I'm a member of both Zipcar and ConnectByHertz (CBH).

Zipcar has a far superior website and better variety and quantity of cars around the city. Zipcar also has the iPhone app, which is supposed to be cool (I don't have an iPhone).

CBH is generally a little cheaper per hour and has three cars stashed right outside my building. CBH also has a Hertz Neverlost installed in every car (although I don't like the old ones in the cars by my building, so I bring my own Garmin anyway when I need GPS), and CBH has a little device in the car that lets you do things like check time remaining or extend your reservation by pushing a couple buttons. CBH's decals are also a little less obnoxious than Zipcar's.

Despite being a member of both, I actually rent cars from regular car rental places (mostly Hertz) far more often because I can usually find rates that are much cheaper than the daily rate from Zip or CBH, and with regular Hertz mrsmicah and I can switch off driving (with Zip and CBH only the person who made the reservation is allowed to drive).

But Zip and CBH are convenient for a quick jaunt to have lunch with grandma in NJ or to make an Ikea run or to drive someone home late at night when a cab isn't available. So I find it worthwhile to maintain both memberships (I pay $20/year for Zip through an alumni association discount and $50/year for CBH).

If you're signing up, promo code HOPSTOP waives the first year membership fee and gives you an $80 driving credit for CBH (although you have to pay the $25 application fee).

There are usually promo codes out there for Zipcar, too. I know NJTransit used to have a good one ($50 or something), although I don't know if it's still current.


You don't need Connectbyhertz for that. Just use the regular Hertz Driv Ur Self rates and you can drive from any Manhattan Hertz location to the airport for pretty darn cheap.