Costco for Car Rental

[tinkerbell1112]

We used Costco to drive from TX to DW last August. Saved a ton on the rate - compared to the lowest stated rate anywhere else online. Got an extra driver and an upgrade from a Taurus to a BMW.

unlimited mileage, free cancellation when rates go down, and not one issue. Planning on renting a full size 12 passenger van this November through Costco too. Though don't think we'll get any free upgrades on that one. hahaha

 

[richmo]

More times than not, I use the Costco discount for Alamo, but I generally book at the Alamo site, not Costco. A few reasons for this:
- I prefer to book directly with the vendor I'm using in case of problems. This can easily be done by using the Costco contract ID (7014627). You can see what the Costco coupon codes are on the Costco site in 'Terms and Conditions' and use the same ones on the Alamo site, yielding the same price.
- Sometimes there are coupons available that are not Costco related that are better than what Costco has available, so you can combine a Costco contract ID with a non-Costco coupon to occasionally get a better rate.
- Occasionally Alamo has "Drive Happy Deals" that still use the Costco contract, but I don't think they show up on the Costco site because it doesn't fit into one of the listed car classes (Drive Happy Deals are compact and above, determined when you pick up the car)
- As I pointed out in another thread, I've seen at least one instance of Costco Travel releasing personally identifiable information in a Bing search. I would hope they've rectified this problem, but it still gives me cause.

The level of Costco membership makes no difference when renting. The travel discount differences you alluded to are when you book a package thru Costco travel...they'll sometimes have a Costco cash card incentive when booking with the Executive (black) card. It doesn't apply to a car rental only.

When making an online reservation with Alamo but using a Costco discount code, there is a place to put your Costco membership number. However, I have not personally been asked to show Costco credentials at pickup in Orlando, but I'd be sure to bring the Costco card along just in case.

 

[Koz]

Our booking through Costco for a 5 day period, picking up PBI and dropping off at HRH, was so far below other sites that I couldn't believe it. It's a rental with Avis, and includes the free 2nd driver, which will help with our drive from the Keys to HRH. I'm now a believer!

 

[pd1138]

Our booking through Costco for a 5 day period, picking up PBI and dropping off at HRH, was so far below other sites that I couldn't believe it. It's a rental with Avis, and includes the free 2nd driver, which will help with our drive from the Keys to HRH. I'm now a believer!

Same here ....7 Days in Florida for a minivan and it’s well below everything else I’ve checked. Also keep checking on Costco since I’ve rebooked twice since I originally booked. Rates go up and down so every time they go lower I rebook and cancel.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

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.

Yeah, sounds like you were given bad information.

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.

Sounds like there were some misunderstandings or misinterpretations here.

The price for a rental car will not vary based on your membership type. But if you book the rental car through Costco (directly with Costco travel, not use the Costco codes directly on the vendors' websites) executive members get a 2% rebate on travel bookings, including rental cars (which was new as of September 2017).

https://www.costcotravel.com/Travel-Offers/Executive-Member-Benefits

 

[georgina]

Sounds like there were some misunderstandings or misinterpretations here.

The price for a rental car will not vary based on your membership type. But if you book the rental car through Costco (directly with Costco travel, not use the Costco codes directly on the vendors' websites) executive members get a 2% rebate on travel bookings, including rental cars (which was new as of September 2017).

https://www.costcotravel.com/Travel-Offers/Executive-Member-Benefits

This thread is a year old and seems to have been revived by a first time poster wishing to plug a different company.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

This thread is a year old and seems to have been revived by a first time poster wishing to plug a different company.

Woops. I saw May 9, and didn't look further I guess. At least the info is now accurate as of today.

 

[Koz]

Same here ....7 Days in Florida for a minivan and it’s well below everything else I’ve checked. Also keep checking on Costco since I’ve rebooked twice since I originally booked. Rates go up and down so every time they go lower I rebook and cancel.

I just canceled my original Costco reservation and rebooked, as the rates had dropped.........................


















By $3. It's a game at this point- to see just how low I can get our rental before August.