Rental cars are often necessary for getting around quickly on business trips for people who travel a lot for work. But rising costs, especially during busy travel times, can make it hard to stick to a travel budget. The good news is? Corporate discounts on rental cars can save you a lot of money by giving you lower rates, extra benefits, and more flexible terms. This article explains the best ways to get the best corporate discounts on rental cars so that your business can save the most money without losing convenience.
Why Discounts for Businesses Are Important
Rental car companies offer corporate discounts to businesses, organizations, or employees who rent cars often. These discounts are special rates or packages. These deals are meant to encourage loyalty and save money. They often come with perks like:
• Daily rates that are lower than normal • Free extra drivers • No fees for drivers under 25 • Upgraded cars at no extra cost • Cancellation policies that are easy to change
• Points or credits for future rentals through a loyalty program
Businesses can save money on travel, make logistics easier, and make sure their employees have reliable transportation by using these discounts. Here are some tips for getting the best corporate deals.
The best ways to get discounts on corporate rental cars
1. Set up business accounts with big rental companies
Setting up a corporate account with big rental car companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or National is one of the best ways to get corporate discounts. These businesses offer customized programs with great rates and benefits for businesses.
How to Begin:
• Look into and compare: Look into the corporate programs of a number of rental companies. Look at the rates, perks (like free upgrades and unlimited mileage), and terms, such as how to cancel.
• Get in touch with a sales rep: Talk to the sales team at a rental company about your business’s travel needs. They can make a program that fits your needs, like making sure a car is always available or giving you tools to keep track of your expenses.
• Talk about the terms: Don’t be afraid to ask for better rates or extra perks, like free extra drivers or discounts on add-ons. To get a better deal, show how likely it is that your business will get more business.
Travel management companies (TMCs) like TravelPerk or itilite can help you negotiate on your behalf. TMCs often work with rental companies and can get deals that aren’t available to the general public.
2. Use corporate discount codes
Corporate discount codes are unique codes given to businesses or employees that let them book at special rates. You can often get these codes from:
• Benefits for Employers: If you want to know what corporate codes your company has worked out with rental car companies, ask your HR or travel department. Some businesses have different codes for work and personal use.
• Professional Connections: AAA, AARP, and Costco are some of the groups that give their members discounts on rental cars. For instance, AAA members can save up to 20% on base rates with Hertz in the U.S. and Canada. Costco’s rental program also includes free extra drivers with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.
• Codes that are specific to the industry: Some industries, like the military or government, have their own codes. For example, Enterprise gives government employees a 5% discount on leisure travel and special rates for active-duty military and veterans.
Be careful: using a corporate code that you don’t have permission to use (like one from a former employer or one you found online) can cause problems, like losing your insurance if you get into an accident. Always check to see if you qualify, and don’t use codes that ask for proof of employment or membership that you can’t provide.
3. Sign up for loyalty programs for rental cars
Most rental car companies have loyalty programs that give regular renters discounts, points, and other benefits. Most of the time, these programs are free to join and can help businesses save money.
Loyalty Programs include:
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards: You get one point for every dollar you spend, which you can use to get free rental days, airline rewards, or hotel stays. Members also don’t have to pay extra fees for spouses who drive in the U.S.
• National Emerald Club: Get credits toward free rental days and skip the line to pick up your car faster.
• Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards: All rentals get a 10% discount on base rates.
Why It Works: Loyalty programs often work with corporate discounts to give you more savings or perks like free upgrades or faster service. To get the most out of these programs, sign up for them, especially if your business rents from the same company often.
4. Use company credit cards that come with rental car benefits
Some corporate or premium credit cards give you discounts on rental cars and insurance benefits that can make corporate rates even better. These cards usually include primary collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage, so you don’t have to buy extra insurance when you pick up the car.
Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Perks:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Gives you primary CDW and extra benefits with Avis, National, and Silvercar, like discounts or upgrades.
• Capital One Venture X: Gives you primary rental car insurance and Hertz President’s Circle status, which guarantees you upgrades.
• American Express Platinum: Gives you elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National, which lets you get discounts and upgrades.
How to Use: Book with the card to get benefits and turn down the rental company’s CDW if your card’s coverage is enough. To avoid gaps in protection, always check the terms of your coverage.
5. Keep an eye on sales and compare prices
Prices can still be very different, even with corporate discounts. To make sure you get the best deal:
• Look at different companies: To compare rates from different companies, use sites like Discover Cars, RentalCars.com, or AutoSlash. AutoSlash is especially helpful because it keeps an eye on prices after you book and lets you know when they go down, so you can cancel and rebook at a lower rate.
• Look for public and seasonal deals: Rental companies often have public discount codes or seasonal deals (like Avis A519319 or Budget D822119) that are as good as or better than corporate rates. Sign up for newsletters or follow rental companies on social media to get the latest news about deals.
• Think about places that are not at the airport: Rentals that are not at the airport usually cost less in taxes and fees than rentals that are at the airport. Take into account the cost of transportation to make sure that the savings are greater than the convenience.
Always check your business rate against standard or promotional rates to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Some businesses, like Enterprise, offer “set rate” discounts that might not always be better than deals that are available in the market.
6. Talk directly to rental companies about the price
If you need to rent things often, negotiating can help you get better rates or terms. Here’s how to do it:
• Write down a list: Find rental companies that meet your needs, like those that cover the whole country or only certain types of vehicles.
• Show off your worth: Emphasize how many rentals your company does to show that it has long-term business potential.
• Ask for Extras: Ask for free upgrades, waived fees, or longer rental periods. A lot of businesses are willing to make things better for loyal customers.
Before you sign, make sure that any agreement follows your company’s travel policy and check for hidden fees like cancellation or extra driver charges.
Extra Tips for Getting the Most Savings
• Book early: Rates are usually lower when you book ahead of time, especially during busy times.
• Stay Away from Peak Seasons: During times of high demand, corporate discounts don’t work as well. If you can, plan your trip for times when prices are lower.
• Take advantage of membership discounts: In addition to corporate codes, memberships like AAA, AARP, or Costco can also help you save money. For instance, Avis, Budget, and Payless offer AARP members up to 30% off.
• Look for players in your area: Companies like Europcar or ACE Rent A Car might have lower prices or special codes, like ACE’s AWESOME24.
Things to Stay Away From
• Using code without permission: If you use a corporate code that you don’t have, your insurance may not cover you or you may not be able to rent. If you lied about your eligibility, the rental company might not cover you if you get into an accident.
• Fees that aren’t clear: Check the terms for extra costs, like fees for young drivers, fuel policies, or cancellation fees.
• Problems with insurance: If your corporate code includes automatic CDW, make sure it doesn’t conflict with your credit card’s coverage so you don’t end up paying too much.
In conclusion
To get the best corporate rental car deals, you need to do some research, negotiate, and book at the right time. Businesses can save a lot of money on rentals by setting up corporate accounts, using discount codes, joining loyalty programs, using the right credit cards, and comparing rates. Always check to see if you qualify for codes and read the terms to avoid any surprises. If you want to avoid problems, think about working with a travel management company to handle your bookings and negotiate prices for you.
These tips will help your business get reliable, cheap transportation, which will free up more money for other travel needs. Start looking into corporate programs today to save money on your next rental!
