Road trips have become increasingly popular since the pandemic. Rental cars are a great choice for travelers who want to explore new cities at their leisure.
With so many rental car companies, how do you know which will give you the best bang for your buck?
Study Finds recently compared ten expert websites to narrow down the top 5 rental car companies.
Related: Rental Car Prices Are Up Almost 50% Since The Pandemic
Enterprise
Enterprise has consistently ranked high with experts for its customer service, experience, and vehicle selection. “A recent study showed that they ranked highest overall in customer satisfaction, with a score of 861 compared to the industry average of 830. Only three other companies ranked above the industry average,” says TripSavvy.
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CNET found the same, saying: “Enterprise has been around for over 60 years and has grown into one of the most respected and ubiquitous companies in all of vehicle rentals. Enterprise’s unique selling proposition has been that it picks customers up and brings them to the rental office, an extra service that could also help explain the company’s presence on this list.”
Hertz
Much like Enterprise, Hertz consistently ranks high. The company is known for its customer service and rewards program.
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CNET says, “it’s not hard to see why customers are so satisfied — the host of awards the company has won just over the past couple of years for its customer service speaks to its continued performance across all key metrics.”
Hertz is great for those traveling domestically with its many airport locations. You can make reservations and modify them via the Hertz app on your smartphone. “The company has more than 1,600 locations at airports in the United States alone, with a varied fleet and an impressive rewards program,” says Business Insider.
Alamo
Alamo may not be a household name like Enterprise and Hertz, but they rank high because of their flexibility. TripSavvy shares, “Alamo offers unlimited free mileage as a standard, and if you’re hitting the open road with another individual or a group, Alamo outlines a number of exceptions where it’ll waive the additional daily driver’s fee that is typically $15.”
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The company is the largest car renter for international travelers in North America. Their goal is to serve travelers on vacation. Business Insider says, “Alamo’s prices were regularly among the cheapest prices we found when gathering quotes both through the various companies’ own websites and third-party comparison sites.”
Budget
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly car renter, Budget is a great choice (pun intended). TripSavvy says, “Budget offers a discount of up to 35 percent if you pay when you make the reservation. They also have rotating limited time offers, like 10 percent off rentals of five or more days, or SUV rentals for $50/day, an offer that’s attractive for families hitting the road and want more room.”
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Budget also offers a Fastbreak program, which allows travelers to drop their vehicle off in a designated area, bypassing lines.
National
Owned by Enterprise, National has great customer service and vehicle selection. Business Insider says, “National Car Rental is particularly proud of its services and loyalty program for business travelers, and this focus on customer service bleeds over into its leisure customer service as well.”
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The company also is great for not adding in additional fees. “Across the board, most car rental companies charge an additional daily fee for additional drivers and any added equipment you might need. Car companies will also often charge one-way car rental fees. National, however, will not charge you this one-way fee if you’re picking up and dropping off between airport locations,” says TripSavvy.
Related: Watch Out For These 4 Car Rental Trends In A Post-COVID World
