Yes, Costco offers car rental services through its exclusive partnership with major providers like Avis and Budget. This is a member-only benefit accessed through the Costco Travel website. The primary advantage is consistent access to member-exclusive discounts, which often include waived additional driver fees and other perks that can lead to significant savings compared to booking directly.
The process is straightforward. You enter your travel details on the Costco Travel portal, and it aggregates available vehicles and prices from the partnered agencies. A key benefit is the transparent pricing; the quoted rate typically includes mandatory fees and taxes, and you'll see a side-by-side comparison of Avis and Budget offers. Costco frequently negotiates perks like a free additional driver and occasional coupon books for discounts on in-car rentals like GPS units.
Here is a comparison of typical benefits versus booking directly:
| Feature | Costco Travel Booking | Direct Booking (Standard) |
|---|
| Base Discount | Member-exclusive rates (e.g., 5-25% off) | Standard public rates |
| Additional Driver Fee | Often waived for a spouse/domestic partner | Daily fee applies (e.g., $10-15/day) |
| Price Transparency | All-inclusive pricing displayed upfront | Base rate shown, fees added later |
| Loyalty Points | Yes, you can enter your Avis/Budget loyalty number | Yes |
| Cancellation Policy | Typically free cancellation until pickup | Varies, sometimes stricter |
While the prices are generally competitive, it's always wise to compare the final Costco quote with other discount sites. The value is most apparent for families or groups needing multiple drivers, as the waived fee alone can save over $50 on a week-long rental. The service is best for standard rentals at major airport locations.
