Renting a car can be a daunting task, especially with the rising cost of renting cars. With so many companies vying for your business, it can be hard to know who to trust. The Drive's team of publishers has put together a list of the top car rental companies in the U. S., and what makes them great.
We'll take the guesswork out of the process so you can decide whether to rent an economy car or treat yourself to a convertible. The best car rental companies were selected by analyzing each company's overall reputation, how long they have been in operation, customer service satisfaction, BBB rating, and the age and condition of their vehicles. We excluded Turo due to recent complaints. Only companies with a strong track record of delivering top-notch cars and excellent customer service were chosen for this list.
Alamo is a well-established car rental company that falls under the umbrella of Enterprise. Founded in 1974, Alamo has a long-standing reputation for providing high-level customer service and reasonable rates. They often offer lower second-driver rates than other car rental agencies in the industry. Avis may not seem like the best option at first glance, as their base rates are some of the highest in the market.
However, smart consumers can use discount codes, rebates, promotions, and memberships to significantly reduce prices. AARP members get special discounts, and long-term rentals are also a way to save when renting through Avis. Last-minute offers, business discounts of up to 30%, and Avis's preferred programs are other ways to save money. The free app makes booking and returning easy.
Renters in the northeastern part of the country will appreciate that all rentals come with an EZ-Pass electronic toll device. Customer service is good but not the best in the business. Budget has one of the widest selections of cars to choose from, from convertibles to eco-friendly Priuses. They also have many pickup and return options, and prices improve the earlier you book.
Dollar Car Rental has one of the most affordable rates in the U. S., plus their rewards program doesn't require as many points to get free stuff as other companies do. The downside is that they have fewer locations than other big players in the game, so pickup and return can be a problem. Customer service is decent but not great.
If cost isn't your main concern and you want excellent customer service and a great selection of vehicles, Enterprise is your best bet. They'll even pick you up if you need a ride to their office! They have one of the newest fleets in the industry and offer truck and moving van rentals as well as luxury cars. Their tiered rewards program gives you better discounts the more times you rent a year, and they have nearly 6,000 locations across the country with an easy-to-use app for convenience. The downside is that Enterprise has one of the most expensive average daily rates on the market.
National is another long-standing pillar of the car rental community located under Enterprise's umbrella. They have many similarities to Enterprise and Alamo, so customers can rest assured that there won't be any unpleasant surprises when renting through this company. National earns one of the highest ratings in the industry for superior customer service, and they offer a diverse fleet of vehicles from compact cars to trucks and cargo vans.
