Timeframes for long term car rentals can vary by company. A long term rental is usually one that is 4 weeks or more.
Some car rental companies have a shorter minimum time to qualify for a long term rate; some require a longer minimum rental to get a monthly car rental rate.
Although longer rentals are not the norm, there are some situations where it makes sense. You may have been relocated with your job or are on an extended vacation or a lengthy trip. Long term car rentals can be available to meet those specific needs.
I checked with 8 of the largest car rental company’s websites and have listed below the availability (or not) and information about monthly car rental for each.
Alamo Car Rentals
According to their website, Alamo offers monthly car rental rates for rentals of a minimum of two months to a maximum of 11 months.
They offer one time processing: you fill out the paperwork at the beginning of the rental, and then the charges are billed automatically each month (you don't have to go back in to renew).
Avis allows rentals for a rental period of 60 days or more, to a maximum of 11 months total.
Monthly car rental is available for online booking and you do not have to return the vehicle at the end of each month to renew your contract. All rental agreements (one for each month) are filled out at the beginning of the rental and the charges are automatically billed each month.
Avis does have a note that on a monthly car rental, the vehicle must be serviced every 75,000 miles.
Monthly car rental is available for online booking for rentals of maximum of 330 consecutive days and you do not have to return the vehicle at the end of each month to renew your contract.
All rental agreements (one for each month) are filled out at the beginning of the rental and the charges are automatically billed each month.
Enterprise offers rental rates for a rental of 30 + days to a maximum of 11 months.
Rentals of this length are not available to price or book online. You must call a special number which is provided on their website, just click on the "Long Term Rentals" link on the left hand side of the homepage for more info.
Hertz.com will allow you to book rentals for up to 60 days. Anthing over 28 days is considered a long term car rental. If you need a rental for more than 60 days you would have to either contact your local Hertz Reservations Office or you can use their toll free line at 800-654-7788. A minimum 2 month rental required.
Billing for Hertz monthly car rentals is completed automatically each month; you don't have to return to Hertz to fill out paperwork each month.Hertz.com lists no restriction on the maximum length of rental.
National offers rentals for a rental of 28 + days, up to 360 days maximum.
These rentals are available to book online, but I was not able to find any information about specific terms and conditions and/or restrictions on the National website.
On their website, Thrifty allows bookings of monthly rentals up to 364 days.
For rentals 28 days or longer the customer must return the vehicle to their renting Thrifty location for maintenance or to renew the contract every 28 days.