Travel Services

Car Rentals: Tips & Comparisons

The cheapest car rental is rarely the one with the lowest base rate — hidden fees for insurance, GPS, airport concessions, and fuel can double the headline price. Skip the GPS, use a credit card for CDW, and book off-airport to cut 20–35% off most rental bills.

FlightReservationsDesk · Updated June 2026

Major US Car Rental Companies Compared

Company	Best For	Loyalty Program	Notes
Enterprise	Customer service, wide selection	Enterprise Plus	Consistent quality. Strong for longer rentals and one-way trips.
Hertz	Luxury & premium vehicles	Hertz Gold Plus	Gold loyalty members skip the counter entirely at major airports.
Avis	Preferred Plus perks, business travel	Avis Preferred	Preferred Plus members get free upgrades when available.
National	Emerald Club — choose any car in the aisle	Emerald Club	Emerald Executive tier lets you pick any car in the Executive Aisle.
Budget	Value pricing, basic rentals	Budget Fastbreak	Budget and Avis share ownership — same fleet, lower price tier.
Alamo	Leisure travel, family vehicles	Alamo Insiders	Strong at Florida and theme-park destination airports.
Dollar / Thrifty	Budget-focused, leisure trips	Thrifty Blue Chip	Owned by Hertz. Good for basic economy rentals.
Sixt	European brands, premium models	Sixt+	Faster growth in US. Often lower rates on BMW, Audi, and Mercedes.

Hidden Rental Car Fees to Watch Out For

Fee	Typical Cost	Avoidable?	How to Avoid
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)	$15–$35/day	Yes	Credit cards like Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Capital One Venture include CDW as a free benefit when you pay with the card.
Airport Concession Fee / Facility Charge	10–12% surcharge	Yes	Book an off-airport location and take a shuttle or rideshare to it. This alone can cut total cost by 15–25%.
Additional Driver Fee	$10–$15/day	Yes	Many programs (National Emerald, Hertz Gold) waive additional driver fees for loyalty members. Some credit cards also cover it.
GPS / Navigation Fee	$10–$15/day	Yes	Use Google Maps or Waze on your smartphone. Never pay for in-car GPS — it is redundant and overpriced.
Pre-paid Fuel Option	$40–$70	Yes	Return the car with a full tank. Pre-paid fuel charges the market rate for a full tank regardless of how much you used.
Young Driver Surcharge (under 25)	$25–$35/day	Often not	Required in most US states. Enterprise and National waive it for corporate account holders. Shop multiple companies as rates differ significantly.
Toll Package	$5–$15/day + tolls	Yes	Bring your own E-ZPass transponder or research which routes have tolls and use cash lanes on the rare routes that still accept cash.
Roadside Assistance	$5–$10/day	Yes	AAA membership and many credit cards include roadside assistance. Don't purchase it separately from the rental company.

How to Find the Cheapest Car Rental Rate

1
Use an aggregator like Kayak, Rentalcars.com, or AutoSlash to compare all major companies at once. AutoSlash automatically applies coupon codes.
2
Check the off-airport rate. Search for the same company at an off-airport address nearby. The savings from bypassing airport concession fees are often $30–$60 per day.
3
Verify your credit card includes CDW before adding the rental company's coverage. Check your card benefits portal for the exact countries and conditions covered.
4
Join the free loyalty program. National Emerald Club and Hertz Gold allow you to skip the counter at major airports — saving 20–30 minutes and often triggering upgrade offers.
5
Return the car with a full tank. Calculate the drive to the rental return and fill up at a gas station nearby. Returning empty costs significantly more per gallon via the rental company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest day to rent a car?: Weekdays — especially Sunday through Wednesday — typically have the lowest car rental rates. Weekend rentals are priced higher due to leisure demand. Rates also drop when you book at least 7 days in advance.
Does my credit card cover rental car insurance?: Many credit cards include primary or secondary rental car CDW (collision damage waiver) when you pay with the card and decline the rental company's CDW. Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum offer primary coverage in the US.
Is it cheaper to book a rental car at the airport or off-site?: Off-airport locations are typically 15–25% cheaper because airport concession fees add 10–15% to on-site rental rates. The trade-off is taking a shuttle or rideshare to the off-airport lot.
What age do you have to be to rent a car in the US?: Most major US rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of $25–$35 per day. Some companies require drivers to be 25 on international rentals.
Can I rent a car one-way and return it to a different location?: Yes. Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and most major companies offer one-way rentals with a drop fee. Fees vary by distance and location. Sometimes one-way rates are lower — particularly for dead-head returns that companies need covered.

Bundle your flight and car rental

Our agents can help you coordinate flights and ground transportation for a seamless trip at the best available price.

Call (844) 212-9968 — Toll-Free 24/7