Car Rental Discounts
Ok, so usually I focus on free, but with car rentals, I generally just go for the big discounts.
I’ll start where I don’t find the best deals. While, I almost always look at at least one of Expedia, Travelocity, and Hotwire to find out the retail price matrix, I have never booked with one of them. Why? Since using corporate and coupon codes on the car rental firm’s website is so much cheaper.
To start with, you need to understand the structure of the car rental business. There are three global megaplayers and two europe-based majors. Each has a “business” brand, discount brand(s) and a car sharing “operation”. Some also have a deep discount brand, though with few locations or reasons to consider.
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| Company | Business/Premium Brand | Mid-Tier/Discount Brand(s) | Deep Discount Brand(s) | Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz Global Holdings (10,500) | Hertz | Dollar & Thrifty | Hertz on Demand | |
| Avis Budget Group | Avis (5,500) | Budget (2,750) | Payless (167) | Zipcar |
| Enterprise Holdings | National (>1,500) | Enterprise (9,400) & Alamo | Enterprise CarShare | |
| Europcar Mobility Group | EuropCar (2,515) | Fox Rent A Car (21) | Ubeeqo | |
| Sixt | Sixt (2,200) | Sixt Share |
Note: exactly which brand falls into which tier is subject to some dispute, but the above is close enough.
Other Players of Note: Audi (premium) - Silvercar Advantage (deep discount) - Advantage (40), E-Z Rent-A-Car (26)
Ace
I used to mostly use Budget, but have been now moving more to National (if the price is close, National’s executive aisle often has great options), but YMMV. Enterprise Holdings is the biggest and the Enterprise brand is a winner for non-airport use. And Hertz certainly has the highest brand equity and lots of off-airport resort locations, but tends to price the highest. All that said, I tend to find substantial and unexplainable differences in car rental rates between agencies for peak travel. I also find that some agencies (or locations) will give you a much better rate if you start a rental before a peak travel week even though that week is included (presumably bad math on their part or maybe just smart price discrimination).
Once you know the pricing matrix from one of the retail websites, your mission will be to beat it. Once I find something about 20-30% cheaper than the best deal (from one of the big 3) on the matrix, I usually consider myself satisfied and stop looking. At minimum, I can’t think of a time that I haven’t gone at least 10% below the matrix. There are certainly occasions of high demand where a corporate rate has brought me below 50% of the cost of the matrix.
The very first call to make should be to your own HR department. If you work for a big company, they will usually have at least one corporate relationship with one of the major car rental companies. Most of these relationships allow employees to use their rates for personal use. The only downside is that most large companies contract with the more expensive brands (i.e., Hertz/Avis/National), so if you are looking for the cheapest rate, you will probably want to focus on the Budget/Thrifty/Alamo deals below. If you prefer premium service (i.e., skip the desk with a premium frequent driver program), stick with Hertz/Avis/National.
One more caveat before we start. Use corporate codes with care. If you don’t have the right to use it, there could be repercussions. You will probably get away with it most of the time, but it may not be worth it that one time where you end up stuck without a car, or worse, find that your insurance isn’t valid. I try to be very specific about what is required for the use of a corporate code below. There are many associations that are free or cheap to join that will qualify you.
Let’s Jump In.
Hertz
Hertz Corporate Codes (CDP)
240 – (verified 11/18/13) for members of AAA Southern New England. If you are a member of a different club, simply put the club # from your AAA card in the CDP Field. You can also look it up here. In a quick test, AAA savings was about 22% on a Midsize SUV rented for a week in Boston.
Hertz Coupon Codes (PC)
180600 – (verified 11/18/13) Free Upgrade when used with a AAA CDP code (note only applies to certain cars)
Hertz Additional Driver Policy
Additional drivers not meeting an exception below will usually be charged a fee (generally $13.50)
- If you are a member of the Hertz #1 Gold Club, the fee is waived for spouses and domestic partners
- If you use a AAA code and all drivers are AAA members, hold their own major credit card and otherwise qualify as drivers, there is no additional driver fee.
- If traveling on business using your company’s corporate code, fellow employees of the firm are not charged as additional drivers (and it is automatic)
- Spouses are free in California and Iowa (and it is automatic)
Avis
Avis Corporate Codes (AWD)
USA Cupom, a former sister site of Free Travel Genius, has its own group code of #B291091.
Avis Coupon Codes
MUWA146 – $10 off $100 MUWA147 – $15 off $125 MUWA019 – $75 off $600
Note that Avis classifies certain coupon codes as paperless. Those are the best ones since you don’t need to worry about actually having a coupon. Otherwise, there is a good chance that they may not ask, but they always could.
Avis Additional Driver Policy (USA)
All additional drivers must be over 25.
- Spouses and domestic partners are usually free.
- Fellow employees/employer are usually free if traveling on a business trip.
- Additional Drivers are always free in CA
- Others are usually $13 per day (max $65 per trip) except $11 per day (max $65 per trip) in NV and $3 per day in NY. Such drivers must show up at the counter with their license.
Source: Avis.com FAQ
National
National Corporate Codes
5030849 – Visa Infinite, for anyone with a Visa Infinite credit card including the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
5030353 – Entertainment Book (2014), use with Entertainment coupons below
5027379 – for BJ’s Wholesale Club members, use with BJ’s coupons below.
5036929 – for American Airlines AAdvantage Members
2700075 – for United Airlines frequent flyer members
GOVBIZ – Only for use when traveling on official US Government business with travel orders. Military/government ID required. Provides discounts, no additional driver fees, no fees for drivers 18+ and free LDW
GOVRNR – Only for use by federal employees or their dependents traveling on leisure. Military/government ID required.
ADA7745 – for members of the American Dental Association
National Coupon Codes
NF1731ODR (x12/31/2019, but still working on 1/9/2020) – free weekend day
National Additional Driver Policy
Additional drivers not meeting an exception below will usually be charged a fee (typically $12 per day):
- If you are a member of the National Emerald Club (free), the fee is waived for spouses and domestic partners or immediate family member living at the same address
- Under corporate contracts business associates when driven for business purposes
- Spouses are free in CA, IL, MO, NV, OR, WI automatically
Source: Nationalcar.com FAQ
Thrifty
Note that Thrifty and Dollar are largely run as one firm. Many of the discount codes seem to apply across both brands.
In addition to codes, note that Thrifty has the Wildcard program. If you choose the wildcard class, you pay the compact rate, but could basically get anysize car. If you have a slight preference for a large car, but don’t want to pay for it, this is a decent option. Note, you could could get stuck with a van. Though once I was lucky enough to end up with a convertible.
Also note their Best Rate Guarantee. If the rate goes down after you rent, you pay 90% of the new rate. I usually consider these bad signals since it creates a reason for
Thrifty: link for discounted reservations
Thrifty Corporate Codes (Corporate#)
0010230768 for AAA of Southern New England members – usually unlimited mileage
Thrifty Coupon Codes(Promo#)
5C11M – 15% off certain sizes x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
5CO6M – Midsize SUV for $34 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
5CO7M – Premium Car for $33 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
5CO8M – Standard SUV for $46 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
4M19M- Convertible for $46 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
Thrifty Blue Chip
Thrifty’s frequent renter program is call “Blue Chip”. There is some degree of express service, seems they get your contract ready for you to sign. They also give you credits where you get 1 free day for every 16 rented. Or you can take about 50 miles per day on most airlines. Note that they charge a small extra fee if you pick miles. They are also worth less than the Blue Chip credits assuming you rent enough to use the Blue Chip credits.
Thrifty Additional Driver Policy
Additional drivers including spouses are usually charged. This is an additional reason I rarely rent from Thrifty.
Dollar
Note that Thrifty and Dollar are largely run as one firm. Many of the discount codes seem to apply across both brands.
Dollar: link for discounted reservations
Dollar Corporate Codes
Dollar is pretty stingy with corporate codes. We are investing and will update if any good ones pop up.
Dollar Coupon Codes
5C11M – 15% off compact to premium x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
5CO6M – Midsize SUV for $34 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
5CO7M – Premium Car for $33 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
5CO8M – Standard SUV for $46 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
4M19M- Convertible for $46 x1/31/14 (verified 11/17/13) – offer details
Dollar Additional Driver Policy
Additional drivers including spouses are usually charged. This is an additional reason I rarely rent from Dollar.
Budget
Budget Corporate Codes
Become a free member of USA Cupom which will entitle you to use their BCD #R198191. While the BCD number will probably still work without you becoming a member, it’s probably better to be official in case of an insurance issue or the like. Note that it is free and they won’t fill up your email box (yet) since they aren’t marketing to English speakers.
Budget Coupon Codes
UUGZ039 or UUCZ022 – 1 car upgrade
MUCZ088 $25 off weekly rental over sat
MUCZ080 $10 off weekend rental
Budget Additional Driver Policy (USA)
All additional drivers must be over 25 and show up at the counter with a valid license and decent driving history.
- Spouses and domestic partners are usually free.
- Fellow employees/employer are usually free if traveling on the company’s corporate code.
- Additional Drivers are always free in CA
- Others are usually $13 per day (max $65 per trip) except $10 per day (max $50 per trip) in NV and $3 per day in NY
Source: Budget.com: Common Questions
Alamo
Note that many Alamo contract ID’s and coupon codes, while valid, don’t actually save you anything off of their rates without a code. They often seem to bump up their retail rates so they can show a discount.
Alamo Contract ID’s
7014627 Costco (verified 11/18/2013)
7013880 Southwest Airlines Customers (verified 11/18/2013)
Alamo Coupon Codes
[Use Costco contract ID]- save up to 25% x6/30/14
AD2338FDF – $30 off coupon
Alamo Additional Driver Policy
Additional drivers not meeting an exception below will usually be charged a fee
- Certain conditions under corporate contracts
Enterprise
Enterprise is known for their “We’ll Pick You Up” trademark. This makes them extra viable for non-airport related use. Do note that they come with only one car, so you drive the employee back to the local office. Enterprise is also more focused on “neighborhood” locations. Given their merger with National & Alamo, I would expect Enterprise to further differentiate into neighborhood rentals. They may keep using the Enterprise name at airports, but I would bet their focus will be on the neighborhood rentals going forward.
Enterprise Customer Numbers & Coupon Codes
Note that Enterprise doesn’t differentiate between a Customer Number and Coupon Code. You can only enter one.
CST999W – Costco – weekends as low as $9.99 x5/16/14
ENBKDY3 – Entertainment Book 10% off daily rates x6/30/14
ENBKWK3 – Entertainment Book 10% off weekly rates x6/30/14
ENBK2U3 – Entertainment Book 2 car upgrade x6/30/14
Note their is a code for Car&Drive Magazine that is very popular, but it is not clear if it is for employees only so I don’t want to risk anyone getting in trouble by posting it.
Enterprise Additional Driver Policy (USA)
All additional drivers must meet renter policies, appear at counter with primary renter and present license and major credit card.
- Spouses and domestic partners are free
- Spouses are free in CA, IL, MO, NV, OR, WI automatically
- Others are usually around $12 per day per driver
Source: Enterprise.com Answers
Silvercar
Note that Silvercar is only at certain airports. It has a 100% Audi Fleet. Go directly to car and unlock with smartphone app. Cars include free wifi hotspot. Min age is 22.
Silver Car Referral Code
You can use my referral code to get a $25 off your first rental (and I get $25 off mine too, double win!). My code is TIXEOWZB. Of course, feel free to use the code of a friend of family member if you have one. If you have multiple drivers in your family, you could use my code for each, but you would be better off using the first family members code so that you retain more of the benefit.
Silver Car Coupon Codes
FIRST20 - 20% off your first rental
Silvercar Additional Driver Policy
No fee for additional drivers (at least 22 years old), but you must add them in person at the rental location.
Fox Rent A Car
Fox is an alternative company to the “Majors”. Reviews are mixed, but they can often be cheaper than the majors. I do not have personal experience with them. However, if you are going to rent from them, mind as well get the best deal possible.
Fox doesn’t have a lot of Corporate or Discount codes. They are more of an “everyday” low price type of provider. I will update if I find some good ones, or feel free to comment with your favorites.
Closing Remarks
Let us know in the comments if you have coupon codes that work on varied corporate codes. Please do not post corporate codes that are meant to only be used by a specific firm’s employees. We don’t want to create situations where our users get in trouble.
Written in 2013. Most recent major update on Jan 9, 2020.