Costco Travel

• Economy Price Range
• Luxury Price Range
• Available in all 50 States
• Airport Locations
• Unlimited Mileage

Economy Price Range

Costco's service lets you find cars to rent for average prices in the industry. Costco members can get great discount rates at various rental companies when they book through Costco Travel. Not only do members receive discount base prices, but there are usually generous coupons available. These coupons provide inexpensive upgrades or dollar amounts off of each rental. Because Costco Travel books for various rental companies, it also allows customers to compare up to four different rental locations at once, and highlights the lowest prices. This can make booking on a budget easier, not only because of its great discounts, but also by making price comparisons easy.

Luxury Price Range

Costco's luxury car prices are average in the car rental industry. They not only offer you a variety of prices, but the variety of cars is also expansive. Renters can compare a number of different vehicles on Costco Travel's website, as well as available locations.

Available in all 50 States

Costco Travel rental gives you access to car rental companies in all 50 states. All you have to do is enter the state or city in the search box on the Costco Travel website, and it will give you a number of options nearby using a map feature. These options include airport rentals as well as rentals located close to, but outside of the airport. (Many car rental companies only have airport locations.) A key feature on this website is the ability to compare car rental price, vehicle type, and locations all in one central location.

The Costco rental car discount service provided through Costco Travel is a wonderful option for local Costco members that don't want to go to the airport to rent a vehicle.

Airport Locations

Because of its aggregated database of car companies, Costco Travel lets you find companies with rental counters at most major airports throughout North America. Some rental car companies are limited geographically and do not have locations at every airport. Costco offers reservation opportunities with multiple rental companies in order to provide you with the best pricing options.

Unlimited Mileage

Renting a car can be stressful, especially when working with car rental agencies. On perk that comes with renting a car through Costco Travel is the unlimited mileage that comes with some rentals. This perk is not guaranteed with all rental car companies, but some do provide it. Most often, unlimited mileage is not provided due to geographical restrictions placed on the rental policy by each individual car rental agency. If you are looking to save money and avoid paying extra for driving long distances, it would be worth asking what mileage coverage is provided in your rental.

No Additional Annual Fee

For Costco members that use Costco Travel, there is no additional annual fee. All services provided by Costco Travel are included in your Costco membership. The current two membership options at Costco are:

• Gold Star Membership — This is the standard membership that comes with $60 fee each year. It does not come with any cash back rewards.
• Gold Star Executive Membership — For those with the desire to upgrade their membership status, this membership comes with a $120 fee each year but comes with additional cash back rewards. Members earn 2 percent cash back up to $1000 each year. Added benefits that accompany this membership include additional discounts on insurance, etc.

• Instant Return Varies
• No Packaged Roadside Assistance
• No Toll Prepay Option
• Lacking On-Site Fuel Discount
• Inconsistent Online Check-In

Instant Return Varies

The rental companies that Costco Travel books with are: Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. If you want to find out if you can return the car without waiting in line and leave the keys inside, it will depend on the policies of the company you choose to go with through Costco's website. This is an extra step for you making it less convenient than having the information all in one place.

No Packaged Roadside Assistance

Because Costco Travel works with various other rental companies and has no cars or rental policies of its own, the booking service does nothing more than book a car. For purchasing roadside assistance or other services, customers need to work with the actual rental company of the car they are renting. This will typically make the rental process at pickup slower and more involved, and also leads to unexpected pricing.

Lacking On-Site Fuel Discount

Again, because Costco Travel does not have its own fleet and its own rental company, they do not offer on-site fueling discounts. Each rental company has their own fueling payment options, so you'll have to contact them or visit their website to find out.

No Toll Prepay Option

If you want to order toll passes through Costco's website to make your commute easier, you can't. The four companies Costco partners with have their individual toll prepay options. Like other additional features, you have to do the extra legwork to find out what toll options are from that specific company.

Inconsistent Online Check-In

Unfortunately, online check-in is not available through Costco Travel rental, in order to check-in your car, you will likely need to work directly with the third party from whom you are actually renting. The Costco Travel website will provide you with the information that you need to get in touch with the car rental agency that you will be renting from and you can ask the agency what its online check-in policy is. Chances are, you'll have to go in person to check in your car.