arollins

Another advantage to enrolling in similar programs at rental agencies is that you slowly accumulated points/perks along the way that can help in future rentals. Budget and other programs sometimes have promo where for every 2 rentals you get a $25 discount on a future reservation, others offer a free day. Once you make your reservation @ Costco, enter your rental agency membership # in order for it to track.

Nothing like trying to maximize the benefits. I used to be a loyal National member, Executive Elite level, but for the past couple of years I've been a free agent, National prices have skyrocketed and I dislike their updated website.

Flyerhandle

Yes. You even have to set up a separate "travel" account, separate from your regular Costco account. That being said, it can be worth the price of annual membership on a good single one-week rental. They are not ALWAYS the cheapest, but are generally the best about 60-70% of the time. I had a three day reservation in HPN last week, booked through Costco for $147, and then re-checked it a few days before, and it was down to $54 AI. That's pretty amazing for that airport.

If you book an occasional flight through Expedia, they give you greatly preferred car rental offers, so I occasionally intentionally book a flight here and there through their system. Their rates, on occasion, beat Costco by a significant amount. I have used autoslash, but I am usually pretty good about ferreting out the lowest available prices.

scottinaz

I have only been able to use Costcotravel to book car rentals in the US and Canada. Has anyone used them to book in Europe or Asia?

Merlin666

Yes Costcotravel rocks, but unfortunately only in North America.

kaaria

One thing I have noticed about costco rentals is that when you book in the 24 hour increments, the rate is cheap than if you book in say 20 hour increments.

For example I was looking at a car in DFW I picked 5pm pick up time on 11/18 with a return of 3pm on 11/21. The costco rate for budget was $120 for SUV at Budget. However, when I changed to 5pm on 11/21 then the rate dropped to $102 same SUV same Budget.

Similarly, looking at a car in YEG Dec 25 6pm to Dec 31 4pm, = Alamo $252 mid size. When I change the time to 6pm on 12/31 rate drops to $234 same Alamo same mid size.

As rental car use the 24 hr clock, even if you return early, they will not change price unless it is more than 12 hours early or something like that.

This has happened to me at least three times now so I always book in 24 hour increments now.

seawolf

Just came back from Germany. Costco actually had the best rate (with Enterprise) beating even US corp corporate rates.

SoCalNorCal

Wow... had never heard of autoslash before. Very cool idea. My only problem with them so far is every time I get an email with a better rate it's with Hertz which requires a commitment and prepayment. Doesn't that defeat the purpose? I don't want to lock myself into a rental. Would be great if the people over at auto slash had an option to opt out of rates which require prepayment.

Stgermainparis

I reserved a car with Alamo via Costco but it would not allow me to enter my Insider # to do "Skip the Line" at MCO. If I do "online check in" and then "skip the line" will I invalidate any of my costco rez? Esp concerned about free additional driver being removed.

seawolf

I would call Alamo to add to reservation.

randix

in the "zillion" times i've used autoslash, and being presented with a hertz option, I've never had to make a commitment or prepay, so not sure why you have experienced it. perhaps ask them what is triggering it for you...

mathprof

Called Alamo and the representative said she could not add my number to the reservation because it was reserved through Costco. Worse, she cancelled the reservation and rebooked with my number, at more than double the price.

seawolf

With Costo and Enterprise, it was possible to add number on enterprise website after the reservation was made on costco.com

Try calling Costco and see if they can book and add number at the same time.

swag

If you start a reservation on costcotravel.com, then click the "Terms & Conditions" link below the alamo rate, it will show the Contract ID and/or Coupon Code being used.

You can then go to Alamo.com, log in with your account info, and use these to get the same rate and benefits from a direct booking.

Stgermainparis

I'm doing this now! And will in the future. But I have a rez I made a few weeks back that I need to add skip the line to and the rate today is higher on alamo.com, even with the codes.

seawolf

Thanks. Didn't realize that.