Unlocking Car Rental Savings: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Road trips can be an exciting part of the student experience, offering freedom and adventure. However, the costs associated with car rentals can quickly add up, especially with rising prices and hidden fees. Fortunately, numerous strategies exist to help students secure affordable car rentals. This comprehensive guide explores various options, discounts, and essential considerations for students looking to save money on their next car rental.

Understanding Student Car Rental Requirements

Generally, the minimum age to rent a car in most U.S. states is 21 years old. However, in New York, the minimum age is 18, and some exceptions exist for government renters with valid identification. It's also worth noting that some rental companies, like SIXT, cater specifically to young drivers.

Age and Fees:

Students renting a vehicle for business use must be 18 years or older.
A fee of $15 may be assessed for drivers 18-20 years of age.
A Young Driver Surcharge applies for car rental under 25, with the exact amount depending on location and vehicle type.

Required Documents:

Valid driver's license
Government-issued ID or passport
Credit or debit card in your name (debit cards may have restrictions)
Some locations may ask for proof of address, especially when using a debit card.

Leveraging Student and University Discounts

One of the most effective ways for students to save on car rentals is by utilizing corporate, university, or alumni codes. Many universities have negotiated deals with major rental companies like Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, offering significant discounts to students and alumni.

Check your university's travel site or student benefits page for rental company discounts.
Some codes may offer additional benefits, such as free extra drivers or waived fees for drivers under 25.
Always ensure you can use these codes on personal rentals, as some corporate codes are exclusively for business travel.

Example: Terms and Conditions - Advance reservations are required and must include Discount Code (CDP)#1966052.

Maximizing Membership Benefits

AAA Discounts:

Joining AAA can unlock substantial savings on rental cars. Members can save up to 20% on all Hertz rentals with the AAA discount code. Additional benefits include waived fees for drivers under 25, discounts on prepaid fuel, a free additional driver, and a complimentary car seat or booster seat.

Read also: Renting a Car Near UCLA

USAA Discounts:

USAA membership, open to current and former military personnel and their families, provides access to significant car rental discounts. Booking through the USAA portal can yield up to a 35% discount while still earning points through the rental company's loyalty program.

Credit Card Perks and Discounts

Many travel credit cards offer valuable rental car perks and discounts.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Offers discounts at Avis, Hertz, and National. Enter your Visa Infinite discount code at booking and pay with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
The Platinum Card from American Express: Provides complimentary premium status with Avis, Hertz, and National. Enroll through your American Express online account.
United Club Card: Includes complimentary Avis President's Club status, offering benefits like two-car-class upgrades and expedited rental service. Enrollment is required.

Check if your credit card offers similar benefits, which can often be applied by booking through a specific portal or using a designated code.

Rental Car Damage Waivers

Damage waivers provide coverage in case of any damage to the rental, limiting your out-of-pocket cost. Instead of purchasing these waivers from the rental car company, consider using a credit card that includes rental car insurance when you charge the rental cost to your card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer a primary damage waiver, so you won't have to file a claim with your personal car insurance if damage is incurred.
Read the fine print to understand what is and isn't covered.

Booking Through Airline Portals

Major airlines often have partnerships with rental car companies.

Read also: Renting University Gowns

United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 1,250 miles per qualifying rental and enjoy discounts of up to 35% at Avis and Budget when they book through United's car rental portal.
American Airlines' AAdvantage Cars platform offers up to 35% off base rates at Avis and Budget and the ability to earn AAdvantage miles.
Some airlines, like Delta and United, offer complimentary rental car status to their elite members.

Consider whether earning airline miles or rental car points is more beneficial before deciding which currency to earn.

Exploring Alternate Rental Locations

Major rental companies have numerous locations in key cities and airports. Compare prices at all nearby locations to find the best possible deal. Renting in town may save you money on airport pickup taxes and fees. However, there are drawbacks to renting in town - mainly that there are usually fewer cars to choose from and fewer upgrade options.

Utilizing Online Comparison Tools

AutoSlash:

AutoSlash is a free service that finds the lowest possible rental car rates by tracking prices and notifying you when they decrease on a rental you've already booked. It finds cheaper rates using coupons, discount codes, and membership-related discounts. It simplifies the process of comparing prices.

Avoiding Common Fees

Fuel: Fill up the gas tank before returning the car to avoid inflated fuel prices charged by the rental company.
Tolls: Bring your own toll transponder or pay tolls in cash to avoid convenience fees for using the rental car's transponder.
Under-25 Fee: Book your rental with certain corporate codes, AAA discount codes, and university codes to bypass the costly "under 25" fee.

Northwestern University Car Rental Procedures

For students at Northwestern University, the following procedures apply:

All student drivers are required to complete and pass the Office of Risk Management's Defensive Driving Course.
For student groups or organizations needing to rent a vehicle on campus, Northwestern staff must make reservations on behalf of Student Organizations.
Business Use is defined pursuant to the Big Ten Agreement.
Procurement will be invoiced by Enterprise for all rentals twice a month through a consolidated bill file that includes the chart string for each rental. A journal entry will be generated to charge each department for their rental.

Returning the Vehicle to Enterprise at Northwestern:

Pull into the parking garage. The Enterprise parking lot is located just before you take a parking ticket to the right.
Park the vehicle in a space if available, remove all personal belongings, lock the vehicle, and put the keys in the drop box located next to the door.
If there are no parking spots, pull the vehicle as far forward as possible in the Enterprise lot in the ready lanes.
Note: It is recommended that photos be taken if vehicles are returned when the branch is not open.
Add an I-Pass transponder, if needed.

Additional Tips for Saving Money

Book in Advance: Booking your rental car in advance can often lead to lower rates.
Compare Prices: Use online comparison tools to compare prices from different rental companies.
Be Flexible with Dates: Adjusting your rental dates by a day or two can sometimes result in significant savings.
Consider Off-Airport Locations: Renting from off-airport locations can help you avoid airport surcharges.
Decline Optional Add-ons: Carefully consider whether you need optional add-ons like GPS navigation or premium insurance, as these can significantly increase the rental cost.

tags: #car #rental #student #discount #requirements