How to find car rental discount codes
Renting a car can be a significant expense on any vacation or business trip, especially if you pay the full retail price charged by the rental company. It shouldn't be like this.
Car rental companies as well as buyers' clubs, frequent flyer programs and credit card issuers offer discount codes and coupons to their members or anyone smart enough to look for them.
There's a good chance you're already eligible for a discount but just don't know how to access the discounted price.
Here are some ways to save money the next time you need to rent a car.
Part 1 of 1: How to get a discount code
Step 1: Check Your Membership for Rental Benefits. Many affiliates and memberships offer discounts or coupons for car rentals.
It may take a bit of effort and screen time to get the best discount, but it's worth it in the end. Here are some things to watch out for:
Visit the organization's website and email offers for details on their discounts. You may need a discount or coupon code to enter when booking your car, so be sure to request the code if available. If you have a specific car rental company in mind, call them directly and ask for a list of organizations and programs offering discounts. They may even be able to give you a discount over the phone.
Credit Cards: Most credit card companies provide additional insurance coverage for rental cars, but many partner with certain car rental companies to provide discounts to cardholders. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer discounts or allow you to use your miles to rent a car. Many card issuers also allow you to earn miles if you rent a car from a specific rental company.
Member associations. Many member associations such as Sam's Club, Costco, AARP, AOPA, travel clubs, and others frequently offer discounted car rental rates to their members. See your membership materials or their website for details.
Frequent flyer programs. Flights and car rentals go hand in hand, which is why many airlines enter into agreements with car rental companies at reduced rates for their members.
Step 2: Check with your workplace to see if they offer discounts.. Many employers have agreements with car rental companies.
This is good for the business as it allows the company to save money when its employees travel for business, and it is beneficial for the car rental company as it builds brand loyalty. Most corporate fares can be used for both personal and business travel. Detailed information can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or the Employee Handbook.
Small business owners or the self-employed can also take advantage of these programs. Call your favorite rental agencies to find out which one will give you the best deal in exchange for your loyalty. In most cases, you will be given a discount code to use when booking.
Step 3. Join the rental loyalty program. Most major car rental companies have a loyalty program and it's usually free to join.
Discounts are just one of the benefits. Free upgrades, fast registration and earning points that can be used for upgrades or free rentals are just some of the added benefits.
Detailed information and registration can be obtained at the rental office or on their website.
Step 4Use Coupons. Search the internet for coupons and discount codes before booking a car rental. In many cases, you can use coupon codes in addition to frequent flyer or membership discounts.
A Google search for "car rental coupons" will return pages of results. Coupon codes can be found at Groupon and sites such as Retailmenot.com, CouponCodes.com, and CurrentCodes.com.
Step 5. Use deal aggregators. If you book your trip with an online booking company such as Orbitz, Expedia, Kayak or Travelocity, you should be eligible for a car rental discount. Many aggregators offer discounts of up to 40% on car rentals.
Step 6: Start at your destination and work your way back.. If you're heading out of town to a popular destination, such as a beach resort, ski town, or theme park, look for car rental deals linked to hotels and other establishments in the area.
Package deals to popular destinations often include a discount on car rental.
Step 7: Car prepayment. Car rental companies have followed the example of hotels and offer discounts to renters who are willing to pay up front.
In some cases, the discount can be significant, up to 20%. Watch out for cancellation fees, which can be high if you must cancel within 24 hours.
Step 8: Ask for the best deal. Even after applying a discount code and adding a coupon to boot, it never hurts to stop by the rental desk to see if you can negotiate a better deal or get a better car.
While the success rate of this strategy may depend on a number of factors, you will never get what you don't ask for.
The next time you're out of town for business or pleasure, use these tips to get the best car rental deal.
