The best car rental companies in the USA
There have always been many people who turn to car rental to meet different transportation needs, from business trips to recreation and leisure.
In this article we will share our list of the best car rental companies in the USA so you can compare and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Currently, with the Covid 19 pandemic, road trips have increased due to concerns regarding flights. But, as you can imagine, if you opt for a rented car, the risks of contagion also exist.
So, so that you can feel calmer, we have included in our study the measures that the best car rental companies in the USA have adopted to preserve the health of their customers.
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The new reality of a car rental agency in the United States in the wake of Covid-19
Beyond standard cars, people are even renting RVs and campers to hit the road and avoid plane travel that poses a higher risk of contagion.
Strict checklists, new cleaning products, curbside and contactless pickup, deep cleaning and sanitizing of each vehicle when returned by a customer or transported by employees;
are part of the new service levels designed by each agency car rental to alleviate concerns related to COVID-19.
Also, as planning ahead becomes less predictable, many companies have updated their cancellation policies.
Clients should check policies very carefully before signing any car rental contracts;
and it is also worth considering taking out a specific travel insurance policy that covers some of the costs in case of unforeseen changes.
These new procedures and policies were included in our list of the best car rental companies in the USA so you can take them into account when making your choice.
The best car rental companies in the USA
Here is our list of the best places to rent cars in the USA
Enterprise: Best Car Rental Company Overall
Hertz: Best in Customer Satisfaction
National Car Rental: the one with the best website and mobile application
Alamo Rent-A-Car: the best for cheap car rental
Turo: the best peer-to-peer car rental
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a trusted company that achieves excellent results in all categories , including customer satisfaction, online booking and price.
According to the 2019 survey conducted by market research firm JD Power, Enterprise scored highly on its website and app (ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively);
as well as 2nd for overall satisfaction of the client, with 855 points out of 1,000.
Average Price: A week’s rental costs $462, including taxes and fees.
Current Cancellation Policy: During the pandemic, the company is expanding its free cancellation policy to include customers with prepaid rentals booked directly through them.
Previously, prepaid rentals that were canceled had a cost. Cancellations must be made 24 hours or more prior to pickup, otherwise a $100 no-show fee will apply.
Please note: Enterprise’s daily rate may be slightly higher than the average car rental rate, but the company says it has reduced other charges, such as those for drivers under 25.
Read also: How much tax is paid for a car in the USA
Hertz
Hertz has a history of several decades in the sector, it can be said that its reputation is one of the best in the long term.
The company has more than 1,600 points at airports in the United States, with a diverse fleet and an impressive rewards program.
Hertz’s airport pick-up and drop-off processes are quite efficient , and this was the main factor behind its high score of 856 out of 1,000 in the 2019 JD Power survey.
Average price: A week’s rental starts at $420, including taxes and fees.
Current Cancellation Policies and Fees: Fees for young renters (under 25) are being waived and the minimum renter age has been lowered from 20 to 18 to help college students and young drivers get home.
The company has also lowered fares for one-way trips.
Customers with Hertz prepaid rentals that have been booked before March 13 can cancel their reservation free of charge and transfer their balance to be used for a future reservation within 24 months.
Otherwise, the usual cancellation fees will apply: full price for a no-show, $100 if canceled more than 24 hours prior to pickup, $200 if canceled less than 24 hours prior to pickup.
Please note: Prices for short-term rentals with Hertz are slightly higher than some of the company’s competitors, especially when renting for just a day or two. Long-term rentals are more competitive.
National Car Rental
National Car Rental prides itself on its services and loyalty program for business travelers, and this focus on customer service carries over to its leisure customer service as well.
The customer focus is evident in its highly rated website and app, with the company ranking 1st and 2nd, respectively, in those categories in the 2019 JD Power survey
Median Price: A week’s rental starts at $573, including taxes and fees.
Current Cancellation Policy: During the pandemic, the company is expanding its current free cancellation policy to include customers with prepaid rentals booked directly through them.
Previously, prepaid rentals that were canceled were charged a fee. Cancellations must be made 24 hours or more prior to pickup, otherwise a $100 no-show fee will apply.
Please note: National is quite focused on business travelers and does not currently offer delivery and collection services.
Alamo Rent-A-Car
Alamo Rent-A-Car is a well-established and trusted company in the car rental market.
Alamo’s prices are regularly among the cheapest when comparing quotes on both the companies’ own websites and third-party comparison sites.
Although the company has relatively fewer offices, Alamo’s prices are always very competitive. Therefore, it is one of the best cheap car rental options.
Average Price: A week’s rental is $395, including taxes and fees.
Current Cancellation Policy: During the pandemic, the company is expanding its free cancellation policy to include customers with prepaid rentals booked directly through them.
Previously, prepaid rentals that were canceled were charged a fee. Cancellations must be made 24 hours or more prior to pickup, otherwise a $100 no-show fee will apply.
Please note: Alamo Rent-A-Car has fewer locations than some of its competitors, and those it does have are fairly concentrated in airports.
Read also: What is Liability Insurance?
Turo
Peer-to-peer car rental is still making inroads into the market. However, Turo is one of the favorites, as it allows people to both rent their own cars, as well as rent them from private owners.
Setup is relatively easy and the rental process is almost identical to that of any traditional rental vehicle. The company also offers well-defined insurance options.
Pick up and drop off locations depend on each owner and will change with each booking. Turo also offers its own 24/7 roadside assistance policy and the prices are very attractive.
Average Price: A one-week rental is around $300 including taxes and fees.
However, just like when comparing Airbnb to standard hotel rooms, Turo varies more than typical car rentals and has a wide range of prices.
Current cancellation policy: Guests can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. Guests who book within 24 hours of their trip have one hour after booking to cancel for free.
For canceled trips of more than two days, the cost of one day of travel is charged. In the case of canceled trips of two days or less, 50% of the cost of one day of travel will be charged.
The cost of the trip includes the price and the rate of the trip.
Please note: Obviously, the range of cars on offer varies considerably, and actual customer service levels and cleaning practices vary by host.
They do, however, receive a public rating, which helps inform the user experience.
Other good car rental companies in the USA
The companies that we present below, although they are not on our list of the best car rental companies in the USA , they also have very good reputations.
dollars
Dollar has an average price for the industry, but the locations are not as widespread and it offers fewer benefits, for example, they do not deliver or pick up customers at home.
Sixt
Sixt is a renowned company in Europe that is making inroads into the US market; however, the size of some cars may seem ungenerous to American companies.
thrifty
Thrifty offers attractive and competitive prices, but has fewer locations than many of its competitors and a less extensive loyalty program.
Budget
Budget has a good number of locations, but it also has a less attractive loyalty program and its airport pickups may be subject to additional charges.
Notice
Avis offers good, affordable quotes for weekly rates and a great app, but the loyalty program makes it challenging to earn points, plus airport pickups may be subject to fees.
Car rental service in the USA: frequently asked questions
Read also: How to insure a car in New York?
Where can I get a rental quote?
Most car rental companies offer quotes on their websites without much information being required.
Third-party comparison sites are also very popular and often offer many options after you enter your personal information once.
How far in advance should I book a rental car?
If you want to rent a car, it is better to do it as soon as possible, reserving between 3 and 6 months before the date you need it is ideal . Remember that prices increase the closer you are to the trip.
Are some days cheaper than others to pick up a vehicle?
Weekend pickups tend to be a bit cheaper, while Monday and Tuesday pickups tend to be a bit more expensive.
Compare airport pickups with city locations, even accounting for taxi rides to those locations. Some cities will always be cheaper at the airport, while in others the opposite will happen.
Is it worth paying the insurance?
First of all, you may already be covered, so check your auto insurance policy or call your insurance company to find out if your current coverage extends to a rental car.
Car rental companies typically offer the following coverage options at the time you sign your lease;
and it really depends on your individual circumstances whether you buy them (although some form of liability insurance is usually required):
Loss/Collision Damage Waiver – Generally waives financial responsibility if the car is damaged or stolen, towed, or you incur similar fees. Approximate cost: $9 – $19 per day.
Liability coverage – This is generally mandatory coverage, protects you from potential lawsuits, and typically costs between $7 and $14 per day.
Personal accident insurance: covers medical expenses that may be incurred after an accident.
Approximate cost: $1 – $5 per day.
Personal Effects Coverage: Covers any belongings you may have in the rental car against theft and typically costs between $1 and $4 a day.
Is it worth joining car rental loyalty programs?
Most loyalty programs are free, and sometimes there are immediate benefits or offers, so there’s no harm in signing up .
As with airline frequent flyer programs, the more you can earn using the same carrier, the more benefits you’ll earn.
Frequent customers should look at their travel plans and the companies that will offer the most attractive benefits to members.
