Cheap car rentals in USA: 10 smart hacks to save big on your next trip

If you are trapped in a situation that requires you to rent a car in USA & that too at affordable rates, we know the tricks! You are well aware that daily rental rates fluctuate depending on location, demand, season and timing. Due to such factors, you end up paying far more than necessary.

The good news? You can save hundreds of dollars on your next trip and get a cheap car rental by applying these 10 hacks discussed below to save money!

• Book early & make it a point to recheck prices regularly

  Just like the airline ticket prices, car rental prices keep on changing constantly. To get the best car rental offer, our back-end team suggested booking at least 3 to 8 weeks in advance.

  You can never go wrong with deals with a free cancellation option, as you can recheck the rates weekly and then rebook if the price is lower.

  Many rental companies allow cancellations with no penalty, making this one of the easiest ways to save money.

• Do compare prices on multiple car rental websites

  Run a quick search to check rates from several car rental websites, aggregators and providers before making a payment. Prices, availability and included benefits can vary significantly between platforms, even for the same vehicle and rental period.

  Relying on a single website may cause you to miss better deals, flexible cancellation options or added perks such as insurance coverage or mileage allowances.

  Conducting a broader comparison helps to get the most budget friendly and suitable option for your needs.

• Your credit card & membership discounts can save your wallet

  Many credit cards, loyalty programs & professional or travel-related memberships offer exclusive discounts, promotional rates or added benefits on car rentals. These may include reduced daily rates, free additional drivers, complimentary upgrades or bundled insurance coverage.

  Before making a final reservation, review the benefits associated with your credit cards and memberships and apply any eligible discount codes. Taking advantage of these offers can significantly reduce overall costs.

• Avoid one way rentals unless necessary

  One way car rentals typically incur additional drop-off fees, particularly when the vehicle is returned to a different city or state, which can significantly increase the total cost.

  While one way rentals may occasionally be more affordable on popular travel routes like the Las Vegas to Los Angeles drive or along well-travelled tourist corridors.

  In most cases, round-trip rentals offer better value and more predictable pricing, making them the more cost-effective choice unless your itinerary specifically requires a one-way arrangement.

• Skip the rental company insurance (if you are covered)

  Suppliers are going to pitch for additional insurance at the rental desk, which is perfectly fine as that is their job! But this can significantly increase the overall cost.

  What you do is check your personal auto insurance policies and credit cards if they already provide coverage for rental vehicles.

  Before purchasing extra protection, review your existing coverage to understand what is included and whether it applies to your selected vehicle.

  If adequate coverage is already in place, you are good to go! Decline the rental company’s insurance & avoid unnecessary expenses while still maintaining sufficient protection.

• Pick up and drop off at the same time

  Car rental pricing is calculated in 24-hour periods and after your buffer time is over (if given by your supplier), even a small delay in returning the vehicle can result in being charged for an additional day.

  To avoid unnecessary extra fees, schedule the drop-off time to match the pick-up time as closely as possible.

  Here, time management saves you! It helps in paying for the rental duration you actually need and keeps overall costs predictable.

• Rent weekly instead of daily

  Many of our customers observed that they get lower average rates for weekly rentals compared to daily bookings. This means that if you need a vehicle for several days, choosing a weekly rental can reduce the per-day cost and provide better overall value.

  Even when the rental period is slightly shorter, let’s say your trip is for 4 to 5 days, rather than a full week, the weekly rate may still be more economical than paying multiple daily rates.

  Example: 5 daily rentals = more expensive, 1 weekly rental = cheaper overall

• Choose economy or compact cars when possible

  We discussed about economy vs compact car rental, so generally they have the lowest rental rates and offer better fuel efficiency compared to larger car categories. These vehicles are easier to park and well-suited for most standard travel needs, especially for city driving or short trips.

  Selecting a smaller car class can help keep rental and fuel costs lower without sacrificing basic comfort or reliability.

• Avoid airport rentals if possible

  There is no doubt that the airport pick-ups offer unmatched convenience. You also know that car rentals at airport locations include surcharges that can make them more expensive than off-airport options.

  If you have flexibility in your plans, you may find better value by considering downtown or neighbourhood rental locations, which also frequently offer more competitive pricing.

  Choosing an off-airport pick-up can work in your favour, particularly for longer rentals, while airport rentals remain a practical choice for those prioritizing speed and convenience upon arrival.

• Bringing your own Extras is a good idea instead of paying for rental add-ons

  Do you underpack? Not this time, if cutting costs is at the top of your list, then this is one of the easiest and most overlooked hacks for saving money on car rentals in the USA.

  Use your smartphone instead of GPS, bring your own child seat, carry your phone mount & charger, use your own mobile Hotspot instead of renting Wi-Fi, etc.

  These add-ons may seem small, but they can double your total cost by the end of the trip. By bringing your own essentials, you control costs and avoid unnecessary fees.

Best time to find cheap car rentals in the USA

Cheapest days to rent: Tuesday & Wednesday

Common mistakes that increase rental costs

• When your plans are not fixed and you book last minute car rental deals
• Just for some social media posts, you rent luxury vehicles unnecessarily
• Ignoring insurance coverage details completely
• Are too excited for your plans that you forget to inspect the car before driving
• Are not aware of the cancellation policies of your rental company

You may also want to know

• Which is the cheapest car rental company in the USA?

  There’s no single cheapest company, but Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, Budget, and Avis offer competitive rates depending on location.

• Is it cheaper to rent a car online or at the counter?

  It is cheaper to rent a car online as online booking is affordable with great deals given by multiple international as well as local suppliers and it offers better transparency.

• Can I rent a car in the USA without a credit card?

  Renting a car in the USA without a credit card is possible but very rare. Most major rental suppliers accept credit card only, which has to be in the renter’s name for security and deposit purposes.

  Debit cards may be accepted by a few local or smaller agencies under strict conditions. Availability varies by location, so using a credit card is generally the most reliable option.

• How much does it cost to rent a car in the USA per day?

  The cost to rent a car in the USA per day varies widely depending on factors like car category, season, location, and demand. Economy or compact cars typically starts from USD 42.44 per day, while larger vehicles like SUVs start from USD 55.02 per day.

  Daily rates can range from budget-friendly prices in low season to much higher amounts during busy times, so it’s best to compare multiple options for your specific dates and needs.