Costco for Car Rental

[MMCD]

Costco is finally opening in my city. I was going to sign up for the regular white card $55 membership but they really pushed the more expensive black membership card $110. They said the black card gives you the travel discount while the lower price white card does not.

For those using Costco do car rentals at Alamo, do you have the higher or lower membership card? Does Alamo ask you to show your member card?

I rarely go to Costco because it is located in the outskirts suburbia area. When I gone 3 times, I use my neighbors card. But since it is nearby, I am interested to join. There are 3 Sams closer to me and I have the regular membership for Sams.

 

[Branflakes]

We have an executive membership, the black card. We rent only through Costco, and save A LOT. You don't have to pay for additional drivers, and the rate so far for what we rent and where we rent has been unbeatable.
You do need your membership number in order to reserve a car. It's done through the Costco travel site, and you must be signed in with a valid membership.

 

[rwdavis2]

Even with the regular care you get a free second driver and the prices were usually very good.

 

[mrsstats]

I have the regular card and use Costco almost every time I rent a car. Their prices are the best. Don't know if the black card would get you a better deal or not.

 

[candy0730]

You only need a Costco membership number to rent a car. The lowest price one is all you need. No need for the executive membership. You can check rates on Costco Travel even if you are not a member. If you decide to reserve a car then you will be prompted to enter your Costco number. I have never been asked for my card. I assume that is because I couldn't make a reservation without being a member.

 

[georgina]

Yeah, sounds like you were given bad information. I agree you just need the regular membership to get the car rental discount.I have the executive membership, plus their credit card, but we shop there enough that makes it worth it.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's my understanding that the extra "travel discount" that comes with the black card only applies in the case of travel packages, not rental cars. The basic white card gives the same rental car discount, plus the free second driver.

FWIW, we joined Costco 4 months ago specifically for the rental car discounts, as Sam's club has dropped their travel benefits. Even if we never set foot in a Costco store again after our signup, the Costco membership was paid for by just one rental reservation, and so far we have used it 6 times, so we've paid for at least 3 membership years out of our discount savings. (We don't like to put major road-trip mileage on our personal vehicles if we can get good rental rates.) Upshot is that we shop Sam's Club for our bulk purchase savings, but Costco primarily for the travel discounts.

 

[The Hunchback]

We have a Costco basic membership and rented thru them with Alamo last February. We had a number of issues with the rental car. When we got back home, I asked Costco for help to get some money back. They were able to facilitate a refund for part of the rental and an apology letter. I would not rent with anyone else but Costco now.

 

[JFox]

We always book our rentals through Costco. I price out everyone including USAA, Costco always has the lowest rates.

 

[MMCD]

I always check Costco travel section for car rental rates. It seems that I find it $2-$10 cheaper when I book directly at Alamo instead of Costco using the codes from this forum. I like to use Costco as reference. I stuck to my plan of buying only the white card. The sales guy kept pushing the black card. Since right now membership is in a canopy tent in the parking lot, the rain storm cut his sales talk quickly as I had my credit card in my hand and the winds were blowing their brochures off the table. This time I am saving $30 using Alamo over Hertz. I had a Hertz special discount of not having to pay airport and tax fees previously but that had expired. I am bringing my neighbor's card as my card won't come in the mail til I return from my trip. I have my membership receipt card that I can show if Alamo asks for proof.

Costco gas is cheaper than Sams gas but Sams is just around the corner. I am looking forward to getting the ready made food at Costco.

 

[dancin Disney style]

To address the 'do you need the card to rent a car' question. I have been asked approx. 1 time out of every 5 to produce my card when I'm at Alamo. A couple of years ago I started using the kiosk and even then I'm asked for the card at the garage exit. So the moral of that story is make sure you have the card with you.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's my understanding that the extra "travel discount" that comes with the black card only applies in the case of travel packages, not rental cars.

And it's only certain packages, not all of them. Never the ones we are interested in!

 

[twinsplusone]

Can you cancel your reservation without penalty?

 

[candy0730]

Yes, you do not have to give credit card info when booking and can cancel at anytime without penalty. I have already rebooked my July reservation 3 times because the rates dropped.

 

[twinsplusone]

Yes, you do not have to give credit card info when booking and can cancel at anytime without penalty. I have already rebooked my July reservation 3 times because the rates dropped.

Thanks for the information

 

[Pembo]

Love the Costco rental cars. They are always the cheapest. We have the regular membership. Between rental cars and dog food savings, my membership has paid for itself.

 

[JimMIA]

Love the Costco rental cars. They are always the cheapest. We have the regular membership. Between rental cars and dog food savings, my membership has paid for itself.

If your Costco has gas, you'll save even more. I have a business account and get 4% cashback on gas. In our area, the gas is 12-15 cents per gallon cheaper than other gas stations anyway, so with the 4% I'm actually paying about $.21-$.25 per gallon less.

However, when I checked rental car prices I not only would not save any money, I could not get a minivan for pickup in San Francisco with dropoff at SFO. Not for any price -- even from the same rental car company with the same pickup and dropoff points. I'm assuming it's a vehicle availability problem, not a pricing issue.

 

[Pembo]

If your Costco has gas, you'll save even more. I have a business account and get 4% cashback on gas. In our area, the gas is 12-15 cents per gallon cheaper than other gas stations anyway, so with the 4% I'm actually paying about $.21-$.25 per gallon less.

However, when I checked rental car prices I not only would not save any money, I could not get a minivan for pickup in San Francisco with dropoff at SFO. Not for any price -- even from the same rental car company with the same pickup and dropoff points. I'm assuming it's a vehicle availability problem, not a pricing issue.

I forgot about the lower gas prices! We leave kind of far from Costco to get gas there regularly though.

 

[georgina]

If your Costco has gas, you'll save even more. I have a business account and get 4% cashback on gas. In our area, the gas is 12-15 cents per gallon cheaper than other gas stations anyway, so with the 4% I'm actually paying about $.21-$.25 per gallon less.

However, when I checked rental car prices I not only would not save any money, I could not get a minivan for pickup in San Francisco with dropoff at SFO. Not for any price -- even from the same rental car company with the same pickup and dropoff points. I'm assuming it's a vehicle availability problem, not a pricing issue.

Minivan rentals are weird - I got one with pickup at ONT and drop off at SFO, but when I accidentally forgot to change the drop off site, there would be none available to pick up and return at ONT? I found that strange. I also hope they actually have a minivan available when we go, because we need to move a kid out of a dorm. When we moved her in 4 years ago I had a minivan rental but all they had were SUVs, which don't hold as much stuff.

We get the 4% back on gas with the Costco credit card, but live a 25 minute drive from the store so I don't make the trip just for gas.

 

[markb681]

I just got back from WDW and used Costco for a 1 day rental thru Budget on Hotel Blvd...Loved it...saved about $10...they also gave me a free upgrade and free extra driver....Its my 3rd car rental overall with Costco and I've used a different rental company each time...no problems with any of them!

AND yes...free cancellation...I have the basic white Costco card