Offset Absurdly High Car Rental Prices With These Membership Club Discounts

Photo: alexfan32 (Shutterstock)

While car rental prices have eased somewhat since summer, we’re not out of the woods yet. Rates were still 51% higher last month compared to September 2019, and demand is expected to spike again for the holidays. To mitigate some of the price shock, now might be the time to consider the car rental discounts available through membership clubs like AAA, Costco, or USAA. The savings are significant enough that they could justify paying a membership fee. Let’s compare.

A Basic membership costs $38-74 (depending on your location), and it qualifies you for discounts with the following providers:

• Dollar: 8% off the base rates of all rentals, one $14 child seat for free, and the $13.50 additional driver fee is waived. There’s also a 10% discount on prepaid fuel.
• Hertz: 20% off the base rate, the $29 young renter fee is waived, one $14 child seat for free, and a $13.50 additional driver fee is waived. 10% discount on international and prepaid rentals.
• Thrifty: 8% off the base rate, one $14 child seat fee is free, and the $13.50 additional driver fee is waived. There’s also a 10% discount on prepaid fuel.

For an annual fee of $12, an AARP membership qualifies you for discounts with the following providers:

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• Avis: 30% off base rates, free car class upgrade, and the additional driver cost is waived.
• Budget: 30% off base rates, free car class upgrade, and the additional driver cost is waived. Truck rentals are 10%-20% off.
• Payless: 5% off base rates, free car class upgrade.
• Zipcar: 43% off the price for an annual Membership.

For an annual fee of $110, Perks Rewards members qualify for the following discounts and benefits:

• Alamo: 20% off base rate.
• Avis: Up to 30% off base rates, free car class upgrade, $10 off $175 rentals.
• Budget: Up to 35% off base rates, free car class upgrade, $10 off $175 rentals.
• National: 25% off base rate.
• Payless: 5% off base rates

It’s also worth noting that a membership qualifies you for discounted gas at BJ’s gas stations.

For $60, Costco Travel members 25 or older qualify for discounted rates on auto rentals. Unlike other membership clubs, Costco has its own portal with different ongoing deals that can add up to 30% off of base fares for Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. The additional driver fee is also waived on rentals booked through its portal.

Membership is free for honorably discharged members of the armed forces, whether active or retired. Car rental discounts are offered by the following providers:

• Avis: 25% off the base rate, for time and mileage charges only. Fees for young drivers and additional driver fees are waived (worth $27 and $13, respectively).
• Budget: 25% off the base rate, for time and mileage charges only (excluding specialty vehicles). Fees for young drivers and additional driver fees are waived (worth $27 and $13, respectively).
• Enterprise: Discounts of up to 5% apply to time and mileage charges only (excluding specialty vehicles). Fees for young drivers and additional driver fees are waived (worth $20 and $10, respectively).
• Hertz: Discounts up to 25%, for time and mileage charges only. Fees for young drivers and additional driver fees are waived (worth $30 and $14, respectively).
  

A $60 Sam’s Club membership qualifies you for discounts for Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. Revolving deals worth up to 25% are available through the travel portal on the company’s site.

 

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