Renting through Costco

[JohnDaleswife]

I was looking at Costco's rental rates and they seem very good. I guess I will have to renew our membership there before we return to Orlando. Been meaning to do that anyways. But for Enterprise, they have a SUV for around the $280 mark for 7 days.

Anyone else like to use Costco or have any advice, tips?

 

[FigmentSpark]

If you find a price you like on the Costco site, check out the corresponding rental site, too. You can put the Costco code in at the rental site and get an additional benefit and you might just get a better price.

We are using Alamo and I entered the Costco number and my Insiders number on the Alamo site. With both, I saved quite a bit over using just the Costco site and over just the Alamo site without the Costco id. I also got the free extra driver that way (from Costco).

 

[rwdavis2]

We've used costco a couple of time with no issues. No tips or advice. I like the free second driver costco gets you.

 

[dreiwhit]

I compared Costco's prices with the prices I can get using other discounts. They were in the ballpark with the other quotes, maybe $1 different.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

We rent through costco all the time. The only tip/advice I have is to keep checking the prices (even after you book). If the price goes down, cancel and rebook your reservation.

 

[stinkpickle]

I always rent thru Costco. There's no upfront payment, so you can drop and create new reservations as many times as you want if or when the rates change.

 

[CarolynFH]

If you find a price you like on the Costco site, check out the corresponding rental site, too. You can put the Costco code in at the rental site and get an additional benefit and you might just get a better price.

We are using Alamo and I entered the Costco number and my Insiders number on the Alamo site. With both, I saved quite a bit over using just the Costco site and over just the Alamo site without the Costco id. I also got the free extra driver that way (from Costco).

What is the Costco code? Is it your membership number, or a number available on the Costco rental car site, or do I need to Google for it?

 

[stinkpickle]

What is the Costco code? Is it your membership number, or a number available on the Costco rental car site, or do I need to Google for it?

It's the number on the back of your membership card. I think it's on the new Citi Visa card. I know it was on the back of the old AmEx cards.

 

[CarolynFH]

It's the number on the back of your membership card. I think it's on the new Citi Visa card. I know it was on the back of the old AmEx cards.

Is it the membership number (which is on the back of the Citi Visa), or the number beginning with W (which is not)?

 

[FigmentSpark]

What is the Costco code? Is it your membership number, or a number available on the Costco rental car site, or do I need to Google for it?

So, you go to the Costco rental site, as if you were renting through them. On the page are some ads for rental companies and there is a "contract id" or "Coupon code" in small print on each of them which lists a code. That's the number you'll use, because it's the number for Costco deal with the company.

So, for example, I live in Canada, so I use the Canadian Costco contract id: 7016405 when I do a search on the Alamo.ca site for cars to rent at MCO. This number represents the contract that Costco Canada has made with Alamo.

These are from the Canadian Costco site:




For the U.S. site, the Costco contract id for Alamo is:
7014627


These are the coupons off the U.S. Costco site:



So then, when I'm on the Alamo site, I just add this number:

 

[CarolynFH]

So, you go to the Costco rental site, as if you were renting through them. On the page are some ads for rental companies and there is a "contract id" or "Coupon code" in small print on each of them which lists a code. That's the number you'll use, because it's the number for Costco deal with the company.

So, for example, I live in Canada, so I use the Canadian Costco contract id: 7016405 when I do a search on the Alamo.ca site for cars to rent at MCO. This number represents the contract that Costco Canada has made with Alamo.

These are from the Canadian Costco site:

View attachment 178875


For the U.S. site, the Costco contract id for Alamo is:
7014627


These are the coupons off the U.S. Costco site:

View attachment 178876

So then, when I'm on the Alamo site, I just add this number:

View attachment 178877

Many thanks for this detailed response!

 

[helenk]

We used the Costco code when we rented a car through Alamo last year over Thanksgiving. It was bit cheaper on the rental itself and then having the second driver free was a nice bonus. My son has a much better sense of direction than I do. I paid for the rental and let him do most of the driving.

 

[ibob52]

COSTCO ~ ALAMO ~ 7014627

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Its the same price for myself. I get $250 for a mid-size SUV for a Tue-Mon rental. Great deal though. I don't think I can get it any lower, but I will keep an eye out. We only rent from a certain Enterprise location, so I am not so flexible it that regards.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Just wanted to add that I noticed if I rented it with a Monday-Monday time frame, it was only a whopping $2 more. Very interesting.

 

[rspencer38]

Car rental companies are funny like that, some times renting a full week is cheaper than renting say 5 or 6 days, simply because they have weekly rates. The same goes for weekend vs weekday rates.

I have a 9 night rental where my rate is almost $100 for 7 nights and the two extra nights are almost $49.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Second the the suggestion that you keep checking rates even after you book. I've had a rate drop over $200 a week through Costco after booking. It really is a bit crazy how rental companies can change rates. As far as suggestions for Costco remember to check your bill. I've been billed for an extra driver even though that benefit is free through Costco. Also check your rental Co to see if there is an active Sunpass on your vehicle. Most rental Co's only charge a few dollars per day for this and you get a single bill several weeks after your return for toll fees. This saves a lot of time/hassle having change and stopping at every plaza although it will cost a few $$ extra. IIR Alamo has a cap on fees.