like an Uber app) back in May and revisited it for my Hawaii trip in June.

There was plenty of availability, but the prices were quite steep. Here’s what you can anticipate.

I chose to search for the cheapest available option. Prices have certainly dropped since my initial booking, but keep in mind that searching by price often yields vehicles that haven’t been rented out before. This can be a bit risky since both you and the owner will be navigating the Turo process for the first time.

In contrast to rental cars, there’s an abundance of availability, with prices starting as low as $55 per day (excluding insurance and fees).

When I checked for my trip in August and September, I found lower prices, so it’s unclear whether more people are listing their cars or if the market has stabilized. Either way, you’ll likely find a better deal than I did.

Booking

I ended up renting a Honda CR-V hybrid, which was one of the more affordable options available for my dates at $200 per day. I avoided the cheapest listings as they lacked sufficient reviews to make me comfortable with the owner’s level of experience.

My total cost for the four-day rental in Maui was $895.62. Yikes.

This included a daily rate of $200, $129 for insurance ($32.40 per day), a $15 "trip fee," a $25 "delivery fee," and $6.02 in sales tax. I received a $40 discount for booking early and another $40 off for renting for three or more days.

I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and earned 2x Chase Ultimate Rewards points, totaling 1,791 points. This amounts to $35.82 based on TPG valuations.

Insurance

Unfortunately, it seems that most credit card insurance coverage does not extend to Turo.

Many credit cards provide rental car coverage, but since Turo is not a conventional car rental service, my colleague Katie Genter has written the definitive guide here. However, most car insurance policies, including benefits from Chase and American Express, typically do not cover Turo rentals.

Turo has three protection plans. The "premier plan" costs a substantial 100% of the trip price and includes liability and primary coverage. Their "standard plan" costs 40% of the trip price, offering minimal liability and primary coverage for your vehicle, while the "minimum plan" costs 15%-25% of the trip price, providing only "minimum" liability insurance and $3,000 in primary coverage.

Being budget-conscious, I opted for the minimum plan, which still significantly raised my rental cost. As mentioned, I paid $129, averaging just over $32 a day. This choice was somewhat risky since an accident would leave me underinsured. Fortunately, I had no issues during my rental.

Communication

Effective communication is crucial when using Turo. You’ll need clear instructions from the car owner to ensure your pickup and drop-off go smoothly, especially as some airports are tightening regulations on car sharing, necessitating constant contact.

I was incredibly fortunate. Steven, or "WoJo" as his friends call him, was fantastic. He communicated with me frequently and promptly addressed all my inquiries.

Of course, you can't predict how reliable an individual owner might be. That's why I suggest choosing drivers like Steven who have a five-star rating and at least ten completed trips.

Pickup Process

I received ample advance notice regarding my trip. You'll need to take a selfie with your driver's license and upload it in the app, along with a close-up shot of your license to verify your eligibility to drive.

I got several reminders about my upcoming trip through both the app on my phone and via email.

Steven informed me that the car might not be pristine due to the windy conditions, and he advised me to be especially cautious with airport security.

It seems the airport has been cracking down on Turo users, keeping an eye on customers. Apparently, they’re unhappy about missing out on potential profits, so they are recording names and license numbers and issuing citations to some drivers. Be cautious! This certainly added stress to the pickup process, making it an experience unlike any I've had before.

This is likely something frequent Airbnb renters also have to contend with.

Fortunately, I had little to worry about, except for some difficulty locating the car in the airport parking lot. It was my first experience with a lockbox, which was a bit of a learning curve, but Steven guided me through it via text, and I was in and out in under 10 minutes.

I did incur a $3 charge for airport parking for the short time between when he dropped off the car and when I picked it up.

After safely exiting the airport parking lot, I pulled over to document the vehicle both inside and out, ensuring there was no pre-existing damage at pickup. I then uploaded those images straight into the Turo app.

The vehicle: A Honda CR-V

I truly enjoyed driving the Honda CR-V I rented. It was my first experience with a hybrid, achieving an impressive 44 miles per gallon, which was fantastic given that gas prices exceeded $4.25 a gallon in Hawaii.

The car exceeded my size expectations and was impeccably clean upon pickup. It handled beautifully on the roads of Hawaii, including the challenging Road to Hana.

The interior was quite pleasant, with excellent air conditioning and comfortable seating.

I didn’t track the exact number of miles I drove, but it was well below the 800-mile allowance that came with the rental, despite my partial journey on the winding, often single-lane Road to Hana.

I thoroughly enjoyed driving this Honda, and I would definitely rent it again, especially if I could secure a better price.

The Drop-off

The drop-off process had its share of drama, but Steven managed it like a true professional. The day prior, he reached out to inform me that "We've been hearing from other hosts that airport security has been quite hectic lately." He proposed we meet for the drop-off at a nearby Costco instead of the airport parking lot.

I refueled at a gas station across from Costco and noticed that the U-Haul parking lot was far less congested than Costco's. Steven suggested picking me up there instead, which was quite ironic given that some people are turning to U-Haul trucks and vans during the car rental crunch.

One positive aspect of the airport situation was that I got to meet WoJo face-to-face. He shared the challenges he faced in renting out his car but mentioned that it had turned into a profitable side business for him and his family. He also indicated that they were looking for alternatives to the airport parking lot due to the ongoing frustrations there.

He dropped me off curbside at Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, and we exchanged a fist bump as a farewell.

All in all, it was a fantastic experience, and I would absolutely consider using Turo again.

I even received some thank-you messages and had the opportunity to leave a review (five stars, naturally). They also request that you document the car's condition upon drop-off by uploading additional pictures to the app.

Earning Rewards Points and Miles

Sadly, Turo lacks many airline partnerships compared to traditional car rental companies, limiting your chances for double-dipping. However, Turo has sometimes teamed up with airlines like Southwest to offer bonus miles, so stay alert for such opportunities.

On the bright side, Turo does code as travel. As I mentioned, I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to earn 2 points for every dollar spent. Alternatively, using a Chase Sapphire Reserve can earn you 3 points per dollar, or a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can give you 2 miles per dollar.

Final Thoughts

I truly enjoyed my Turo experience, despite a few bumps and my initial anxiety about trying something new. Given the significant rental car shortage, Turo presents a fantastic alternative for consumers... at least in areas where it's accessible.

Keep in mind that you'll need to buy insurance, which will increase your overall cost. Additionally, be aware that some airports and local areas might frown upon using their property for rental pick-ups. Ideally, you'll have a fantastic owner like I did to navigate any challenges smoothly.

We've provided a comprehensive guide on what you should know before visiting Hawaii here.

Check out TPG's Hawaii destination hub for more articles on reaching the islands, staying there, and activities to enjoy during your visit.