Renting a car doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While daily rates have started to level out, hidden fees, pricey add-ons, and poor timing can still drive up the total cost fast.
Whether you’re flying into a new city or planning a weekend road trip, there are smart ways to cut expenses without sacrificing convenience. From using discount codes to skipping overpriced extras, these tips will help you save money and get more value from your next rental.
1. Compare Prices
Car rental prices can vary widely between companies, even for the same class of vehicle. As of mid-2025, the average daily rate in the U.S. is around $73, but with taxes, airport fees, insurance, and optional extras, your final bill could easily double.
Pro tip: Always click through to see the full price with taxes and fees included, especially for airport locations where hidden surcharges are common.
2. Choose the Right Vehicle
The type of car you rent plays a significant role in your final cost. Economy and compact vehicles are the most budget-friendly and fuel-efficient, while SUVs, minivans, or 4×4 vehicles typically cost 10–30% more per day.
In 2025, prices for larger vehicles rose due to increased insurance and fuel costs. Unless you need extra space or off-road capability, sticking with a smaller vehicle is one of the easiest ways to save.
Pro tip: Renting in a warm-weather city? Skip the SUV. Need space for luggage or a child seat? Consider a hatchback before upgrading to an SUV.
3. Check All Discounts & Codes
Many drivers miss out on easy savings simply by forgetting to apply a discount code. You can save 10–25% using:
- Employer or alumni programs
- AAA, AARP, or Costco memberships
- Student or military discounts
- Credit card booking portals (Chase, AmEx, Capital One)
Loyalty programs like Hertz Gold Plus, Alamo Insiders, or Enterprise Plus may waive fees (like for extra drivers) or grant free upgrades.
Pro tip: Always check multiple booking portals before finalizing. Sometimes the same car is cheaper through your credit card portal than the rental company’s site.
4. Prepay, But Read the Terms
Prepaying your rental online can save you 5–10%, especially during busy travel months. However, prepaid rates often come with strict cancellation or change fees, or are non-refundable altogether.
If your plans are firm and you’re looking for the lowest possible rate, prepaid bookings are a smart move. But if your trip might shift, stick to a flexible booking.
Pro tip: Some companies offer “Pay Now” discounts but still allow partial refunds. Make sure to read the terms carefully before committing.
Rent Longer Than You Think You Need
Many rental agencies offer lower average daily rates for longer rentals. In some cases, renting for a whole week costs less than a 3- or 4-day rental, especially during weekends or holidays when daily prices spike.
Even if you only need the car for five days, checking the weekly rate might actually save you money. And some companies allow early return without penalty.
Pro tip: Test a variety of rental lengths in your search. Try both a 3-day and a 7-day search. You may find the weekly price is lower.
6. Flexibility = Savings
Being flexible with your pickup and drop-off times can unlock better rates. Weekend rentals and holiday travel periods are often more expensive. Shifting your rental window to mid-week (like Tuesday to Tuesday) or traveling during the off-season can cut your costs significantly.
Even adjusting your pickup time by a few hours, say, noon instead of 8 am, can affect the rate.
Pro tip: If you’re flying, compare rates from your arrival airport with nearby locations. Renting a day earlier or later could also save you money.
7. Bring Your Own Extras
Rental companies love to charge extra for convenience items. Daily fees for GPS units ($10–15/day) or child car seats ($20–30/day) can add up fast. If you’re traveling with kids or planning a road trip, bring your own gear to avoid rental upcharges.
Even something as simple as a portable phone mount for navigation can replace a pricey GPS rental.
Pro tip: If you can’t bring your car seat, check with your hotel or Airbnb. Some offer loaners or partnerships with baby gear rental services.
8. Skip Duplicate Insurance
One of the easiest ways to save on your car rental is to avoid paying for insurance you may already have. Most major credit cards, including Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and United Explorer, offer primary collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage when you use the card to pay in full for your rental and decline the rental company’s insurance at the counter.
Coverage limits vary slightly by provider but often extend up to $60,000–$75,000 and apply to rentals up to 31 days. Primary coverage means you don’t need to file a claim with your personal car insurance first, which can help protect your premiums and deductible.
Additionally, many personal auto insurance policies also extend coverage for damage or liability when driving a rental within the U.S. or Canada, so before you say yes to that $15 to $30 per day insurance add-on, take a minute to check your card’s benefits and call your insurance agent to clarify what’s included in your policy.
9. Avoid Hidden Fees
The fine print in Rental agreements is where sneaky fees tend to hide. Look out for loss-of-use charges (fees when a damaged car is out of service), administrative costs, refueling penalties, and mileage caps. Some companies may also charge for early returns, late returns, additional drivers, or cross-border travel, especially in Europe or Canada.
In 2025, some rental agencies began charging “convenience recovery fees” for things like toll usage or re-registration, even if not fully disclosed upfront. Always clarify in writing precisely what your quote includes before signing.
Pro tip:
- Take time-stamped photos of all sides of the vehicle at pickup and drop-off
- Photograph the fuel gauge, odometer, and any damage, no matter how minor
- Keep your receipt and inspection form in case a charge appears later
These simple steps can protect you from surprise charges and save you hours of disputing mystery fees after your trip.
10. Dodge Toll Fees
Rental companies often charge daily access fees for toll services, typically $5–$10 per day plus the actual toll amounts and added processing fees. In toll-heavy areas like Florida, New York, and parts of California, this can quickly add up to $15–$30+ per day.
To avoid this, bring your own E‑ZPass, SunPass, or FasTrak device, or purchase one at a retailer like CVS, Walgreens, or Costco. Then log in to your toll account and register the rental car’s license plate during your rental period.
Important Tip: At pickup, inform the rental agent that you’ll be using your own transponder and want to opt out of their toll program. Some companies auto-enroll you in their system as soon as a toll is detected, so making your intentions clear can prevent surprise charges.
11. Rebook If Prices Drop
Rental car rates can fluctuate daily. Use tracking tools like AutoSlash, Hopper, or Kayak Price Alerts to monitor your reservation even after booking. If prices fall, and your current booking includes free or low-cost cancellation, go ahead and cancel, then rebook at the lower rate.
This tactic has helped travelers save $50–$200 per rental, especially during non-peak months or when demand shifts. Be sure to rebook using the same car class, rental dates, and pickup location to ensure an accurate comparison.
Pro tip: Bookmark a few comparison tools and check back 7–10 days before your trip for potential savings.
12. Join Loyalty, Use Airline Portals
Joining a rental car loyalty program like Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, National Emerald Club, or Enterprise Plus often comes with perks like free upgrades, skip-the-counter privileges, and discounted rates.
Also, airline rewards portals (Delta SkyMiles with Hertz, United MileagePlus with Avis/Budget) can unlock up to 35% off, free additional drivers, and opportunities to earn extra miles per rental. You can often stack these discounts with AAA, AARP, or Costco codes for even more value.
Pro tip: Enroll in loyalty programs before your trip. It’s free and can speed up pickup.
13. One‑Way is Often Cheaper
A one-way rental — where you pick up the car in one city and drop it off in another — can sometimes cost less than returning it to the same location. This happens when rental companies need to relocate vehicles between branches, which is especially common in tourist-heavy or seasonal areas like Florida, Arizona, or California.
When searching, be sure to test different trip lengths and drop-off locations. You may be surprised by how much you can save!
14. Avoid Airport Price Inflation
Picking up your rental car at the airport may be convenient, but it’s also costly. Most airport locations tack on facility fees, concession recovery charges, and tourism taxes, which can increase your total by 15–30%.
Opting for an off-airport location, sometimes just a mile or two away, can save serious money. Many of these locations offer free or low-cost shuttle service from the airport, and you’ll often face shorter wait times at the counter.
Pro tip: Use search filters on booking sites to compare airport vs. nearby neighborhood branches before you book.