Costco Car Rental is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a great deal on a rental car. They offer affordable rates and numerous benefits, but there are also some important things to consider before you rent from them.
So, here are some of the Things to Know Before Using Costco Car Rental, starting with…
Contents
What Is Costco?
Costco is an American-based warehouse club chain that was founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey H. Brotman. It serves as a membership-only outlet of value products, offering consumers substantial savings on their purchase of things ranging from groceries to appliances and even furniture.
It has come a long way since its inception – what started with just two warehouses in the United States now boasts more than 800 locations spanning nine different countries.
Customer loyalty…
Despite its focus on low prices, the warehouse remains dedicated to offering high-quality products and services, regularly checking the quality of its merchandise before stocking it in warehouses worldwide. As such, shoppers remain loyal to the megastore as a reliable and comprehensive place for all their shopping needs.
Things to Know Before Using Costco Car Rental
You Will Need to be a Member
If you are thinking of using the superstore’s car rental, there is one important thing to keep in mind: The primary driver must be a Costco Member. Fortunately, being a member isn’t too expensive; there are two membership plans to choose from – Gold ($60) and Executive ($120).
The main benefit of the Executive Card is that you receive 2% cash back when booking rental cars through Costco Travel. So, if your car rental comes out to $300, you would get $6 back in rewards with the Executive Card. Additional drivers do not need to be members.
You Are Restricted to What Rental Company You Use
Before renting a car through Costco, you should be aware that their discount only applies to four rental car companies: Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. Unfortunately, other popular companies such as Hertz and National are excluded from the discount program.
If you prefer to rent with either of these two companies, then booking a car through Costco may not be the best option for you. Before making your reservation, do some research to compare your car-rental options concerning both price and service. That way, you can feel confident that you’ll get the best value for your money in the end!
It’s Not Always the Best Value
When it comes to booking rental cars, the consensus is that Costco usually has the best deals. However, this isn’t always true. When comparing nine different reservations, only three of them showed that Costco had the best prices.
The other five reservations were won by AutoSlash, a popular car rental comparison website. This indicates that depending on your reservation and destination, you may have to shop around yourself before committing. This isn’t indicative of an issue with their service, they are still one of the most reputable places to book rentals, but it’s important to note that they may not always be the cheapest option.
It is Available in Different Countries
If you are planning a trip abroad and would like to save on transportation, consider taking advantage of their car rental. This service allows you to rent a car through the convenience of Costco Travel in eight countries – the United States (including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), as well as Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, and The United Kingdom.
You can find both the airport and non-airport locations for your rental needs. Be sure to book your rental ahead of time to secure the lowest rate possible.
How To Book Online?
Booking car rentals are surprisingly simple and intelligent. First, visit the Costco Travel website and click on “Rental Cars” to get started. Then, enter your pickup location, dates, and times so that they can be matched with available cars. You must certify that you are over 25 years old before clicking “Find My Car” (if under 25, you must call to book).
You may only compare four locations at a time, but you can easily add more locations by selecting the plus sign (+) icon found on the right-hand side of the page. To make the most out of your search for car rental prices, do an initial search.
Multiple searches = Best prices!
Afterward, complete another search of four more available locations and find from them the two cheapest choices again, repeating this process until you have narrowed down your choices to the four best-priced ones. With this dependable yet straightforward approach, it is easy to achieve great savings.
Free Additional Drivers
With this service, you have the chance to save time and money with their free additional driver benefits. With the other big names in rental cars, such as Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget, their additional driver fees are waived for rentals taken in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, and Spain.
This is a bonus of being a Costco customer because you can also waive this fee when renting with them. The additional driver must meet certain requirements at the rental counter and present either a valid membership card or a major credit card in their name at the time of rental. While other companies waive this fee for spouses or partners only – this extra benefit of including someone else is available through Costco.
Free Insurance
Saving money on a rental car can take some of the hassles out of travel. You can now save even more by utilizing credit cards with free primary rental car insurance. This type of card benefit pays for any damage to the car while it is under your care.
A few popular credit cards that offer this perk include Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase United Explorer, and US Bank Altitude Reserve (for business rentals). Take advantage of these free benefits and make the most of your next rental car experience!
Change Your Reservation Online
Making changes to your reservations is now easier than ever with the ability to do so online. To make a change, simply book and confirm a new reservation and then follow that up by canceling your previous one.
Canceling your booking can be done easily as well. Log in to your Costco Travel account via the top menu bar, select the current booking you wish to cancel, and click ‘Cancel’ near the top of the page. You will receive confirmation in an email shortly thereafter. Best of all, there are no charges or fees for canceling an online rental car reservation – how nice!
You Can Collect Loyalty Points
The process is easy, and you can receive rewards when you add your loyalty accounts from Avis, Budget, or Enterprise during checkout. With these applications ready to go, the expected wait time at the location will be significantly less compared to those who did not sign up beforehand.
Moreover, these accounts can earn customers bonuses and promotions that may include discounted rates, points towards future rentals, or exclusive discounts on additional amenities. Make sure to take full advantage of your loyalty benefits and make your experience that much more enjoyable.
Additional Vehicle Services At Costco
Does your car need a service or new tires? Then check out Costco Tire Center Hours What Time Does Costco Tire Center Open Close, or What Times Does Costco Gas Open Close, as well as Does Costco Install Car Batteries, and Is Costco Gas Good?
Other general services at the superstore include What Time Does Costco Pharmacy Close Open, Does Costco Sell plan B, and Does Costco Take VSP and EyeMed, followed by the Costco Executive Membership Hours, Does Costco Refill Ink Cartridges, and Does Costco Take Passport Photos?
For your payment method options, you might be wondering Does Costco Accept Amex, Does Costco Apple Pay, and Does Costco Accept Mastercard, including Does Costco Take EBT if you’re on a tight budget in 2023?
Final Thoughts
Using Costco’s rental car services is a fantastic way to save money and eliminate all the extra hassle associated with renting. With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why more people are choosing to book online through Costco and taking advantage of their discounted rates and free additional driver benefits.
Just remember to check credit cards for free primary rental car insurance and loyalty programs to get the most bang for your buck. Ultimately, you’ll be able to find a great deal and have a stress-free vacation by taking advantage of all that they have to offer.
Happy Renting, and Drive safe!