In this article, we have compiled this list of the best car rental (or as the French will call it “Location De Voiture”) companies in 2021.
We also give you key information about these companies that will help you in making a decision when next you want to rent a car.
Without wasting your time, here are the 10 best location de Voiture companies in 2021.
Table of Contents
1. Enterprise
This company is no doubt the largest and the best location de Voiture company in America and the world. It has more than 4,500 airport and neighborhood branch offices. Therefore, Enterprise is our top pick for the company with most locations in America.
It is interesting to note that the sister companies of this business are National and Alamo. The collective group Enterprise Holdings owns location offices that are accessible to up to 90% population of America within just 15 miles.
Optional Extras Fees
Although compared to other rental companies (except National and Alamo), the rental fee is higher; however, its optional extra fees (e.g. a GPS or a child seat) are cheaper. Also, if you are 21 to 24 years you won’t pay as much surcharge compared to that of other companies. Hence, we choose Enterprise as the best in terms of escaping additional fees.
Toll Policies
The toll policies of Enterprise alongside National and Alamo are said to be the most realistic. Unlike that of Budget that charges an e-toll fee daily even when you aren’t using a tool. Therefore, with Enterprise, you don’t have to worry much about the fees when going through toll booths.
Membership Program
Becoming a member is free and you can earn points that will allow you to get free rentals. The more you use the service the higher your status improves to get more points as well free upgrades.
2. Hertz
Hertz is a globally recognized car rental company. It won the World Travel Awards in 2020 for World’s leading car rental company. It has more than 3,000 airports and neighborhood locations. And it has exquisite customer service that is better than that of Enterprise. Hence, Hertz is our top pick for customer service.
It offers a wide range of normal vehicle models, but you could get special models such as the Lamborghini Huracan Evo or the Aston Martin DB11 Volante. These are part of the Hertz Dream Collection that you can get for a special cost.
Best Rate Assurance
In considerationof their impeccable customer service, Hertz offers a wonderful rate matching policy. They ensure that the rate is the same for every rental period and vehicle group.
Quick Vehicle Pickup
Hertz runs what it calls Fast lane that allows registered customers to quickly pick up vehicles from any of the 14 designated locations without having to deal with counters. And they can leave the garage more efficiently via the CLEAR identification.
Membership Program
You get to earn a point for each dollar you spend on and can increase your status over time to get more benefits. Although you need to have a high number of points before you can make any redemptions.
3. Avis
Avis will be remembered in history as the innovator of the location de Voiture industry. It first began the business of renting vehicles from airports. Currently, it operates in more than 165 countries and has more than 1,400 locations in America.
Advanced Payment Advantage
Avis’ rental fees don’t come cheap, more so, when it comes to reserving a vehicle and pick-up payment. However, you get to save 30% if you make choose to pre-pay rather than pay when you pick the vehicle.
But note that if you don’t need the vehicle anymore, a cancellation charge of $50 will be meted on you when the notice is over 24 hours and a $150 charge when the notice is not above 24 hours. This is cheaper compared to Hertz’s cancellation charge of $100 and $200 for the former and latter situations.
Avis is our pick for the best-prepaid rentals.
Special Offers and Promo Codes
You can get sweet deals on the offer pages which are available to both international and U.S rentals. These offers can be gotten using the promo codes posted.
Membership Program
It allows you to sign up and then earn points that can be used to get free accessories and rentals. You get a point for a dollar paid on rentals and 2 points for those used paid on accessories. As you rise to a certain status, you can even get 3 points per dollar.
4. Budget
Budget is a member of the Avis Budget Group; therefore, they have similarities in offer and policies. Budget has close to 1,400 airport and neighborhood offices in America. As you might have guessed, its rates are cheaper compared to Avis.
Prepaid Discounts
You get to save 35% if you make a prepayment during booking. If you end up canceling, you’ll be charged $50 or $150 according to the time of cancellation. The charge is the same as that of Avis.
Free Charges for Spouses as Additional Driver
Most vehicle hire organizations require that a fee of $13 a day be paid for an additional driver. This doesn’t apply to Budget as you can register your spouse for free. However, to qualify, they must meet the basic driver requirements.
Membership Program
This loyalty program doesn’t work on a points system like most other loyalty programs. Rather, members get fast-tracked service whenever they pick up or drop off the hired vehicle. They also get other exclusive deals.
5. National
National is Enterprise’s sister company as both are under Enterprise Holdings. Click here to know more about Enterprise Holdings. Enterprise has above 330 offices in America. It is one of the highly regarded vehicle rental companies as a result of its impeccable customer service.
Membership Program
National offers Emerald Club to its frequent customers. This program allows customers to receive rental credits that can be used to get free rentals and other benefits. A very good example of the benefits of being part of this program is that you can register family as well as business partners for free as additional drivers.
Members of this club can pick any midsize or larger-sized car of their choice from the Emerald Aisle. And this allows a credit to be earned. When 7 credits are acquired, you can get a free day rental. Executive members however need just 6 credits while Executive Elite needs just 5.
Corporate Program
This company is popular because of its corporate hire program which is usually used by small-sized and mid-sized organizations. The rates allow such organizations to make a hire at the minutes’ notice all without any last-minute charge.
6. Alamo
Alamo is regarded as the largest international traveling location de Voiture company within North America. You can find Alamo offices all across the major airports in America. Although, compared to its sister companies (Enterprise and National), Alamo has fewer locations (just 250) in America.
Online Rental Experience
Customers can easily check in online using self-serve kiosks. This allows you to avoid dealing with the counter. The online service allows you to upgrade your vehicle, add drivers, add a GPS, etc.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Method
The method of picking up and dropping off your rental is made easier thanks to the online check-in function. This has earned Alamo a positive review from many customers. Hence, it is our top choice for the best return process.
Membership Program
Being part of Enterprise Holdings, the rates for hiring Alamo’s services aren’t cheap. However, if you are a member of Alamo Insiders, you get to enjoy a discount of 5%. This is available even if you make the hire in U.S.A, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Latin America.
You can save another 5% when you make prepayments upon booking. Just be cautious about the cancellation charge ($50 to $100).
7. Sixt
While Sixt is not sixth on our list, it came quite close. Despite being relatively new in North America’s market as it entered in 2011, it has grown and developed a name for itself. It has more than 60 offices in America.
An interesting thing about this company is its use of new and first-class convoy of American and German cars with most barely being older than 3 months. Despite having a range of new vehicles, it has one of the most affordable rental prices.
Sixt is our pick for the cheapest prices and best comfort vehicles.
Long-Term Rental Savings
When you reserve a car for over 28 days, you get to enjoy a more favorable rate for each week.
Membership Program
The program has various levels with reward cards. These cards can be used to get points along with Sixt partners like hotels, airlines. They are also used to get rental benefits.
Customers who sign up for the program are given an Express card. You can use this card to skip counter formalities. They also allow you to get reduced rates via self-service.
After making 3 rentals, you will be given a Gold card, then a Platinum card after 10 hires, and an invitation is required to get a Diamond card. Elite members can register additional drivers for free, get free upgrades, and receive 20% discounts.
8. Dollar Car Rental
This company easily ranks among the cheapest in the industry. For $30 (or less with the 15% discount for newsletter signups), you can enjoy a day’s service. Of course, your location will affect your final cost.
Fleet Option
Options available to you include economy cars, pick-ups and even vans.
Reward Program
It supports a number of third-party reward programs and also offers an internal one which offers frequent user faster bookings among other perks.
Customer Service
Sadly, you may not get the best of customer service from this company.
9. Thrifty
This company, like some of the options we looked at above, is focused on providing highly affordable offerings. This should therefore not be your choice if you are looking for top of the line services.
Convenience
It offers an online portal that allows customers to check in online before heading out to up their ride. This increases efficiency and convenience.
Cost
Like we already noted, you will enjoy some of the lowest rates here.
Locations
There are currently more than 500 locations around Canada and the United States where pick-ups or drop-offs can be done.
10. Rentalcars.com
While this is not exactly a rental company in itself, it made this list because of the very important service it offers in this industry. It offers an aggregator services that puts customers in touch with a massive selection of options in more than 60 thousand locations spread across more than 160 countries.
Using this service, you can find the cheapest or best high-end service in your location at any given time. This puts you in complete control as you can choose from the many providers in that location, one that best fits your need at that given time. You can visit comparatiflocationdevoiture.fr to learn more about car rental companies around France.
Conclusion
There are a lot of factors that will determine your choice of a location de Voiture (car rental) company. That is why we have discussed and highlighted the high points of each rental company above.
To also save cost, make sure you register for the membership program of the company you eventually choose.
