Use Car Rental Specials to get a Discount Car Rental

Car rental specials are almost constantly advertised. You will see ads in magazines, newspapers, on tv and online for car rental deals. For the rental companies, it's a way to grab your attention and get you to check out their website or call their toll-free number, looking for that discount car rental.

When available, a special is a great way for you to get a cheaper price on your car rental. Special deals allow car rental companies to get more of their cars booked in advance and allow you to save money! You can access car rental specials through car rental company websites or through booking sites, like Travelocity or Orbitz, that deal with many car rental companies.

You can check the following links for current internet specials for Alamo , Avis , Budget , Dollar , Enterprise , Hertz , National and Thrifty.

On the car rental company websites there are basic types of specials that most offer.

Deals for a Percentage Off the Regular Price

These types of car rental specials can range from 10% to 50% off rates; these deals are usually available only on weekly or weekend rates. Sometimes you might find seasonal car rental deals, like ski deals, summer deals, fall deals and partner deals for rental car discounts (10% off when you use your Visa to pay for the rental, etc).


Many companies do not offer specials in the New York are, Alaska or Hawaii. Check your terms and conditions for these restrictions.

Paying for the Rental in Advance

Many rental companies will offer car rental specials if you pay for the car rental reservation in advance. You can usually save a certain percentage off, or rental car discounts,if you prepay. This will involve providing your credit card number at the time of booking; the full amount of the rental will be automatically charged to your credit card.

Make sure to always check the terms and conditions on a prepaid car rental, often there are restrictions on modifying or cancelling your reservation.

Free Day or Dollars Off

Many rental company websites offer Dollars off and/or Free Day car rental specials, from time to time. This type of discount car rental deal may be presented as an internet "coupon" offer. The amount of money taken off your total can range from $5 - $50 off, depending on the car rental company, the length of the rental or the price per day if it is a Free Day offer.

Keep in mind that any money off of free day, will be calculated off at the end of the rental; all taxes and surcharges will be calculated first. This type of specail will usually be limited to certain types or sizes of vehicles.

Car Rental Specials for Certain Locations

Locations may offer specials based on a geographic area (midwest), a specific state or city, or the deal may be based on the type of car rental location. You may find a special available only at the airport, or specials only available at off-airport, or neighborhood car rental locations.

Many companies offer specials only available to subscribers – sign up for email notifications from several companies, that way you'll keep up to date on any car rental deals and rental car discounts that are going on or coming up.

A special note about booking sites

Very carefully go through all the terms and conditions before you pay for a car rental in advance, especially on a booking site. You usually have to present the same credit card at the rental counter as the one used to prepay. They may accept your debit card to prepay a reservation, but there will be a note in the terms, that the car rental company may not accept the debit card.

You may sometimes find cheaper rates with prepaid booking sites (where you pay for the rental up-front) but these usually allow no modifications or cancellations of the reservation.

If you are booking through a prepaid booking site, make sure to read the terms and conditions of their specials very carefully and keep these factors in mind when you are checking prices.

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