How to Save Money on Car Rentals: 5 Tips for Budget Travelers

Car rental costs can quickly eat into your travel budget, especially when fees and surcharges pile up at the counter. Whether you're planning a road trip or need wheels at your destination, daily rental car rates can make you think twice about your transportation options.

The good news? You can significantly reduce your rental costs with some strategic planning. From booking at the right time to leveraging membership benefits and finding alternative rental options, this guide shares practical ways to keep more money in your pocket while still getting the vehicle you need for your travels.

1. Book in advance for better deals

As soon as you book your trip, it may be beneficial to also lock in your rental. Here are a few ways booking in advance may help you secure a lower rate.

Prices often rise as pickup day gets closer

Just like airline tickets and hotel rooms, rental car prices usually increase the closer you get to your travel date. Booking early helps you lock in lower prices before vehicles become limited or demand spikes.

If your plans change later, many rental companies allow free cancellations, which means you can rebook if you find a better rate.

Use comparison sites to find the best value

Sites like Kayak, Rentalcars.com, and AutoSlash make it easy to compare prices across multiple rental companies at once. These platforms show you total estimated pricing, not just the base rate, so you understand the full cost.

You can also search by rental car category, neighborhood, or airport to see where the best deal actually is.

Adjust pickup and return times

A simple shift of a few hours can change the price of your reservation. Sometimes, a 24-hour rental costs less than a 20-hour rental because of how companies calculate daily rates.

If you have flexibility:

Try picking up the car later in the day
Return it earlier
Compare weekday vs. weekend rates

Even a small shift in timing can lead to meaningful savings.

To save money right away, start with discounts that reduce the price of your current reservation.

Tap into discount programs

Some memberships automatically come with price reductions. These aren’t loyalty programs; they’re external memberships that provide rental discounts:

AAA
AARP
Costco
USAA
University or employer discount codes

These may lower the base rate or waive some fees on a single booking.

Search for promo codes and coupons

Before checking out, look for limited-time codes on:

RetailMeNot
Credit card reward portals
Airline partners
Groupon or deal sites

These codes apply once and can often stack with existing offers.

Look for seasonal specials

Rental agencies run short-term promotions such as:

Weekend specials
Free upgrade events
Off-peak pricing
Holiday sales

These help you save without needing to be a frequent renter.

3. Choose the right car for your needs

One of the biggest choices you'll make when renting a car is what size. And the size of the car you book may change the overall cost of the rental. Keep these tips in mind as you choose a car to rent.

Smaller cars typically cost less

Economy and compact cars are usually the most budget-friendly options. If you don’t need extra cargo space, seats for more than five travelers, or special features, sticking with a smaller vehicle can reduce not just your rental price but also fuel costs.

Skip unnecessary extras

It’s tempting to upgrade when the counter agent offers a bigger or newer model. But if your trip doesn’t require it, declining add-ons helps keep your budget intact.

Here are other extras you may be offered that deserve close scrutiny before you agree:

Prepaid fuel
GPS
Roadside assistance if your credit card already provides it

Book the category, not the exact model

When you choose a specific car model, the price may be higher. Sticking to a category (like “economy” or “compact”) gives the rental company more flexibility, which can translate to lower prices for you.

4. Leverage loyalty programs and long-term membership perks

If you rent regularly (or even just a few times a year), loyalty programs can help you earn benefits that build over time.

Join rental car loyalty programs

Most rental companies offer free accounts where you earn points for every rental. These points can turn into:

Free rental days
Upgrades (when available)
Faster pickup
Fee waivers

There’s no downside to signing up, and benefits add up faster than many travelers expect.

Use long-term credit card perks

Some credit cards, especially certain travel credit cards, offer ongoing benefits whenever you rent a car, such as:

Built-in rental insurance
Annual discounts
Elite status with certain rental companies
Extra points for travel spending

These aren’t one-time offers; they’re benefits you get repeatedly. Plus, these perks can reduce both your rental price and the need to pay for optional coverage at the counter.

Review options through memberships like Costco or USAA

If you already belong to certain membership groups, like Costco, USAA, or BJ's, you may be eligible for exclusive rental pricing. These aren’t discount codes, but rather negotiated rates you can use anytime. Costco Travel, in particular, is known for offering competitive rates and often includes an additional driver for free.

5. Consider alternative car rental options

If the cost of getting a car through a traditional rental car company is too much, consider these alternatives.

Peer-to-peer rentals like Turo

Peer-to-peer platforms let you rent directly from individual car owners, and prices may be lower than those of traditional rental companies. They often offer:

Wider variety of vehicle types
Flexible pickup locations
Local hosts familiar with the area

These can be helpful for last-minute bookings or when rental agencies are sold out.

Check out local rental agencies

Airport rentals are convenient, but fees and surcharges can add a high cost to your final bill. Renting from a nearby neighborhood location can make a noticeable difference in price.

Smaller, independent rental companies sometimes offer better rates, especially in tourist destinations or smaller cities. They may also have more flexible policies.

Consider using ride-sharing services

If you're only planning to use a car to get from the airport to your destination, check the price of a ride-sharing service like Lyft or Uber. Many major metropolitan areas have good availability of vehicles for quick pickups, and it may end up being more cost-effective if you don't plan to do a lot of driving during your stay.

Tools that help you manage timing on the road

Travel expenses rarely align perfectly with paydays. Between rental deposits, fuel costs, tolls, and unexpected fees, your budget for family expenses can feel the strain before your next paycheck arrives.

EarnIn's Cash Out¹ offers a way to access up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 between paydays, based on what you've already earned. With no interest and no mandatory fees for standard transfers, it provides timing flexibility for managing those mid-trip expenses. Tips²are optional and Lightning Speed³is available as if you need funds within minutes, starting at $3.99 per transfer.

This isn't traditional borrowing; it's accessing money you've already worked for. When rental deposits tie up your checking account or gas prices spike during your trip, having access to your earned wages can help you avoid turning to high-interest credit options.

And of course, planning ahead can help fund future trips. Tip Yourself⁴ provides a no-cost, FDIC-insured account where you can automatically or manually save part of each paycheck.

By setting aside small amounts regularly, you can build a cushion specifically for travel expenses like rental deposits, vehicle upgrades, or peak-season pricing. With up to 5 customizable Tip Jars, you might dedicate one specifically to your "Next Adventure Fund" and watch it grow at your own pace.

Let your travel budget move the way your life does

Smart car rental savings often come from strategic choices, like booking early, comparing prices thoroughly, choosing appropriate vehicle sizes, and tapping into every discount available. As you search for rental cars, consider that off-airport locations and alternative rental services can reduce costs significantly, while loyalty programs and membership benefits can compound your savings over time.

For managing the timing of travel expenses, EarnIn's financial tools offer practical support. Tip Yourself⁴ helps you save gradually toward future rental costs and travel goals, while Cash Out¹ provides flexibility when immediate expenses don't align with payday. Together, these tools let you manage your money on your schedule.

Ready to take control of your travel budget? Explore how EarnIn can help you manage your money, your way, whether you're planning months ahead or handling expenses on the road.

Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.

This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.

EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Cash Out product is a non‑bank service provided by EarnIn. Certain banking and payment services are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC, and/or Lead Bank, Member FDIC, as applicable. FDIC insurance applies only to deposits held in insured deposit accounts at an FDIC‑insured bank and protects your deposits in the event of a bank failure, up to at least $250,000 at each FDIC‑insured bank. Learn more at fdic.gov/resources/deposit‑insurance. Additional in‑app services may be provided by third‑party service providers and are subject to their terms and conditions.

¹
EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. For additional information about your Daily Max and Pay Period Max, please refer to our FAQ. Service may not be available in all states.

EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. See the Fee Table for details. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.

²
Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren’t affected by whether you tip or not

³
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available to all customers. Actual transfer speeds depend on your bank. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.

⁴
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information/details visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms.

The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here

How to Save Money on Car Rentals: 5 Tips for Budget Travelers

How to Save Money on Car Rentals: 5 Tips for Budget Travelers

1. Book in advance for better deals

Prices often rise as pickup day gets closer