Car rental discounts for Costco members

[koru]

I just spotted on the US costco website that their members (which includes UK members) get big discounts on car rental at Budget, Alamo, Hertz and Avis. That is, at least if you say you are US resident.

As this is my first post, I'm not allowed to post the URL, so go to the costco website (you can guess the URL, I am sure) and click on travel then on rental cars.

The rates from Budget seem best. I followed the links on the costco website and got a quote of $334 for an intermediate car for 2 weeks in Feb 2007 at MCO. That's £185. But if you tell it you are UK resident, it quotes £254, which is about the same as Airline Network are quoting me.

Does anyone know if there's a way to get the US resident rate without being US resident? Do you need to give them an address? Do you need to prove you live there or could you just use a US friend's address?

 

[Minniespal]

Perhaps they would ask for your costco member number?

 

[catherine]

Do you not have to show them your drivers license?

 

[tartangirl]

I followed the links on the costco website and got a quote of $334 for an intermediate car for 2 weeks in Feb 2007 at MCO. That's £185. But if you tell it you are UK resident, it quotes £254, which is about the same as Airline Network are quoting me.

Sadly I think the cost you have got as a US citizen is missing the tax - you'll need to add $93.38 which you'll see once you select the car - this takes it to the same price as a UK citizen price which already includes the tax.

 

[penlanspice]

I've used the costco coupon twice now, and have never been questioned (ok I just jinxed myself now)
In may we had a 4 wheel drive for 10 days at £76, we had a coupon from a promotion. We have also booked with them for September, 2 weeks minivan £200. this doesn't include insurance though, we have the annual policy.

 

[koru]

Sadly I think the cost you have got as a US citizen is missing the tax - you'll need to add $93.38 which you'll see once you select the car - this takes it to the same price as a UK citizen price which already includes the tax.

Ah! You're right - I didn't go far enough. Also, the UK rate includes insurance, whereas the US rate doesn't, so actually the UK rate is cheaper (if you need the insurance).

Might still be worth checking the UK rate, as it seems as cheap as Airline Network, who I invariably find are the cheapest UK website for rentals.

 

[penlanspice]

It all depends on the offer. I had one for free upgrade to minivan or 4 wheel drive and I think it was 15% off. I used that coupon to book 3 trips.

 

[RT7]

I've used the costco coupon twice now, and have never been questioned (ok I just jinxed myself now)
In may we had a 4 wheel drive for 10 days at £76, we had a coupon from a promotion. We have also booked with them for September, 2 weeks minivan £200. this doesn't include insurance though, we have the annual policy.

Where do you get the coupon from?

 

[Minniespal]

Hadn't thought about using Costco for car rental ~ That is another one on the list when I start booking for next year

 

[penlanspice]

The coupons are there when you click on which car rental you would like to use, usually you can use the discount plus a coupon.