11 Things to Know About Costco Car Rental

Most people know that Costco has a range of services beyond bulk buys for your home and kitchen, but one that's not well known is its car rental service (aka Costco Travel’s Low Price Finder). The big-box retailer works with a few different rental companies to offer its members discounted car rentals, and there are a number of other perks as well. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Costco's car rental program.

Not already a Costco member? You can apply here.

As with all Costco programs, you must be a member to use the car rental service. This means you'll need to provide your membership number when you book the car online or by phone. The service's FAQ page notes that "at the time of car pick up the rental car agent may ask to see the primary driver’s Costco membership card." Bonus: Executive members receive a 2% annual reward on Costco travel purchases.

Related: Costco by the Numbers: 22 Surprising Stats

The easiest way to book a Costco car rental is through the Costco Travel website, but you can also reserve by calling (866) 921-7925. 

​​Related: Don't Miss These Perks of Costco and Sam's Club Membership

While you have to pick up your vehicle at the airport, you’ll have more flexibility when it comes to your drop-off location. Just put in an address, airport, or zip code, and you can choose among a list of participating locations. Note, however, that one-way rentals will be more expensive. Companies may also offer a drop-off grace period, though you’ll have to check directly with the location to confirm details.

Related: The Big Differences Between Costco and Costco.com

The Costco Car Rental Program works with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. The travel website's search engine will find you the best deal among the brands, but if you have loyalty to one in particular, you can also shop by brand by clicking "rental cars" in the topmost menu here.

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Avis, Budget, and Enterprise all have loyalty programs, and you can enter those numbers on Costco Travel’s website before finalizing your reservation.

While there is no age limit to rent a car through the Costco program, customers under the age of 25 will pay an underage driver fee that can vary and that could offset the Costco member discount. They also must book by phone by calling (866) 921-7925 then selecting Option 1.

Rentals are offered in the U.S. — including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — and also Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and the U.K.

Alamo and Enterprise rentals allow a free additional driver in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. For Avis and Budget, the fee is waived for rentals in the U.S. Additional drivers must meet all vendor requirements and be present at the time of rental. They must also present a valid driver's license and a major credit card at the time of rental (but they do not need a Costco membership card).

If you find a better deal elsewhere or have to change your plans, it's easy to cancel your reservation on the Costco Travel website (or by phone). Just log in, click on Current bookings, click the "cancel" button, and confirm. The program will send you an email with a confirmation of your cancelation, and there is no fee involved.

If you use your Costco Anywhere Visa credit card to book your rental, you also receive free car rental insurance (up to $50,000 toward the cost of repairs or cash value of the car), 24/7 roadside assistance in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and travel and emergency assistance. Other optional services such as airfare and airport transfers are not included unless specifically noted.

While the Costco rental car program does offer some great deals and discounts, it's not always the cheapest option. Be sure to shop around, and in particular check out competitor sites like AutoSlash, Kayak, and AAA.