Renting a car can be one of those travel expenses that quietly eats into your vacation budget. The daily rate may look reasonable at first, but taxes, additional-driver charges, insurance and other fees can quickly change the final price. That is where Costco car rental can be worth a closer look for Costco members.
Costco Travel operates a rental-car marketplace that lets members compare participating companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget and Enterprise. Depending on the location and promotion, members can get benefits such as a waived additional-driver fee, competitive member rates, flexible cancellation and, at times, Costco Shop Cards.
But is booking through Costco always cheaper? What about insurance? Can drivers under 25 rent a vehicle? And how does a Costco booking compare with going directly to Enterprise or another rental company?
Let’s break it all down.
What Is Costco Car Rental?
Costco car rental is essentially a member-focused rental-car booking service available through Costco Travel. Rather than operating its own rental-car fleet, Costco Travel connects members with major rental agencies and presents available rates through its Low Price Finder.
The participating brands currently include Alamo, Avis, Budget and Enterprise. Availability, vehicle categories, mileage rules and fees can vary by destination and rental company.
One useful feature is that many online reservations can be made without paying at the time of booking. Costco says customers generally pay at the rental counter, while eligible online bookings can be canceled without a cancellation fee before pickup.
That flexibility can be valuable when your travel plans are not completely fixed.
How Costco Car Rental Works
The booking process is fairly straightforward.
- Sign in to your Costco Travel account.
- Select your pickup location and rental dates.
- Compare available rental companies and vehicle categories.
- Review mileage, geographic restrictions and included benefits.
- Choose your preferred vehicle.
- Complete the reservation.
- Pay at the rental counter unless the particular rate has different terms.
Before booking, look beyond the headline daily rate. A slightly higher base price can sometimes be the better deal if it includes a benefit such as a waived additional-driver fee.
Costco also notes that taxes can change between booking and pickup, even though the base rental rate does not change.
Costco Car Rental Benefits
The biggest reason Costco members consider this service is the combination of price and convenience.
1. Member-only rental rates
Costco Travel advertises exclusive member rates on rental cars. These rates can be particularly attractive when compared with standard public rates, although the actual savings depend on the location, dates, vehicle and rental company.
2. Additional driver benefits
One of the more useful Costco Travel perks is the possibility of having one additional driver fee waived at participating locations.
This matters more than it might seem. If two people plan to share driving duties on a long road trip, avoiding an additional-driver charge can make the Costco rate considerably more competitive.
The benefit is subject to participating locations and rental-company terms, so check the reservation details before assuming it applies.
3. No upfront payment on many bookings
Costco Travel allows customers to reserve eligible vehicles and pay at the rental counter. This means you don’t necessarily have to tie up money months before your trip.
It also makes comparing prices easier because you can continue watching rates and make another reservation if you find a better option.
4. Flexible online cancellation
For online rental reservations through Costco Travel, cancellations can generally be made without a cancellation fee before pickup. However, reservations made by phone at prepaid rates can have different cancellation terms.
5. Executive Member rewards
Costco Executive Members can receive an annual 2% Reward on qualifying Costco Travel purchases, subject to the applicable terms and maximum reward.
This can make a rental booking more attractive when combined with a competitive rental rate.
Costco Car Rental Discounts and Deals
A Costco car rental discount isn’t necessarily one universal coupon that every member can use. Savings can come from negotiated member rates, waived fees and limited-time promotions.
For example, Costco Travel has recently promoted Digital Costco Shop Card offers on qualifying rentals. Promotions can have specific booking dates, travel periods, vehicle categories and minimum rental requirements, so they should be checked at the time of booking rather than assumed to be permanent.
How to find the best Costco car rental deals
Try this simple strategy:
- Compare Costco Travel with the rental company’s direct website.
- Check multiple pickup locations.
- Compare airport and neighborhood locations where practical.
- Test different vehicle categories.
- Look for current Costco Shop Card promotions.
- Factor in additional-driver fees.
- Check mileage restrictions.
- Compare the final estimated cost rather than only the daily rate.
This is usually more reliable than searching endlessly for a Costco car rental discount code.
Costco Car Rental Enterprise: Is It a Good Option?
Enterprise is one of the major rental companies available through Costco Travel. If you prefer Enterprise, booking through Costco can be worthwhile when the Costco member rate or included benefits beat Enterprise’s direct offer.
The important point is to compare equivalent reservations.
For example, don’t compare a compact car from one website with an intermediate SUV from another. Match the vehicle class, rental dates, pickup location, mileage terms and cancellation conditions before deciding.
Costco Travel also allows loyalty numbers for Enterprise to be entered before completing a reservation.
Costco Car Rental Prices: What Should You Expect?
There is no single standard price for a rental through Costco. Costco car rental prices vary according to several factors:
- Destination
- Pickup location
- Rental dates
- Length of rental
- Vehicle category
- Seasonal demand
- Rental company
- Airport fees
- Taxes
- Optional insurance and extras
A weekend during a major holiday can cost substantially more than the same vehicle during a quieter travel period.
Also remember that the displayed base rate isn’t necessarily the final amount. Costco states that rates exclude items such as gas, optional insurance coverage and certain taxes or surcharges.
Does Costco Car Rental Include Insurance?
One of the most common questions is: does Costco car rental include insurance?
Generally, you should not assume that standard rental pricing includes comprehensive rental-car insurance.
Costco Travel states that rental rates exclude optional insurance coverage. The rental company’s available protection products and your existing personal auto insurance or credit-card benefits can affect what coverage you actually need.
Before declining insurance at the rental counter, determine what coverage you already have.
What types of coverage should you check?
Depending on your circumstances, you may encounter:
- Collision or loss damage protection
- Liability coverage
- Personal accident coverage
- Personal effects coverage
- Roadside assistance
These protections are not interchangeable. Damage to the rental vehicle, liability for another person’s injuries or property damage, and your personal belongings are different risks.
If you’re unsure, check your own auto-insurance policy and the terms of any credit card you plan to use before your trip.
Costco Car Rental Insurance Coverage and the Citi Card
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is another reason some Costco members pay attention to rental-car bookings.
Citi currently states that eligible cardholders may have worldwide car rental insurance for theft or damage to a rental car when the rental is paid for with the card and the rental company’s collision/loss-damage coverage is declined.
That does not mean every type of rental-car insurance is automatically covered.
The card’s benefits have eligibility requirements, exclusions and other terms. Liability protection, for example, should not simply be assumed to be included because the card offers rental-car coverage.
The Costco Anywhere Visa also currently offers 3% cash back on eligible travel purchases, including car rentals and Costco Travel, subject to its program terms.
Bottom line: read the current card benefit guide before relying on it as your primary rental-car protection.
Costco Car Rental Under 25
Young drivers should pay special attention to the rules.
Costco Travel states that drivers under 25 may face additional fees and restrictions. Its terms also state that rental cars are generally available to individuals 25 or older, with exceptions, and that a surcharge may apply to younger drivers.
The exact rules can depend on the rental company and location.
If you’re searching for a Costco car rental under 25, don’t rely solely on the price shown in the initial search. Contact the rental location or carefully review the terms for the selected vehicle.
Costco Car Rental in Canada
Costco Travel offers rental-car options in several Canadian destinations, including Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Whistler.
However, international and cross-border travel can introduce additional rules.
If you’re picking up a vehicle in Canada and planning to drive into the United States, check the rental company’s geographic restrictions before booking. The same applies if you plan to take a U.S.-rented vehicle into Canada.
Mileage limits, border restrictions and vehicle-specific rules can vary.
Costco Car Rental Maui and Kauai
Hawaii is a particularly popular destination for rental cars, and Costco Travel lists Maui and Kauai among its available rental-car destinations.
A rental car can be especially useful in Hawaii because attractions are spread around each island, although your exact transportation needs depend heavily on where you’re staying.
Costco Travel also offers Hawaii vacation packages that can include a full-size rental car, depending on the package and availability. Current package examples include Maui and Kauai combinations.
If you’re planning a Hawaii trip, compare a standalone rental with a Costco vacation package. The package may make sense if you also need accommodation.
Costco Car Rental Cancellation Policy
The Costco car rental cancellation policy is one of the service’s more appealing features.
For online rental reservations made through Costco Travel, Costco says you can generally cancel before pickup without a cancellation fee. You can cancel through your Costco Travel account or, in applicable cases, by contacting the rental company.
There is an important exception: phone reservations using prepaid rates may be subject to cancellation fees.
Also, canceled reservations cannot be reinstated.
If you need to change your dates, Costco recommends making and confirming the new reservation before canceling the old one because availability and pricing can change.
Costco Car Rental Login: How to Access Your Booking
If you’re looking for the Costco car rental login, you can access your reservations through your Costco Travel account.
If you can’t log in, Costco recommends checking that your membership number has been entered correctly. If your Costco membership number recently changed, the account may need to be updated.
Interestingly, Costco says you can also continue without an account in certain situations, with booking and trip information saved for future access.
Costco Car Rental Phone Number
For rental-car assistance, Costco Travel lists:
1-866-921-7925
Costco specifically directs customers seeking assistance with rental-car reservations to this number, with the rental-car option available through the phone menu.
If your question concerns an existing reservation, having your confirmation details available can make the conversation much easier.
Costco Car Rental Reviews: What Should You Look For?
When reading Costco car rental reviews, don’t focus only on whether someone says they “saved money.”
Rental experiences can vary significantly by location and agency. A customer renting from Enterprise at one airport may have a very different experience from someone using Budget at another location.
Pay attention to reviews discussing:
- Pickup and return experience
- Vehicle condition
- Wait times
- Unexpected charges
- Customer service
- Accuracy of the reservation
- Additional-driver policies
- Insurance discussions
- Deposit or payment requirements
Costco itself provides member reviews for travel products once enough reviews have been collected to provide a useful sample.
How to Get the Best Deal
If saving money is your main objective, don’t automatically book the first attractive rate you see.
Use this five-step approach:
1. Search Costco Travel first
This gives you a useful benchmark for the member price.
2. Check the rental company directly
Compare the same vehicle category and conditions against the company’s own website.
3. Calculate the real cost
Include taxes, fees, additional drivers, fuel and optional protections.
4. Look at the cancellation terms
A slightly higher flexible rate can be more valuable than a cheaper non-refundable booking if your plans could change.
5. Recheck before your trip
Because many eligible Costco reservations don’t require upfront payment, you may have more flexibility to compare again before pickup.
Just make sure you understand the cancellation rules for the specific booking.
Pros and Cons of Costco Car Rental
Pros
- Competitive member rates
- Multiple major rental companies
- Potential additional-driver savings
- No upfront payment on many bookings
- Flexible cancellation for eligible online reservations
- Occasional Costco Shop Card promotions
- Executive Member rewards on qualifying purchases
- Convenient comparison shopping
Cons
- Costco isn’t available for every rental company
- Prices aren’t automatically the lowest everywhere
- Insurance isn’t simply included in the base rate
- Under-25 drivers may face restrictions and fees
- Promotions have specific conditions
- Airport and location-specific fees can affect the final price
Is Costco Car Rental Worth It?
For many Costco members, costco car rental is worth checking before booking elsewhere, especially when traveling with an additional driver.
The biggest advantage isn’t necessarily a huge discount on the advertised daily rate. It is the overall package: member pricing, potential fee savings, flexible cancellation, multiple rental companies and occasional promotional rewards.
Still, Costco isn’t guaranteed to be the cheapest option for every trip. The smartest approach is to compare the total cost and terms against the rental company’s direct price.
If the Costco rate is competitive and the included benefits apply to your booking, it can be an excellent choice. If another provider offers a lower total price with equivalent conditions, there’s no reason to book through Costco simply because you’re a member.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costco car rental cheaper than booking directly?
It can be, but there is no universal guarantee. Compare the same vehicle category, dates, location and rental conditions before deciding.
Can I use a Costco discount code with a rental car?
Costco Travel promotions generally have their own eligibility requirements. Rather than assuming a generic discount code will work, check the current promotion displayed during the booking process.
Does Costco car rental include insurance?
No, you shouldn’t assume insurance is included in the standard rental rate. Costco states that optional insurance coverage is excluded from rental rates.
Does the Costco Citi card cover rental cars?
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi currently provides worldwide rental-car insurance benefits for eligible theft or damage claims when the rental is paid with the card and the rental company’s applicable collision/loss-damage coverage is declined. Specific terms and exclusions apply.
Can someone under 25 rent through Costco Travel?
Possibly, but additional fees and restrictions may apply. Eligibility depends on the rental company and location.
Can I cancel my Costco rental car reservation?
Eligible online reservations can generally be canceled before pickup without a cancellation fee. Phone bookings made at prepaid rates may have different rules.
Which rental companies does Costco Travel use?
Costco Travel currently lists Alamo, Avis, Budget and Enterprise among its rental-car partners.
Is Enterprise available through Costco Travel?
Yes. Enterprise is one of the rental companies available through Costco Travel, although availability varies by destination and dates.
Does Costco offer rental cars in Hawaii?
Yes. Costco Travel lists Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii Island among its Hawaii rental-car destinations.
What is the Costco Travel rental car phone number?
Costco Travel lists 1-866-921-7925 for rental-car assistance.
Final Thoughts
A Costco car rental can be a smart option if you value competitive member pricing, flexibility and extra benefits rather than simply chasing the lowest advertised daily rate.
Before booking, compare the complete price, check the insurance situation, confirm age requirements, review cancellation terms and look for current promotions. Those few minutes of comparison can make a meaningful difference to your final travel budget.
For your next trip, start with Costco Travel, compare the offer with the rental company’s direct price, and choose the reservation that gives you the best combination of price, coverage, flexibility and convenience.
Information and promotions can change. Always review the current rental-company and Costco Travel terms for your specific reservation before paying or declining optional coverage.
