Renting a car can be a great way to travel and enjoy your trip. However, renting a car can also be expensive, especially if you don’t know how to find and use the best deals and discounts available. To help you save money and get the most value for your money, here is the ultimate guide to car rental coupons and discounts, with tips from experts.

What are Car Rental Coupons and Discounts?

Car rental coupons and discounts are special offers that can reduce the price of your rental car or provide you with extra benefits, such as free upgrades, free days, or free miles. Car rental coupons and discounts can come in different forms, such as:

  • Codes: These are alphanumeric codes that you can enter when booking online or over the phone to apply the discount to your reservation. For example, Hertz offers a 30% off code for any car rental1.
  • Links: These are links that you can click on to access a special page or website that offers the discount. For example, Rentalcars.com offers a 30% off link for airport car rentals2.
  • Printables: These are coupons that you can print out and present at the counter when picking up your car. For example, Enterprise offers a printable coupon for a free upgrade on select cars3.

Car rental coupons and discounts can vary in terms of:

  • Amount: The amount of the discount can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, depending on the coupon and the rental company.
  • Duration: The duration of the discount can be for a specific period of time, such as a day, a week, or a month, or for the entire rental period.
  • Availability: The availability of the discount can be limited by location, date, time, vehicle type, or other conditions.
  • Expiration: The expiration of the discount can be based on a specific date or time, or on the availability of the offer.

Where to Find Car Rental Coupons and Discounts?

There are many sources where you can find car rental coupons and discounts, such as:

  • Car Rental Websites and Apps: The most obvious place to look for car rental coupons and discounts is on the official websites and apps of the car rental companies. You can usually find them on their homepage, deals page, or newsletter. You can also sign up for their loyalty programs or email alerts to get exclusive offers and promotions.
  • Comparison Websites and Apps: Another place to look for car rental coupons and discounts is on comparison websites and apps that allow you to search for rental cars from different companies, locations, dates, and categories. You can usually find them on their homepage, deals page, or newsletter. You can also filter your results by price, rating, features, fuel policy, insurance, and more. Some of the most popular comparison websites and apps for car rental are:
    • Discover Cars: This website allows you to compare prices from over 500 car rental companies in more than 10,000 locations worldwide. You can also find deals, discounts, and free cancellations on most bookings.
    • Rentalcars.com: This website is one of the largest online car rental services in the world, offering over 900 car rental companies in 160 countries. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and support.
    • [Kayak]: This website is a well-known travel search engine that lets you compare prices from hundreds of car rental companies across the globe. You can also find flexible options, such as pay now or pay later, free cancellation, or no booking fees.
  • Coupon Websites and Apps: Another place to look for car rental coupons and discounts is on coupon websites and apps that collect and display various coupons and discounts from different sources. You can usually find them by searching for keywords such as “car rental”, “car rental coupons”, or “car rental discounts”. You can also filter your results by category, brand, location, or expiration date. Some of the most popular coupon websites and apps for car rental are:
    • [RetailMeNot]: This website is one of the largest online coupon platforms in the world, offering thousands of coupons and discounts from various retailers and brands. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and cashback offers.
    • [Car Rental Savers]: This website is a specialized online coupon platform for car rental, offering hundreds of coupons and discounts from various car rental companies. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and support.
    • [Groupon]: This website is a well-known online coupon platform that offers deals and discounts on various products and services, including car rental. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and rewards.
  • Travel Websites and Apps: Another place to look for car rental coupons and discounts is on travel websites and apps that offer various travel-related products and services, such as flights, hotels, tours, or activities. You can usually find them by searching for keywords such as “car rental”, “car rental deals”, or “car rental offers”. You can also filter your results by category, brand, location, or date. Some of the most popular travel websites and apps for car rental are:
    • [Expedia]: This website is one of the largest online travel platforms in the world, offering various travel-related products and services, including car rental. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and rewards.
    • [Orbitz]: This website is a well-known online travel platform that offers various travel-related products and services, including car rental. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and rewards.
    • [Travelocity]: This website is a well-known online travel platform that offers various travel-related products and services, including car rental. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and rewards.
  • Other Sources: There are also other sources where you can find car rental coupons and discounts, such as:
    • Newspapers and Magazines: You can sometimes find car rental coupons and discounts in newspapers and magazines, especially in travel-related sections or publications. You can cut out the coupons or scan the codes and use them when booking your car.
    • Credit Cards and Banks: You can sometimes find car rental coupons and discounts from your credit card company or bank, especially if they have partnerships with car rental companies or travel agencies. You can check your statements, emails, or websites for any offers or promotions.
    • Membership Organizations and Associations: You can sometimes find car rental coupons and discounts from membership organizations or associations that you belong to, such as AAA, AARP, Costco, or USAA. You can check their websites, newsletters, or magazines for any deals or discounts.
    • Friends and Family: You can sometimes find car rental coupons and discounts from your friends or family who have rented a car before or have access to any offers or promotions. You can ask them to share their codes or links with you or refer you to their sources.

How to Use Car Rental Coupons and Discounts?

Once you have found a car rental coupon or discount that suits your needs and preferences, you need to know how to use it properly to get the best value for your money. Here are some tips on how to use car rental coupons and discounts:

  • Read the Terms and Conditions: Before you use a car rental coupon or discount, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully. Look for any restrictions or limitations that may apply, such as:
    • Minimum or maximum rental period
    • Specific pick-up or drop-off locations
    • Specific vehicle types or categories
    • Specific dates or times
    • Blackout dates or peak seasons
    • Age requirements or driver’s license requirements
    • Additional fees or charges
  • Book in Advance: To ensure the availability of your preferred car and the validity of your coupon or discount, it is advisable to book your car in advance. Booking early can also help you secure the best rates and avoid any price changes or surcharges.
  • Enter the Code or Click the Link: To apply the coupon or discount to your reservation, you need to enter the code or click the link when booking online or over the phone. Make sure you enter the code correctly and verify that the discount has been applied before confirming your booking.
  • Present the Coupon: To redeem the coupon or discount when picking up your car, you need to present the coupon at the counter. Make sure you print out the coupon or have it on your phone. Also make sure that the coupon matches your reservation details and that it has not expired.
  • Check Your Receipt: To ensure that you have received the correct discount when returning your car, you need to check your receipt carefully. Look for any errors or discrepancies that may affect your final price. If you find any problems, report them to the staff immediately.

Conclusion

Renting a car can be a great way to travel and enjoy your trip. However, renting a car can also be expensive if you don’t know how to find and use the best deals and discounts available. By following this ultimate guide to car rental coupons and discounts, with tips from experts, you can save money and get the most value for your money. You can also have a smooth and hassle-free rental experience.