One of the best places to find cheap car rentals is through online travel agencies like Kayak, Priceline, Expedia, and Travelocity.
These websites aggregate prices from multiple car rental companies, allowing you to easily compare rates and find the best deal.
Some of these websites offer additional discounts, such as booking a flight and car rental together.
2. Car rental company websites
You can also find good deals by booking directly through the car rental company's website.
Some companies, such as Hertz and Enterprise, offer discounts for booking online or in advance.
You may also be able to find discounts by joining the car rental company's loyalty program.
3. Warehouse clubs and membership organizations
Some warehouse clubs, such as Costco, offer discounts on car rentals through partnerships with major car rental companies.
Organizations such as AAA, and AARP also offer car rental discounts to their members.
4. Comparison websites
There are a number of websites that allow you to compare car rental prices from multiple companies.
Some popular comparison websites include CarRentals.com, AutoSlash, and Rentalcars.com.
5. Local car rental companies
If you are renting a car in a smaller town or city, you may be able to find a good deal by renting from a local car rental company.
Local companies often have lower overhead costs than larger national companies, and they may be more willing to negotiate on price.
Tips for finding cheap car rentals
- Book early. The best time to book a car rental is at least a week in advance. Prices tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
- Rent from off-airport locations. Car rental companies typically charge higher rates at airports than they do at off-airport locations. If you can, take a taxi or Uber to an off-airport location to pick up your rental car.
- Book a small car. Smaller cars are typically cheaper to rent than larger cars.
- **Midweek pickup:
Consider picking your rental car up on a weekday rather than on weekends or holidays. Weekend rates are usually higher. Avoid holiday rentals.** Car rental prices tend to be higher during holidays and peak travel times.
- Avoid one-way rentals. One-way rentals can be significantly more expensive than round-trip rentals.
- Look for discounts.: Take advantage of discounts available through AAA, AARP, Costco, and other affiliated membership programs.
- Ask for a price match: If you find a lower rate for the same car from another company, ask the company you're booking with to match the price.
- Use a credit card that offers car rental insurance: Some credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum Card, offer primary car rental insurance. This can save you money on the car rental company's insurance.
- Consider renting a car through a car sharing service: Car sharing services like Turo and Getaround can be a more cost effective way to rent a car, especially for shorter trips.
