What is the cheapest way to rent a car when traveling?

[Delaney]

The cheapest way to rent a car combines booking in advance, avoiding airport locations, and using comparison sites. Off-airport rentals can be up to 20% cheaper by bypassing high fees. Regularly comparing prices on aggregators like DiscoverCars or Kayak and leveraging membership discounts from Costco Travel or AAA are proven strategies for significant savings.

Renting from a downtown location instead of the airport is a major cost saver. Airports add concession fees, surcharges, and taxes that can increase your total by 18-20%. A branch just a few miles away often has the same car for less. Using a ride-share or taxi to get there usually still results in net savings, especially for rentals longer than a couple of days.

Always use price comparison websites. Platforms like DiscoverCars, Kayak, and Expedia scan dozens of global and local rental companies simultaneously. DiscoverCars is frequently highlighted for finding competitive rates from regional agencies that aren't always on other sites. Don't book on the first search; check multiple aggregators as their partnerships differ.

Membership discounts deliver consistent value. Costco Travel offers pre-negotiated rates that include a free additional driver, a benefit that alone can save $10-$15 per day. AAA members get discounts at major agencies like Hertz and Budget. Always enter your membership details before finalizing any reservation to see the adjusted price.

Book a "pay later, free cancellation" rate as early as possible. This locks in a price while allowing you to re-check rates periodically. If you find a lower price, simply cancel and rebook. Rental prices fluctuate based on demand and inventory, so this strategy capitalizes on potential drops.

Skipping the rental company's collision damage waiver (CDW) is often the single biggest saving. Many personal auto insurance policies extend coverage to rental cars. Furthermore, premium credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture typically provide primary CDW coverage for rentals paid with that card. Confirm your coverage details before declining at the counter.

Consider the rental duration strategically. Weekly rates are often cheaper than daily rates for a 5 or 6-day rental. It’s worth pricing out a 7-day rental even if you only need the car for 5 days. Also, peer-to-peer services like Turo can offer lower prices, especially for unique or older vehicles, but read the insurance terms carefully.

Join free loyalty programs. Programs like National’s Emerald Club or Hertz Gold Plus Rewards require no fee to join and can provide perks like waived additional driver fees for family members or access to exclusive discounted rates.

[DiJulianna]

As someone who rents cars monthly for work, my go-to move is always booking off-airport. The difference is real. Last month, a midsize sedan was $65 a day at LAX. The same company in Santa Monica was $52. Even with a $25 Uber ride, I saved over $100 on a three-day trip.

I always start with DiscoverCars. It shows those smaller, local companies that the big sites sometimes miss. I book the cheapest “free cancellation” option I can find. Then, a week before the trip, I check again. Half the time, I find a better deal and just rebook. It takes five minutes and feels like beating the system.

My corporate Amex covers the insurance, so I never take the rental company’s offer. That’s an instant $30-$40 saved per day right there.

[ClaraDella]

Planning our family vacation to Florida, I knew we needed a minivan. Here’s what worked for us. We booked almost two months out using Costco Travel. The rate was good, but the real win was the free extra driver—my husband and I could both drive without extra cost, which is huge on a long road trip.

We flew into Orlando but picked up the car at a downtown location. The airport fee for our rental was over $12 a day! We took the hotel shuttle to our lodge and then just got a quick Lyft to the rental office the next morning. The process was smooth, and we used those savings for a nicer dinner out.

We also checked the weekly rate. Renting for seven days was actually cheaper than for five. We didn’t need the car for the first and last days of our trip, but the math still made sense. We just parked it at the hotel.

[OAddyson]

Focus on two often-overlooked areas: insurance and loyalty programs. First, call your auto insurer and your credit card company. Ask specifically about "rental car collision coverage." Knowing you're covered allows you to confidently decline the expensive CDW at the counter, saving you a substantial amount daily.

Second, always sign up for the free loyalty tier at major rental agencies. It takes two minutes online. These programs, like Enterprise’s Plus or Avis Preferred, frequently offer member-only rates and can expedite pickup. You bypass the counter at some locations, which saves time and sometimes gets you a better vehicle selection.

Avoid prepaying for fuel. The rental company's "full-to-full" policy is almost always cheaper. Just fill up the tank yourself at a station near the return location before dropping it off.

[Alfie]

Think of cheap car rental as a bundle of strategies, not one single trick. Start early and use a comparison site as your baseline. Input your travel dates and see the landscape. Then, layer on your discounts—AAA, Costco, corporate codes—and re-run the search.

The location filter is crucial. Uncheck "airport" and look at the map of nearby locations. Calculate the commute cost. For rentals longer than 48 hours, the off-airport option almost always wins.

Your payment method is part of the strategy. Use a credit card that provides primary rental insurance. This isn't just a perk; it's a financial shield that lets you avoid upselling at the counter.

Finally, be flexible with the car class. Booking an "economy" or "compact" category often gets you a better rate. Rental agencies frequently run out of these smaller cars and will upgrade you for free to a larger available vehicle at no extra charge. You pay for a small car but might drive away in a midsize.

Keep your reservation flexible with a free-cancellation policy. Market prices change. Set a calendar reminder to check prices again a week before and then 48 hours before your trip. A quick rebooking can often capture a last-minute price drop.