Let’s have an honest conversation.
Rental companies vary in how they treat older drivers, according to Rentalcars.com. (Visit their attached link to: What’s the Maximum age for hiring a car?) This means that some car rental companies have an upper age limit for renting. While not all may do this, older drivers (age 70 plus) are encouraged to contact the rental location to define driver age limits, if any. Some automobile rental places may also charge a senior driver fee, often beginning at age 70. Others may have no senior driver fees to pay at all. Though most senior drivers are safe drivers, this surcharge covers extra risks encountered by insurance companies. Since prices and rules vary between car rental companies, it’s important to understand costs as well as terms and conditions before renting a vehicle.
Good to know:
To rent a vehicle in the USA, individuals must generally be over 25 years of age, have a valid driver’s license with a photo, and a credit or debit card as a form of payment. A person does not necessarily need to own personal automobile insurance to rent a car from some vendors. Typically, car rental businesses offer different types of car rental insurance plans and protection products. Note that young drivers, too, may pay an additional surcharge to cover risks associated with less experienced drivers.
Best ways to gain discounts:
AMAC members can enjoy savings on rental cars, SUVs, & vans when they travel. This includes:
- Price matching
- Upgrades
- Priority booking
To receive discounted rates or more information, head to Amac.us (Link to site: AMAC Members save BIG on car rentals)
Some other popular ways for seniors to obtain car rental discounts include:
- Call the car rental company directly (e.g., Dollar, Hertz, Sixt, Thrifty) to inquire about senior discounts for those 50 and up.
- Inquiring directly about car rental discounts for military, government & veterans, if applicable.
- Inquiring about corporate rates, if applicable.
- Inquiring about loyalty membership discounts.
- Using a AAA (American Automobile Association) car rental discount
- Using a USAA (The United Services Automobile Association) car rental discount
- Using a membership-driven retail store discount (Costco, Sam’s Club, or another major membership store)
- Negotiating for a better deal or asking for upgrades.
More to know about car rental discounts for seniors
Transportation can be expensive, including car rentals. Thus, obtaining discounts through AMAC or other sources is a great way for seniors, particularly those on fixed incoinmes, to save money. Since charges vary amongst rental companies, one may wish to shop around for the best car rental discounts for seniors. When shopping rates, do consider how far you’ll need to go to obtain the rental vehicle and watch out for hidden fees. If possible, reserve your vehicle early and in advance and be flexible in pick-up time, if possible, to save money. While it’s important to have adequate insurance, investigate insurance options to avoid overly inflated package deals that may unnecessarily drive costs up.
