Where to Find the Best Deals on Rental Cars: Save money !

Finding the best deals on rental cars in the United States doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re planning a short weekend getaway, an extended vacation, or a business trip, there are countless ways to save money, avoid expensive fees, and make your rental process easy and fast.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the top websites, tips, and locations nationwide that offer the cheapest rental options, including last-minute rentals, SUVs, and even packages with free cancellations and child seats at no charge. If you’re looking to rent a car today, you’ll find everything you need here to compare prices, reserve quickly, and get the lowest rates available.

Why Renting a Car Can Be the Best Option

For many travelers in the US, renting a car is the perfect solution. You might need transportation for:

• A holiday road trip

• A long drive across states

• A short-term rental while your vehicle is in the shop

• Exploring locations worldwide during travel

• Reaching remote places not covered by public transport

Regardless of the reason, the best place to rent a car is one where you can compare prices, get deep discounts, and access a variety of rental options from national companies and local agencies.

Best Online Car Rental Sites to Compare Prices

Kayak

Best For: Comparing prices across multiple rental companies

Kayak is a powerful travel search engine that compares deals from dozens of rental car companies. It doesn’t rent cars directly but helps you find the lowest prices from major brands like Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget.

Key Features:

• Easy-to-use filters for car types, suppliers, and pickup locations

• Last-minute deals

• Bundle options for flights + hotels + car rentals

• Highlights cars with free cancellations

Why It’s Top:

Kayak’s ability to aggregate prices makes it one of the best places to start your rental car search.

Expedia

Best For: Booking rental cars alongside flights and hotels

Expedia is one of the most recognized travel platforms in the US. It allows travelers to book everything in one place — including car rentals, flights, and hotels — often with exclusive discounts.

Key Features:

• Expedia Rewards for added savings

• Bundle and save on travel packages

• Transparent pricing and cancellation policies

• Option to add insurance and child seats

Why It’s Top:

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your travel bookings, Expedia is a top-tier option.

Priceline

Best For: Deep discounts through Express Deals

Priceline is known for offering ridiculously cheap rental car rates, especially for last-minute bookings. Their Express Deals can give you great prices, although the provider may be revealed only after booking.

Key Features:

• “Name Your Own Price” for some rental categories

• Good for SUVs, economy cars, and luxury rentals

• Free cancellation on most rentals

• Ideal for travelers who are flexible with providers

Why It’s Top:

If your priority is price over brand, Priceline offers some of the cheapest deals online.

Rentalcars.com

Best For: Renting cars internationally and domestically

Rentalcars.com is one of the largest online car rental booking platforms, offering vehicles in over 160 countries. In the US, it partners with top rental agencies to offer affordable options and real-time comparisons.

Key Features:

• 24/7 customer service

• No hidden fees

• Free cancellation on most bookings

• Filters for transmission type, fuel policy, and mileage

Why It’s Top:

Its global reach and deep inventory make it ideal for international travelers and those booking in advance.

Hotwire

Best For: Last-minute rental car deals

Hotwire specializes in last-minute travel discounts, and that includes cheap rental cars. Their Hot Rate deals often offer 40% or more off regular prices, though the exact car company is revealed only after booking.

Key Features:

• Frequent SUV and full-size car specials

• Car rentals often bundled with hotel deals

• Easy-to-navigate site and app

• Airport and city pickup locations available

Why It’s Top:

For budget travelers, Hotwire’s flash deals can’t be beat — especially if you’re flexible on details.

Orbitz

Best For: Loyal customers who travel frequently

Orbitz is a reliable travel site offering hotel, flight, and car rental bookings. Their Orbitz Rewards program gives users Orbucks, which can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings.

Key Features:

• Earn rewards on every booking

• Transparent pricing and filters

• Easy cancellation and customer service

• Offers from national companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Dollar

Why It’s Top:

Frequent travelers will appreciate the cashback-style rewards system on a platform that’s already user-friendly and robust.

Turo

Best For: Peer-to-peer car rentals

Turo is often referred to as the “Airbnb of car rentals.” It allows individuals to rent out their own vehicles to others, offering a unique and often more affordable alternative to traditional rental companies.

Key Features:

• Flexible pick-up/drop-off options

• Often cheaper for luxury or specialty cars

• Great for day trips, short-term use, or local driving

• Can deliver cars to hotels or airports

Why It’s Top:

Turo is ideal for those seeking unique cars, lower costs, or short-term, non-traditional rentals.

AutoSlash

Best For: Finding hidden discounts and applying coupons

AutoSlash stands out by automatically applying discount codes, corporate rates, and membership benefits (like AAA or Costco) to your rental search.

Key Features:

• Tracks your reservation for price drops

• Automatically rebooks if a lower rate is found

• Supports most major rental companies

• Excellent for budget-conscious travelers

Why It’s Top:

AutoSlash does the deal-hunting for you, making it a great tool for finding deep discounts and avoiding hidden fees.

Skyscanner

Best For: Global price comparison for rentals

Skyscanner, originally known for flight searches, also offers a comprehensive car rental comparison tool. It sources deals from local and national agencies worldwide.

Key Features:

• Clean interface with real-time pricing

• Easy to sort by price, car type, or provider

• Often includes smaller, local agencies for even cheaper options

• Multilingual support

Why It’s Top:

It’s especially useful if you’re planning a trip outside the US, but it also holds its own domestically with competitive rates.

Costco Travel

Best For: Costco members seeking premium service and value

Costco Travel offers rental car services exclusively to Costco members, with deals from partners like Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.

Key Features:

• No cancellation fees

• Free additional driver included

• Fuel discounts and exclusive offers

• Great customer service from trusted brands

Why It’s Top:

If you’re a Costco member, this is one of the most valuable car rental sites, with perks you won’t find elsewhere.

Cheapest Rental Car Companies in the US

Some car rental companies consistently offer affordable pricing, easy online booking, and locations near airports and major cities.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise is one of the most trusted car rental companies in the US. Known for excellent customer service, it’s great for both short-term and long drives.

Pick-up service available

Weekend specials

SUVs, minivans, and economy options

Free cancellations

Hertz

Hertz offers a wide range of vehicles at competitive prices. It’s a national brand with locations at most US airports.

Great long-term rental rates

Frequent discounts and promo codes

Child seat at no charge (based on promotion)

Fast pick-up with their Gold Membership program

Alamo

Alamo focuses on leisure travelers and is often the best place to rent a car for a family vacation.

Great for airport pick-up

SUVs and full-size cars available

Special offers for holiday weekends

Reserve today and pay later options

Budget Rent a Car

As the name suggests, Budget is perfect for those looking for affordable rental cars without sacrificing quality.

Lowest daily rates

Frequent online promo codes

Great fleet options for city driving or road trips

Free cancellations on most bookings

Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty offers some of the cheapest rates in the industry and is ideal for last-minute bookings.

Ideal for short trips and day rentals

SUVs and compact cars at competitive prices

Easy online booking

Accepts debit cards

Tips to Find the Best Rental Car Deals

Getting a great deal on a rental car is about more than choosing the cheapest price. Here’s how to avoid expensive fees and get the most value out of your booking:

Book Early for the Lowest Rates

Car rental prices often increase closer to your travel date. Booking in advance ensures the best selection and lowest prices, especially during holidays.

Compare Multiple Sites

Use multiple comparison tools like Kayak, Expedia, and Priceline to check for price differences. Sometimes, different platforms offer exclusive discounts.

Avoid Airport Pickups (If Possible)

While airport rentals are convenient, they often come with extra fees. If you’re willing to travel a few miles outside the airport, you can often find cheaper rates.

Look for Discount Codes

Before booking, search for promo codes or use browser extensions like Honey or RetailMeNot for automated savings.

Avoid Prepaying for Gas

Rental companies often charge premium rates if you return the car without a full tank. Opt to refuel yourself before returning the vehicle.

Check for Free Add-ons

Look for rentals that include child seats, GPS, or additional drivers at no charge. These extras can add up quickly.

Use Membership Discounts

If you belong to organizations like AAA, AARP, or have credit card travel benefits, you may get exclusive discounts or upgrades.

Best Car Rental Options for Specific Needs

SUVs for Road Trips or Mountain Drives

• Look for deals on 4WD SUVs on Hotwire or Rentalcars.com

• Best for family holidays, ski trips, or national park adventures

Business Travel

• Choose Enterprise or Hertz for fast pick-up and professional service

• Corporate discounts available with proper credentials

Vacation Rentals

• Expedia and Kayak allow bundling with hotels and flights

• Save more when you reserve today and pay later

Airport Convenience

• Alamo, Avis, and Hertz have fast-track services at major airports

• Ideal for last-minute bookings with free cancellations

Google Travel & Google Maps

Use Google’s price comparison features to see real-time rental car prices in your area. It also helps with location-based filters and nearby rental offices.

Hotel Bundles with Rental Cars

Many hotel booking websites offer deals where you can add a rental car at a discount. Websites like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity are top choices for these bundles.

To sum up: Book the Best Rental Car for Your Trip Today

With the variety of online platforms, trusted companies, and national rental agencies, it’s never been easier to find the best deals on rental cars in the US. Whether you’re looking for an SUV for a family vacation, a cheap compact car for a quick city trip, or a luxury vehicle for a business journey, you can compare prices, book fast, and save big when you know where to look.

Remember to:

• Use comparison websites to find the lowest rates

• Book early and use discount codes

• Choose companies offering free cancellations and no hidden fees

• Consider location convenience versus cost savings

So, go ahead and reserve your rental car today — and enjoy your perfect trip across the US with the confidence that you’ve found the best possible deal.

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