Compared to a lot of things in the big, complicated world or travel, how to rent a car is pretty straightforward. You book the car, you get the car, you return the car. And barring any unforeseen incidents involving moose in the middle of the road, it’s a fairly seamless experience. That said, there are some nuances to car rental that can save you both money and time if you know what you’re doing.
Getting familiar with where to rent, how to avoid fees, and what alternatives are out there can go a long way towards maximizing your car rental experience. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about how to rent a car, from the documents you’ll need for booking to a walk-through of newer car delivery and car-sharing startups.
How to rent a car
Booking a rental car is much like booking a hotel or airfare. Simply peruse your options through any number of online travel agencies, or book with the rental car companies directly.
Most larger US airports have a rental car center, where all the big companies are located. Still, look closely at the rental car company you book with to see if it’s “on-airport” or at a satellite location, as this can mean the difference between getting your car quickly or having to wait for a shuttle bus and riding 10–15 minutes away. If you do book off-airport, make note of how long the trip takes and factor that in when returning the car.
To rent a car, you’ll need a valid US or international driver’s license, a major credit card, and often proof of insurance. Rental car companies will offer to sell you insurance (more on that later); if you decline, you’ll need to show proof of your own. Some rental car companies will allow you to rent with a debit card, though you’ll generally be required to provide additional documentation like multiple forms of ID, proof of insurance, and proof of a return flight. Some even run credit checks, and most require a larger deposit.
Generally, rental car companies require drivers to be 25 years of age or older. Some will rent to drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 for an extra fee, and put restrictions on which cars they can rent. The company Enterprise doesn’t charge a young driver fee for the –24 age bracket, though it will often restrict them to certain car classes.
Also, a rental car reservation doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a car. Does this make sense? Probably not, and there’s an entire episode of Seinfeld devoted to this oddity. Most reservations don’t require a deposit and are free to cancel, which makes car rental exceptionally flexible. The downside: This lack of guarantee means, if you show up to the airport during an especially busy time or during a severe weather event, you may not get the car you reserved. Or any car at all.
How to avoid rental car fees
Rental car companies have a variety of additional fees they’ll tack on to the price of your rental. While not quite as predatory as, say, the fees you pay for tickets to see Taylor Swift, they can add up. Some aren’t avoidable, like state and city taxes. Others, however, you can get around. Here’s a quick overview:
