Rental Car Alternatives
I don’t really consider myself an expert at anything. When it comes to our points and travel hobby, two areas I’m probably least skilled in are renting cars and making credit card benefit claims (travel insurance, etc). I don’t enjoy spending my time on either. And, in my opinion, when it comes to travel loyalty programs, rental car versions aren’t as refined. Today, I describe why I’m increasingly pursuing rental car alternatives. But first, why have I had it with rental cars?
Why I’m Mostly Done with Rental Cars
Prices
Throughout my 25 or so years in our hobby, I never considered rental cars “cheap.” Some of this has to do with the presentation. That first rate may look reasonable, but the myriad fees and taxes tacked on at the end are eye-popping. I haven’t rented often in the last decade, maybe once every couple years. But when I’ve absolutely needed a rental car, I’ve swallowed hard and rationalized by paying with points via the Chase travel portal. Regardless, I’ve never been interested in subsidizing sports stadiums for billionaires.
And since the pandemic, the rental car industry has been ruined for travelers (not that it was great before). Daily and weekly rates are sky-high compared to previous times.
Time
Time is increasingly more important to me than money. It’s why I made one of the most critical decisions of my life about eight years ago. The rental car process is one of my least-favorite ways of using time. Let’s break it down:
- Walk out of the way to a rental car shuttle stop at the airport.
- Take said shuttle to the rental car center, increasingly a longer distance from the airport. (DFW, anyone?)
- Wait in an often-obscenely-long line for a rental car agent at a generally-understaffed desk. The time wasted here is highly dependent on the competence of employees, and worse, fellow travelers.
- Inconveniently gassing up a car close enough to the airport before dropping off to avoid the hiked fuel rate from the rental car company.
Of course, the above don’t necessarily apply in every situation. Some small and midsize airports offer closer, quicker processes. And certain rental agencies, such as National, provide members the option to bypass the desk and walk directly to their car. But in my experience, those agencies charge substantially more, even with arcane, obscure discount codes.
Those Other Costs
And we can’t ignore the costs that come with a car, including:
- Hotel parking, valet or self
- Valet parking gratuity
- Gas
- Tolls
What I Do Instead
I use a few methods to avoid or substantially discount rental car spending. Here are my primary methods.
Rideshare
On a variety of trips, especially shorter ones, I’ve found Uber or Lyft advantageous to renting a car. Even better, my Amex Gold and Platinum Uber Cash benefits cover most or all of these expenses for a given trip. I buy discounted Uber or Lyft gift cards to supplement anything extra.
Friends and Family
I enjoy a purely solo trip here and there, but more often, I’m visiting friends and/or family at a destination. In past years, I’ve noticed my rental car sits idle, as my companions planned to drive, anyway. More recently, I’ve nixed the rental car and just gotten a ride with them. Before the birds among you coo “cheap, cheap,” I ensure the generosity goes both ways. My primary move here is to buy drinks and/or a meal for my companion. Regardless of the amount, I’d rather my loved ones receive that remuneration than a rental car behemoth.
Rent Elsewhere
Perhaps the oldest, easiest trick in the rental car discounting book is obtaining a car from a non-airport location. That way, travelers can avoid substantial fees and taxes that airport providers can (or must) attach.
Mindful Planning
I’ll start with the obvious here. Often, a rental car doesn’t need to enter the equation at all. Of course, this matches well in urban environments, but think through your needs even if you’re destined to the ‘burbs. Depending on your other options, you may not need one there, either.
And during certain trips where I need a rental car, I’m more attentive to how I plan the trip. Not all aspects of my trips require a car. Therefore, I group each set of activities together. I’ll pick up a rental car for a few days when I need it, then drop it off before engaging in activities which don’t require one. I’ve easily knocked a few days off the rate by doing so. (But of course, depending on trip length, a traveler may be better off keeping a car for a week rather than going to a daily rate.)
Complimentary Services
Certain hotel brands offer complimentary transportation within a given radius of the property. In my experience, this has predominantly been for drop-offs. Regardless, it’s one less instance of needing a rental car. For certain activities and destinations, related services offer complimentary transportation, whether truly free or included in the rate you’re already paying for the experience. And let’s not forget some hotels, like Kimpton, offer complimentary bikes!
Walk
In my firmly middle age, I challenge myself to walk longer distances during travel. Besides, I tend to indulge more on trips. (You won’t see me at a “wellness” resort, what I consider the travel version of “organic”.) Longer strolls complement abbreviated hotel gym workouts. Meanwhile, I’m not paying for a rental car.
Rental Car Alternatives – Conclusion
So yeah, rental cars suck, but we have ways around them. And since I know I’m not alone in this disdain, I look forward to reading your strategies for avoiding or discounting rental cars. I know services like Turo and ZipCar can be substantially cheaper, but rental coverage provided by credit card benefits doesn’t necessarily play well here.
I know many types of trips, particularly those off the beaten path, do require a car. For regional ones, we generally turn that into a road trip with a personal vehicle. But thinking longer term and distances, I know rental car alternatives won’t always be the answer. In those instances, I’ll continue relying on Autoslash. (Rental) cars continue to be a necessary evil. Taking into account these strategies, I’ll accept a fair deal and encourage you to do the same!
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