Car Rental Tips
Save 30-50% + avoid insurance traps.
Senior discounts
- AARP — 5-30% off Hertz, Avis, Budget.
- AAA — discount + insurance benefits.
- Costco Travel — often best price + free additional driver.
- Senior Pass (62+) — Avis, Budget often have.
- Compare 3+ sites: Costco, AutoSlash, Kayak.
Save more
- Book early — prices rise as date approaches.
- Check rate every few days — cancel + rebook if drops.
- Off-airport often 30% cheaper.
- Pickup from city, return at airport (or vice versa).
- Avoid 1-day rentals — multi-day cheaper per day.
- AutoSlash.com auto-monitors price drops.
- Book through credit card portal — often discount + insurance.
Skip THESE add-ons (usually)
- Liability insurance — your auto insurance + credit card cover.
- CDW (collision damage waiver) — good credit cards include free.
- Roadside — AAA covers most.
- Pre-paid gas — overpriced.
- GPS — use phone.
- Toll pass — often $4-15/day if you have own pass.
- Decline politely — they push hard.
Credit card insurance
- Chase Sapphire Preferred — primary CDW. Excellent.
- Capital One Venture X — primary CDW.
- Most Visa Signature — secondary CDW.
- Costco Visa — secondary.
- Check your card's benefits guide.
- Pay full rental on that card.
- Decline rental company CDW.
At pickup
- Walk around car BEFORE driving — photo every angle.
- Note existing damage on contract.
- Check fuel gauge.
- Test wipers, brakes, headlights.
- Ensure spare tire/jack.
- Adjust mirrors + seat before pulling out.
- Take photos at return too.
Senior age limits
Most US rental companies have NO upper age limit (some Canada/Europe do). Bring valid driver's license + same-name credit card. Most accept 18+. International rentals — bring International Driver's Permit ($20 from AAA).