Find affordable weekly car rental rates and deals

Renting a car on a weekly basis can be an affordable and convenient option for your transportation needs. Whether you're taking a week-long road trip or just need a set of wheels for the week, weekly car rentals allow you to avoid the daily rental rates that can really add up.

With some strategic planning and insider tips, you can find some excellent deals on your next weekly rental. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get the cheapest rates.

Overview of Weekly Car Rentals

Renting by the week instead of by the day comes with several key benefits:

• Significantly lower rates - Weekly rates are almost always cheaper overall than accumulating daily rates over the same number of days. Rental companies offer discounted weekly and monthly rates to incentivize longer rentals.
• Better value - By renting for 7 days or more, you can take advantage of the cheaper weekly pricing while still having the flexibility of a rental vs buying or leasing.
• Convenience - Keeping the same rental car for your entire trip or week-long need makes logistics simpler without having to return and check out cars each day.
• One-way rentals - Many companies now offer more affordable one-way weekly rentals, ideal for road trips.
• Limited mileage - Weekly rates often come with unlimited mileage so you can drive without worrying about per-mile overage fees.

To get the very best deal on a weekly rental, you'll need to follow some insider strategies covered throughout this guide, including:

• Comparing rates across rental companies
• Finding weekly rental discounts and coupon codes
• Considering vehicle size and add-ons
• Renting during off-peak seasons
• Using alternative booking options

By following the tips outlined below, you can save hundreds of dollars on your next weekly car rental.

Compare Rates Across Major Rental Companies

The first key strategy for scoring a cheap weekly rental car rate is to compare quotes across various rental companies.

While brands like Hertz, Avis, and Budget used to dominate the airport rental market, there are now many more major players. Expanding your search leads to better price competition.

Here are some of the top rental car providers to compare:

• Alamo - Known for affordable rates and excellent customer service. Offers debit card rentals.
• Enterprise - Major company with airport and local neighborhood branches. Weekly rentals common.
• Hertz - One of the most established names in car rentals with large fleet sizes.
• Sixt - Fast-growing European company expanding in the US market. Competitive pricing.
• Dollar - Operates as a subsidiary of Hertz with focus on budget-friendly options.
• Thrifty - Low-cost sister company of Dollar under Hertz ownership. Aimed at budget renters.
• National - Caters heavily to business and corporate renters with streamlined booking.
• Avis - Global brand often positioned as a premium car rental agency.
• Budget - Well-known for affordable car rentals paired with a solid loyalty program.
• Payless - Low-cost rental provider with mostly airport locations. Full-size cars common in fleet.

Don't limit yourself to just one or two major companies when searching for the best weekly rental deal. Cast a wide net by getting quotes across all top providers.

Use Aggregator Sites to Compare Rates

Running searches individually on each rental company's website can be extremely time consuming.

A better option is to use an aggregator site like Kayak or CarRentals.com that lets you compare pricing from various companies all in one place.

Here are some of the best aggregators for rental car price comparison:

• Kayak - Leading travel search engine that scans hundreds of sites to find the lowest car rental rates.
• Priceline - Name-your-own-price model also offers transparent rental search by location and dates.
• CarRentals.com - Searches rates from top car rental brands across 30,000 global locations.
• RentalCars.com - Owned by Expedia, this aggregator compares prices from over 500 rental services.
• AutoSlash - After booking through another site, provides rate monitoring and re-booking if price drops.

Using an aggregator first helps identify if any particular rental company is offering the most competitive weekly rate during your rental dates.

You can then book directly through that rental provider's site if needed.

Check Company Sites Too

While extremely convenient, aggregators don't always capture every available rate.

It's wise to also check pricing directly on the rental company websites even after comparing initial quotes.

Often rental agencies offer web-only special discounts or coupon codes that third party sites can't access. Booking directly could lead to additional savings in some cases.

Be sure to have your desired dates and locations handy so you can quickly punch in requests and see the official quoted weekly rates across provider sites.

Give special attention to checking the websites of any companies that came up most affordable in your initial aggregation search. Chances are their direct pricing will also be competitive.

Consider Off-Airport Locations

Another key tip when comparing rates is to look at pricing from off-airport rental locations in addition to airport quotes.

Neighborhood or city branch locations will often offer much cheaper rates, even on weekly rentals.

For example, a weekly rental from an LAX airport location might be $200 whereas a branch 10 minutes down the road could be $150.

Airport surcharges and additional fees contribute to driving up the costs for airport rentals.

Just be sure the off-airport location is reasonably accessible to you when factoring in your transportation plans after arriving. Using ride shares or hotel shuttles to reach neighborhood branches can lead to major rental savings.

Find Weekly and Longer Rental Discounts

Now that you've compared rates across providers, it's time to dig deeper into finding weekly rental-specific discounts and savings opportunities.

Rental companies provide various incentives beyond just low base rates to encourage longer rentals.

From membership perks to coupons to promotions, there are plenty of ways to maximize your savings on a weekly car rental.

Look for 5-7 Day Discounts

One of the biggest incentives rental agencies offer is a discount for renting for 5-7+ days in a row.

For example, Dollar provides a 20% discount for 6-day rentals, while Hertz offers up to 30% off on rentals of 5 days or longer.

Most major rental companies advertise these types of weekly rental coupons prominently on their homepages or rate search pages.

Make sure to filter your search dates for an exact week to reveal any applicable discounts based on the number of days.

If you see a 5 day rate is cheaper than a 4 day rate, you'll know a weekly deal is kicking in that extra day.

Find Coupon Codes and Deals

Beyond built-in weekly discounts, you can uncover additional savings through online coupon and promo codes.

Try searching for "[rental company name] coupon code" or "weekly rental code" to find relevant listings.

Popular coupon sites like CouponCabin.com also compile the latest deals across major brands in one spot.

Some places to look for money-saving rental car coupon codes:

• Rental company websites - Look for promo code links or banners near rate search fields.
• Deals websites - Cars.com, CarRentals.com and others list verified codes.
• Frequent renter forums - Members often share coupons from rental loyalty newsletters.
• RetailMeNot - Leading coupon aggregator that categorizes codes by rental agency.
• AutoSlash - Provides discount codes for new users to major rental sites.
• Rental Facebook/Twitter - Companies will promote coupon offers through their social channels.
• Rental email promotions - Signing up for newsletters can provide access to subscriber-only promos.
• Company mobile apps - Special mobile app codes sometimes offered to app users.

Persistence and creativity in hunting for codes can lead to major weekly rental savings. Taking an extra few minutes to search out coupons is well worth the effort.

Use Membership Discounts

Another avenue for scoring weekly rental discounts is through membership benefits and loyalty programs.

Examples include:

• AAA - Members can save up to 20% on base rates from Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Payless.
• AARP - Gives qualifying seniors extra rental discounts at participating companies.
• Costco - Provides coupon books with car rental deals and discounted gift cards to Alamo and Avis.
• Airline frequent flyer - Loyalty programs often have rental car partners that offer special rates.
• Rental company rewards - Membership can lead to exclusive discounts only for loyalty program members.
• Professional organization - Groups like student/teacher organizations provide discount codes for partners.
• Credit card rewards - Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve offer rental car privileges as a perk.

If you belong to any major membership programs, be sure to check them for potential car rental savings before booking.

Combining a coupon code with a membership discount can lead to major savings on longer rentals.

Carefully Consider Vehicle Type and Add-Ons

Beyond just finding the lowest base rate, you'll also want to look at the rental details to ensure you aren't overpaying in other areas.

The vehicle type you select along with any additional products or services can impact your total rental cost.

Choose the Smallest Size Needed

Rental cars come in sizes ranging from subcompacts to premium SUVs. While that larger vehicle might be nice for comfort, it comes at a price.

Looking for the smallest rental car that adequately fits your needs is one of the smartest ways to save.

Downsizing from a full-size to an intermediate class can save $100 or more over the course of a week without sacrificing much comfort or space.

Be realistic about what you need - exiting the airport with a Chevy Suburban for a solo business trip might not make financial sense.

Aim to choose the smallest car class that still has enough seats and cargo room by asking yourself:

• How many people will be riding in the car?
• Will you need to transport large items like strollers or golf bags?
• Do you need premium extras like leather seats or extra tech features?

Rental companies understand most solo travelers don't need SUVs or minivans. Comparison shop vehicle classes accordingly.

Decline Unnecessary Extras

Rental agencies commonly promote add-ons like insurance, GPS units, toll collection devices, and fuel programs at booking.

While convenient, these extras can substantially drive up your total rental cost over a week.

Carefully review what's included in your base rate and decline any optional extras you realistically don't need:

• Insurance - Only purchase the rental company's policy if your own auto insurance doesn't cover rentals. Most credit cards also provide secondary coverage when renting.
• Added drivers - Unless someone else will absolutely need to drive, stick with just one listed driver to avoid surcharges.
• Satellite radio - While nice for longer trips, not essential and available through your phone.
• Toll passes - Most rental cars have license plates that incur no toll fees in the region.
• Fuel plan - Prepaying for a full tank is usually more expensive than refilling yourself before returning.
• GPS - Use free maps on your phone unless you truly need a standalone unit.
• Child safety seats - Bring your own or order from outside rental companies for less.

Scrutinizing each add-on is key to avoiding excess rental costs that compound over days and weeks. Only opt for extras you can't do without.

Pay at Pickup Instead of Prepaying

When booking longer rentals, rental agencies might push you to prepay for the full week at booking for simplicity.

However, a better money-saving strategy is to select the "pay at pickup" option when available.

While prepaying may seem easier, paying once you arrive provides financial flexibility.

If you end up needing to cancel or cut a trip short, prepaying requires going through a refund process which could involve forfeiting fees depending on policies.

Additionally, if you discover a better rate before pickup, you can switch reservations without a change fee if you hadn't already paid in advance.

As long as you booking is refundable, postpone paying until pickup day for savings upside. Just be sure the full amount is authorized on your card.

Find Additional Ways to Save

In addition to shopping base rates and limiting add-ons, there are few other levers you can pull to maximize savings on weekly rentals:

Look at Older Models

For the lowest rates, consider selecting an older model car from a couple of years ago over the newest current year.

Rental companies discount older vehicles while still maintaining rigorous quality and safety standards.

As long as the car has the features you need, opting for a previous model can potentially save you $10 or more per day over a premium new vehicle.

Join Rental Loyalty Programs

Signing up for free rental car loyalty programs like Alamo Insiders, Hertz Gold Plus or Enterprise Plus can earn you points towards future rental credits along with other elite benefits.

Even as an entry-level member, you may score seasonal discounts or coupons for hitting signup milestones. Extending your rental relationship beyond one-off bookings can lead to savings.

Use Prepaid Rental Gift Cards

Gift cards from rental companies offered at Costco, grocery stores or online retailers often provide a modest discount when prepaying.

The savings may only amount to 5-10%, but worth factoring in gift cards as part of your rental payment strategy. Be sure to use gift cards first when checking out.

Best Times to Book Weekly Rentals

In addition to employing money-saving strategies, another major factor that impacts weekly rental costs is when you book.

Aim to rent during off-peak seasons and avoid busier travel periods to get the deepest discounts.

Avoid Peak Tourist Seasons

Not surprisingly, weekly rental rates shoot up dramatically during the peak summer and holiday travel months when demand is highest.

For example, a weekly SUV rental in Miami Beach in March could be $200 but spike to $500+ during spring break season.

Avoid renting for a full week spanning dates like:

• Spring Break (March - April)
• Summer (June - August)
• Thanksgiving Week
• Christmas / New Year's weeks

Basically any major travel season will entail pricier rentals, so opt for off-season weeks whenever possible.

Target Off-Peak Times

The very cheapest weekly rates are often found during less popular seasons like late fall and winter when tourism lulls after the holidays.

A summer road trip will inherently cost more than renting that minivan in November for the same trip.

Similarly, renting longer-term for a month or more during off-peak months can yield better extended use discounts and savings.

Weekly business travel rentals will also prove cheaper when booked for less hectic convention and meeting periods.

While peak times are sometimes unavoidable, you stand to save significantly by renting for full weeks in off-peak seasons.

Take Advantage of Shoulder Seasons

In addition to major high and low seasons, so-called shoulder seasons exist between core tourism periods.

For example the periods between summer and fall or between spring break and summer.

These shoulder months still see solid air travel and vacationing, but have cooled a bit from the true peak weeks.

Aim to book weekly rentals in shoulder months like April, September, or October to enjoy more moderate demand and still nice weather.

Alternative Weekly Rental Options

Beyond traditional car rental companies, expanding options exist for those open to alternatives to brands like Hertz and Enterprise.

Peer-to-peer services, rental marketplaces, and broker aggregators provide additional avenues to securing cheap weekly rental cars.

Peer-to-Peer Rentals

Through services like Turo and GetAround, regular vehicle owners list their personal cars for short term rental.

Rates are set by owners and tend to be very affordable, especially for longer weekly rentals where owners offer big discounts.

The inventory can be hit or miss but leads to substantial savings. Owner communication also surpasses a typical rental counter experience.

Rental Car Broker Websites

Lesser-known sites like CarRentalExpress.com operate almost like travel agencies in bringing together inventory from smaller local and regional rental companies.

Their access to smaller fleet providers allows brokers to list discounted weekly rates you won’t find on better-known sites.

The inventory is smaller but tapping rental brokers can surface some excellent deals at reputable neighborhood companies.

FAQs

What are the benefits of a weekly car rental?

Weekly car rentals can offer several benefits, including lower rates compared to daily rentals, more flexible rental terms, and the ability to switch to a different vehicle if needed. Additionally, long-term car rentals can be a cost-effective solution for businesses that need vehicles for an extended period of time.

How much can I expect to save with a weekly rental vs daily rentals?

The amount you can save with a weekly rental vs daily rentals varies depending on the rental company and the specific offer. However, in general, weekly rentals can offer significant savings compared to daily rentals. For example, Hertz offers up to 20% off the base rate for weekly rentals compared to daily rentals.

When is the cheapest time to rent a car for a week?

The cheapest time to rent a car for a week can vary depending on the rental company and the location. However, in general, rental rates tend to be lower during off-peak seasons and on weekdays. Additionally, booking in advance and comparing rates from different rental companies can help you find the best deal.

What rental car companies typically offer the best weekly rental rates?

The rental car companies that offer the best weekly rental rates can vary depending on the location and the specific offer. However, some rental companies that are known for offering competitive weekly rental rates include Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget.

Are there additional fees I should be aware of with weekly rentals?

While weekly rentals can offer lower rates compared to daily rentals, there may be additional fees or costs associated with the rental. For example, some rental companies may charge extra fees for additional drivers, underage drivers, or for returning the car to a different location. It's important to read the terms and conditions of the rental agreement carefully to understand any additional fees or costs that may apply.

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