People assess their experiences renting cars based on a number of variables. According to J.D. Power’s Senior Director of Travel & Hospitality Intelligence, Michael Taylor, “We quantify consumer priorities at J.D. Power in practically every study we conduct… The cost and fees of the rental account for 28% of the overall satisfaction with the rental experience in 2019. The rental car itself comes in at 25% and the pick-up process comes in at 23%. 25% of the whole experience is made up of the reservation process, the return procedure, and branded shuttle bus experiences.”
For additional drivers and any other equipment, you might require, such as car seats, ski racks, or GPS devices, most rental car agencies charge an extra daily price. One-way car rental fees are another common fee that car companies impose. Therefore, if you rent a car from one site and drop it off at another, you will be responsible for paying to return the vehicle to the original rental location.
Well, in this article, I’ll be listing the best car rental companies you should opt for when you are in need of a car. Note that this post is not sponsored, all car rental companies listed below are based on the top-performing ones as user experience.
So, let’s dive in!
Contents
Best Car Rental Companies
The followings are the lists of best car rental companies available in the United States:
- Avis
- Enterprise
- National
- com
- Budget
- Alamo
- Thrifty
- Hertz
- Dollar
- Silvercar
- Sixt
- Lyft
- Ace
Avis
Avis has been in operation for more than 70 years and is a titan in the car rental industry. The business operates in 165 nations through its subsidiaries, and it has received honors on every continent (except Antarctica, natch).
Unquestionably, a large part of Avis’ success stems from the goodwill the firm has created with its Best Price Pledge service, which enables a client to claim matching prices with other businesses and then receive an extra 10% off.
Loyalty program: Customers can choose their vehicle using the company’s app and receive quicker service through the Avis Preferred Car Rental Program. Members can also accumulate points for incentives (with Preferred Plus members earning at higher rates).
Read more: Lists of best car insurance companies
Enterprise
Despite having slightly higher rates than other rental car companies, clients still favor Enterprise. With a score of 861 compared to the industry average of 830, a recent study revealed that they were the company with the greatest overall customer satisfaction rating. Only three other businesses performed better than the sector average.
With more than 7,600 sites nationwide, there is probably an Enterprise near you. Additionally, they have a four-tiered loyalty program called Enterprise Plus that entitles participants to improvements on their annual rentals. Additionally, they have access to faster members-only check-ins, a dedicated phone number for customer care, and the ability to earn and redeem points for free rental days.
Read more: What happens if you get into an accident with no insurance?
National
Despite being a part of Enterprise, National continually earns excellent service ratings and satisfied customers on its own. National prides itself on its vehicle variety, which comprises more than 40 class selections of cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. National has more than 1,500 service centers globally.
Loyalty program: Business travelers can benefit from National’s Emerald Club membership by skipping the counter and earning rewards on their reservations.
Read more: Understanding full coverage auto insurance
Rentalcars.com
If you want to compare shops for the best offers without having to switch between numerous website tabs for each car rental company, a rental aggregator is a useful tool. Alamo, Hertz, Avis, and Dollar are just a few of the well-known vehicle rental companies that can be found on Rentalcars.com, along with some less well-known ones like Ace and Sixt.
They have over 60,000 locations worldwide and serve eight million estimated customers. Customers are given the ability to choose the alternatives that best fit them, including flexible options and features like price match guarantees, no additional costs, the flexibility to select car seats, and 48 hours to cancel or change your reservation without incurring fees.
Budget
The budget was established, as its name suggests, to appeal to clients seeking a good deal, and more than 60 years later, the business continues to ensure that it offers “a quality product, friendly service, and amazing value.” In comparison to its initial fleet of 10 vehicles, Budget now has approximately 3,000 outlets globally and is owned by the same parent corporation as Avis (Avis Budget Group).
Program of loyalty: Budget’s Fastbreak program is intended to speed up the process of renting a car and returning it. You can skip queues and drop off your vehicle at a specific location. Free membership includes special discounts and offers as well.
Read more: Top 10 best-extended car warranty companies
Alamo
Alamo provides unlimited free mileage as normal, and it lists a number of circumstances in which it will waive the additional daily driver’s cost, which is typical $15 if you’re traveling with another person or a group. The primary drivers’ spouses and domestic partners are not subject to an additional driving fee.
Additionally, for corporate contracts when the second driver is a partner, employer, or colleague of the renter, the $15 additional driver cost is waived. You won’t pay an extra driver cost if you rent a car from Alamo and are a Costco member.
Customers receive a guaranteed 5 percent discount off the retail price with the Alamo Insider free program. Military and AAA membership discounts, as well as free automobile class upgrades in some categories, are among the rotating special offers.
Thrifty
Thrifty Car Rental currently operates out of more than 1,000 locations across the world despite being a Hertz subsidiary. In fact, Thrifty has expanded its global service footprint since its 2012 acquisition, particularly in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Blue Chip Rewards, Thrifty’s loyalty program, offers advantages like free additional driver additions with a valid driver’s license and priority counter service at both airport and off-airport locations. The rentals app from Thrifty Hire has a 4.2 rating on Google Play while the official Thrifty app has a rating of 1.3 out of 5.
Hertz
With more than 1,600 airport locations in the United States alone and coverage in smaller areas like Beloit, Wisconsin, and Newport, Vermont, it’s one of the biggest car rental firms in the world, but it’s not the cheapest. The common daily fee for Hertz is $60. (rates may vary depending on your specific location). We adore the variety of vehicles the company provides: in addition to the usual suspects for business trips, high-capacity vehicles for families, and small, economical vehicles for those on a tight budget, there’s also a rental section for Tesla electric vehicles and opulent “dream cars” from Mercedes and BMW that are treated for special journeys.
Additionally, the business provides up to 30% off of booked reservations and up to 20% off for AAA members. There are no additional costs for AAA renters between the ages of 20 and 25.
Read more: Understanding credit insurance
Dollar
Although Dollar, formerly known as “Dollar a Day Rental Car,” is unable to practically honor reservations, it is still one of the greatest budgets offers in the sector. (However, keep in mind that it wasn’t the most affordable.) Being a Hertz subsidiary and a partner of Thrifty, with whom it shares more than 1,500 stores worldwide, doesn’t seem to have any negative effects on Dollar’s capacity to provide affordable vehicle rentals.
Dollar’s Express Rewards program offers members the chance to skip lines, add extra drivers, and accrue free rental days. Since membership is free, it is worthwhile to join if you plan to use Dollar even just once.
Silvercar
There are incentive programs available from almost every car rental company, but we like Silvercar’s simple, adaptable approach. When you register for a Silvercar account, you are automatically enrolled. You can earn one reward point for every dollar spent (excluding applicable taxes and fees) and enjoy no-ban dates when you exchange reward points for free rentals. Additionally, as long as a purchase is completed within five years, points never expire. You can also use your rewards points to get free days or 50% off rentals by paying taxes and fees, depending on how many you have saved up.
Through the Silvercar app, you may reserve an Audi sedan or SUV in more than 20 airport and city locations, including those in California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. Free WiFi, GPS navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Peg Perego child and pet carriers are just a few of the rental benefits offered by Silvercar. In 2022, daily rentals have been averaging $80.
Read more: How to get car insurance discounts?
Sixt
The company’s business plan differs differently from that of rivals in that it provides better prices on a luxury cars in addition to other vehicle rental classes (such as convertibles, pickup trucks, SUVs, and sports cars). It appears to be functioning thus far.
Sixt, a stalwart in Germany, entered the US market in 2011 and has since made significant strides; based on user ratings, Kayak named Sixt as the fourth-best automobile rental firm in the US for the year 2020.
Sixt offers express cards with a loyalty program that lets users accrue points for purchases. There are several tiers (Gold, Platinum, and Diamond) in addition to the standard express cards that provide savings and extra perks.
Lyft
The on-demand ride-sharing company Lyft introduced its Lyft Rentals car rental program in some areas in 2019 in collaboration with Sixt, a more established car rental company. The process of renting a car through Lyft is as simple as opening the app, selecting the key icon at the bottom right of your screen, and then following the onscreen instructions to configure your vehicle, which typically includes free add-ons like ski racks, child seats, and even a phone charger. We also appreciate that you get unlimited mileage, only pay for the tolls you really use (as determined by market pricing), and those other businesses may charge extra for toll transponders.
Additionally, the Lyft Rentals program provides a $20 credit ($10 each way) that can be used to travel to and from the rental destination. Sixt-fulfilled locations get a $10 credit to spend whenever they like on Lyft. Renting can also be done on the website rather than the app. All you need to check in is your phone and your driver’s license.
Read more: Does my car insurance cover windshield cracks?
Ace
Although Ace may not be the most well-known brand in the industry, its sites make up the largest chain of independent rental companies worldwide. That indicates that the company has expanded significantly over the past 53 years while lacking the financial clout of its rivals.
Additionally, the company has received recognition for its excellent services, as evidenced by Temkin Experience Ratings’ ranking of Ace No. 2 in overall customer experience for both 2017 and 2018. The company doesn’t permit customers to return rented vehicles far from their starting place. The price of a five-day standard SUV rental from LAX to a different location in Los Angeles is $223.93.
Program of loyalty: Ace’s Rental Genius program is as simple as it is beneficial. A renter receives one point for every dollar spent on a valid reservation, and points may be exchanged for rental days and kilometers. Additionally, the business runs specials where customers can gain extra points.
Car Renter Companies FAQs
Is Budget or Avis better?
Many consider Avis to be the more upscale corporation, with upscale vehicles and prices to match. Despite the fact that there isn’t much of a pricing difference, the budget is thought to be less expensive. However, Avis is more well-known because it has existed for a longer time and has a richer past.
Is Alamo or Enterprise better?
Although Enterprise wins for service, its standard rate of $47 per day is less affordable than that of Alamo, its sister firm. However, Enterprise, which has 5,800 locations across the United States, waives many of the extra fees that can be unexpected once you get at the counter.
Is Hertz or Alamo better?
The J.D. Power 2020 North America Rental Car Happiness Study rated airport-based rental car firms and examined consumer satisfaction across the rental car experience, from booking to vehicle return. For the second consecutive year, Hertz topped the list, closely followed by Enterprise and Alamo.
Read more: Different types of car insurance
Is Enterprise or National better?
When compared to Enterprise automobile rental, National Car Rental offers a superior overall experience. With better automobiles in more convenient locations, National provides a service that is more centered on the needs of the consumer.
What is the easiest company to Rent-A-Car from?
One of the most well-known vehicle rental firms in the world, SIXT is also unquestionably one of the simplest and fastest in the US. SIXT is the firm for you if you want to enter in style because they offer the most upscale vehicles at competitive prices.
Is Hertz or Enterprise cheaper?
Hertz or Enterprise is less expensive. We compared several quotes and, on the whole, discovered that Enterprise was more expensive than Hertz. Prices for prepay and pay at pickup choices ranged from $70 to as much as $200.
Where is the cheapest place to book a rental car?
Best Websites for Finding Cheap Car Rentals
- Costco Travel.
- American Express Travel.
- com.
- Price Comparisons.
Why does the enterprise charge $200?
The corporation keeps this money on hand in case of things like accidents, late returns, or extra fuel costs. Always inquire about the amount being held on your card and the timeline for receiving your deposit back. The sort of car you hire, where you pick up the car, and how you pay all have a role in this.
Can you negotiate the price with enterprise?
At Enterprise Car Sales, is our pricing subject to negotiation? The Enterprise car-buying process excludes haggling. Each vehicle has a sign with the final sales price.
Read more: Ways to find good and cheap car insurance
That is all for this article, where the lists of best car rental companies are being discussed. I hope it was helpful, if so, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading, see you around!
