The Most Affordable Car Rental Options

Before booking your rental, ensure you're earning cash back on your purchase. Choose your rental car company from the list below and activate their cash back offer.

Avis

Enterprise

Budget

National

Sixt

Alamo

You've got your flight and hotel sorted, but now there's the rental car expense looming. Whether you're heading to a destination without public transit or planning a road trip after flying in, renting a car is often the most convenient option. However, it can add up, especially during peak travel times like spring break, summer, or the holidays.

But fear not! It's still possible to snag a cheap car rental. How? By employing these tips and tricks to uncover the best affordable rental cars. Here's how to score the cheapest car rentals.

Prepay Your Car Rental

Hands down, securing a prepay discount is frequently the top method to slash the cost of your rental car. Take, for instance, Avis's prepay deal offering a hefty 35% off regular rates. In the rental car realm, this is often dubbed the 'pay now' rate. Rental companies extend discounts on prepaid rentals as they secure your payment upfront. However, it's crucial to be certain about your rental plans, as cancellation terms can be steep. While terms vary, cancelling a 'pay now' reservation may result in forfeiting the entire amount paid or incurring hefty cancellation fees.

Book a Weekly Rate

Weekly rates typically offer a discounted daily rate when renting a car for five or more days, akin to a bulk discount. Crunch the numbers – renting a car for six days might be cheaper than for four – and organize your trip accordingly. For instance, Budget offers a weekly discount rate of 25% off base rates.

Avoid Booking Your Rental Car Pickup at an Airport

Avoiding airport pickup locations can save you money, as rental car companies often incur extra fees at airports, which are then passed on to customers. Consider booking a suburban pickup location instead and arranging transportation to and from with a local friend. Enterprise offers cheaper non-airport rates, known as 'neighborhood discounts,' with a 15% off deal for spring break dates (March 3 to March 17).

Earn Cash Back on Your Car Rental

If you're shelling out hundreds of dollars on a rental car (even with the discounts mentioned above), cash back can help you trim a bit more off the final cost by putting money back in your pocket. CartMeFirst offers cash back on several rental companies. Simply click on the offers below, book your rental car, and receive a cash back rebate. And yes our cash back stacks with promo codes and other discounts. Here's how it works.

Earn Cash back at these rental Car Companies

Avis

Enterprise

Budget

National

Sixt

Alamo

Avoid Settling for the First Car Rental Deal You See

If there's one golden rule for snagging a stellar deal on almost anything, it's to shop around online. The internet has revolutionized price comparison for rental cars, making it easier than ever to find the best rates. Key platforms like Kayak, Priceline and Booking.com are excellent starting points.

But don't stop there. Once you spot a tempting offer on a travel deals site, consider visiting the car rental company's website directly. Sometimes, they offer even steeper discounts and additional promotions.

Even after securing your reservation, keep your eyes peeled. If your rental isn't nonrefundable, you can often cancel and rebook if you find a better deal. Just ensure to double-check the terms before finalizing your plans.

Maximize Your Memberships for the Best Deals on Affordable Rental Cars

Did you know that you might already have a money-saving tool in your wallet? Certain membership cards can lead to significant savings on your next car rental.

AAA membership offers a multitude of benefits for travelers. In addition to roadside assistance, AAA members can enjoy discounts on car rentals. For instance, you can save up to 20% on the base rate of a rental car from Hertz. Similarly, renting a car from Thrifty can earn you a 10% AAA travel discount.

Did you know that having a Costco membership can also score you a cheap car rental? Not only do Costco members enjoy special rates on rental cars, but they also benefit from additional perks through access to the Costco Travel Center. This includes the ability to add an extra driver for free and waived cancellation fees on select rentals.

Don't Hesitate to Opt for an Economy Car Rental

When deciding on the type of vehicle to book for your travels, consider opting for an economy car. As the name implies, these vehicles are typically the most budget-friendly option and are often in high demand.

But why choose a vehicle that's less likely to be available? One word: Upgrade. If the car you reserved isn't available, the rental company may offer you an upgrade to a nicer vehicle that is available.

Designate One Driver and Maintain Consistency throughout the Trip

One trick to securing the best deals on affordable rental cars is to limit the number of drivers added to the rental agreement (unless you're utilizing benefits from AAA, AARP, or Costco memberships).

Surprisingly, many rental car companies impose an extra daily fee for adding more than one driver. This fee applies even to well-known rental companies that you might not expect to charge extra.

For example, Enterprise charges $15 per day to add an additional authorized driver who isn't your spouse or domestic partner.

Budget imposes a $13 per day fee for an extra driver in most states, but lucky for you, California doesn't charge this fee.

Some rental companies, like National, waive additional driver fees for spouses, domestic partners, and family members if you enroll in their membership program, the Emerald Club Loyalty Program.