The Top 3 Simple Ways to Save on Car Rentals

Navigating the car rental process can be quite bewildering. With numerous rental companies, each offering unique partnerships, add-ons, and other nuances, comparing prices can become challenging. Additionally, various booking websites collaborate with different rental firms, adding to the confusion.

Fortunately, saving on rental cars is simpler than you might expect. While I've discussed this topic in depth before, this article focuses on the easiest methods to cut costs. After you finish reading, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide to saving on rentals for more valuable insights.

Always inquire with your university or employer for potential discount codes.

Numerous universities, alumni groups, and companies offer corporate codes that affiliated individuals can use to access special rates on rental cars. While some discounts may be meant for official use only, many—including those provided by my university’s alumni association—are also applicable for personal rentals.

These codes can lead to significant savings on your rentals as well. My university partners with Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, and each collaboration offers discounts and various perks. For instance, the Enterprise code provides a preferred rate, eliminates the under-25 fee, and includes a damage waiver at no extra cost. These benefits can sometimes add over $100 in value per day.

Be sure to check with your employer and university for a rental car discount code tailored to you. If you have access to multiple codes from different rental companies, it’s wise to compare prices across all your options.

If you don’t have a code, consider joining AAA. The automobile club has partnerships with Avis, Hertz, and other rental firms, offering special rates and benefits. My AAA membership has saved me hundreds of dollars at Hertz over the years.

Discover additional discounts with AutoSlash

AutoSlash has been a long-time favorite among TPG's rental car booking services. Simply enter your travel dates and destination, and select any relevant discounts from credit cards, airline programs, and automobile clubs. Essentially, the site will assist you in finding the best rental car deal by searching all major car rental websites on your behalf.

Once you submit your request, AutoSlash will conduct searches for you at no cost and send you an email with quotes from various rental car companies that incorporate your applicable discounts. If you find an offer you like, you can book your car directly through the link provided on the AutoSlash website.

AutoSlash features a price-tracking tool that keeps an eye on the cost of a rental you’ve already booked. If it finds a better deal, it will notify you, allowing you to cancel your current reservation and rebook at a lower rate. This is an incredibly useful service, and we highly recommend using it to save on your next rental.

This tool can save you a significant amount of time compared to manually checking each rental company and online travel agency. However, there is a limitation: it cannot search for corporate or alumni codes, so you'll need to find those on your own.

Obtain a complimentary damage waiver

Damage waivers are a type of insurance offered by most rental car companies. Essentially, they cover the full value of the car against damage, theft, and other incidents. You can think of it as comprehensive insurance for your own vehicle, but without a deductible.

While this may seem appealing, these waivers can be quite expensive, ranging from $10 to $20 per day depending on the rental company. Fortunately, many credit cards offer damage waivers for rentals charged to those cards. Notable examples include the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

When you pay for a rental car using these credit cards, your rental is covered for damage and loss up to $75,000. The process for claiming this coverage is straightforward: simply obtain an invoice for the damages and file a claim with Chase. Once your claim is approved, you will be reimbursed for the expenses.

Even better, this coverage is primary, which means it activates before your personal car insurance kicks in. This ensures that your rates won’t increase if you have an accident in a rental, no matter who is responsible for the damage.

That said, I always recommend using one of these credit cards to pay for your car rental. It will save you money on the rental itself and protect you from any damage to the vehicle.

Key Takeaway

While there are numerous ways to save on rental cars, these three methods are the simplest. Always make sure to compare prices using AutoSlash and weigh those quotes against any corporate or university codes you may have access to.

Next, use a credit card that offers a damage waiver when paying for your rental, ensuring you’re protected while enjoying a great deal.

Drive safely!