Under 25 (I'm 24) and want to rent a car- advice?

[heathrow42]

I'm 24, never thought I'd be wishing I were any older (that stopped after i turned 21!) but most car rental places require you to be 25 in order to rent a car, and National charges $25/day extra if you are under 25, which would about double the cost of me renting a car.

Does anyone know of a rental company that doesn't charge a surcharge for being under 25?

Thanks,
--heather

 

[CarolA]

Have you tried Enterprise? I think they will rent to people under 25.

 

[NotUrsula]

Companies who have employees who travel usually negotiate a contract with their favorite company. The club cards for under-25 employees are coded to allow waiver of the age limit, as long as the company's group ID is used when the car is booked. (You do have to charge it to your personal CC, of course, if it is a personal rental.)

Even if you don't normally travel for business, ask your HR dept. if your company has a preferred rental-car company agreement. They may allow you to go through the company account to get a membership, which means that the over-25 requirement would be waived as long as you identified yourself through the account. Sometimes your price won't be as good if you book this way; you have to try it both ways and do the math.

BTW, careful with Enterprise. They usually charge mileage.

 

[heathrow42]

Thank you both for the info.

Our company has an arrangement with National. The first time I used them was on a business trip 2 years ago. My company had arranged the for the car, but when I got there they gave me a hard time about being under 25. After an hour of hassling, they called my boss who conferenced in an HR rep, who explained that the company's contract was regardless of age. What a mess.

We've used National on personal trips, but I've always had my DH who is old enough, with me.. and then since our company's agreement with National says that any employee or spouse can drive the car, I've always driven. (we work for the same company!) But this time, I am going by myself without DH to rent in his name.

I am also wondering, we have Emerald aisle memberships through the company.. if I go straight to the lot and pick up the car, and give my emerald ailse card, do I have to show my license, since i have already rented from them before?

Thanks for the info about Enterprise, I will check them out.

--heather

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by heathrow42
...(snip).... I am also wondering, we have Emerald aisle memberships through the company.. if I go straight to the lot and pick up the car, and give my emerald ailse card, do I have to show my license, since i have already rented from them before?
...(snip)....

Yes, you will have to show your license - as far as I know, you always have to show it at check out.

My advice is to ask your HR for a copy of your company's agreement with National that shows the fee for under 25 is waived. If the agent challenges you, you can just show them the agreement.

I'm surprised that they gave you a hard time in the first place as this is a very common proviso of negotiated agreements with businesses.

Good luck!

 

[beattyfamily]

L&M Car rental (onsite) is $15 a day extra for under 25...

 

[gclark133333333333]

dollar is $20/day
budget is 25/day


also check to see what they will rent you, some companies won't rent some of the bigger cars to you if you are under 25

 

[hercamore]

Are yo a member of student advantage?

I read something on their website recently about not having to pay extra when renting a car for the under 25 group.

www.studentadvantage.com



herc.

 

[bekkiz]

I'm also under 25, and recently rented a car in Hawaii through Priceline. It asks how old you are and figures the extra charge into the "name your own price" amount. We ended up getting one for about $39/day which saved us about $15/day. Hotwire can also be helpful.