While travel in the US has begun to recover, many people still prefer to drive cars to rent them. This has led to a national shortage of car rentals.
In some cases, travelers find that there is no car available for rent when they book their rental. This is a common problem when renting a car.
As a consumer, it is important to shop around for the best car rental deal. We have listed the top picks from different companies in 2021..
Here are the best car rental companies in 2021:
- Best overall: Enterprise
- Top customer satisfaction: Hertz
- Cheap but good: Alamo Rent-A-Car
- Great deal if paid upfront: Budget
- Expensive but great: Avis
- Best peer-to-peer: Turo
- Most Convenient: National Car Rental
Enterprise
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has a great reputation for delivering exceptional customer service and value.
According to the JD Power 2019 survey Enterprise’s website was ranked second in customer satisfaction.
Enterprise rent-a-car now offers a “Complete Clean” policy. This includes washing, vacuuming and sanitizing.
If you have not paid the rental fee, there is no cancellation fee. However, if you have a pre-payment, we require a $50 cancellation fee.
Although Enterprise’s daily rate may be slightly higher than the average, there have been lower charges for young drivers.
Hertz
Hertz is a well-regarded company that has a long history of being a leader in the rental car industry. It is easy to see why Hertz has been regarded as one the best in the rental car industry.
Hertz’s pick-up and drop-off processes are among the best in the industry. They were highly rated in the JD Power survey.
Hertz’s new cleaning policy stipulates that all cars that have been thoroughly cleaned will be marked with a Hertz Gold Standard Clean Label. This label is only to be removed once the car’s owner has used it for the first time.
Currently, young renters can get free cancellation and a lower minimum rental age. These policies will make it easier for students and young drivers to return home.
Hertz lowered the rates for one-way travel. It also reduced its standard rental rates.
Hertz’s short-term rentals tend to be less expensive than its competitors. They are also more affordable than long-term rentals.
Alamo
Alamo is a well-known name in the car rental industry. Its prices were consistently among the lowest we found.
Alamo has adopted the National and Enterprise’s COVID-19 cleaning policy, which includes a variety of tasks and procedures that meet or exceed the requirements of a leading health authority.
All customers who have pre-paid rental agreements will be able to cancel their rental at Alamo without any fees.
Alamo Rent-A Car has several key advantages over its rivals, including the ability to pick up rental cars at airports from many locations.
Budget
Budget Car Rental is a great option for budget car rentals. It has the lowest average cost of around $35 a day, and an extra discount of up to 35% if you pay in advance.
They also offer a program that grants you a third day for free. This offer is only for families with children in group C or E cars.
Budget offers a variety hybrids to rent. These include the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Camaro.
While satisfaction is important, it’s worth spending a little more if it makes or breaks your experience.
Avis
Avis is by far the most expensive car rental company out there. Its daily rates are around $60, which is significantly higher than the average for most other companies.
There are many ways to lower the price. Smart consumers have access to discounts and promotions.
All cars in the Northeast receive e-Tolls at no cost. This is a great feature for companies that need employees to travel.
We love the app because we can manage our reservations directly.
Turo
Peer-to-peer car rental companies like Turo are still making inroads in the market. They are however a popular choice among users.
Turo’s rental process for a vehicle is very simple and almost identical to a traditional car. You can also get roadside assistance and insurance options.
A Turo one-week rental typically costs around $200. Taxes and fees are some of the most sought-after price points.
They ask hosts to clean and disinfect their cars after every trip. They also clean the trunk latch, key and steering wheel.
You can cancel your stay up to 24 hours before their scheduled arrival. Cancellations of trips that are more than two days in duration will result in a one-day fee.
The variety of cars available, as well the standards of cleanliness and customer service expected of each host.
National Car Rental
National Car Rental is a leader in providing services for business travelers. Its loyalty program is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service.
Its website and app are highly regarded by users. This is evident by the fact that it was ranked first and second in the categories for best mobile apps and websites.
National has a cleaning policy which includes the use a disinfectant that meets or exceeds specific health authority requirements.
The company has extended its no-fee cancellation policy to pre-paid rentals.
Previously, a deposit was charged if a prepaid rental was cancelled. This fee was no longer applicable if the cancellation was made within 24 hours of the pick-up.
What to Watch Out for in Rental Car
Insurance for car rentals: If your existing insurance policy covers a car rental, check with your insurance company to see if that coverage also applies to a vehicle.
Liability coverage: This coverage is usually required and costs around $7 to $14 a day. Medical expenses coverage: This coverage covers medical expenses arising from an accident.
How far in advance to book : To avoid any last-minute problems, it is generally recommended to book a car rental at the least three to six month in advance. This advice is more important because of the increasing number of car shortages.
What day is the most affordable to rent a car : Weekend pick-ups tend to be more expensive than those on Monday and Tuesday.
Getting a quote: Most car rental companies will gladly supply quotes without requiring much information about their customers. You can also find better deals on third-party websites.
Rental car rewards program: Joining a loyalty program can be even more advantageous since they often come with perks. Many loyalty programs are free to join and offer special benefits or other offers. Like frequent flyer programs for airlines, the more you use the same company the more points you will accumulate.