Want to score a deal on your next car rental? Your Costco membership card—normally reserved for buying jumbo packs of toilet paper and family-sized cereal boxes—can unlock some serious savings when renting a vehicle.
Here’s the inside scoop: If you’re not a Costco member, you’re missing out on an exclusive array of car rental discounts that often beat every other price on the market.
To put it to the test, we checked the cost of an economy car rental in New York City for a weekend (Friday to Monday). The initial price? A whopping $413.97. But after applying Costco’s discount code, the rate dropped to just $313.29, saving us over $100 with a few clicks.
Even if Costco isn’t your go-to shopping destination, it’s worth considering a membership. For just $60 a year, that cost is more than covered with a single car rental booking.
Costco partners with top rental companies like Avis, Alamo, Budget, and Enterprise, meaning there are plenty of deals to choose from. However, it doesn’t work with companies like Hertz, Dollar, Payless, or Thrifty, and it doesn’t include discount brands such as Sixt. Plus, Costco doesn’t offer pre-paid rates, which could sometimes be cheaper than the “Pay Later” options available.
While Costco delivers solid discounts, it doesn’t always guarantee the absolute best deal. So, what’s the best strategy? Comparison shopping. Services like AutoSlash will scour the web for the lowest rates, factoring in your Costco or AAA membership, plus any available promo codes. Let them do the hard work, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.
What you need to know when booking with Costco:
- Costco doesn’t offer one-way rentals between off-airport locations.
- The Costco discount code waives the additional driver fee for rentals from Avis, Alamo, Budget, and Enterprise—but only within the U.S.
- Renting overseas? Costco offers rental options in countries including Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, the U.K., and Puerto Rico, though AutoSlash can help you secure the best deals worldwide.
Don’t forget: when you pick up your car, be ready to show your Costco membership card. If you forget it, you could lose your discount.