Key Takeaways
- Long-term Car Rentals: Renting a vehicle for several weeks or months, offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
- Company Choices: Options like Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Turo, Sixt, and Avis offer a range of vehicles and pricing plans.
- Considerations: When choosing, consider factors like budget, rental terms, specific vehicle needs, and company reputation.
- Rental Agreements: Important to read and understand the rental agreement, including mileage limits and fuel policies, before signing.
What Constitutes a Long-Term Car Rental?
A long-term car rental allows you to rent a vehicle for an extended period. This period can be anywhere from a week or two to a whole year.
Long-term rentals often extend beyond the short-term rental period. You’ll most likely end up paying more for a long-term rental but the price per day is usually lower than short-term leases.
Most long-term car rental companies offer insurance, roadside assistance, and unlimited daily mileage. This is almost impossible to get in short-term leases.
Before renting a car for a short period, you’ll have to go through a credit check, which isn’t the case when renting a car long-term.
Most companies also allow long-term renters to swap in different cars during their rental period so they have more flexibility.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
The biggest issue to consider when finding a long-term car rental is the cost of the vehicle.
While renting a vehicle can be a useful way to bridge long gaps without reliable transportation – like the time it takes to repair a primary vehicle after an accident – the costs usually become excessive after enough time passes.
After all, most car rental companies have a limit to how long you can rent a car before having to re-renew the rental. This is usually 30 days.
I suggest taking a hard look at why you want to rent a vehicle for an extended period of time.
Then, weigh the pros and cons against other options, such as purchasing a low-cost vehicle and reselling it when you no longer need it.
My Suggestion:
If you decide that a long-term rental is the right option, do your best to negotiate deals with the rental companies or car owners.
You can usually get heavy discounts by renting for weeks at a time, primarily if you decide to rent on a peer-to-peer carsharing marketplace like Turo.
The Best Long-Term Car Rental Options of 2024
With several long-term car rental companies out there, it’s challenging to pick the right one. To help you narrow down your options, here are the best platforms to rent out a car:
1. Budget
- Affordable extended rentals
- Competitive rates and discounts
- Extensive car collection worldwide
2. Hertz
- Comprehensive long-term rental packages
- Rent to Buy service available
- Decent loyalty program
3. Enterprise
- Unlimited mileage on many vehicles
- Over 8,000 locations globally
- Flexible pricing with various plans
4. Turo
- Peer-to-peer car rental options
- Specific car type and model selection
- Prices set by private car owners
5. Sixt
- Extended period savings
- Car rental subscriptions available
- Luxurious and high-end vehicles
7. Avis
- Long-term rentals up to 330 days
- Bonuses like zero downpayment
- Best Price Guarantee policy
Comparison of Key Features
Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Turo, Sixt, and Avis are some of the top-rated car rental companies. Each company stands out for its unique key features, so the final choice comes down to your priorities.
1. Budget
As the name implies, Budget offers some of the most affordable rental rates out there, with plenty of car options to choose from. They also have additional discounts on LDW, satellite radio, and more services for long-term rentals.
If you’re limited on budget and looking to rent a car from a reliable source, Budget is the way to go.
2. Hertz
Hertz is another giant in the car rental industry with over 20,000 locations worldwide. While their rates might not be the lowest, they have an excellent loyalty program for frequent renters.
Hertz is a good choice if you’re always on the go and need to rent cars.
3. Enterprise
Enterprise is as another excellent option for hiring cars for long periods as they offer discounts for rentals of 28 days or more. They have over 8,000 locations worldwide.
And even though their prices may seem higher than average, there are no hidden fees.
4. Turo
Turo operates on a peer-to-peer model. They allow car owners to rent their cars for customers, and that’s why you may find huge fluctuations in their rates.
If you like renting a car directly from the owner, Turo is your best bet.
5. Sixt
Sixt stands out for its focus on premium and luxurious vehicles. This doesn’t mean they’re not affordable though. They still offer car rental subscriptions that allow customers to save money on their long-term rentals.
You should consider Sixt if you’re looking to rent a luxurious ride.
6. Avis
Avis is one of the best car rental companies for budget-conscious customers as they have a Best Price Guarantee program. That means if you shop around and find a lower qualifying Avis rate, they’ll match it and offer you a 10% discount on your rental.
Avis also offers attractive packages and discounts for rentals of more than 15 days.
If you want to rent a car at a price that won’t leave a dent in your wallet for more than 15 days, Avis is worth considering.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Long-Term Rental
When choosing a long-term car rental company, there are several factors to consider especially if you’re not familiar with these services.
To get the most out of your car renting experience, here are some essential aspects to watch out for:
1. Budget
Before proceeding with your booking, take your time to assess the overall cost of your rental.
Don’t expect to pay the exact amount stated on the website. There are usually additional hidden fees, taxes, and penalties that can add up to the final price.
2. Rental Terms
Look for companies that provide flexible rental terms. For example, some companies allow you to adjust the duration of your rental at any time while others may charge extra fees for that.
Take a look at the rates of different rental durations as most companies offer favorable rates for longer commitments.
3. Vehicle Needs
Define your needs before renting. You might need to look for family cars and SUVs if you’re going for a family trip.
In case you’re going on a business trip or a long ride, a luxury car might be the best option.
4. Learn About the Company
Conduct a quick background check about the company you’re working with.
Check online reviews of previous customers and compare criteria such as rates, reputation, car availability, and customer service between companies to make an informed decision.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal in Long-Term Rentals
Securing the best deal on your long-term car rental demands a combination of research, negotiation skills, and planning.
To help you get the most affordable price on your car rental, here are a few tips to follow:
- Avoid renting at the airport to avoid high prices and airport surcharges.
- Look around for deals on websites such as Cheapcarrental, Kayak, and Priceline before visiting the car rental company’s website.
- If you’re already a member of travel clubs such as Costco Travel, look there first as they usually offer special discounts for loyal members.
- Opt for peer-to-peer car rental companies like Turo because you get to deal directly with the car owner and negotiate for a better deal.
Understanding Rental Agreements and Policies
Before receiving your car keys from the rental company, you have to sign a rental agreement. Every car rental company has its unique rules and restrictions but the language used in these contracts is more or less the same.
It’s important to read the written terms thoroughly before signing and ask further questions if needed. If you think you’ll travel more than the allotted mileage, for example, you ought to ask about additional costs and explore options for unlimited mileage.
You should also ask about the fuel charging policy since most rental contracts state that the renter is responsible for refueling.
Note: Some companies add additional fees if you fail to refuel the car before the delivery time.
Wrapping Up
There you have it; everything you need to know about the best long-term car rental companies!
Before you choose your car rental company, don’t forget to assess your needs, compare prices, and consider different rental periods.
And before proceeding with your booking, take your time to understand rental agreements and policies to avoid any future inconveniences.